Trustee Biographies

The Honorable CHRISTOPHER T. SUNUNU
(ex-officio)
January 5, 2017 –

PROFILE: Ex-officio member of the USNH Board of Trustees beginning January 5, 2017 when he became the state’s 82nd chief executive.

 

KASSANDRA SPANOS ARDINGER
Gubernatorial Appointee
2016 - 2024
(Secretary)

PROFILE: Graduate of George Washington University (J.D., 1985) and Dartmouth College (B.A., 1982). Clerked for administrative law judges in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. (1985-1987); practiced law in Claremont, NH, with her father, Charles V. Spanos. Serves many nonprofits including HEAR in New Hampshire (1999-2007); Child and Family Services (2005-2008); Concord Board of Education (2007-2015); New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC); Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (2014-present); Concord School District, treasurer (elected 2011, 2015); Concord Community Music School (2015-present). Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Hassan to a term beginning June 30, 2016 and expiring June 30, 2020; re-appointed by Gov. Sununu to a term expiring June 30, 2024.

 

DONALD L. BIRX
President, Plymouth State University (ex-officio)
 July 31, 2015 –

PROFILE: Graduate of U.C. Berkeley (B.S. 1974); Miami University (Ohio) (M.S. 1976, M.B.A. Finance 1980); University of Dayton (Ph.D. 1990). Former chancellor of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Appointed the 15th president of Plymouth State University on May 14, 2015. Ex-officio member of the USNH Board of Trustees effective July 31, 2015 when he assumed the presidency of Plymouth State University.

 

JAMES P. BURNETT, III (JAMIE)
Gubernatorial Appointee
2017 - 2026
(Vice Chair)

PROFILE: Graduate of the University of New Hampshire (MAT, 1998; MPA, 1996; B.A., 1995). Consultant at Sight Line Public Affairs LLC (Present); Principal at Profile Strategy Group, LLC (2009-2018) and Advantage Government Affairs, LLC (2018); served as senior legislative aide to Senators Judd Gregg (1999-2002) and John E. Sununu (2003-2007) in Washington, DC; served as a volunteer director to several non-profit and advisory boards, including the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Foundation (2011-2014); Manchester Community Health Center (2009-2014, Chairman 2011-2014); St. Thomas Aquinas High School Alumni Leadership Council (2009-2014); Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy (2013-2018). Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Sununu to a term beginning April 5, 2017 and expiring June 30, 2018; re-appointed by Gov. Sununu to a term expiring June 30, 2022; reappointed by Gov. Sununu to a term expiring June 30, 2026.

 

EMILY A. COUTERMARSH
Student Trustee (PSU)
2023 - 2024
2022 - 2023 (USSB)

 

JAMES W. DEAN, JR.
President, University of New Hampshire (ex-officio)
July 1, 2018 - 

PROFILE: Graduate of Catholic University of America (B.A., 1978); Carnegie Mellon University, Graduate School of Industrial Administration (M.S., 1980); Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business (Ph.D., 1983). Former Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost, UNC Chapel Hill. Appointed the 20th president of the University of New Hampshire on April 4, 2018. Ex-officio member of the USNH Board of Trustees effective July 1, 2018.

 

M. JACQUELINE EASTWOOD
Gubernatorial Appointee
2017 - 2025

PROFILE: Entrepreneur and philanthropist who has lived in Durham for the past 18 years. Successful track record not only in business, but in education, having started a successful school in Cambodia and having worked recently with several UNH-affiliated entities. Currently serves as Secretary on the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation Board, Board Member of The Global Child, and Chairman of the Board of Quatic Apparel. Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Sununu to a term beginning August 23, 2017 and expiring June 30, 2021; re-appointed by Gov. Sununu to a term expiring June 30, 2025.

