Kuster’s support for small businesses, economic opportunity earns backing of coalition of more than 50 business owners, leaders

Concord, NH - This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster announced the support of a broad coalition of over 50 business owners and leaders from across New Hampshire who back Kuster because of her commitment to supporting small businesses, creating jobs, and expanding economic opportunity for Granite State families.

“I am honored to have the support of so many respected business leaders from all across New Hampshire,” Kuster said. “Like me, these business leaders understand that government itself doesn’t create jobs, but it plays a vital role in supporting the small businesses that drive our economy. From working to expand American exports to cutting taxes on small businesses, I have fought to help Granite Staters build their businesses and create more jobs for their workers. I look forward to continuing to help create increased economic opportunities for Granite Staters throughout the Second District.”

During the event, Kuster was joined by business owners and leaders, who discussed her work to support local businesses and create jobs for New Hampshire families. Over 50 business leaders have joined the Business Leaders for Annie Coalition, including Gary Hirshberg, Chairman & Former CEO of Stonyfield Farm; Kedar Gupta, CEO of ARC Energy; Monique Jome Ricker, Vice President of CoreMedical Group; Barbara Ruedig, Owner of Ruedig Realty; and Alex Ray, Owner of The Common Man.

“I’ve known Annie for over 20 years, and I know her family is a dedicated New Hampshire family. They all strive to make New Hampshire a better place and look out for the wellbeing of every Granite Stater,” said Alex Ray, owner of the Common Man. “I have never been the a-typical political person; just a caring American citizen. Annie’s beliefs are the same and are shown by her support of New Hampshire citizens.”

Kuster was also joined by Congressman Steny Hoyer, the House Democratic Whip, who spoke about her work in Congress to help cut taxes for small businesses, support American exports, and expand workforce development opportunities, among other efforts.

Since taking office, Kuster has visited dozens of businesses across the Granite State as part of her Congress At Your Company series to hear directly from local business leaders on how Congress can best help them expand. Last winter, she released her Jobs and Opportunity Agenda, which outlines a series of common sense, bipartisan steps - ranging from doubling down on investments in innovation and job training, to streamlining government programs - that Congress can take to help small business owners and middle class families achieve their goals. She has also hosted a series of jobs fairs, helping to connect hundreds of job seekers with dozens of employers around the Granite State.

Kuster is running for reelection in the Second Congressional District of New Hampshire. She is facing an extreme, Tea Party candidate who is funded by billionaire special interests like the Koch Brothers who oppose Kuster’s efforts to close tax loopholes for corporations that ship jobs overseas, hurting our local economy.

Business Leaders for Annie:

1.      Gary Hirshberg, Chairman & Former CEO, Stonyfield Farm, Concord

2.      Kedar Gupta, CEO, ARC Energy, Nashua

3.      Stephen Boucher, Chairman & CEO, Airmar Technology Corporation, Milford

4.      Alex Ray, Owner, The Common Man, Ashland

5.      Mike Satzow, Owner, North Country Smokehouse, Claremont

6.      Armand L. Circharo Jr., President & CEO, CoreMedical Group, Salem

7.      Sherry Young, Founder & President, Rath Young & Pignatelli, Concord

8.      Wayne Presby, President, Cog Railway, Bretton Woods

9.      Scott Brown, CEO and Managing Partner, New Energy Capital, Hanover

10.  Jeanne Dietsch, Co-Founder and Former CEO, Mobile Robots, Inc., Amherst

11.  Muriel Schadee, Certified Public Accountant, Nathan Wechsler & Co., Concord

12.  Jon Bresler, President, The Bresler Group, Bow

13.  Chick and Pat Colony, Owners, Harrisville Designs, Harrisville

14.  Kim Sweney, Co-Owner, C’est La Vie Café, Peterborough

15.  Hon. Paul Hodes, President, Economic Innovation Institute, Concord

16.  Roy Van Vleck, President, Lyme Timber, Lyme

17.  Roger Noonan, Owner, Middle Branch Farm, New Boston

18.  Doug McLane, Owner, Off Campus Rentals, Plymouth

19.  Harold Solomon, President, Universal Environmental Technologies Inc., Nashua

20.  Gerri King, PhD, President, Human Dynamics Associates, Concord

21.  Ron King, President, Natural Playgrounds Companies, Concord

22.  Mike Smith, Former President, Dartmouth Printing Company, Hanover

23.  Don Bruggerman, Manager, The Works Bakery Cafe, Concord

24.  Helen Honorow and William H. Barry, III, Principals, Barry & Honorow, Nashua

25.  Jane Presby, Owner, Dimond Hill Farm, Concord

26.  Rep. Jill Shaffer Hammond, Owner, Jill Shaffer Graphic Design, Peterborough

27.  James Putnam, Former CEO, Markem Corporation, Keene

28.  James Pappas, Owner, Caffenio, Concord

29.  Tony Matarazzo, Owner, Matarazzo Real Estate, Nashua

30.  Mark Dartnell, Owner, Taylor Rental, Concord

31.  Mary McGowan, Retired Owner, McGowan Fine Art, Concord

32.  Tom Colgan, President & CEO, Wagner Forest Management, Ltd., Lyme

33.  Michael Pignatelli, Attorney, Rath Young & Pignatelli, Concord

34.  Monique Jome Ricker, Vice President, CoreMedical Group, Salem

35.  Lew Feldstein, Former President & CEO, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Concord

36.  Pooh Sprague, Owner, Edgewater Farm, LLC, Plainfield

37.  Stephen Brown, Owner, Brown Family Realty, Warner

38.  Mike Quinn, President, Quinn Management Inc., Bristol

39.  Ned Helms, Director, NH Institute for Health Policy & Practice, Concord

40.  Robert Jensen, Owner, Jensen & Yurich Home, New London

41.  Jeff Hastings, President, Pro-Cut International, LLC., West Lebanon

42.  John and Marie Hanna, Owners, Washington Street Café and Catering, Concord

43.  Ann Henderson, Owner, Ann Henderson Interiors, Keene

44.  Stefan Hausberger, Owner, Zimmermanns Ski and Snowboard, Nashua

45.  Liz Jackson, Founder & Owner, Libby’s Bistro, Gorham

46.  Rob Larocque, Owner, Carter Hill Orchard, Concord

47.  Elliot F. Lasky, O.D., Co-founder, Helfman Lasky & Associates, Nashua

48.  Travis Adams, Owner, Whaddy, Hudson

49.  Barbara Ruedig, Owner, Ruedig Realty, Concord

50.  Gregory Connors, President, White Mountain Footwear, Franconia

51.  Les Schoof & Ed Butler, Owners & Innkeepers, The Notchland Inn, Hart’s Location

52.  David Cleveland, Associate, Country Houses, New London

53.  Jayme Simoes, President, Louis Karno & Company, Concord

54.  Hon. Ricia McMahon, President, Sutton Associates, Sutton

55.  Peter Powell, President, Peter Powell Real Estate, Lancaster

56.  Robert King, CEO, GOALQPC, Salem

57.  Marylou Blaisdell, Owner, DesignWare, Nashua

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