MANCHESTER, NH – The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has selected Ellie Cochran as the 2015 Citizen of the Year. The award will be presented Thursday, April 16 at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner at the Radisson Hotel, Manchester. The Citizen of the Year Award is an annual tradition which began in 1954.
Cochran is a lifelong Manchester resident. She is the daughter of David and Dorothy Goodwin, who she says instilled the importance of community service in their children. David Goodwin operated Goodwin Funeral Home, started by his grandfather, for more than 50 years. He and Dorothy were dedicated philanthropists and volunteers, supporting numerous Manchester organizations. Cochran attended the Derryfield School and Colby Sawyer College and later served on the boards of both schools. She and her husband, David, raised their children Sarah and Andrew with similar values – encouraging them to give back to their community.
Cochran retired from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation in December 2013, where she served nearly a decade as director of philanthropy.
“We are honored and thrilled to name Ellie as our next Citizen of the Year,” said Michael Skelton, GMCC President and CEO. “Ellie perfectly embodies the qualities the Citizen of the Year award stands for of service, leadership, and dedication to the betterment of her community.”
Cochran began her career at New England Telephone, and later served in various capacities at the Derryfield School, including Alumni Director. During her time at Derryfield, she introduced students to volunteerism. She has served on countless boards throughout New Hampshire, including the YWCA, United Way, Special Olympics NH, NH Charitable Foundation Manchester Region, Manchester Boys and Girls Club and others. She has volunteered with still more, lending her expertise and energy – she was one of the first “loaned executives” to the United Way campaign and her contributions to New Hampshire’s mental health community were recognized by the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, which honored her with the 2013 Community Leadership Award. She currently serves on the boards of the NH Institute of Art, NH Bar Foundation and Colby-Sawyer College President’s Advisory Council.
Cochran was nominated for Citizen of the Year by Jack Middleton of McLane Law Firm. In his nomination, Middleton said, “Ellie has been a constant contributor to the wellbeing of Manchester and of New Hampshire. She is the role model for philanthropic participation.”
Since 1954 the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has presented one outstanding individual the Citizen of the Year Award. This group of individuals has been paramount in shaping the Chamber’s agenda and the community. The Citizen of the Year award recognizes an individual with outstanding leadership and citizenship in the community, while demonstrating exemplary vision, civic pride and commitment to the betterment of society. To be nominated, the individual should live in the greater Manchester area, and/or his/her activities should be centered in the same area. Recognition is given for leadership and performance in several areas of community service over a period of years. The individual recognized does not have to be a member of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce or the business community. It may be an individual from any walk of life, and there are no requirements or restrictions relating to gender, race, religion or ethnic background.
Cochran will be recognized as 2015 Manchester Citizen of the Year at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, presented by Eastern Bank, on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 5 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, Downtown Manchester. Click here for tickets.
About the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce: Incorporated in 1911, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) is the largest business organization in the greater Manchester area with close to 1,000 members. The GMCC focuses its efforts primarily on Manchester and the surrounding communities of Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, and Merrimack. It is the Chamber’s mission to be the leading force in the improvement of the business environment, the economic health and the general vitality of the region. The GMCC provides members with marketing and networking opportunities, economic indicators, legislative bulletins, and representation in both local and state government. For more information visit www.manchester-chamber.org.
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