Who We Are
The New Hampshire Retail Association was formed in 1966 to protect the rights of retailers at the state level of government. Although retailers make up the majority of our membership base, manufacturers, wholesalers, service providers, schools, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses also benefit from what we offer. 95% of our members are New Hampshire based retailers.
Our Mission
The New Hampshire Retail Association’s mission is to advocate for, promote, and support New Hampshire retailers.
Our Vision & Strategy
Advocacy – Representing the interests on NH retailers at the state level of government.
Support – To provide benefits, programs and services to give member retailers an advantage.
Promote – To promote the importance and impact of retail in our sales tax free state.
Lead – To lead a dynamic trade association to serve members and advance the mission.
Click Here to see our Mission, Vision and Strategy.
The New Hampshire Retail Association office is staffed by:
Curtis Picard, CAE
President & CEO
Curtis also serves as President and CEO of the Retail Association of Maine. Previously, Curtis was Vice President of Business Development and International Trade for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. He was responsible for the chamber’s International Trade Program with offices in Shanghai, China and Taipei, Taiwan. Additionally, he coordinated the annual VT Business and Industry EXPO, the largest Business to Business tradeshow in Northern New England and managed the Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association (VAAA), a group formed to support the aviation industry in Vermont and an affiliate of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Picard currently serves on the board of directors of the Topsham Development, Inc, and as treasurer for the Mt. Ararat High School Sports Boosters. He has previously served on the boards of the Maine Tourism Association, Council of State Retail Associations, National Retail Federation and Maine Society of Association Executives. He was appointed by Maine’s Governor Janet Mills to the Economic Recovery Committee in 2020. In 2018, he was honored with the J. Thomas Weyant Award by the National Retail Federation recognizing the state retail association executive of the year.
He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1991 with a B.S. in Business Administration and he received a New York University Certificate in Sports and Event Management in 1993. He is a 2008 graduate of the U.S Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management and earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in January of 2012.
In his capacity with the Retail Association of Maine, Curtis and his team provides association management services to the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association, the Maine Pharmacy Association and the Maine Society of Health System Pharmacists.
Mari O’Neil
Membership & Retail Director
Mari joined the Retail Association of Maine in January of 2021, with the task of promoting and growing the National Retail Federation Foundation’s RISE Up retail training credential program in Maine, with a focus on Workforce Development within the retail sector, as well as managing their 501 (c) (3) organization, the Maine Business Education Partnership.
Previously, Mari served as a board member of the Retail Association of Maine for nine years. Ms. O’Neil’s role has evolved over the past two years to include in-depth collaboration with business partners and educators to develop career pathways in the retail industry. In November of 2022, the Maine Business Education Partnership was awarded a Maine Industry Partnership for Workforce Development grant through the ME Department of Labor. This grant enables further collaboration in growing the retail workforce in Maine. In December of 2022, she successfully completed the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation – Talent Pipeline Management Academy.
She has more than 30 years of retail, training, and educational experience. Mari has worked in a variety of retail sectors, including specialty & department store management, training, loss prevention, specialty leasing, marketing, and shopping center management. Mari holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, where she also served as a teaching assistant during her junior and senior years and 2 years post-graduation. She earned a Certified Marketing Director designation from the International Council of Shopping Centers and is a certified trainer for the National Retail Federation Foundation’s RISE UP curriculum.
Mari loves animals and the natural world and has been accredited by the Natural Association of Interpretation, as a Certified Interpretive Guide. She is the board chair for the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, and a Docent at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, NH.
Amy Downing, CAE
Events Director
Amy joined the Retail Association of Maine in July of 2017 after nearly a decade with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. Amy is an experienced association professional.
Prior to joining the Retail Association of Maine, Amy served as the Member Services and Program Manager at the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. She also held the title of Program Manager for The Maine Business Leadership Network and the Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. In her time there she was instrumental in growing the affinity programs and non-dues revenue as well as planning many of their special events.
Prior to joining the chamber staff, she worked in the advertising and marketing industry. Her work included media strategist and buyer, promotional field manager, public relations specialist, and account executive. She worked under the lead strategist at Rinck Advertising for Governor Baldacci’s Blaine House Conference on Maine’s Creative Economy. She has volunteered her time working on the Pink Tulip Project for the Maine Cancer Foundation, served as a board member for the Oddfellow Theater in Buckfield, has co-hosted the nationally recognized comedy performance “The Early Evening Show”, and currently serves on the review team for the Governor’s Business Friendly Community Certification Program.
In addition to her role with RAM, Amy also serves as Executive Director of both the Maine Pharmacy Association and the Maine Society of Health System Pharmacists. In 2023, Amy earned her IOM designation from the US Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organization Management after completing 96 hours of association management training and earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in January of 2024.
Amy holds a degree in Travel and Hospitality Management from Mid-State College.
Doreen Morgan
Administrative Assistant
Doreen Morgan joined RAM in July 2020. Formerly Creative Services Director for FOX television affiliates around the United States and Director of Strategic Marketing and Events at a CBS owned-and-operated radio group, she brings a wealth of experience in marketing, advertising, promotion, sales, and events. Doreen designs and executes much of marketing materials, graphics, and social media for RAM and its other associations.
Doreen holds both a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of ME Farmington and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from the University of ME Augusta. She specializes in oil and acrylic painting and ceramics and enjoys teaching both adults and children.
