Granite United Way Welcomes Dean Christon as Board Chair

Granite United Way is pleased to announce that Dean J. Christon, Executive Director of New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, has graciously stepped into the position of Board Chair. This January, K. Mark Primeau, President and CEO of Bank of New Hampshire, proudly passed the torch to Christon after his service since 2014.

“This is an exciting time to be part of Granite United Way and I am honored to be leading such a dedicated Board of Directors,” said Dean Christon. “The volunteers and staff that comprise Granite United Way are truly invested in our community. I look forward to working with them bring even greater impact to each of the organization’s six regions in addition to building stronger relationships with the more than 20,000 donors that give annually.”

Christon was appointed Executive Director of New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority in July 2007.  He has been with the Authority for more than 25 years, having served as Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Executive Director.  Prior to joining New Hampshire Housing, Christon was Staff Director for the Joint Committee on Review of Agencies and Programs for the New Hampshire General Court.  

Christon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Saint Anselm College in Manchester and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

 He serves as a member of New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Economic Development Advisory Council.  Christon serves on the Board of Directors of the National Council of State Housing Agencies.  He is past Chairman of the City of Manchester’s Enterprise Community Advisory Board.  He has also served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Community Development Advisory Council, the Fannie Mae Northern New England Advisory Board, the New Hampshire State Government Operations Task Force, the New Hampshire Charitable Fund’s Building Communities Program Advisory Committee, the City of Manchester Housing Council, and the Community Development Advisory Council of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. 

Christon has played a key role in the development and implementation of Granite United Way’s Strategic Plan. He plans to continue to align the organization’s goals and actions with the plan. 

“We are fortunate to have Dean leading our Board of Directors this year. He has done an outstanding job as Community Impact Committee Chair in our Southern Region, Board Member and member of the Executive Committee, and I am confident he will continue this work as he accepts his new role of Board Chair,” said Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Granite United Way. “Dean has been a strong supporter of United Way, a Loyal Contributor for the past 36 years, and a volunteer for Day of Caring. Dean will continue to guide our organization through the changes that will ensure donor dollars have the greatest return possible.”

Christon is a resident of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Primeau continues on the Board of Directors as Immediate Past Chair.  First Vice Chair is Nannu Nobis, President of Nobis Engineering, who will assume the role of Chair in 2017. Second Vice Chair is Sean Owen, owner of wedu and Talient Action Group, who will become Chair in 2018.