Government RELATIONS DAY
Transcription
Government RELATIONS DAY
Government RelationS Day 2015 Advocate. Communicate. Educate. Together, shaping the future of the food industry. SPEAKERS NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day Founded in 1992, the NHGA Government Relations Education Fund (GREF) augments NHGA’s legislative activities in a host of ways to preserve your business’ rights. GREF’s purposes are primarily educational and for advocacy of critical issues affecting the food and beverage industries. GREF monies come directly from businesses throughout the industry including retailers, wholesalers, vendors, brokers and manufacturers. In addition, a small percentage is received from personal contributions. GREF funds cannot be used to support candidates for election. How Does G.R.E.F. Work? GREF has been established by the NHGA Board of Directors to raise funds which will be used to: Educate members of the State’s Legislature on issues which affect the food industry. Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Grocery Manufacturers Association GMA) Increase the political and legislative visibility of the food industry in the State’s Capitol. National Association of Convenience Stores Influence key policy decisions through a comprehensive political education program. National Grocers Association (NGA) Aggressively interact with all state agencies on rules and enforcement procedures. G.R.E.F. Action plan Create opportunities for members to meet and influence key decision makers through personal agency visits or Public Hearings. (NACS) National Petroleum Council (NPC) North American Wholesale Grocers Association (NAWGA) Non-Prescription Drug Manufacturers Association (NDMA) Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Provide members with accurate information about critical economic issues affecting them and the State. United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association Maintain immediate access and knowledge to State and Federal Laws, Regulations, pending Legislation, elected officials and agencies through the www.grocers.org website. Most New Hampshire and New England Based 110 Stark Street Manchester, NH 03101 Tel: (603) 669-9333 Fax: (603) 623-1137 2 Networking On Your Behalf American Plastics Council Trade Associations Coalition of New England Governors (CONEG) New England Convenience Store Association (NECSA) AdvocAte communicAte educAte Advocate. Communicate. Educate. 8:00 am Registration and Breakfast Buffet 8:45 am Welcome from the New Hampshire Senate Presented by Sen. Chuck Morse, Senate President 9:00 am Opening Remarks Presented by Tim Merrill, NHGA Chairman of the Board 9:05 am Overview of the New Hampshire Legislative Process Presented by Stuart Trachy, NHGA Government Affairs, John M. Dumais, NHGA President & CEO 9:35 am NHGA’s Ad Hoc Committee Activities Presented by Bruce Bergeron, Jake’s Market 9:45 am AGENDA OVERVIEW Report from the New Hampshire House Presented by Shawn Jasper, Speaker of the House 10:00 am Status Report on Federal Legislative Issues Important to Grocers Moderator: Judy Knapp, Hannaford Supermarkets Ilene Beattie, Jiffy Mart Stores John M. Dumais, NHGA President & CEO Jay Rainville, Market Basket Super 10:20 am Networking Break Presented by Amy Hall, NH Dairy Promotion, Director. HP Hood provided product to enjoy! 10:30 am Panel Discussion: Collaborating with Farmers to Increase Sales Sourcing and Selling Locally Grown and Produced Items Presented by Lorraine Merrill, NH Dept. of Agriculture, Commissioner, Gail McWilliam Jellie, Division of Agricultural Development, Director Rebecca Malila, Division of NH Weights & Measures, Director Tony White, Hanover-Lebanon Co-op stores, Director Of Operations John Cohen, Assistant Store Manager at E.M Heath Supermarket Larry Pletcher, farmer of locally grown organic produce, Vegetable Ranch, LLC 11:30 am Presentation of the National Grocers ‘Spirit of America’ Award Presented by John M. Dumais, NHGA President & CEO 11:45 am NHGA Annual Meeting Chaired by Tim Merrill, NHGA Chairwoman of the Board 12:00 pm Luncheon 12:30 pm Homeland Security: Preparing You and Your Customers for All Emergencies Presented by Michael D. Todd, Public Information Officer, NH Department of Safety 1:30 pm The Correct Way to Plan For Retirement Presented Joel Kapelson, Robert Aries and Kenneth Baron 2:30 pm The Annual Top Ten List of Violations Found by the NH Department of Labor Presented by Charla Bizios Stevens, Esq., McLane Law Firm 3:45 pm Adjourn Advocate. Communicate. Educate. 