USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee Closes Gap
Portsmouth NH (October 23, 2008) - The USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee is nearing the end of its fund-raising efforts at the same time that activities to honor the sub's crew and welcome their families have begun. On Saturday, the SSN-778 will become the "USS New Hampshire" and, the Committee hopes, all of the Seacoast's Commissioning visitors will be recalling a world-class celebration.
New to join the list of sponsors are:
· Gold Sponsors Northeast Credit Union and Perot Systems
· Silver Sponsors: Kollmorgen Corporation,
· Bronze Sponsor: FPL energy Seabrook Station, Pierce Atwood LLC, PixelMEDIA, Red Hook Ale Brewery
· Additional: Admiral & Mrs. Kinnear II and the Town of Newington
According to Committee Finance Chair Mike Daigle, the tally for cash contributions has reached $247,000. Local businesses and civic organizations have donated another $100,000 in support through in-kind sponsorships. The total includes almost $3,000 from the purchase of the Official USS New Hampshire Commissioning Celebration button and other commemorative items. These items are still available on the Committee's website and will be sold at the Portsmouth Rotary lunch at Strawbery Banke on Saturday. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of $15 tickets to that lunch will also go towards the total cost of hosting the Commissioning Celebration.
The official sponsors have many different reasons for choosing to "Support Our Submarine." These are a few:
Marquis Sponsor
Teledyne D.G. O'Brien -- a Seabrook-based manufacturer of high reliability electrical and fiber optic interconnect systems for subsea military, oceanographic, biomedical, aerospace and offshore oil and gas applications.
David Dunfee, Vice President and General Manager of Teledyne D.G.O'Brien, said, "The future of the Navy's undersea capabilities is embodied in the USS New Hampshire. As a Seabrook-based company with special expertise in that technology and a special appreciation for our state, the capabilities at our Shipyard and the strength of our Seacoast community, Teledyne D.G.O'Brien is proud to be the Marquis Sponsor for the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning celebration."
Presenting Sponsor
FairPoint Communications -- an industry-leading provider of communications services to communities across the country.
Chip Underhill, Marketing Manager New Hampshire for FairPoint Communications said, "The commissioning of the USS New Hampshire is a once in a lifetime event. There has not been a Navy ship named 'New Hampshire' since 1923. FairPoint is sending a clear signal that we support our submarine, we support the Shipyard that means so much to the families and communities of the Seacoast and we are proud to be a Presenting Sponsor of what promises to be a fabulous celebration here in Portsmouth."
Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. / Waste Management, Inc. -- as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Waste Management, Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. owns and/or operates 16 waste-to-energy facilities and five independent power production facilities
Mark A. Weidman, president of Wheelabrator Technologies said, "Wheelabrator and Waste Management are proud to be Presenting Sponsors for the community celebration of the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee. This celebration is special for we are saluting the officers and crew of 'our' submarine, the USS New Hampshire. Throughout both of our companies' history, we have been committed to supporting the communities in which our customers and employees work and live, and this is just one example. And what better way to give back then to stand behind the Dover schoolchildren who lobbied for the ships new name - 'New Hampshire.'"
Seacoast Media Group - publisher of Seacoast Sunday, Portsmouth Herald, Hampton Union, Rochester Times, York County Star
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DataRisk LLC President and CEO, Mike Daigle is the Finance Committee chair of the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee,
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce President Doug Bates is the Vice Chairman of the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee,
Lockheed Martin
Two International Group LLCVP of Marketing Renee Reidel Plummer is the Social Committee chairof the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee,
Lead Sponsor
Wal-Mart of New Hampshire -- operates 27 stores and the Raymond distribution center. They were the first local company to respond to the call for support.
"Wal-Mart in New Hampshire is proud to 'support our' submarine' as a lead sponsor for the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Celebration. All of the 27 stores in New Hampshire have stepped up to help out with this great opportunity because we believe in giving back to our communities and those who serve them. We can think of no better way to express that support than to help sponsor the celebration of the Navy submarine that carries the name New Hampshire for all of us," said Greg Sevinsky, Wal-Mart Raymond.
City of Portsmouth -- "It was clear (the Community Commissioning Committee) are trying to make the event successful and we believed the donation was appropriate given the positive influence it will have on the city," said Mayor Tom Ferrini. Councilor Ken Smith, who worked with Ferrini to bring the measure to the council, said "I am hoping that doing this will also encourage other surrounding communities with more (Portsmouth Naval) Shipyard workers to step up to the plate," said Smith. "It's a one-time event that will really show off the city of Portsmouth ... and the Shipyard."
Sean & Kirsten Mahoney
Harbour Light Strategic Marketing, designed the USSNewHampshire.org website
Leading Edge, Senior PR counsel Stephanie Seacord is Information Director for the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee.
All Metals, Belmont NH
General Dynamics Electric Boat
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems
Gold Sponsor
Axsys Technologies
Everyday Details partner Laurie Mantegari is Logistics Manager for the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee.
New Hampshire Ball Bearings
Northeast Credit Union -- has nine New Hampshire branches and 14 ATM locations around the state, including a branch at the Shipyard.
President and CEO Peter Kavalauskas said, "Northeast Credit Union joins our Portsmouth Naval Shipyard community neighbors in saluting the officers, crew and families of 'our' submarine, the USS New Hampshire and is proud to join the Community Commissioning Committee's efforts to provide a world class welcome to the sub and visitors."
