Meet the Team
Coös Economic Development Corporation
Staff
Wendy Fahlbeck
Wendy has 30 years of diverse financial experience. She studied Accounting and Business Administration at Lyndon State College and Human Resources at University of New Hampshire. She has extensive experience with business management, establishing financial processes and internal controls, and business advising. Wendy is a past adjunct professor at White Mountains Community College and she enjoys sharing her skills to guide new and existing businesses.
As a fifth generation Coös County native, she is passionate about the things our area has to offer, as well as its sustainability and resilience. She desires to collaborate with and connect people and resources across our state to enhance the North Country’s growth.
Executive Director
Lise Howson
Lise has over 25 years of New Hampshire banking experience. She studied Business Administration at the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics.
She was a member of the Lancaster Rotary, member of GREAT (Groveton Revitalization Economic Action Team), and a board member of The Morrison Hospital Association. Lise has also been involved with the Nashua Police Athletic League and the Nashua Boys & Girls Club.
Business Advisor / Lender
Morgan brings experience in digital media, content creation, and online engagement with a strong focus on community impact. She has managed social media platforms, developed branding content, and supported communication strategies across Coös County. Her work has helped strengthen outreach, increase visibility, and connect audiences through creative and consistent digital messaging. Morgan holds dual B.A. degrees in Graphic Design & Media and English & Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as an A.A. in Digital Photography.
Morgan is passionate about using media as a tool to support small businesses, promote local initiatives, and build stronger connections throughout the North Country. Morgan is excited to bring her skills in digital storytelling and community-centered communication to CEDC’s mission of regional growth and sustainability.
Special Project CoordinatorMorgan Phelan
Matt Ricci works in economic development and small business support in Northern New Hampshire, where he helps entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain their businesses. He works directly with business owners on business planning, marketing strategy, financial tracking, grant programs, and loan readiness, helping businesses become more organized, sustainable, and prepared for growth.
Matt holds a degree in Marketing with a concentration in Digital Marketing, and his background includes marketing strategy, digital advertising, business development, and working with small businesses on improving operations and financial organization.
In addition to his economic development work, Matt is also a small business owner based in Littleton, New Hampshire. Running his own business gives him practical, real-world experience that he brings to the entrepreneurs he works with every day.
Matt is passionate about entrepreneurship, local economic growth, and helping small businesses succeed in Northern New Hampshire.
Business Development AdvisorMatthew Ricci
Board of Directors
Carol Miller
Retired Director of Broadband Technology, at the Division of Economic Development, within the Department of Business and Economic Affairs
Carol’s affiliations and state-wide networking skills allowed the Division of Economic Development to focus on broadband and its economic benefits to the State of NH for the past 11 years. She has worked with communities and organizations around the state, and legislators helping them to make decisions and develop policies while setting goals and objective strategies to improve their digital access and attract high-capacity infrastructure.
President
Brian Hoffman
Retired Deputy Director at Community Action Program
Brian believes in community involvement and grassroots organizing. For 42 years, he worked for two non-profit organizations overseeing housing development, administration and management, financial and personnel operations, grant writing, facility management, advocacy, and community relations.
Vice President
Glenn Coppelman
Senior Economic Development Planner - North Country Council. Retired NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA)
Glenn joined the North Country Council in 2014 as a Senior Economic Development Planner. He serves as staff to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Steering Committee and works closely with communities and other stakeholders in the North Country Economic Development District to help advance projects that create job opportunities and add to the overall economic base of the region.
Secretary
Henry Noel
Retired
Henry was born and raised in Berlin and after receiving his BA (English) at Boston College, spent over 20 years working in the railroad industry including the Cog Railway, the North Stratford Railroad in VT and the Berlin Mills Railway. He switched careers in 2002 moving into wastewater treatment where he retired in 2018 as the Superintendent of the City of Berlin Wastewater Treatment Plant. Henry also serves as the State Representative from the Coos County Delegation.
Treasurer
Retired
Jim is retired from a career in public accounting and banking. He retired as Vice Chairman, President and CEO of First Colebrook Bank. Prior to that, he was a Director, President and CEO of Northern Community Investment Corporation. Currently, he serves as a Director of the Louise and Neil Tillotson Advised Fund, Treasurer/Director of the Northern Forest Center and Finance Trustee of Monadnock Congregational Church. He has been involved in several community and economic organizations during his career.
Jim Tibbetts
Professor & Marketing Consultant
Tim is a part-time faculty member at Vermont State University and White Mountain Community College and was co-director of NVU’s incubator Without Walls, which supports small business development with experienced student labor. As a media consultant, he specializes in broadcast and web-based video content services for marketing media affairs, practicing in New England, New York, Minnesota & Eastern Canada. He’s a Business Representative on The NH/Canada Trade Council and the northern states Vice President for the New England Canada Business Council.
Tim Egan
Retired
Bob is a retired lawyer who, prior to his 2019 retirement, was licensed to practice law in Connecticut and New Hampshire state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. His legal practice emphasis is business law, litigation, and dispute resolution.
Alan Robert Baker
Marketing Director, North Country Healthcare
James Patry has held a leadership role with North Country Healthcare since December 2018, and, prior to that, with Androscoggin Valley Hospital (a proud affiliate) since 2008. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Electronic Media Production from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where James also earned a Master of Science in Communication Management. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Plymouth State University and completed a Philanthropy Certificate Program from Indiana University.
James Patry
Ray Gorman
Coös County Commissioner
Advisory Council
Chair, Hannah Campbell, Balsams Resort
Colin Finn, Coös Brewery
Stu Hickey, AMC GYO Coös County Coordinator
Kim Fauteux, Up North Trading Post
Shawn Cote, LL Cote
Linda White, Parson Lodging
Loan Committee Advisor
Sarah Desrochers
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Sarah is a Commercial Relationship Manager for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. She has over 35 years of banking experience in the North Country. Her career began in 1985 as a teller, working through the various departments of a local community bank. In 2007 she took on the role as a Commercial Lender utilizing her skills to assist clients in managing and growing their businesses of all sizes. In addition to her role with CEDC, she also serves on the Board of local healthcare facilities. She has also been involved with the Col. Town Investment Committee and previously served as President for the Vermont Chapter of RMA.