3 SPEAKERS NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day Join Us in Welcoming Our 2015 Annual Government Relations Day Speakers (in order of appearance) Tim Merrill, General Manager of AG Supermarkets, Inc. started his career in the grocery industry in 1974 at Violette’s IGA in Milford, NH, During Tim’s 20 year tenure at Violette’s he progressed from bag boy to deli/bakery manager, Ass’t Manager and Store Manager in 1994. Tim took a position as Ass’t Store Manager for Shaw’s. Five years later, he moved to the wholesale side of the business as a Retail Counselor at AGNE. In July 2004, Tim transitioned to the position of General Manager of AG Supermarkets, Inc. Tim, an outdoor enthusiast and avid hunter and fisherman, is a life long resident of Milford. He and his wife Jacqueline have 3 daughters, one son and a grandson. Stuart Trachy is currently the Government Affairs Consultant for NHGA. In this capacity he is well versed on state legislative and regulatory activities. At the State House he remains a well respected and effective advocate for the food industry. His success in this area is due to his ability to establish relationships that transcends partisan lines. He began his career by attending Saint Anselm’s College majoring in politics; and later attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Stuart was elected to the NH House of Representatives from 1976 to 1982. Following this state service, he formed his only lobbying firm and eventually acquired Kennedy Associates upon Philip Kennedy’s retirement. Beginning in 1993, he served eight years as chairman of the Merrimack County Board of Commissioners. In 2011, he was chairman of the LRGHealthcare Board of Trustees chairman. Today, Stuart represents numerous clients including the NH Coalition of Chain Drugs; NH State Chiropractic Society and the Wine Institute to name a few. During the legislative session, Stuart provides a detailed weekly report showing the current status of over 100 bills of interest to NHGA and its members. This report is e-mailed to any interested member at no charge. In addition, Stuart hosts a Monday morning conference call, which is open to all members, providing details and insight to all state government activities. Stuart is available throughout the entire year to assist in meeting with any state agency on issues affecting member’s businesses. John Dumais the President and Chief Executive Officer for NH Grocers Association. He administers the Association’s many programs and has been with the Association since 1974. He is Treasurer of the Food INDUSTRY Education Foundation of NH and Administrator for the state, licensed Grocers Insurance Agency. He remains Chair for NH the Beautiful, and member of the NH Food Bank Advisory Board. In his personal life he is the donor advisor of the Mary M. Dumais Memorial Fund that provides grants to organizations assisting business women. John graduated from NH College with a BA in Business (cum laude) and earned a minor in Management Information Systems. John resides in Antrim, NH with his wife, Melinda. 4 Advocate. Communicate. Educate. NHGA Legislative Report 2015-2016 Bill HB 114 HB 200 HB 219 HB 429 HB 550 HB 554 HB 585 SB 99 SB 169 SB 216 HB 197 HB 366 HB 391 SB 35 SB 93 SB 106 HB 122 HB 177 HB 187 HB 365 HB 411 Title Relative to grocery sales by stores licensed to sell alcoholic beverages (eliminates minimum grocery inventory language from the definition of “grocery or convenience store”) NEW TITLE: Allowing homestead food operations exempt from licensure to sell homestead food products at retail food stores Relative to uses of the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards (prohibits the use of EBT cards in business that primarily engage in body piercing, branding, or tattooing; cigar stores and smoke shops; and marijuana dispensaries. The bill also requires the department of health and human services to establish an education program relative to the use of EBT cards and requires the department to report on the effectiveness of electronic blocking of EBT cards at prohibited locations) Reviving the commission to review and consider alcoholic beverage manufacturing processes and retail sales at manufacturing facilities (revives the commission to review and consider alcoholic beverage manufacturing processes and retail sales at manufacturing facilities, which was repealed November 1, 2014. This bill was requested by the commission to review and consider alcoholic beverage manufacturing processes and retail sales at manufacturing facilities established by RSA 175:9) Relative to the administration of the tobacco tax (makes a variety of changes to the tobacco tax laws, including changing and adding certain definitions and removing references to metering machines. This bill clarifies activities which constitute unauthorized sales of tobacco products. The bill also adds records of tobacco stamps sold and tobacco products distributed to required taxpayer records) Relative to sales of beer in refillable containers (authorizes the sale of beer in refillable containers. This bill was requested by commission to study the sale of beer in refillable containers established in RSA 