Belknap EDC Announces New Directors

Belknap EDC is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors: Alexandra (Ali) Pelletier of Bank of New Hampshire, Steve Caroselli of Orion Entrance Control, Patrick Cate of Lakes Region Community College (LRCC), and Shanna Saunders of the Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC). Directors provide leadership for carrying out the organization’s mission to promote economic vitality and opportunity in Belknap County.

Ali Pelletier is the Vice President of Retail Banking Administration at Bank of New Hampshire, where she has contributed to the success of the organization for 15 years. With a deep commitment to enhancing both staff and customer experiences, Ali is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships with businesses and community members across New Hampshire. Her focus on continuous improvement drives her passion for creating positive, lasting impacts in the communities she serves.

Ali Pelletier, VP Retail Banking Administration, Bank of New Hampshire and Belknap EDC Board Member

Steve Caroselli is the Founder & CEO of Orion Entrance Control, Inc. With innovation and intention, Steve has always seen the direction Orion needs to head, leading the industry with deliberate use of disruptive technologies since he started Orion in 2009. In under a decade, Orion Entrance Control has tripled its workforce, expanded sales to eleven countries, and provides solutions for some of the biggest names in the business.

Steve Caroselli, Founder / CEO, Orion Entrance Control, Inc. and Belknap EDC Board Member

Patrick Cate, President of LRCC, served as the interim President since July 2022 before his permanent appointment to the position in April 2024. He brings a wealth of experience in higher education and student success with over 20 years’ experience in higher education including roles at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Rivier University in Nashua, NH, and Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH before embarking on his tenure with LRCC in 2018. Throughout his career, Cate’s passion for education and commitment to student success have been evident.

Patrick Cate, President, Lakes Region Community College and Belknap EDC Board Member

Shanna B. Saunders, Executive Director of LRPC is a dual graduate of the University of New Hampshire. She started her career path at UNH Cooperative Extension’s Great Bay Watch program and then moved on as Director of the non-profit watershed group, The Parker River Clean Water Association in Newbury, MA. After a few years of working with our neighbor to the south, she decided to move her talents to the state in which she lived and loved, working as Director for the past 20 years in several communities across New Hampshire including Laconia, Somersworth and Rochester – all communities with a strong tie to the water. In June of 2024 she accepted the position at LRPC where she feels like she has found her forever home.  Shanna has been an NHPA Executive Committee member since 2009 and served for 5 years as President. 

Shanna B. Saunders, Executive Director, Lakes Region Planning Commission and Belknap EDC Board Member

Returning directors include Allison Ambrose, Wescott Law (Chair); Chris Dickinson, Northway Bank (Vice Chair); Brian Bozak, President, Franklin Savings Bank (Treasurer); Jodie Gallant, JMG Marketing & Business Strategy & WORK Lakes Region (Secretary); Jennifer Anderson, Lakes Region Community College & Laconia Motorcycle Week Association; Bill Bald, Melcher and Prescott Insurance; Jeanie Forrester, State of New Hampshire; Andrew Pike, Opechee Construction; and Chris Walkley, Bank of New Hampshire. Justin Slattery serves as Belknap EDC’s Executive Director.