Dr. Deborah A. Osgood of Knowledge Institute in Exeter was named the winner of the first Self Made in New Hampshire award on Thursday, June 16. The celebration gala took place at Brookstone Event Center in Derry.

“The essence of being self made is finding yourself and your purpose in life,” said Osgood, who was nominated for the award by her husband, Dr. William R. Osgood. “If you’re able to find your purpose, you can help make a difference around you.”

Osgood worked her way through all of her post-high school education—bachelor’s,  master’s, and doctorate degrees—while working full time. She created Knowledge Institute to help other small businesses across the country with government and nonprofit business assistance programs. She serves on Gov. John Lynch’s Economic Development Advisory Committee and on the U.S. Small Business Administration Regulatory Fairness Board. She also helped pilot a program where she served as a mentor to businesswomen in Iraq.

“Deborah is an outstanding choice for the inaugural winner of the Self Made in New Hampshire award,” said Eric Brooks, of Brooks Properties, which presented the event, and one of the judges for the award. “She embodies exactly what being ‘self made’ is all about. I am proud that Brooks Properties can honor her with this award, which she so greatly deserves.”

The two runners-up were Maryanna Hatch of RiverWoods Continuing Care Retirement Community in Exeter and Kirk C. Simoneau of Nixon, Raiche, Vogelman, Barry, Slawsky & Simoneau, P.A., in Manchester.

Hatch dedicated her life to better residential facilities for the elderly. At 88, she now lives in the retirement community she spent years of her life trying to make happen. Simoneau overcame personal and family struggles and tragedy to put himself through law school. He now often works pro bono to help victims of domestic violence get restraining orders.

The seven semifinalists also honored at the event were Fred Bramante, Daddy’s Junky Music, Manchester; Ben Gamache, Gamache Enterprises, Manchester; Gina Branley Hutchinson, Red Star Productions, Derry; Bob Lawton, Funspot, Laconia; Mark Lore, Ride-Away Handicap Equipment Corp., Londonderry; G. Hayden McLaughlin, Belknap Landscape Company, Inc., Gilford; and Steven Smith, Main Street Radio, Newport. More than 40 men and women from around the state were nominated for the award.

Self Made in New Hampshire is presented by Brooks Properties, sponsored by Pentucket Bank, and produced by LTD Company. For more information, visit SelfMadeInNH.com. Nominations for the 2012 award will be accepted starting in January 2012.

Bank sees off long-time CEO; brings up COO to fill role

by Daisha Cassel

After 22 years at Merrimack County Savings Bank, the bulk of which he has served in the role of President and/or Chief Executive Officer, Ronald A. Wilbur is retiring from his role as CEO in September.

Ronald Wilbur

“I have enjoyed being part of the community, both personally and professionally,” says Wilbur.  “For me being at Merrimack Community Savings bank was kind of a natural combination.” Equally natural to Wilbur is the idea of transition in an organization such as The Merrimack. “I’ve viewed my role, and in turn my successor’s role, very much as a steward of this institution.” Wilbur explains that the bank is a mutual institution and as such, “I really think the job is to take hold of the organization, get it to a better place for all involved, and ultimately turn it over to someone else to be the next steward.”

Paul Rizzi

That next steward will be current President and COO Paul C. Rizzi, Jr., who is a long-time veteran of the bank. “After more than 14 years as COO working with Ron Wilbur and an all-star team of dedicated and caring professionals, I feel very well prepared to take on the leadership role,” shares Rizzi. “Merrimack County Savings Bank is truly a community asset in the markets that it serves, and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead it into the future as CEO.”

Following his retirement, Wilbur will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.

Giving makes Stephen Singer — and others — very happy

by Mike Morin

“I’ll bid $3,450,” said Grace, her voice collapsing into hyperventilation. “$3,550,” came the immediate reply from Dan. Seconds later, the duel was over. Dan became the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind “Hotel California” acoustic guitar signed by all five members of the Eagles. The bidding exceeded expectations for the charity auction on WZID-FM, which benefited the Kiwanis Club. The stunning airbrushed guitar, donated by Stephen Singer, brought more than the $2,000 he had quietly hoped for. The unexpected windfall, no doubt, made his day.

Starting Early

“It’s been a calling for me since I was a youngster, even at four or five,” Singer recalls.  “Every Jewish house had a tzedakah, or charity box. I remember going to my grandmother’s house when she was 75 or 80, struggling to make ends meet. Yet, they gave to charity and weren’t that wealthy themselves.” As a child, Singer would often spend his Saturdays raising money for the March of Dimes. “It’s been a way of life for all of the Singer family. It’s a part of our upbringing, a way of life. We’ve been blessed. There’s no better way to help those not as fortunate as you,” Singer says.