176:19) Relative to fines for violations of alcoholic beverage laws (I. Establishes a penalty assessment for violation of alcoholic beverage laws. II. Eliminates payments to counties and towns from fines for violations of alcoholic beverage laws) Establishing a committee to study allowing the sampling of beer or wine at farmer's markets Relative to permissible uses of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards (expands restrictions on the use of EBT cards. The bill also directs the department of health and human services to report on the adoption and implementation of restrictions on the use of EBT cards) NEW TITLE: Relative to sales of alcoholic beverages by manufacturers (authorizes sales of samples of alcoholic beverages by manufacturers. Samples sold by beverage manufacturers would be for on-premises consumption) Relative to sales and samples provided by wine manufacturers (allows a wine manufacturer licensee to charge for samples provided to visitors at its facility. This bill also authorizes the wine manufacturer to conduct sampling and retail sales at locations other than its manufacturing facility) Relative to the alcohol percentage used to classify beverages Applying the E911 surcharge to prepaid cellular telephones Sponsor Status Murphy, Retained in committee Keith Priority A Brown, Passed the House 3/11/15 with Rebecca amendment McMahon, Senate hearing 4/7/15, 1:00, 101 LOB Charles A Rice, Fred Senate hearing 3/31/15, 1:00, Room 100, SH A Ober, Russell Senate Ways & Means Committee hearing A 4/7/15, 9:45, Room 103 SH Williams, Kermit Senate hearing 3/31/15, 1:15, Room 100, SH A Cushing, Renny Retained in committee. House Ways & Means. A Feltes, Dan House Commerce Committee hearing 4/8/15, 1:30, 302 LOB Forrester, Hearing 4/8/15, 11:00, 205 LOB Jeanie A Boutin, David House hearing 4/7/15, 10:00, 302 LOB A Hansen, Peter Retained in committee B Retained in committee Referred to Senate Energy committee. B B House hearing 3/24/15, 10:00, 302 LOB B House Commerce Committee hearing 3/24/15, 10:45, 302 LOB House hearing 3/31/15, 10:00, 204 LOB B Hunt, John Introne, Robert Relative to the definition of wine- fortified (removes the word “grape” from the definition of Carson, wine-fortified) Sharon NEW TITLE: Relative to the definition of beverage Sanborn, Andy Restricting the sale or possession of synthetic drugs (prohibits the sale, use, or possession Kelly, of synthetic drugs in this state. The bill also requires the governor’s commission on alcohol Molly and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery to make recommendations for public awareness and education on the dangers of synthetic drugs) Relative to advertising of liquor or beverages (modifies the prohibition on advertisements of Murphy, alcoholic beverages referencing minors) Keith Before the Senate 4/9/15 with a recommendation the bill pass with amendment. Relative to sales for consumption on premise of beverage manufacturers (authorizes sales Hunt, John Senate hearing 3/31/15, 1:45, Room 100 of samples of alcoholic beverages by manufacturers. Samples sold by beverage SH manufacturers would be for on-premises consumption) Relative to information sharing for enforcement of the tobacco tax and relative to the Major, Passed the House 3/4/15. Referred to biennial adjustment of the filing threshold for the business enterprise tax (permits the Norman Senate Ways & Means Committee sharing of information between the department of revenue administration and the liquor commission’s division of enforcement for purposes of enforcement of the tobacco tax. Also sets formula for BET filing formula. Request of DRA) Prohibiting an employer from using credit history in employment decisions (establishes the Cushing, Killed in the House 3/12/15 Employee Credit Privacy Protection Act which prohibits employers from using credit history Rene in employment decisions) Repealing laws relative to the payment of subminimum wages to persons with disabilities Ley, Passed the House 3/11/15 with Advocate. Communicate. Educate. A A B C C C C C 5 NHGA Legislative Report 2015-2016 Bill HB 450 HB 477 SB 189 SB 199 HB 1 HB 2 HB 128 HB 163 HB 361 HB 381 HB 386 HB 559 HB 594 HB 600 HB 601 HB 658 HB 668 HB 686 HB 687 SB 2 SB 3 SB 24 SB 113 SB 238 6 Title (prohibits employers from employing individuals with disabilities at an hourly rate lower than the federal minimum wage except for practical experience or training programs) NEW TITLE: Relative to the definition of "employee" for the purposes of workers' compensation and unemployment compensation Relative to workers’ compensation benefits and establishing payment schedules (changes the weekly compensation for temporary total disability, permanent total disability, and temporary partial and permanent partial disability. This bill also requires the labor commissioner to establish medical payment schedules) Relative to liquor manufacturers (requires that all liquor manufacturer licensees ferment and distill liquor from raw materials and expands their authority to sell their products) Including prepaid communications services as taxable under the communications services tax Making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017 (state budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017) Sponsor Douglas amendment Status Murphy, Passed the House 3/12/15 with Keith amendment Flanagan, Retained in committee. Jack Bradley, House hearing 4/7/15, 10:45, 302 LOB Jeb D'Allesand Killed in the Senate 3/5/15. 