Tom Raffio
President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, Chair

Jackie Cowell
Executive Director, Early Learning NH, Coordinator.

Coalition Advisors

Virginia Barry
Commissioner, NH Department of Education

Paul Leather
Deputy Commissioner, NH Department of Education

Steering Committee

Barbara Couch
VP, Hypertherm

Jim Roche
President, NH Business & Industry Association

Steve Norton
Director, NH Center for Public Policy

Richard Ober
President, NH Charitable Foundation

Tom Horgan
President, NH College & University Council

Gary Groleau
Sr. Divisional Mgr, NH Ball Bearings

Tom Raffio
President/CEO, Northeast Delta Dental

Fred Kocher
Trustee, NH High Technology Council

Jackie Cowell
Executive Director, Early Learning NH

We have all attended what seems like countless meetings where the topic of poorly prepared graduates, from both high schools and colleges- who just don’t measure up to our workforce expectations- is discussed.  If you are like me, you probably wonder if we are ever going to do more about this concern than just talk about it. Frankly, I can’t attend another meeting where all we do is complain about this problem and don’t offer any solutions.

I hope you will consider supporting the creation of a New Hampshire Coalition for Business and Education that will be focused entirely on advocating for quality education in New Hampshire at a time when brainpower is the new currency of success in the 21^st century.

This effort will bring together a high-level group of business leaders to be a sounding board for excellent ideas on improving education at the secondary and postsecondary levels and then serve as a vocal advocate for those ideas that can make a difference.

In the process of advocating for education, this Coalition of business, policy and education leaders will avoid duplication of existing initiatives already working, and will use its influence to support efforts that are making a difference.

We have already surveyed business and education leaders across New Hampshire and find that they strongly support the concept of a high-level group of New Hampshire leaders focused on advocating for improvements in education.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has agreed to serve as the Coalition’s fiscal agent and to accept tax deductible contributions, which will be used for operating expenses.  The New Hampshire College & University Council will provide administrative support in the start-up phase of this effort.

If we are serious about New Hampshire’s economic future, then there is no more important issue facing our state than the education of its citizen workforce. I hope you will consider joining in this critically important effort.

Tom Raffio
President and CEO

Northeast Delta Dental