About
The Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) is a nonprofit alternative lender that provides advising, funding, and support to new and existing companies that have challenges accessing traditional financing in New Hampshire.
REDC was established in 1994 as a regional non-profit development corporation serving Rockingham County. Supported by the NH Office of Planning beginning in 1996, REDC hired its first full-time staff person to provide economic development and a Regional Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to the 37 communities in the county. Over the next several years, REDC assisted several large and small companies’ expansion efforts using CDBG financing as well as the USDA Rural Development’s Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG). This has been the cornerstone financing tool for the capitalization of the Regional Loan Fund (RLF). At present, REDC provides lending to communities in Southern New Hampshire, as well as offers micro-loans and technical assistance state-wide.
In 2014, REDC built the Regional Economic Business Development and Training Center in Raymond, New Hampshire. The Center is home to the REDC and provides a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs, existing businesses, lenders, and community leaders seeking assistance to help them stimulate economic activities. The Business Center has space allocated, with complete electronic support, for training sessions sponsored by area business groups, trade associations, and educational institutions.
REDC Team
Laurel Adams
President
Laurel oversees financing, loan administration, grant development, fundraising, CEDS development, Community development, the Brownfields loan and grant program, and the REDC Training Center.
Daniel Gray
Executive Vice President
Daniel manages all lending and underwriting for the organization. He reviews draft underwriting, implements changes as necessary, and works with local banks and economic development corporations to increase the organization's lending footprint.
Karla Dillon
Accountant
Karla manages accounting for REDC, as well as review of client accounts and grant management.
Angel Paradis
Office Manager & Loan Coordinator
Angel handles the day-to-day administrative duties of REDC and provides support the REDC President and staff, with a focus on lending.
Adam Moaratty
Program Coordinator
Adam is responsible for client intake, administrative duties, and providing support to the REDC team.
Laura Harper Lake
Graphic Designer & Design Advisor
Laura handles the graphic design and marketing for REDC, as well as provides free technical assistance for REDC clients who need graphic design, website design, and marketing assistance for their small businesses.
Liz Salas
Business Advisor
Liz is responsible for counseling current and prospective REDC clients. Her advising includes business planning, financial planning, and marketing plan development.
Jen Kimball
CEDS Planner
Jennifer heads up the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for REDC. Jennifer assists businesses in digging into these resources, a service we have been previously unavailable to provide directly to businesses.
REDC's Extra Special Support Team
Max
Chief Barketing Officer
Max has a way with woofs, and enjoys letting everyone know the news of REDC.
Duke
Toy Durability Analyst
Duke ensures all toys are up to code and have the right stuff-ing to get the job done.
Daisy
Accounts Retrievable
Daisy will keep an accurate count of just how many pets you give her, but her tail will wag countless times.
Harper
Senior Pawjects Manager
Harper organizes, plans, and executes pawjects, while ensuring everyone takes enough pet breaks.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scott Zeller
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Mr. Zeller is an entrepreneur who has started several local companies. He has used his background in law to aid local non-profits, such as the NH Music Chamber, with their formation. Each year Mr. Zeller travels to El Salvador to donate his time through the charitable organization Friends of ASAPROSAR (FoA), which provides critical eye care services to the local population. Mr. Zeller also served on the REDC Loan Committee for several years and sits on the board for a private charitable foundation based out of Las Vegas, NV.
Dianne Connolly
VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Since 2012, Ms. Connolly has served on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army in Concord, NH, served as Secretary for the Windham Economic Development Committee, and as Chairman for the Merrimack Valley chapter of SCORE. Ms. Connolly cofounded Lab Force, Inc., a medical staffing company based in Windham, NH, providing specialized medical staffing throughout much of the United States. Concurrent with her successful 18-year career with Lab Force, Inc., Ms. Connolly served on a variety of educational and community boards, including nine years as a Trustee for The Derryfield School in Manchester, NH, concluding her service with three years as Chairman. In 2006, Ms. Connolly established DM Connolly Associates to provide management, strategic planning, and transition planning services to for-profit and nonprofit companies.
Thomas Conaton
TREASURER
Mr. Conaton is a Senior Vice President at Primary Bank, and a member of the REDC Loan Committee. In addition to serving on the REDC Board, he has served on the Board of the SEE Science Center and the Home Health & Hospice Care. Mr. Conaton is also a 2012 graduate of the Greater Manchester Leadership Program.
Robert McDonald
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. McDonald retired from Santander Bank as a Senior Credit Officer and serves on the REDC Loan Committee. He is also actively involved in local economic development in NH as a long-time member of the Londonderry Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
George Sioras
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Sioras is the Planning and Community Development Director for the town of Derry, NH. He works closely with Derry businesses to facilitate economic development, as well as acts as a liaison for the Derry Revolving Loan Fund (DRLF), which REDC helps run. Mr. Sioras is also on the Board of Directors of CART (Greater Derry-Salem Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation). CART is a non-profit public transit agency serving towns in the Derry-Salem area which provides access to medical care, employment, and other basic life needs for transit-dependent individuals.
William Davis
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Davis is a Brigadier General and Chief of Staff of the New Hampshire Air National Guard. During his military career he has held various positions including Director of Staff, Vice Commander of the 157th Air Refueling Wing, and Deputy Commander of Sather Air Base, Iraq. He served as town and school moderator for Newfields, NH for 13 years and is a founding member and treasurer of the New Hampshire Military Assistance Foundation. A member of our Board since 2005, General Davis is a past Chair and Treasurer.
Nancy Carmer
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Carmer has been the Economic Development Program Manager for the City of Portsmouth since 1998. Ms. Carmer is a Certified New Hampshire Economic Development professional and is a graduate of the UNH Economic Development Academy. She has served as project manager on several community and economic development projects. She currently serves as the city’s liaison to Art-Speak, the city’s Cultural Commission, the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee, and local business associations. Ms. Carmer has a bachelor of science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Allegheny College and has completed several master degree level courses in economic development and sustainability.
André Garron
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Garron is the Community Development Director/Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Salem, NH. He has over 25 years of Community Planning and Economic Development experience, having worked in communities such as the City of Lee's Summit, MO, Town of Goffstown, NH, Town of Londonderry, NH, and the UNH Cooperative Extension. Mr. Garron is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a graduate of the International Economic Development Council's Economic Development Institute.
Mike Decelle
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Decelle is the Dean of UNH Manchester, a multidisciplinary, research college of the University of New Hampshire. He assumed leadership of the Manchester campus in February 2016 following a 35-year career in the technology sector as an engineer, corporate executive, and startup company CEO. Mr. Decelle also serves as the Chief Workforce Officer for the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI). Mr. Decelle graduated from UNH with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, and was recruited on campus by Bell Laboratories and accepted into their graduate fellowship program, earning a master’s in electrical engineering from Cornell. He later completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard University.
Stephen Falzone
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Falzone retired from the financial services industry having worked for the Boston Stock Exchange, Fidelity Investments, Canadian Imperial Bank of Canada, and The National Bank of Canada. He served three terms as an elected official in the Town of Hampton, NH on the Trustees of the Trust Fund Board, and two years as Chairman.
Stephanie Santos
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Santos is a Senior Vice President and Business Banking Director at Newburyport Bank and has over 13 years of experience in the commercial lending industry. Her role as a Small Business Administration (SBA) specialist has allowed her to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of business loans and government programs. Ms. Santos also serves as the Board Chair for the Great Bay Kids Company.