17-6 vote. ro, Lou Kurk, Neal Passed the House 4/1/15 with amendments. Budget now moves to the Senate. Relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures (so-called "trailer bill" to HB 1, Kurk, Neal Passed the House 4/1/15 with the budget bill, and is the vehicle for policy and statutory changes needed to implement amendments. Budget "trailer bill" now the budget) moves to the Senate. Authorizing individuals and certain businesses to purchase health insurance from out-of- McClarren, Retained in committee. state companies Donald Raising the minimum wage Robertson, Killed in the House 3/11/15 Timothy Relative to the definition of "employee" (modifies the definition of “employee” to exclude Infantine, Passed the House 3/11/15 with persons who work exclusively at home via the Internet for online business activities) Will amendment. Referred to Senate Commerce Committee. Allowing a liquor manufacturer to be issued an on-premise license McConkey, Before the Senate 4/9/15 with a Mark recommendation the bill pass. Relative to the rate of the business profits tax Spillane, Retained in committee James Relative to vehicle registration by entities doing business in NH (requires nonresident Hinch, Senate Transportation Committee hearing business entities to register certain vehicles in New Hampshire. This bill was requested by Richard 3/24/15, 1:15, 103 LOB. the department of safety) Establishing keno Ober, Lynn Retained in committee Relative to paid sick leave for employees (requires employers to provide paid sick leave for Gile, Mary Killed in the House 3/12/15. 219-122 vote employees) Stuart Relative to cash dispensing machine requirements (removes the requirement that Schleien, Retained in committee. operators of cash dispensing machines notify the banking commission of the operation of Eric cash dispensing machines) Prohibiting collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join a labor union Baldasaro, Senate hearing 3/31/15, 2:00, 103 Al Relative to expense deductions under the business profits tax Sanborn, Retained in committee. Laurie Establishing a single payer health care system and making an appropriation therefor McNamara Killed in the House 2/18/15 , Richard Relative to redetermining eligibility for Medicaid (requires the department of health and Hess, Killed in the House 2/18/15 human services to verify income, residency, and identity for purposes of eligibility for David Medicaid. The bill requires the department to procure and contract with a vendor to conduct data matches to verify eligibility for medical assistance. The bill grants rulemaking authority to the commissioner of the department of health and human services for the purposes of the bill) Reducing the rate of the business profits tax (reduces the rate of the business enterprise Sanborn, Passed in the Senate 14-10 3/19/15. tax over a 3-year period) Andy Tabled in the Senate. Relative to payment for reasonable value of services (requires the insurance department to Daniels, Rereferred to Senate Committee. 3/26/15. set rates for payment for medical services necessary for the treatment of injured workers Gary under workers’ compensation) Relative to blanket accident and health insurance (clarifies the definition relating to blanket D'Allesand Killed in the Senate 2/12/15 accident and health insurance. This bill also adds certain policyholders which may be ro, Lou covered by blanket accident and health insurance) Relative to video lottery and table gaming (gambling bill providing for two casinos) D'Allesand House hearing 4/7/15, 10:00, 202-204 LOB ro, Lou Relative to the workers' compensation appeals board (adjusts size of the workers’ Fuller House hearing 4/7/15, 1:00, 307 LOB compensation appeals board and raises the per diem amount of compensation for its Clark members) Priority C C C C M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M Advocate. Communicate. Educate. NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day SPEAKERS Senator Charles “Chuck” Morse is a Republican from Salem serving his fifth term representing District 22, which is comprised of the towns of Atkinson, Pelham, Plaistow and Salem. He was elected the 128th President of the state Senate in September of 2013, a position he still serves