 

FRANK L. EDELBLUT
Commissioner of Education (ex-officio)
February 16, 2017 - March 23, 2025

PROFILE: Graduate of University of Rhode Island (B.S., 1983); Masters of Theological Studies from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 2015. Former Republican member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. During his term in the House, served on the Finance Committee, Special Committee on Pensions and the Child and Family Law Committee. Started as a Certified Public Accountant with a large international accounting firm many years ago and briefly worked as a Chief Financial Officer for a public company. In 1990, started his own company that was sold to a French firm in 2009. Since then he has been creating jobs as an active investor in early stage companies across a range of industries including technology, med-tech, and even a wine company. Appointed as Commissioner of Education by Gov. Sununu and confirmed by the Executive Council to a term beginning February 16, 2017 to March 31, 2017; re-appointed by Gov. Sununu to a term expiring March 23, 2025.

 

JAMES GRAY, designee for President of the Senate Chuck Morse
Designee for President of the Senate (ex-officio)
January 14, 2021 -

PROFILE: Ex-officio member of the USNH Board of Trustees pursuant to HB 2 (2015) and RSA 187-A:13, VIII and IX.

 

CATHY J. GREEN
UNH Alumni-Elected
2017 - 2025 (2nd term)

PROFILE: Graduate of Trinity College (Hartford, Ct. 1974) and the University of New Hampshire School of Law - formerly Franklin Pierce Law Center (1977). Employed at Shaheen & Gordon PA in Concord, NH focusing on criminal defense. Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers; recognized as a Champion of Liberty by the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers which she co-founded and served as President of from 1989-2001; President of the New Hampshire Public Defender Board of Directors; Member of the Board of Trustees for the Franklin Pierce Law Center/UNH School of Law from 2003, which she chaired from 2011-2014 when it merged with the University of New Hampshire. Elected by UNH alumni to serve a four-year term on the USNH Board of Trustees beginning in 2017 and expiring in 2025.

 

PATRICK W. GRIFFIN
Gubernatorial Appointee
2023 - 2026

PROFILE: Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Merrimack Potomac + Charles (MP+C). He has become a noted expert on early primary and caucus states as a media consultant working on four presidential campaigns and numerous other campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, and Governor.

During his 35 years in marketing and strategic communications, Mr. Griffin’s clients have included numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as some of the most important consumer brands in the world, including Coca-Cola USA, Anheuser Busch Inc., NASCAR, Dunkin’ Donuts, and McDonald's to name a few.

Prior to launching MP+C, Mr. Griffin was the Founding Partner and CEO of Griffin York & Krause (now GYK/Antler), a full-service advertising, brand building, and digital marketing firm. Mr. Griffin has also served as the Managing Partner of Purple Strategies, with offices in Washington, Chicago and Boston.

Mr. Griffin is the author of two books: “Pay No Attention to that Man Behind the Curtain” and “Primary Columns.” He has appeared regularly as a political commentator on CNN and Fox News, and in The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, and Politico.

He lectures across the country on politics and the presidency, brand engagement and public affairs.  He recently completed a teaching fellowship at The Center for the Political Future at the University of Southern California, has served as a senior fellow at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire and has been a frequent lecturer at The Institute of Politics at The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Sununu to a term beginning February 8, 2023 expiring June 30, 2026.

 

GEORGE S. HANSEL
Gubernatorial Appointee
2019 - 2027

PROFILE: Graduate of Saint Lawrence University (B.A. 2009). Co-owner of Filtrine Manufacturing Company in Keene; Keene City Council (2016 -2019); Governor's Millennial Advisory Council (2017-present). Serves on various city committee and non-profit boards. Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Sununu to a term beginning July 1, 2019 and expiring June 30, 2023; re-appointed by Gov. Sununu to a term expiring June 30, 2027.

 

SHAWN N. JASPER
Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (ex-officio)
November 22, 2017 - November 18, 2027
Speaker of the House (ex-officio, non-voting) 2015 - 2017

PROFILE: Ex-officio member of the USNH Board of Trustees pursuant to HB 2 (2015) and RSA 187-A:13 from September 16, 2015 to November 30, 2017; appointed as commissioner of agriculture by Gov. Sununu and confirmed by the Executive Council to a term beginning November 22, 2017 to November 18, 2022; re-appointed by Gov. Sununu and confirmed by the Executive Council to a term expiring November 18, 2027.

