CONCORD, N.H. — Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte announced the members of the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE). 

“I am proud to bring together business leaders and state government officials to make our state government more efficient and effective for all of New Hampshire,” said Governor Ayotte. “I look forward to working alongside our volunteer members to streamline government, cut spending, and ensure we’re doing everything we can to create value for taxpayers while honoring our unbreakable commitment to provide for our most vulnerable citizens.” 

Following her inauguration on January 9th, Governor Ayotte signed her first Executive Order establishing the COGE and named former Governor Craig Benson and Bedford businessman Andy Crews as Co-Chairs. 

Commission on Government Efficiency Members:  

Co-Chair: The Honorable Craig Benson, Owner, Benson Enterprises 

Governor Craig Benson served as the 79th Governor of the State of New Hampshire. He currently runs numerous businesses all headquartered in New Hampshire and has served as the CEO of two New York Stock Exchange Companies. He has degrees from Babson College in Finance and an MBA from Syracuse University in Operations Management. Governor Benson also serves on the board of Planet Fitness and as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College. 

Co-Chair: Andy Crews, President, Crews Holdings, LLC 

Andy Crews is the president of Crews Holdings, LLC, which develops and invests in real estate as well as makes passive business investments. He also serves as a Commissioner of the New Hampshire State Lottery and is the former President and CEO of AutoFair Automotive Group (2006 – 2021). Prior to selling AutoFair in December of 2021, he grew the company to over 500 million in revenue. Andy currently sits on several nonprofit boards including Granite State Children’s Alliance, Citizens Count and Swim With A Mission and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. 

The Honorable Sherman A. Packard, Speaker of the New Hampshire House 

 Representative Sherm Packard, a resident of Londonderry, is currently serving in his 3rd term as Speaker and 18th term in the New Hampshire House, representing Rockingham District 16. A former small business owner of more than 30 years, he began his decades-long service in the motorcycle rights arena and remains active on various Committees and Boards including the Londonderry Lions Club, serving on the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, and sitting on the Board of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. 

The Honorable Mark McConkey, New Hampshire State Senator, District 3 

Senator Mark McConkey was elected to the New Hampshire State Senate on November 5, 2024, after serving in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2002-2018 and 2020-2024. He owns and operates McConkey Construction, a small construction business with his family that specializes in septic design and installation. Senator McConkey chairs the Capital Budget Committee and sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 

Al Letizio, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing, Inc. 

Al Letizio, Jr., is founder and CEO of A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing, one of Windham’s largest employers, a wholesale food industry supplier serving the Eastern United States. Al was named NH Small Businessperson of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and was recognized by Southern NH Chamber of Commerce as its Distinguished Businessperson of the Year. Al chaired the Windham Board of Selectmen, School Board and Economic Development Committees. He was appointed to Governor Sununu’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery during the COVID-19 relief efforts and recently spearheaded Hurricane Helene emergency relief efforts providing 60,000 meals to affected residents in North Carolina from New Hampshire. 

Bradley Kreick, Chief Executive Officer, AccessHope 

Brad Kreick has been a healthcare executive and investor for 30 years. He started his career at Healthsource, a New Hampshire-based managed care company, and most recently served as CEO of SolutionHealth, the parent company of the Southern NH Health and Elliot Health systems. He is currently the CEO and a board member of AccessHope, the nation’s leading cancer care management company. 

Brendan Keegan, Chairman and CEO, bFEARLESS Ventures  

Brendan P. Keegan is a 6-time president & chief executive officer, 21-time board director, 2-time WSJ & Amazon best-selling author, World’s Most Innovative CEO award winner and Chairman of bFEARLESS Ventures, an investment & advisory firm. As President & CEO, he has successfully led 6 companies through liquidity exits with an average enterprise value increase of 750%. Keegan has raised over $10 billion in capital while leading over 250,000 people globally. Today, he serves as co-owner and board member of Andretti Racing, United Autosports, Merchants Fleet, PURE Electric, Crane Paper, and Sky Meadow Country Club. Additionally, Keegan serves on the boards of McLaren Racing, ExpressIT Delivery, RPI Athletics Council, RPI Lally Leadership Council and the Keegan Family Courage & Faith Foundation. 

Christopher D. Clement, Chief Government Relations Officer, McClure Engineering Company 

Christopher D. Clement, Sr. is a native of New Hampshire residing in Portsmouth with his wife Wendy of 34 years. Chris is the Chief Government Relations Officer for McClure Engineering Company, a civil, environmental and structural engineering firm. He previously served as the CEO of Infraspect, a complex bridge inspection, non-destructive testing and robotic engineering company. Before that, he was vice president of finance and administration, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at the University of New Hampshire between 2014 and 2022. He was also the Commissioner and CEO of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and Director or the Office of Economic Stimulus. Chris has an MBA and BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire. 

Dianne Mercier, Retired President, People’s United Bank – New Hampshire 

Dianne Mercier most recently served as President for People’s United Bank in New Hampshire. She spent 36 years specializing in commercial finance in support of business creation and growth and championing the needs of local not for profits in service of community needs, including the Boys and Girls Club. 

Drew Cline, President, Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy 

Drew Cline runs the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, New Hampshire’s free market think tank, where he provides research and analysis on state and local policy. As a journalist and policy analyst for more than 30 years, he’s helped public officials find ways to restrain government spending, taxes and regulations. He lives in Bedford. 

Felicia Thomas, Vice President of Data Solutions, Planet Fitness  

Felicia Thomas has over 25 years of experience in Information Technology, specializing in data and analytics technologies in the government, healthcare, transportation, and supply chain management domains.  She has led multiple technology modernization and transformation programs, ensuring technology enablement of strategic business objectives and outcomes.  Felicia has a Master’s degree in Technology Management from Georgetown University. 

Jennifer L. Parent, Director, McLane Middleton, PA

Jennifer Parent is a director of McLane Middleton’s Litigation Department and chairs its Business Litigation Practice Group.  She is currently a member of the firm’s Management Committee and former chair of the Litigation Department as well as the Employment Law Practice Group. 

John C. Marasco, Director, New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles 

Prior to being appointed to his current position by Governor Sununu in March of 2022, John served for 25 years with the New Hampshire State Police and attained the rank of Major.  John enjoys working to foster team environments, improving processes and operations, and collaborating with others to realize the “Gold Standard” in customer service.  John serves on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, he received an MLK “Keeping the Dream Alive” award for community efforts and holds degrees from Northeastern University (B.S.) and Southern New Hampshire University (M.S.).    

Kimberly Abare, President, New England Die Cutting, LLC. 

Kimberly Abare is the President of NEDC Sealing Solutions, an AS9100D-certified manufacturer serving the defense and aerospace industries. She co-owns and manages commercial real estate properties with over 45 tenants and $30 million in assets.  With 35 years of experience in business, she specializes in organizational development and lean manufacturing.  A dedicated community leader, Kimberly also served as a New Hampshire State Representative and is involved in numerous civic and advocacy initiatives. 

Robert Monaco, General Manager, Intelligent Manufacturing Solutions 

Robert Monaco was a member of founding team for Cabletron Systems, the leading edge technology innovator designing hardware and software for the internet, when the company relocated from Massachusetts to New Hampshire in 1985. Monaco went on to found multiple technology companies in New Hampshire and serve as Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Services. He lives in Stratham with his wife of 40  years, three daughters, and 6 grandchildren.