in today. Since the founding of the Senate in 1784, he is the fourth lawmaker from Salem to be given this distinction by his colleagues. Due to the fact New Hampshire does not elect a lieutenant governor, the Senate President serves as “acting governor” whenever the governor is out of state or otherwise unable to perform the duties of the office. Sen. Morse was re-elected to the Senate in 2010, 2012, and 2014 having previously served from 2002-2006. He previously chaired the Finance Committee, guiding them through three budgets, was Vice Chairman of Transportation and has served on both the Capital Budget and the Public and Municipal Affairs committees. One of Senator Morse’s major accomplishments includes securing funding to complete the I-93 expansion project which will allow greater access to travelers in and out of the state. Senator Morse currently serves on both the Finance and Ways & Means Committees. Prior to his service with the Senate, Sen. Morse also spent two terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives representing Salem and Windham. In 2006, he was the Republican nominee for Executive Council for the state’s Third District. He has also served his local community as both town moderator and selectman. Bruce Bergeron is General Manager of Jake’s Market & Deli convenience stores which operates 8 stores in NH & VT. Following his graduation from The Whittemore School of Business & Economics at UNH, Bruce held various management positions with Johnson & Dix Fuel Distributors, including the gasoline division, wholesale fuel division, and fuel oil and propane division. In 2008 joined Jake’s Market & Deli and helped grow the business from 3 stores to the 8 it is today. Bruce is a past and present member of many Boards, representing industry and non-profit organizations. Bruce resides in Lebanon NH. Getting Involved We strive to provide you with resources for you to be informed and involved, but you can make a difference too. For a current list of elected officials and their contact information go to the New Hampshire official website – https://www.nh.gov/government Smart phone user scan this code to save web address Advocate. Communicate. Educate. 7 SPEAKERS NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives Shawn N. Jasper, currently serving in his 11th term in the New Hampshire House, represents the towns of Hudson and Pelham in Hillsborough County, District 37. In his role as speaker, he also chairs the House Rules Committee as well as the Joint Legislative Committee on Facilities. In previous terms as a member of the NH House of Representatives, Speaker Jasaper has served in several leadership positions, including Deputy Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Whip, and on various House standing committees, including Legislative Ethics (Chair), Judiciary, Ways and Means, Legislative Administration and Election Law. He is a member of the Hudson Historical Society, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, the Bektash Shriners, and the Free & Accepted Masons. He has also served on the Hudson Board of Selectmen, the Hudson Municipal Budget Committee, and as Town and School District Moderator. Speaker Jasper, a graduate of Alvirne High School in Hudson and the University of New Hampshire (AD, 1989), is a self-employed property owner. He and his wife Laurie reside in Hudson and have a daughter, Sarah. Ilene Beattie is a 44-year veteran of the Food Industry and handles the dual responsibilities of Office Manager and Human Resource Director for Jiffy Mart. She is very active in the community and involved with the Library Association, is on the Women of Windsor Board, and Paradise Park Commission. She and her husband Butch reside in Windsor, VT. They have two grown children, Sarah & Jamie and two grandchildren. Judy Knapp is currently the Government Relations Representative for Delhaize America/ Hannaford and has worked for the company for over 29 years. She also serves on several state Retail WIC Advisory Councils, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and on Government Relation committees in NH, ME, VT, NY, PA, MA, NJ & OH. Jay Rainville is the Supervisor of Operations for DeMoulas/Market Basket Supermarkets, Inc. He has held this position for 19 years and has been with the company for 30 years. He has also been active in the Food Industry for 35 years. Jay and his wife Gerry reside in Hooksett. Lorraine Merrill is the 6th and current New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture. Merrill was appointed by Gov. John Lynch in 2007, and subsequently reappointed by Governor Maggie Hassan to a second five-year term in 2013. Rebecca Malila is the Director of the Division of Weights and Measures. She is a certified Lean Green Belt and has implemented many improvement measures and efficiencies within the Division. She holds a