Philip Emma, COO, 2018 Business Excellence Award Winner
Philip Emma, Chief Operating Officer of New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp (NHMB), was awarded the 2018 Business Excellence Award in the Financial Services Category for large organizations from NH Business Review. The annual awards honor top business leaders in New Hampshire for their industriousness, innovation and imagination. The annual Business Excellence Awards ceremony, honoring all recipients, was held on Thursday, November 1 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown.
Emma successfully served as President of Merrimack County Savings Bank (the Merrimack) from January 2016 through September 2018, having modeled integrity, excellence, humility and trustworthiness, by remaining down-to-earth and accessible to employees, customers and the community. His exceptional performance in this role, led to his recent promotion to Chief Operating Officer for NHMB, where he oversees Digital Banking, Deposit and Loan Operations, IT, Risk Management, Compliance and Facilities for the Merrimack, Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB), Savings Bank of Walpole and MillRiver Wealth Management.
Emma’s guidance was essential in 2013, when the Merrimack and MVSB affiliated under the mutual holding company, New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp, the first relationship of its kind in New Hampshire. The strategic partnership positioned the Banks to leverage each other’s strengths, advancing a shared vision of the enhancement and maintenance of community banking standards and values. MillRiver joined as a third subsidiary in 2015, combining the financial advisory divisions of MVSB and the Merrimack. In July 2018, Savings Bank of Walpole joined as a fourth subsidiary.
A consummate community banking professional, who is thorough, adaptable and relatable, Emma embodies the true essence of leadership in all he does – having moved the Merrimack forward as a growing and healthy community bank. He has led and continues to lead during a time that holds enormous promise for the organization, its staff and communities. He is very supportive of customers, and has often met with local customers and business clients to discuss their unique businesses and banking needs, during his tenure as President.
During Emma’s presidency, the Merrimack was named Business of the Year by the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce in 2017, was voted “best bank” each year by the Concord Insider’s Capital Region Peoples’ Preferences (CAPPIE Award), was named “Bank of 2017” by the Capital Regional Development Council and received the “Housing Hero” award from CATCH Neighborhood Housing. Despite the awards and accolades, however, Emma is quick to credit, thank and show appreciation for the bank’s employees. He recognizes the tireless efforts of staff and their unyielding commitment to the greater good. He often expresses how proud he is of employees and all they’ve done to improve the community over the last 150 years.
“Under Phil’s leadership, the Merrimack has sought every opportunity to lend responsibly, while supporting both personal and business customers with a diverse array of deposit products, cash management and digital banking services,” noted Gregg Tewksbury, CEO of New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp. “Additionally, the Bank has increased its lending capacity, managed the growing cost of regulation and technology and has provided more career opportunities to employees. Moreover, his commitment to expanding the exceptional Merrimack brand as its leader has benefitted the communities served by this 150 year institution. His banking knowledge and expertise coupled with his unwavering desire to retain the best of community banking in our state is essential to New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp as Chief Operating Officer.”
NH Business Review launched the Business Excellence Awards in 2002 to recognize New Hampshire’s business leaders who work tirelessly to cultivate and grow the local and statewide economy.
“We’re proud to honor this year’s impressive list of Business Excellence Awards recipients, all of whom play a significant role in the overall success of New Hampshire’s economy,” said Jeff Feingold, editor of NH Business Review. “Congratulations to Phil, and all of this year’s recipients, who continue to make a positive impact on the Granite State and to inspire success through focus and hard work.”
Recipients of the 16th annual Business Excellence Awards are:
- Financial Services
Large: Philip Emma, Merrimack County Savings Bank (Concord)
Small: Nichole Raftopoulos, Nvest Financial Group, LLC (Portsmouth) - Business & Professional Services
Large: Patrick Closson, McLane Middleton, Professional Association (Manchester)
Small: Hollis McGuire, NH Small Business Development Center (Nashua) - Consumer Services
Large: Larry Haynes, Grappone Automotive Group (Bow)
Small: Robin Dewey, Robin’s Egg (Amherst) - Healthcare
Large: Michael Peterson, Androscoggin Valley Hospital (Berlin)
Small: Dwight Davis, Senior Helpers of the Greater Seacoast (Stratham) - Manufacturing
Large: David Worthen, Worthen Industries, Inc. (Nashua)
Small: Stephen Caroselli, Orion Entrance Control, Inc. (Laconia) - Nonprofit
Large: Helene Mogridge, Keene Family YMCA
Small: Diane Fitzpatrick, Boys & Girls Club of Manchester - Real Estate and Construction
Small: Todd Hanson, AIA of JSA Inc. (Portsmouth) - Technology
Large: Dave Harrold, BAE Systems (Nashua)
Small: Richard Greenwald, Simbex (Lebanon) - Hall of Fame
Rusty McLear, Mill Falls at the Lake and Granite State Hospitality (Meredith)
To learn more about the 2018 recipients, visit www.nhbr.com/Business-Excellence-Awards.
NH Business Review launched the Business Excellence Awards in 2002 to recognize New Hampshire’s business leaders who work tirelessly to cultivate and grow the local and statewide economy. Profiles on the 2018 recipients will be featured in the November 9 issue of NH Business Review.
New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp, a mutual holding company, was formed in 2013 when two New Hampshire-based community banks, Meredith Village Savings Bank and Merrimack County Savings Bank, formally affiliated – the first relationship of its kind in New Hampshire. This strategic partnership has positioned the Banks to leverage each other’s strengths as they work together to advance a shared vision of maintaining and enhancing their community banking standards and values. MillRiver Wealth Management joined as a third subsidiary of NHMB in 2015, combining the financial advisory divisions of MVSB and the Merrimack. In July 2018, Savings Bank of Walpole joined as a fourth subsidiary. NHMB combined assets total more than $2.2 billion.