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CHESHIRE COUNTY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Several Cheshire County employees and elected officials received major statewide recognition this month during the New Hampshire Association of Counties’ 50th annual conference, highlighting a year of innovation, public service and behind-the-scenes work across county government.
County Administrator Chris Coates received one of the event’s top honors, the Edna McKenna Public Service Award, recognizing his long career in public service and nearly 10 years of leadership in Cheshire County government. Coates has been credited with guiding the launch of Cheshire County EMS, now serving 19 towns, and has held numerous public roles in the region, including time on the Keene City Council, Keene Board of Education and in the state Legislature.
State Rep. John Hunt was named State Legislator of the Year, recognized for more than three decades representing the county and for his work this year safeguarding the state’s risk pools—programs that help counties provide health and workers’ compensation insurance to employees.
County Commissioner Terry Clark, who chairs the Board of Commissioners, received the County Commissioner of the Year Award, in part for spearheading Cheshire County Community Power, the first county-level community power program in New Hampshire. Launched in 2023, the initiative aims to lower electricity costs and expand renewable energy options for residents. Clark previously served on the Keene City Council and as Cheshire County treasurer.
Cheshire County Attorney Chris McLaughlin was named County Attorney of the Year for his oversight of felony prosecutions and his work expanding programs such as Drug Treatment Court and regional prosecutor initiatives. McLaughlin has served in the role since 2013 and previously spent more than a decade as a public defender.
The county’s Human Resources Director, Kim May, earned the HR Administrator of the Year Award. May oversees HR operations for about 500 employees and played a key role in staffing and organizational work related to the new county EMS department.
Mira Cook, Deputy Register of Deeds, was recognized as the Registry of Deeds Employee of the Year. Cook, who has worked for the county for 25 years, is known for her precision in recordkeeping, staff training and maintaining the financial accuracy of daily and monthly transactions.
The Cheshire County Finance Department was named Team of the Year, honoring an eight-member staff that collectively manages payroll, benefits, vendor payments, and financial reconciliation. The team has taken on new challenges in recent years, including implementing the EMS department and adapting to new Medicaid billing systems.
At Maplewood Nursing Home, Executive Assistant Molly Seavey received the Long-Term Care Employee of the Year Award. Seavey was credited with strengthening communication between residents and families during the pandemic and supporting both administrative and resident-care initiatives.
Dennis Calcutt, Director of Connected Families, was honored as County Employee of the Year. Calcutt was recognized for building a countywide system of care that now includes about 25 staff members focused on youth and family mental-health support, as well as for his leadership on regional coalitions and community initiatives.
At the Department of Corrections, Captain Zachery Brown was named Corrections Employee of the Year. Brown leads the jail’s booking unit and has implemented improvements to intake and release procedures, helped secure advanced screening technology and launched a transportation program to ensure released offenders can safely access treatment programs.
Together, county officials said, the awards reflect a year of significant progress across multiple departments and the dedication of staff who keep county government running effectively.