J.D. degree from the UNH School of Law, where she specialized in administrative law. 8 Advocate. Communicate. Educate. NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day SPEAKERS Gail McWilliam Jellie is the Director of Agricultural Development for the NH Dept. of Ag- riculture, Markets & Food, a position she has held since 1993. Prior to that she worked for ten years as an Extension Educator in Agricultural Resources with UNH Cooperative Extension in the Sullivan County office. She has also worked in retail store management with Agway, Inc. In her current position she develops and oversees programs to bring the consumer and producer together in the marketplace. This includes work with agricultural and community organizations, development of printed, electronic and other information materials, trade show and special event coordination, media efforts, etc. McWilliam Jellie holds a BS Degree in Animal Science from the University of Vermont and a Master’s Degree in Education from Keene State College in New Hampshire. She lives with her family in Charlestown, NH. Tony White, Operations Director for the Hanover Consumer Co-operative Society, Hanover, NH. Hanover Co-op operates 3 full-service food stores, a convenience store, a gasoline service station/car repair shop and a commissary kitchen. Annual sales are 74 million and the organization as over 30,000 members. During the last 17 years have held various positions at Hanover that include; Perishable Merchandiser, Merchandising Director, Merchandising Operations Director and current position of Operations Director. A 2013 Graduate of the Master of Management of Cooperatives and Credit Unions Program (MMCCU) through Saint Mary’s University in Halifax Nova Scotia. Currently serves on the Vermont Grocers Board of Directors. Serves as Secretary for the MMCCU Alumni Association Cooperative Board of Directors and is a Board Member of the Cooperative Management Education Cooperative. Larry Pletcher, Farmer of locally grown organic produce, Vegetable Ranch, LLC chose farming as his second career, but was first certified organic in 1988. Vegetable Ranch LLC began full time in 2001. Since then they have expanded from 2 1/2 acres to more than 14 acres of certified organic vegetables. In recent years they have also added certified organic chicken and pork. Vegetable Ranch operates CSAs in both summer and winter and participates in the Concord Farmers Market year round. They supply produce to Concord Cooperative Market, A-Market in Manchester and Newport RI, Whole Foods, and to a variety of restaurants and other outlets. In 2015 they will add Hannafords to our list of customers and add a certified organic salad mix to our wholesale offerings. John Cohen, Assistant Store Manager at E.M Heath Supermarket. Started his career in retail back in 1985 with a part-time after school at Stop and Shop in the produce department. After Graduation he began full time for Stop and Shop in the produce department at one of their busiest locations working the over night shifts. After 5 years he left Stop and Shop and went onto work for Omni Foods as the assistant produce manager. After 11 months he was promoted to produce manager and sent to their new store Jackson Star Market in Meredith, NH where he worked for 7 years. He was later hired at E.M. Heath Supermarket where he has been for the last 16 years. The first thriteen years he served as produce manager and the last 3 years as the assistant store manager. John’s extensive experience has given him the opportunity to work closely with local farmers to provide the freshest products and an exciting shopping experience for the customers. Advocate. Communicate. Educate. 9 SPEAKERS NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day Michael D. Todd holds a JD from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and is a PhD candidate at Penn State where he worked as a communications instructor and conducted research for the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment. He has worked as a news writer and editor at newspapers and magazines in Utah and Illinois and served as a photojournalist in the Army Reserve. Michael holds a master’s in communications and a bachelor’s in print journalism. Currently, Mike is the Public Information Officer for the NH Department of Safety. Joel A. Kapelson is a registered representative of and offers securities through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC. Knowledge is the key to a successful financial future. Joel’s background, experience and commitment to providing you with the resources you need to make financial decisions, can help make your financial future as successful as you need it to be.Priding himself in getting to know each client to understand their individual needs and what matters most to them. This helps to recommend products and strategies designed