The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (MWVCC) has announced the recipients of its 2026 annual awards, honoring individuals and a business whose work has strengthened the Mount Washington Valley community. The awards will be presented at the 2026 MWVCC Annual Meeting & Awards Cocktail Reception on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 5 to 7 PM at the Evergreen Room at King Pine Ski Area in East Madison, NH.

White Mountains Treasure Award

The White Mountains Treasure Award recognizes someone who has dedicated a lifetime of time and talent to the Mt. Washington Valley. This year the Chamber will honor two recipients, Roy Prescott and Lori Jean Kinsey.

Roy Prescott has been a familiar voice and steady presence in the Mt. Washington Valley for nearly five decades, since first arriving in 1978. His career in broadcasting brought him to WMWV full time, where he began hosting The Blues Summit in 1999 and went on to become the station's regular daytime DJ. Prescott has used his platform to support the community for decades, including 25 years hosting the White Mountain Oil Brat-fest and support for the Mount Washington Observatory's Seek the Peak fundraiser, Theater in the Wood, Arts Jubilee, Jen's Friends, and the Schneider Cup. His annual day-long broadcast from the Vaughan Community Center helped raise $50,000 for the food pantry last year alone.

Lori Jean Kinsey has spent more than four decades connecting people with the natural world through environmental education and conservation. She joined Tin Mountain Conservation Center in 1984 as its first full-time staff member and has held nearly every foundational role at the organization, including Teacher/Naturalist and Education and Camp Director, before becoming Executive Director in 2017. Her work has helped Tin Mountain expand its research programs and develop initiatives such as the Accessible Nature Trail, and in 2008 L.L.Bean recognized her with its first "Outdoor Hero" award. The 73-acre Lori Jean Kinsey Arboretum and Sanctuary at Tin Mountain's Albany campus stands as a lasting mark of her impact.

Employer of the Year

HEB Engineers is the 2026 recipient of the Employer of the Year Award. Guided by its mission to empower its people to positively impact clients and communities, HEB gives employees the chance to work on projects that shape the places where they live, work and play, and supports paid volunteer time for personal nonprofit involvement and company-sponsored service. The firm offers competitive compensation, profit sharing and employee ownership, along with financial support for continuing education, licensure, certifications and apprenticeships. Lead by Josh McAllister, HEB has built a culture of trust and flexibility, with staff outings, birthday gatherings, volunteer opportunities and traditions like its company-sponsored Cranmore Mountain Meister's team.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Jordon Hewson of Designed Gardens Flower Studio is the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year. Hewson founded Designed Gardens, a landscape design business, in North Conway in 1999 and later created DG Flower Studio, a full-service floral and retail destination in North Conway Village offering custom floral design, specialty plants, locally made gifts and workshops. Beyond her businesses, Hewson has served the North Conway Village Association and North Conway Beautification Committee, maintained the seasonal planters throughout downtown, run the Petal Pals workshop series, and supported the next generation of floral designers.

Steve Eastman Community Service Award

The Eaton Village Preservation Society (EVPS) is the recipient of this year's Steve Eastman Community Spirit Award, named for the late Mountain Ear and Mud Bowl co-founder Steve Eastman (1949-2008) and presented by his family to a person or organization that reflects his community values. Founded in 2004 to save the landmark Eaton Village Store, EVPS has gone on to purchase the old town vault and, this past August, raised $500,000 in 30 days to buy 116 acres on Lyman Mountain, protecting the viewshed of Crystal Lake and the Little White Church. "We are amazed and grateful that we were able to achieve that fundraising goal in such a short time," said Kevin Flynn, EVPS board member and former co-owner of the Snowvillage Inn. EVPS also hosts Eaton Fest and the town's Fourth of July beach picnic, and is open to all with annual dues.

“Each year the Annual Meeting gives us the chance to stop and recognize the people and businesses who make this Valley what it is,” said Chris Proulx, Executive Director of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. “This year's honorees represent decades of service, mentorship and community investment, and we're looking forward to celebrating them on October 15.”

This event is made possible through the support of sponsors including:

Premier Sponsors

Chalmers Insurance Group/Patriot Insurance Company

Norway Savings Bank

White Mountains Treasure Award

MaineHealth

Business Awards Sponsors

Northeast Delta Dental

Reception Sponsors

Eastern Propane & Oil

Camden National Bank

Valley Originals

MVSB

Floral Sponsor

Designed Gardens 

Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026

Time: Registration opens at 4:30 PM | Annual Meeting & Awards, 5–7 PM

Venue: The Evergreen Room at King Pine Ski Area, East Madison, NH

Tickets and registration: mwvannualmeeting.com

Join the Chamber on October 15 to cheer on this year's honorees. The evening includes the Annual Meeting, the awards ceremony, networking with fellow Chamber members and community leaders, an online silent auction benefiting MWVCC programs and services, and heavy hors d'oeuvres with a cash bar. Tickets and registration are available at mwvannualmeeting.com. For more information, call 603-356-5701.

About the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce serves businesses and visitors across the greater Mt. Washington Valley region of New Hampshire, including North Conway and surrounding communities. The Chamber supports economic vitality, promotes tourism, and advocates on behalf of its members year-round. For more information, go to www.visitMWV.com.