 

KEVIN KNARR
Gubernatorial Appointee
2022 - 2024

PROFILE: Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Sununu to a term beginning March 23, 2022 and expiring June 30, 2024.

 

RICK LADD, designee for Speaker of the House Sherman Packard
Designee for Speaker of the House of Representatives (ex-officio)
January 14, 2021 - 

PROFILE: Ex-officio member of the USNH Board of Trustees pursuant to HB 2 (2015) and RSA 187-A:13, VIII and IX.

 

PATRICK MOORE
Student Trustee (UNH)
2023 - 2024

PROFILE: Currently a undergraduate attending the University of New Hampshire’s Paul College studying Economics and International Affairs. He will graduate in 2025. He was born in Durham, NH and UNH’s Durham Campus has played a major role in his upbringing. Elected as student trustee to the University System Board of Trustees by the UNH student body to a term expiring June 30, 2024.

 

MACKENZIE MURPHY
GSC Alumni-Elected
2021 - 2025 (1st term)

PROFILE: Graduate of Granite State College (B.S. 2019). Mackenzie currently works in the field of Higher Education and is pursuing her Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration. As a graduate of Nashua Community College (NCC), Mackenzie served as Student Senate President while working part-time in the NCC’s Admissions Office. She earned her Associates degree in Teacher Education in 2017, as well as a School Aged Para-Educator II Certificate. While attending NCC, she was awarded with the President’s Leadership Award through Campus Compact for NH and the 2017 Student Engagement Award. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Granite State College with Dual Bachelor's Degrees in Business Management and Psychology, while serving as the Undergraduate Student Representative on the USNH Board of Trustees. Mackenzie currently serves on the Merrimack School District Budget Committee and Town of Merrimack Ethics Committee. She has worked on campaigns at the Presidential, Congressional and Executive Council level in NH and recently ran for NH State Representative. Through her tenure in Higher Education, she has formed relationships with high school counselors and administrators in NH, business, industry, and community partners, as well as Presidents and administrators of NH Colleges and Universities. As a product of the University System of NH and a current alumni advisory board member of Granite State College, she continues to be a strong advocate in promoting the University System of NH colleges to students. Elected by GSC alumni to serve a four-year term on the USNH Board of Trustees expiring June 30, 2025. 

 

JOEL NKOUNKOU
UNH Alumni – Elected
2022 – 2026 (1st term)

PROFILE: Is an engineer by academia and a social entrepreneur by passion. Following his father who embarked graduate pursuits at UNH, electrical engineering was Joel’s choice aligned with the class of 2018. He made an intention to explore several opportunities of professional development outside of the classroom. Commencing a technical career in product development, engineering, and design. His focus is ecoText, a collaborative digital learning platform that brings academic resources to life while unlocking classroom discussion and insights. Education is a space that Joel is passionate about not only from a perspective of understanding how technology can unlock innovative avenues of learning but also how implementing certain strategies can increase equitable outcomes for modern students. Elected by UNH alumni to serve a four-year term on the USNH Board of Trustees beginning July 1, 2022 and expiring June 30, 2026.

 

PETER T. PAUL
Gubernatorial Appointee
2022 – 2025

PROFILE: Graduate of the University of New Hampshire (B.S., 1967); Boston University (MBA, 1971) where he also served as a Trustee from 2005-2019. Chairman of Headlands Asset Management, LLC, which he founded in 2008. He is also the owner of West Biofuels and Peter Paul Wines. Served as Chair of The Headlands Foundation; Vice Chairman of GreenPoint Financial; President & CEO of GreenPoint Mortgage; CEO of Paul Financial, LLC (2003 – 2007).  Member of Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (1998-2004); Sequoia National bank (2001 – 2005); JMP Securities (2006-2009). Recipient of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Alumni Award for Distinguished Service from The Graduate School of Management at Boston University, First Annual Achievement in Business Award from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics, the Pettee Medal, and The Hubbard Award, both from the University of New Hampshire. Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Sununu to a term beginning May 18, 2022, and expiring June 30, 2025.