Northrop Grumman Marine Systems
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
Perot Systems
Unitil -- A public utility holding company with subsidiaries providing electric distribution service in New Hampshire, electric and gas distribution service in Massachusetts and energy brokering services throughout the northeast.
Bob Schoenberger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Unitil said, "Unitil is proud to salute the officers and crew of the USS New Hampshire, as well as the fine men and women of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard who contributed their skills and labor in support of its commissioning. Our employees, and the employees of Northern Utilities and Granite State Gas Transmission who will be joining the Unitil Team in the near future, are proud to be a part of the New Hampshire history and heritage this vessel commemorates."
Silver Sponsor
BAE Systems Land and Armaments, L.P.
Bid2Win Software, Inc., located in Portsmouth, offers state-of-the-art enterprise-class construction management solutions for the infrastructure industry worldwide, and is the leading provider of Windows-based cost estimating and bidding solutions.
"As a member of the Seacoast community, Bid2Win is pleased to support the Community Commissioning Celebration in honor of the USS New Hampshire, her officers, crew, families and honored guests. We join in supporting 'our' submarine as host to a world class Commissioning Week," said Paul McKeon, President
Emerson Process Management -- a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, water and wastewater treatment, mining and metals, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries
"Emerson Process Management is very pleased to be able to make a substantial contribution to the community's fund-raising efforts. The USS New Hampshire is our submarine not only because it bears the state's name but also because the sub and the commissioning at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard underscore how important the shipyard and the Navy are to the Seacoast economy, of which we are a part."
Kollmorgen Corporation
Senator Martha Fuller Clark
Piscataqua Savings Bank
Yankee Pacific LLC
Bronze Sponsor
Albacore Park
Appledore Marine Engineering, Inc.
Beswick Engineering Co., Inc.
CACI, Inc.
CCSI, Inc.
FPL Energy Seabrook Station
Granite State Minerals
HP Hood LLC -- Headquartered in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, HP Hood LLC (www.hood.com) is one of the largest branded dairy operators with 23 manufacturing plants throughout the United States.
"HP Hood is very pleased to support the USS New Hampshire Community Commissioning Committee and proud to add our name to the support for the families and crew of the USS New Hampshire, the Shipyard, the Seacoast community and all of New Hampshire that the Commissioning celebrates," said Steve Kaneb, spokesperson for HP Hood LLC in making the announcement.
Irving Oil
Jerry Karcher
Kocher & Company, Inc.
Attorney & Mrs. John P. McGee, Jr.
Ocean Bank (Portsmouth)
Optima Bank (Portsmouth)
Pierce Atwood LLP -- with over 125 attorneys, Pierce Atwood LLP is based in Portland, Maine, and has offices in Augusta, Maine; Portsmouth and Concord, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts; Stockholm, Sweden and Washington, D.C..
"Pierce Atwood is proud to salute the USS New Hampshire, her officers and crew and our Shipyard as a Bronze Sponsor for the community celebration of the USS New Hampshire Commissioning. We extend a warm welcome to all of our visitors and to 'our submarine' the USS New Hampshire," said Dana Bisbee, partner at Pierce Atwood LLP in making the announcement.
PixelMEDIA, Inc. -- An award-winning professional services consultancy focused on internet enablement and headquartered in Portsmouth
"As part of the host community of Portsmouth, we are proud to be a sponsor of this event, and want to welcome those who serve on USS New Hampshire, their families, the Navy dignitaries attending and all of the visitors who will come to the Seacoast to join this celebration of New Hampshire," said Erik Dodier, president and CEO of PixelMEDIA, Inc.
SilverCloud Software, LLC
Sprague Energy Corporation
St. Andrew's Lodge No. 56 Free & Accepted Masons (Portsmouth)
Tidal Media Group, hosts the USS New Hampshire Commissioning website
Additional Sponsors:
American Legion Post 21
BCBM
Paul and Irene Couture
C.G. Davis Post 34
DeStefano Architects PLLC
Emerson Hovey Post #168 VFW
Jalbert Leasing, Inc. DBA C&J
ADM & Mrs. Kinnear II
Meredith Village Savings Bank
Milford Rotary Club
Frederick W. & Pauline J. Ordway
PSGS Recreation Committee
Portsmouth Rotary Club
Seacoast African American Cultural Center
Town of Newington
William Young
Gerry S. Weidema & Joseph K. Simone
In-KindAd-Cetera Graphics, Anneka Jans, Clear Channel Communications, Enoteca Italiana, Festive Occasions, John Hancock, Jumpin' Jay's, Muddy River Smokehouse, Regal Limousine Services, Off the Wall Promotions, Pease Golf Course, Portsmouth Gas Light Co., Propeller Club, Trustees of Prescott Park, Rogan's Baker, Scarecrows of the Port, Secure Planning Inc., Sir Speedy Portsmouth, Smuttynose Brewing Co., Sperry Tents, Strawbery Banke Museum, Wentworth by the Sea Hotel & Spa, Westwind Gardens, Wilcox Industries, Zero Gravity Films
Events
10/19 USS New Hampshire arrived in Portsmouth 11:15 am
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Thru 11/2 Scarecrows of the Port Festival
Downtown merchants present first annual "Scarecrows in the Port" harvest festival, commissioning celebration and welcome to the crew and their families.
10/25/2008 US Navy Commissioning Ceremony, 10 am
10/27/2008 USS New Hampshire departs, 12:20 pm