GRDC Leadership & StaffMeet the dedicated team that is eager to learn more about your business.
Anne is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of all GRDC operations including management of two business incubators, GRDC’s loan portfolio and programs, workforce development activities, business retention and recruitment efforts. Anne also works closely with Grafton County’s 39 municipalities to identify and achieve their unique economic development priorities.
Before joining GRDC, Anne Duncan Cooley was Executive Director of the Upper Valley Housing Coalition in Lebanon, focusing on workforce housing issues. After Tropical Storm Irene, Anne served as Chair of Upper Valley Strong, leading a multi-year collaboration of agencies, government, individuals and local organizations helping individuals in the region recover from the disaster. A longtime resident of Grafton County, Duncan Cooley has also volunteered in her community, including as a Board member and Chair of the Orford Selectboard, and was a longtime Director and Board Chair of Upper Valley United Way.
A graduate of Mt. Holyoke College and Vermont Law School, Duncan Cooley practiced law with the firm of Stebbins, Bradley, Harvey and Miller in Hanover. She was honored in 2012 with the Granite United Way President’s award for her work with Upper Valley Strong, and in 2015 received the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award. Anne is a member of the Leadership New Hampshire Class of 2008.
Michelle is responsible for outreach to local businesses and managing participation in the Community Navigator Pilot Program. Through this program, funded by the Small Business Administration, Michelle will connect businesses and entrepreneurs with financial, marketing, operations, and business development assistance, as well as industry-specific training.
Before joining GRDC, Michelle worked in California and Rhode Island as a community outreach director for the national environmental group, Clean Water Action. In addition to community outreach and building membership Michelle was particularly focused on reducing toxic chemical exposure. She was able to help cities and towns in Rhode Island procure safer products and increase sustainability.
Michelle grew up in Grafton County and is excited to be home and doing what she can to aid in the economic development of this place that she loves.
Brian is responsible for managing GRDC’s small business and micro-lending programs. Brian works closely with GRDC’s business clients as well as with banks and other financial institutions to ensure that small businesses in Grafton County can access the capital they need to start up and grow.
Before joining GRDC, Brian had after a long and vibrant career at Meredith Village Savings Bank. Chalmers joined MVSB in 1990, moved to the Ashland office in 1991, became the Bank’s first Business Development Officer in 1998, and eventually grew his one-man business development efforts into a larger team to cover MVSB’s expanding footprint, receiving a promotion to Vice President Commercial Loan Officer. Brian’s professional passion is working with small local businesses and he has provided financing to more than 1000 businesses in Grafton County.
Brian is a dedicated and enthusiastic community volunteer and he enjoys golfing, hiking, and kayaking in his spare time.
Alison is responsible for programs and marketing. She brings more than fifteen years of experience as a small business owner in Grafton County as well as ten years of experience working in higher education and nonprofits focused on rural economic and community development. In her time in Grafton County, she’s lived in both the White Mountains and the Upper Valley. Alison and her husband Fred are “culture vultures” who love the variety of fine and performing arts found in Grafton County — from local community productions to world renowned performers, from local gallery openings to major exhibits at the Hood.
Karen joined GRDC in 2009 and is responsible for all aspects of bookkeeping. This includes maintenance and management of all financial transactions within the organization. Karen successfully organized and implemented the installation of internal software, which manages and organizes all loan client financial activity.
GRDC is led by a dedicated group of engaged volunteers who believe in a better future for Grafton County. They are diverse leaders; coming from many different industries, backgrounds, and geographic areas within Grafton County.
Jim Alden | President, Chutters Candy Store
Harrison Kanzler | Executive Director, AHEAD
Sarah Rubury | Attorney, Wescott Law, P.A.
Kim Robinson
Members of the Board
Tim Corwin | Deputy Planning & Development Director, City of Lebanon
Matt Giffin | Architectural Designer, Banwell Architects
Patty Monahan | VP Commercial & Municipal Loan Officer, Mascoma Bank
