CPCNH 2026 Annual Meeting Recap

Members, staff, and partners gather for CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Concord.

Members and guests participate in CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting at the Grappone Center.

Andrew Hatch, Jackson Kaspari, and Kim Quirk participate in CPCNH’s Annual Meeting.

Representatives from The Energy Authority present during CPCNH’s Annual Meeting.

Executive Director Henry Herndon presents during CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting.

Members participate in discussions during CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Concord.

Matt Miller addresses attendees during CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Concord.

Clifton Below and Kenneth Traum speak during CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting.

Matt Miller and Andrea Hodson are recognized for their service to CPCNH.

Beth McGuinn and Edgar Rivera participate in CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting.

Michael Postar, Henry Herndon, and Jamie Hess during CPCNH’s Annual Meeting.

Representatives from TEA and Calpine Energy Solutions attend CPCNH’s Annual Meeting.

CPCNH staff, consultants, and partners gather during the 2026 Annual Meeting.

CPCNH staff members gather during CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Concord.

CPCNH members from across New Hampshire, representing more than 30 different municipalities and counties, participated in person and remotely in the 2026 Annual Meeting held April 30 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Joined by CPCNH staff and vendor partners, attending members reviewed organizational priorities, discussed developments in the state’s evolving energy market, and conducted annual membership and Board elections, among other items.

New London Representative Jamie Hess displays a portable solar panel during CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Concord.

CPCNH Board Chair Kim Quirk opened the meeting with remarks reflecting on the Coalition’s organizational progress and priorities for 2026, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen financial stability, support local energy development, and maintain a competitive community power marketplace in New Hampshire, after which the membership approved a proposed amendment to CPCNH’s by-laws allowing communities to designate up to two alternate Member Representatives (instead of just one) to support greater participation and engagement across the Coalition.

Independent Risk Assessment & Competitive Landscape

Representatives from The Energy Authority (TEA) Christine Fitzgerald and Kevin Galke then presented the results of an independent evaluation of CPCNH’s enterprise risk management and operational performance. Afterwards, CPCNH Board Treasurer Kathleen Kelley provided a financial overview and outlook for 2026, followed by Executive Director Henry Herndon presenting an update on New Hampshire’s evolving competitive energy landscape and CPCNH’s organizational priorities moving forward. Herndon discussed continued growth in Community Power participation statewide, utility default service pricing practices, regional market conditions, and CPCNH’s ongoing focus on operational stability, competitiveness, and internal capacity building.

Governance & Compliance Trainings

The Annual Meeting also included governance and compliance trainings for Members and Directors. Michael Postar and Kevin Kurzeja of Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke reviewed CPCNH’s Conflict of Interest Policy, while Attorney Elijah Emerson of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC presented an overview of New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law and public meeting requirements applicable to CPCNH and its committees.

Board Elections & Membership Actions

Members elected Kenneth Traum and John McCollister as new Directors to CPCNH’s Board of Directors and re-elected Clifton Below, Kathleen Kelley, Doria Brown, and David Hemenway to additional 3-year terms. The Coalition also recognized outgoing Directors Matt Miller, Lisa Sweet, and Andrea Hodson for their service and contributions to the organization. Members additionally received CPCNH’s 2026 Annual Report and annual committee reports.

Subsequent Board Meeting & Officer Elections

Following the Annual Meeting, CPCNH’s Board of Directors convened to elect officers, appoint committee leadership, and review organizational policies and financial updates.

The Board re-elected Kim Quirk as Chair, Doria Brown as Vice Chair, and Kathleen Kelley as Treasurer, while Clifton Below was elected Secretary. Peter Kulbacki was appointed as the fifth member of the Executive Committee.

Board members additionally reviewed committee appointments, discussed financial reports and organizational KPIs, and considered governance-related policies and procedural guidance, including proposed whistleblower and document retention policies and a nonpublic meeting facilitation guide for committee chairs.