Singer, a long-time collector of pop-culture memorabilia, has found that by procuring amazing artifacts, bidding increases exponentially. “First, I gave away my doubles. They were just lying around the house and I thought they could do more for charities in need of unique items to create some buzz. Response has been incredible. Those doubles are gone, so now we buy up to 50 collectibles from vendors that we give away to different charities,” he says. Singer is also a collector of unique art. “We have a collection of contemporary art at the house. It brightens your day,” he smiles. “What we like is quite whimsical. I come home at night and see my collection and it makes me feel good,” he adds.

Anyone who knows Singer will rarely see him attired in what one might expect of an owner of a $200 million business. This day Singer is dressed in a black shirt, slacks, and black and white shoes. The ensemble is topped off by a Three Stooges tie.

“There are lots of Singer brothers so to separate myself from the crowd, I do things unique and cool.  You have to package yourself so you’re appealing to people.  How you look is how people respond.  When people see me, they might say, ‘This guy’s cool.’  It’s a good icebreaker.”

Passion and Inspiration

One of Singer’s great joys in life is playing competitive basketball. At 61, he admits to being one of the “older” guys and prefers to compete against younger opponents. “Older guys don’t care who wins,” he says. “We play very competitively. Like the Celtics and the Bulls. Spirited and intensive. In the end, we’re all still friends.”

The interview stops briefly while Singer picks up a call from one of his brothers. They enthusiastically discuss breaking news of a possible Celtics trade with Phoenix. One glance around Singer’s office leaves no doubt about his passion for sports.

“Like every kid, I wanted to be a professional athlete. Sports have been part of my personal and professional life at Merchants Automotive Group. I would have used my athletics to give back like Mohammed Ali. He’s been a role model to me,” he explains. Singer has assembled a mini museum to honor the legendary boxer in his office and hallways of Merchants. Pictures, boxing gloves, and artifacts comprise one of the most comprehensive collections of Ali memorabilia anywhere.

“He used boxing as a platform to make the world a better place. He’s so much bigger than boxing,” Singer says. “So many great qualities. When he is out, it’s all about doing a great deed. We’ve met on several occasions and he’s always exceeded my expectations, and I have high expectations. The collectibles show Ali as a humanitarian.” Though slowed by the effects of Parkinson’s disease, Singer knows that Ali, a lover of magic, still has a playful side to him.

“He has a sense of humor. And is still a kid at heart. He’ll pretend to pull a silver dollar from behind your ear. He could be a bitter guy but isn’t,” he says.

Opening Doors

While the automobile business ebbs and flows at the mercy of an uncertain economy, the Brothers Singer continue their full-court press for community fundraising. Tom Kallechey, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Manchester, knows first-hand that Singer is a key cog in bringing high-end auction items to the table.

“He has been involved in so many charitable events that when he speaks you listen carefully. He is the voice of experience . . . [he] has a great sense of what works and what doesn’t. Plus, with one phone call he can make things happen or open doors that would be closed to most of us,” says Kallechey. “The cool thing about the items that Stephen donates is that they generally are one-of-a-kind or hard to find, the type of thing that would be difficult or impossible to buy. It’s a fantasy thing. It gives your event a cache that helps set it apart.”

“He’ll call three or four times a year with a ‘Singer treat’ from his house,” says Lou Catano, executive director of Webster House in Manchester. “He’s a giving, caring, genuine person. He does it under the radar half the time,” Catano adds.

Charity Is Personal

Aside from donating music and sports memorabilia, Singer has an ambitious goal that has little to do with raising money. Singer’s brother, Gary, lost his wife, Gail, at the very young age of 29 a few decades ago.

“The Red Cross was very kind to her while she was ill. My brothers and I wanted a lasting legacy for Gail. We now have the Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive, the largest blood drive in New England, August 25 and 26 at the Center of New Hampshire,” says Singer, who reports nearly 1,400 donors turned out last year. “If I get the green light from the Red Cross, I’d like to make it the largest blood drive in America, with about 3,000 donors,” he adds.

Singer uses the term “partner” often as he credits the many business and media associates who help him and his brothers spread the wealth among many charitable New Hampshire organizations. “I mentioned to Stephen a quote from Kirk Douglas, well known for his philanthropy in the Los Angeles area,” says Kallechey. “‘You haven’t lived until you give.’ Stephen’s response was simply, ‘That’s it.’”