 

MICHAEL J. PILOT
UNH Alumni-Elected
2019 - 2027 (2nd term)

PROFILE: Graduate of the University of New Hampshire (B.S., 1984). Managing Partner at Spur Acquisitions. Retired officer at GE (2015). Roles included president GE Capital Small Business Finance, president GE Capital Equipment Finance, president NBC Universal Ad Sales. Served on UNH Foundation Board 2008-2018. Serves on the Paul College Dean’s Advisory Council and NH Charitable Foundation Regional Board. Elected by UNH alumni to serve a four-year term on the USNH Board of Trustees beginning July 1, 2019 and expiring June 30, 2023; re-elected to a second term expiring June 30, 2027.

 

J. MORGAN RUTMAN
UNH Alumni–Elected
2016 - 2024 (2nd term)

PROFILE: Graduated with honors from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire (1984). Currently president of Willoughby Capital Holdings, a Single Family Office (SFO) private investment company established in 2009. Founded Harvest Management LLC, a multi-strategy hedge fund focused on merger arbitrage, long/short investing and event driven situations; prior to Harvest, he was one of the four founding partners of Farallon Partners, a hedge fund specializing in merger arbitrage and distressed securities/bankruptcy investing. Previously co-managed Steinhardt Partners' merger arbitrage portfolio; began investment career at Dillon Read as an analyst in its merger arbitrage department. Served on the UNH Foundation (2001-present, chairman 2014-present). He and his wife, Tara Rutman, provided generous support in many ways to the University. In addition to establishing two named scholarships, the Rutmans have supported the Stadium and track renovations. In honor of his parents, Darrett B. Rutman and Anita H. Rutman, they established the Distinguished Lecture Series on the American Presidency, in collaboration with the President’s Distinguished Speakers Series. Elected by UNH alumni to serve a four-year term on the USNH Board of Trustees expiring June 30, 2020; re-elected to a second term expiring June 30, 2024.

 

WAYNE SEMPRINI
PSU Alumni-Elected
2023 - 2027 (1st term)

PROFILE: Graduate of New England School of Law (J.D. 1982); Graduate of Plymouth State University (B.S., 1972). Currently a Realtor with Aland Realty Group in Portsmouth, NH. Founded orthopedic supply company, Northeast Surgical Specialties in 1984, and retired from the medical device industry in 2006. Served as New Castle, New Hampshire Town and School Moderator for over 30 years, Pastoral Council, Immaculate Conception Church, Founder and former Director, Maude H. Trefethen Scholarship Fund, Board of Directors, Portsmouth Yacht Club. Currently serves on Portsmouth 400th Anniversary Committee, Plymouth State University President’s Council, helped create the nation’s first accredited Medical Device Sales Certificate Program at Plymouth State University, and Founder of Newington NH Pickleball Tournament to benefit PSU Angels Scholarship Fund. Elected by PSU alumni to serve a four-year term on the USNH Board of Trustees beginning July 1, 2023, and expiring June 30, 2027.

 

GREGG R. TEWKSBURY
Gubernatorial Appointee
2020 - 2027

PROFILE: President and Chief Executive Officer of New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp (NHMB), a $2.7 billion mutual savings bank holding company based in Concord, New Hampshire. NHMB is the parent company for three community banks throughout NH as well as a state-chartered trust company with $1 billion of assets under management. Prior to joining NHMB in 2018, he was the President and CEO of Savings Bank of Walpole (SBW), based in southwestern NH. Prior to joining SBW, Gregg worked seven years for Merriam-Graves Corporation (a family-owned industrial and medical gas concern) as their CFO, nine years for CFX Corporation (a $2.8 billion publicly-held multi-bank holding company) as their CFO, and two years for Ernst & Young. He is a certified public accountant and holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the Whittemore School at the University of New Hampshire. Gregg serves as a board member for the Community Bankers Association of NH, Inc. (Director), and Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene. Gregg serves on the Investment Committee of Dartmouth Hitchcock Health and he, along with five other members, advise management on their investment holdings. He also serves on the American Bankers Association Communication Council and is an advisor to several other community groups. Gregg has also served on the New Hampshire Bankers Association, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Community Development Institutions Advisory Council, and the New England Automated Clearinghouse. Gregg has also done volunteer work with H Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, Monadnock Family Services, Keene Country Club, Chesterfield Public School Foundation, and many other organizations. Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Sununu to a term beginning August 5, 2020, and expiring June 30, 2023; re-appointed by Gov. Sununu to a term expiring June 30, 2027.