to meet their current needs, and more importantly, their future needs. Robert Aries is a graduate of Fitchburg State College with a Bachelor of science degree in Accounting. He has been in the Financial Services Industry since 1987. Presently he lives in Nashua, NH with his wife Susan and five children, six dogs and three cats. Kenneth Baron of the Social Security Administration who has worked over 33 years for the agency. As a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist he covers numerous public events in Northern New England which include conducting seminars, workshops, conferences, health and benefit fairs as well as employer and financial advisor trainings. He’s a guest speaker on several radio talk shows, has had several of his presentations broadcast on local and community TV networks and appeared on NH Public TV. Ken has newspaper articles and columns in several New Hampshire publications. He’s also been a participant in strategic training at the school of mass communications at Loyola University in New Orleans. Charla Bizios Stevens, Esq. is chair of the Employment Law Practice Group at McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton. She is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department and also practices in the education and health care law practice groups. She regularly advises business clients on personnel policies, wage and hour issues, labor audits, discrimination claims, internal investigations and the termination and discipline of employees. Charla also conducts in-house management and sexual harassment training, as well as self-audits for companies who want to evaluate their personnel practices. Her litigation background includes practice in the state and federal courts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts and before numerous state and federal administrative agencies. Charla has been recognized as a leading attorney by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers and New England Super Lawyers. 10 Advocate. Communicate. Educate. NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day Morning Session Panel Discussion: Collaborating with Farmers to Increase Sales Sourcing and Selling Locally Grown and Produced Items Lorraine Merrill, NH Dept. of Agriculture, Commissioner, Gail McWilliam Jellie, Division of Agricultural Development, Director Rebecca Malila, Division of NH Weights & Measures, Director Tony White, Hanover-Lebanon Co-op stores, Director Of Operations John Cohen, Assistant Store Manager at E.M Heath Supermarket Larry Pletcher, farmer of locally grown organic produce, Vegetable Ranch, LLC Advocate. Communicate. Educate. 11 NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day Afternoon Session Preparing You and Your Customers for All Emergencies Presented by Michael D. Todd Public Information Officer, NH Department of Safety DISASTERS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE…ANYTIME GET READY TO RESPOND: SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS MAKE A PLAN BUILD AN EMERGENCY KIT GET EMERGENCY CONTACT CARDS Visit ReadyNH.gov to get the tools you need! Be Safe! 12 Advocate. Communicate. Educate. NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day Afternoon Session Social Security plays a role in every individual’s retirement strategy, but how well do you really understand how the program works and your level of benefit eligibility? You will hear from Kenneth Baron of the Social Security Administration who has worked over 33 years for the agency. As a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist he covers numerous public events in Northern New England which include conducting seminars, workshops, conferences, health and benefit fairs as well as employer and financial advisor trainings. He’s a guest speaker on several radio talk shows, has had several of his presentations broadcast on local and community TV networks and appeared on NH Public TV. Ken has newspaper articles and columns in several New Hampshire publications. He’s also been a participant in strategic training at the school of mass communications at Loyola University in New Orleans. Ken will be able to answer your questions about Social Security, and inform you on facts you should know, such as: ► How your retirement benefits and those of a spouse are calculated ► Your eligibility for Full Retirement Benefits ► The choices you have regarding when to start receiving benefits ► How benefits are affected when a spouse dies ► Whether income you earn may reduce your Social Security benefits ► How early can you qualify for Medicare and the different parts of the program ► Our electronic services and website resources These are just a few of the many topics that are likely to be part of a wide-ranging conversation about Social Security. This is an opportunity for you to hear directly from an expert and learn the answers to questions you may have. Living the retirement of your dreams is all about making smart choices. You are likely to make better decisions by being informed. This presentation will help you gain the knowledge you need to make sure you receive the level of Social Security benefits you’ve earned. Advocate. Communicate. Educate. 