Shaheen visits Wilcox Industries in Newington to discuss contributions to defense industry

NEWINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Senate Committee on Armed Services, toured Wilcox Industries in Newington. Shaheen was joined by New England Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration (SBA), Mike Vlacich, where they met with employees to discuss Wilcox’s operations and projects supporting the manufacturing of protective armor, life support and night vision tools for soldiers on the battlefield.Wilcox Industries has previously accessed the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) as part of the Office of International Commerce’s (OIC) export training program. Shaheen helped create STEP as a pilot program in 2010 to assist small businesses enter new markets, access export financing and attend trade missions. The program was fully authorized by Senator Shaheen’s small business trade amendment, which was signed into law in 2016.“I appreciated the opportunity to tour Wilcox Industries today and speak with employees about the important work they do to support our country’s defense industrial base,” said Senator Shaheen. “New Hampshire businesses like Wilcox are instrumental in strengthening our state’s economy while also providing important technological contributions to our national security. I’ll keep advocating for increased funding for programs that bolster Granite State defense companies so that New Hampshire remains ahead of the curve on innovative advancements that support our national defense.”Senator Shaheen has long supported trade agreements and programs that increase opportunities and growth for New Hampshire businesses. Shaheen was the first New Hampshire Governor to lead trade missions outside of North America and has prioritized efforts in Congress to help small businesses boost their exports. In August, Shaheen joined United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and the Granite State District Export Council for a roundtable discussion to hear from New Hampshire businesses engaged in the export market on how they use trade agreements and programs to help their businesses succeed.

Seacoast business owners hold successful toy drive

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth-based business networking group, BNI Seacoast Referral Connection, held a successful Toy Drive on Dec. 1. They are donating the toys to Community Action of Strafford County with the help of Eastern Bank in Dover.

The names of the participants in the photo are:

Front row, from left to right: Missi Pitcher of MaxCharles Hair Studio in Portsmouth; Gina Surrette of GMS Inspection Services in Fremont; Lynne Ganley of Arbonne in Dover; Jason Nadeau of Rye Therapeutic Massage in Rye; Griff Richard of Bloomin' Blinds of the Seacoast in Dover; Candace Lord of The Green Cocoon in Salisbury, Mass.; Anca Potvin of Vacasa in Kennebunkport, Maine; Carol Zink-Mailloux of Waterstone Mortgage in Concord; Sue Gray of F.A. Gray Painting in Portsmouth; Maki Pombo of Peak Business Consulting in Rye.

Back row, from left to right: Dan Ridley of Kateryna Woodworks in Dover; Cori McGrath of Aland Realty in Portsmouth; Brian Main of Eastern Bank in Dover; Sally Cobb of Badass Relationships in Dover; Andy Trowbridge of Edward Jones in Dover; Denise Smith of Live It Well Travel in Barnstead; Mark Furlong of Botany Bay Technology in Greenland; Sam Taylor of Samuel Taylor Builders in Newfields; Erica Kinney of SC Digital in Portsmouth; Jed Kelley of J.S. Kelley Home Inspections in Newmarket; Chris Campbell of Sport & Spine Physical Therapy in Portsmouth; Terrie Harman, Attorney at Law in Exeter; Ruth Ganev of Ruth Ganev Portrait Photography in Portsmouth; Alyssa Marley of Quinn Family Health in Portsmouth; Al Silva of Silva Graphics in Stratham; Jon Kenyon of Professional Exteriors in Dover; Shawn Shapiro of Port City Chiropractic in Portsmouth.

Not pictured: Raef Granger of Raef Granger Coaching in North Hampton and Tim Harrigan of Core Benefits Group in Wolfeboro.

Ashton returns to Cummings, Lamont and McNamee

STRATHAM — Two certified public accounting firms will join forces at the start of the New Year, enhancing their service offerings and bringing Heather Ashton, CPA back to her former firm.

Cummings, Lamont & McNamee, PLLC, a CPA firm with offices in Stratham and Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kennebunk, Maine, recently announced the upcoming acquisition in January of 2023, of Ashton & Co. in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

“We are very excited to announce our partnership with Ashton & Co. and their team of professionals. It will be an exciting way to ring in 2023,” said Cindy Edwards, the Managing Principal at Cummings Lamont & McNamee. “We are thrilled to welcome back Heather Ashton, CPA, a former member of our CLM Team. Heather was an integral part CLM during her tenure here and it is our great fortune to have her back.”

Edwards went on to comment that “We welcome Ashton & Co.’s clients to our firm and we hope that they will take advantage of the additional services they will be offered as a result of the acquisition. Both companies have been committed to quality and professional excellence for decades, so we feel that this relationship will be a win-win situation for all involved.”

Ashton & Co. has been offering accounting, tax and write-up services for over 33 years. As a result of the acquisition, the firm will now be known as Cummings, Lamont & McNamee. Heather Ashton and her staff will be based primarily out of CLM’s Stratham, N.H. office but will maintain a small satellite office in Wolfeboro.

Ashton is very happy to return to Cummings Lamont & McNamee. She noted that “Both firms share a tradition of providing quality and personalized service to clients. I’ve always had a great deal of respect for the CLM team and am very excited to return. Joining forces with CLM will give us the increased internal support needed to enhance services and resources for our clients long into the future.”

Cummings, Lamont & McNamee was formed in 1960 when John M. Cummings opened an office in Kennebunk, Maine. Over 60 years later, CLM continues to deliver exceptional service and the optimum experience to clients. Its strategic locations serve Southern Maine, Seacoast New Hampshire and now, the Lakes Region.

For information about Cummings, Lamont & McNamee, PLLC, visit them online at www.clmcpa.com or call the Stratham office at 603-430-6200.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Shaheen visits Wilcox Industries: Seacoast business news