The Strength of Our Industry and the Promise of Its Future

The evening brought us all together. What united us was a simple, shared belief: New Hampshire’s automotive future relies on the young people who choose this path, and it is our job to support and inspire them every step of the way. 

Recognizing Excellence and Raising the Bar
This year, our Education Foundation continued its strong tradition of investing in workforce development. The Foundation awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships to students throughout the year, and we closed 2025 by awarding an additional $30,000 to eight exceptional CTE students. 

Each student shared their vision for their future, their passion for the automotive field, and the personal impact of receiving this support. Their sincerity and determination were reminders of why we continue strengthening the pipeline between our schools and our industry. 

2025 Scholarship Recipients 

• $10,000 - Trevor Simino, Littleton, WM Regional, WMCC, HD Diesel Tech program 

• $5,000 - Brody Bray, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, MCC, Ford program 

• $5,000 - Logan Kundert, Manchester, Bedford, MCC, Ford program 

• $2,000 - Christopher Barbagallo, Salem, Salem, MCC, Ford program 

• $2,000 - William Carson, CTRC, Kearsarge, NCC, Mazda program 

• $2,000 - Camden Cummings, Nashua, Nashua, MCC, Ford program 

• $2,000 - Chase Paquette, CRTC, Kearsarge, LRCC, Toyota program 

• $2,000 - Griffin Patch, RWC, Spaulding, LRCC, GM ASEP program 
  

We also proudly introduced three new recognitions this year: 

• Mentor of the Year: Scott Kuhn (Merchants Automotive Group) 

• CTE Automotive Teacher of the Year: David Lilly (Portsmouth CTE) 

• Post-Secondary Automotive Teacher of the Year: Kim Stevenson (Lakes Region Community College) 
  

These awards honor those who guide, teach, and invest in our students long before they reach our dealerships or shops. Their dedication is a crucial part of building a workforce that is skilled, motivated, and ready for the opportunities ahead.

A Room Filled with Purpose
Throughout the night, the room was alive with conversations between students and industry leaders. It was encouraging to see hiring managers, shop owners, and technical educators making meaningful connections—because that is where the real long-term impact begins. 

Events like this don’t just celebrate achievement. They strengthen the bridge between education and employment. They give our students confidence, and they remind all of us why investing in workforce development must remain a priority. 

Our Sponsors: The Backbone of This Mission
The success of Scholarship & Industry Night is a direct reflection of the generosity and partnership of our sponsors. Their support ensures that scholarships grow; programs expand, and students continue to see the automotive industry as a promising and accessible career path. 

PRIME SPONSOR 
Capital Dealer Services Group 

Commemorative Scholarships (Paul Holloway & George Dykstra)
Exeter New Car Dealers Association 

Memorial Scholarships 
Vin & Ruth Tulley 
Dan McLeod 

High-Octane Sponsor 
ICL Autos 
Quirk Auto Dealers of NH
Portsmouth Ford 

Turbocharger Sponsor 
Nucar Family of Dealerships 

Bathroom Sponsor 
North Country Ford 

AV Sponsor 
Northeast Delta Dental 

Community College Sponsor 
Precision Imports/Carrigan Auto Group 

Digital Ticket Sponsor 
Northeast Auto Auction 

Drink Tickets Sponsor 
Naults Powersports/Seacoast Indian Motorcycle 

Engine Enthusiast Sponsor 
Avidity Entertainment 
Lovering Automotive Group 
Quirk Auto Dealers of NH

 Intermission Break Sponsor 
Grappone Automotive Group 
TSS Advisors 

 Roadmap Sponsor 
 AutoFair 
ProActive™ Leadership Group 
Volvo Cars Exeter 

Silent Auction Prize Sponsor 
Quirk Auto Dealers of NH

Spark Plug Sponsor 
Bob & Sons Automotive 

Table Top Sponsor 
Brown & Brown Dealer Services 

 Wheel Wizard & CTE Sponsor 
MB Tractor & Equipment 

Wheel Wizard Sponsor 
Auto Auction of New England 
Fenton Family Dealerships 
Troy Powersports