13 NHGA 2015 Government Relations Day The Annual Top Ten List of Violations Found by the NH Department of Labor Money’s tight, employees are disgruntled, companies are cutting corners to save a dime, and many are so overwhelmed by doing more with less that some administrative tasks are falling through the cracks. It all adds up to more complaints being filed with the NH Department of Labor-and more fines for employers. The list of potential violations is long, but there are easy things employers can do to keep out of trouble. Learn how with Charla Bizios Stevens, Esq. This program is presented by Charla Bizios Stevens, Esq. Charla regularly advises business clients on personnel policies, wage and hour issues, labor audits, discrimination claims, internal investigations and the termination and discipline of employees. She also conducts in-house management and sexual harassment training, as well as self-audits for companies who want to evaluate their personnel practices. Her litigation background includes practice in the state and federal courts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts and before numerous state and federal administrative agencies. Charla has been recognized as a leading attorney by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers and New England Super Lawyers. 14 Advocate. Communicate. Educate. u o Y k n a Th to our Medallist Sponsors Platinum To become a Medallist Sponsors make events like this possible. Medallist Sponsor Contact Freeman Sands at 603-669-9333 or [email protected] GOLD Silver BRONZE Door Control Jiffy Mart Law Warehouse Northeast Delta Dental RJ Reynolds Your Elected Officials NH Grocers Association Board of Directors Rev. 04/15 OFFICERS Tim Merrill Board Chairperson Associated Grocers of NE 11 Cooperative Way Pembroke, NH 03275 (603) 223-5446 Laurie Goupil Vice Chair Gerry’s Variety 66 Lincoln Street Exeter, NH 03833 (603) 583-5164 Jay Rainville Vice Chair Market Basket 875 East Street Tewksbury, MA 01876 (978) 851-8000 Glen Yergeau Vice Chair Rite Aid 71 Lowell Road Hudson, NH 03051 (603) 578-1972 John M. Dumais President & CEO NH Grocers Association 110 Stark Street Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 669-9333 Cell: (603) 315-4164 Philip Tucker Treasurer Aldrich General Store 3039 Dartmouth College Hwy North Haverhill, NH 03774 (603) 787-6241 Judy Knapp Immediate Past Chair Hannaford Supermarkets PO Box 1000 Portland, ME 0414 (207) 885-3243 16 Kevin Daigle Vice President NH Grocers Association 110 Stark Street Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 669-9333 DIRECTORS Ilene Beattie Jiffy Mart 4276 Route 106 Perkinsville, VT 05151 (802) 263-5810 Bruce Bergeron Jake’s Market 119 Mechanic St Lebanon, NH 03766 (603) 667-8254 Moe Boucher Pepsi Beverage Company 127 Pepsi Road Manchester, NH 03109 (603) 625-5764 Ken Camille Cumberland Farms 291 Central Ave. Dover, NH 03820 (603) 749-6310 Joe Correia, Jr. Route 13 Stateline 448 Route 13, South Brookline, NH 03033 (603) 673-5475 Tom Demers HP Hood, Inc. 330 North State Street Concord, NH 03301 (603) 494-3319 Elie ElChalfoun Mega-X 3 Allenstown Road Allenstown, NH 03275 (603) 485-0202 Jeff Kelly Bristol Shop N Save 505 Pleasant Street Bristol, NH 03222 (603) 744-5416 Jake Lane Price Chopper 16 Ashbrook Road Keene, NH 03431 (603) 352-0957 Ed Murphy Amoskeag Beverages 510 Hall Street Bow, NH 03304 (603) 415-4152 Edward Penta McKinnon’s Market 3 Holten Street Danvers, MA 01923 (978) 774-0479 Dave Petell E.M. Heath, Inc. 318 Whitter Hwy P.O. Box 205 Center Harbor, NH 03226 (603) 253-7558 Dan Tewksbury Coca Cola of NNE 1 Executive Park Drive Bedford, NH 03110 (603) 627-6134 Jeff Gulko Shaw’s Supermarket 750 West Center Street W. Bridgewater, MA 02379 (508) 313-4454 Maggie Hassan Governor Office of the Governor State House 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-2121 Charles Morse NH Senate President State House 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-2111 Shawn Jasper NH Speaker of the House State House 107 North Main Street Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-3661 Jeanne Shaheen U.S. Senator 520 Hart Senate Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-2841 Kelly Ayotte U.S. Senator 144 Russell Senate Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-3324 Frank Guinta U.S. Representative 1223 Longworth Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-5456 Ann McLane Kuster U.S. Representative 2350 Rayburn Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-5206 Advocate. Communicate. Educate.