 

CHRISTIANA THORNTON
Gubernatorial Appointee
2022 - 2025

PROFILE: President and CEO of the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) Network, a nonprofit whose mission is to support New Hampshire students and families in navigating their education and career pathways. She formerly served as President of the NH Bankers Association and as a staff member for former United States Senator John E. Sununu, focusing on education, labor, banking, and housing policy issues. She currently serves as Chair of the National Council of Higher Education Resources (NCHER); and as a member of the New England Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC) for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; and as a member of the New Hampshire College Tuition Savings Plan Advisory Commission. She serves on the board of directors for New Hampshire Mutual Bank Corp; New Hampshire Trust Company; Merrimack County Savings Bank, a based mutually owned bank; and Concord Christian Academy, a K-12 school. She is a graduate of Rollins College (Winter Park, Fla.) with a B.A. in Political Science. Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Sununu to a term beginning March 23, 2022 and expiring June 30, 2025.

 

MELINDA D. TREADWELL
President, Keene State College (ex-officio)
July 31, 2017 - 

PROFILE: Graduate of Keene State College (B.S. 1990); Dartmouth Medical School (Ph.D., 1994). Former Interim Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs at Keene State College; Vice President for Academic Affairs at Antioch University New England; promoted to CEO and Provost at Antioch University of New England. Appointed interim president of Keene State College on July 31, 2017; appointed president of Keene State College on October 26, 2018. Ex-officio member of the USNH Board of Trustees effective July 31, 2017.

 

ALEXANDER J. WALKER, JR.
Gubernatorial Appointee
2016 - 2024
(Chair)

PROFILE: President of Catholic Medical Center, a 330-bed acute care hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire. Mr. Walker has been actively involved in the community for many years. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Palace Theatre; past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Granite United Way; New Hampshire Bar Association’s Board of Governors; New Hampshire Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission; Board of Directors of City Year – New Hampshire; and Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, serving as Chairman of the Board in 2011. Graduated from Northeastern University School of Law, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in English and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, at Boston. Proudly served for several years in the United States Marine Corps. Recipient of the Pastoral Counseling Services Good Samaritan Award, the Harvard Pilgrim Foundation’s Community Service Award, the American Hospital Association’s Grassroots Champion Award, and the New Hampshire Hospital Association’s Leslie A. Smith President’s Award. Appointed to the USNH Board of Trustees by Gov. Hassan to a term beginning June 30, 2016 and expiring June 30, 2020; re-appointed by Gov. Sununu to a term expiring June 30, 2024.

 

DAVID A. WESTOVER
KSC Alumni-Elected
2019 - 2027 (2nd term)

PROFILE: Graduate of Keene State College (B.A., 1972). Owner and eventual President of Clark-Mortenson Insurance Agency for majority of 30-year working career; Walpole Creamery Founding Partner; Great Brook Farm Sugar House Maple Syrup owner for many years; adjunct professor at Keene State College. Served on the Monadnock United Way, Keene Day Care Center and Fall Mt. Regional School District Boards. Served on the KSC Alumni Board for two three-year terms from 2009-2015, and as President of the Board in 2014. Elected by KSC alumni to serve a four-year term on the USNH Board of Trustees beginning July 15, 2019 and expiring June 30, 2023; re-elected to a second term expiring June 30, 2027.