Bank SVP, Others Win Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Awards

CONCORD, NH - Claudia Walker, the Senior Vice President, Commercial and Construction Loan Officer for Merrimack County Savings Bank (the Merrimack), received Business Leader of the Year Award at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce 11th Annual Pinnacle Awards Luncheon on June 2, 2016, according to a press statement.

Several hundred guests attended in celebration of “businesses and individuals who have demonstrated professional excellence and commitment to the Chamber and the community” with Walker selected as one of the event’s top honorees.

Additional honorees include: Russell Animal Hospital, Cobb Hill Construction and the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness.

“The Pinnacle Awards recognize businesses and individuals who’ve demonstrated excellence in the community, which is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to describing Claudia and her exceptional reputation and leadership,” said Ed Caron, Executive Vice President, and Commercial Loan Officer at the Merrimack. “Claudia has been a wonderful colleague and friend for the past 19 years. Her grace, humility, wisdom and sense of humor has charmed and endeared her to everyone she meets.”

“Claudia was one of the original co-chairs of the Rock n Race event planning committee in 2002 to benefit Concord Hospital’s Payson Center for Cancer Care. Now known as the Merrimack County Savings Bank Rock ‘N Race, the 5K has raised over $4 million and brings the community together each year to celebrate, honor and remember loved ones touched by cancer,” added Philip Emma, President of Merrimack County Savings Bank.

Walker serves as a member of Concord Hospital's Board of Trustees as well as the Concord Hospital Trust Board, of which she is now Chair. She has also served several roles in numerous community organizations including: board member for Concord’s Chamber of Commerce, steering committee member for the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, member of the Municipal Housing Commission and member of the Concord Planning Board. Walker has been with the Merrimack since 1997. A premier commercial lender, Walker developed the bank’s signature construction-to-permanent lending program.

For nearly 150 years, Merrimack County Savings Bank (the Merrimack), has been serving the people, businesses, non-profits and municipalities of the greater Concord and Nashua regions. The Bank is known for its commitment to mutuality. Unlike publicly-listed banks, mutual banks do not sell publically available shares. This means there is no pressure to maximize profits for shareholders and it allows for longer term planning and an ability to remain focused on community, customers and employees. The Merrimack and its employees are guided and inspired by Merrimack style: living up to the values of accountability, excellence, respect, integrity, teamwork and stewardship. To learn more, stop by any of the local offices in Concord, Nashua, Bow, Contoocook or Hooksett, call 800.541.006 or visit themerrimack.com.

Caption: Claudia Walker, Pinnacle Award Winner (center), poses for group photo with fellow award recipients (left to right) James Paine, DVM of Russell Animal Hospital, Ellen Groh of Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, Donna Rice of Premiere Properties and recipient of the W. Grant McIntosh Award, Angie Lane of New Hampshire Public Radio and recipient of the CYPN of the Year Award and Jerry Kingwill of Cobb Hill Construction.

Submitted by Diana Johnson, Marketing Specialist, New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp