About us

Experience Hampton, Inc. (EHI) was formed in October 2010 by a small group of business owners and residents with the initial purpose of bringing back a Christmas Parade to Hampton.

This small group quickly expanded to involve over 50 volunteers and a successful parade was held on December 4, 2010.  The community greatly enjoyed the return of this Christmas tradition in Hampton.

Since 2010, Experience Hampton has now developed into an organization that is a state-approved 501(c) 4, a formal board of directors made up of volunteers, an approved set of by-laws, and a membership made up of Hampton business owners and residents.

The mission of Experience Hampton is to organize, promote and manage events and projects in Hampton and the general vicinity that improve and benefit the community. In keeping with that mission, EHI has sponsored the Flags and Flowers program, distributing American flags at the Memorial Day parade and organizing flower barrels along Lafayette Road for the last 5 summers.  As of 2014, EHI has also identified facilitating economic development projects as part of its mission statement.

 
 

  • Dean Merrill - President

    Dean is the President of Tobey & Merrill Insurance, Hampton, NH. He is the third generation to be working at T&M with his brother Geoffrey. We will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary in 2020 in Hampton.

    Dean is a past president of the Hampton Chamber of Commerce, the New Hampshire Insurance Agents Association, past NH Director with the Independent Insurance Agent’s National Board. He is also a board member of the Hampton Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Beach Commission, Brand Networking, the Insurpac Organization and a Corporator of The Provident Bank.

    In 2012 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the New Hampshire Insurance Agents Association.

    Education: Dean graduated from Winnacunnet High School and holds an Associate Degree in Business Management at Plymouth University. He also holds Certified Insurance Councilor (CIC) in the insurance business.

    Dean and his wife Debbie are active in many organizations in the Hampton Area.

  • Nicholas Bridle - Vice President

    Nicholas Bridle is a Fire Department Dispatcher in Derry, NH. His family has a multi-generational commitment to public service, through work and politics. Nicholas was born, and attended school in Hampton, having gone through all three of Hampton's wonderful school in grade K-8, and then on to the cooperative Winnacunnet High School, Class of 2002.

    Nicholas left Hampton to live in Medford, Massachusetts, the outskirts of the city of Boston. Where he spent 5 years enjoying his youth, and dabbling in stand up comedy. He then moved to Raleigh, North Carolina for 6 years, during which he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, shortly thereafter graduating serving Wake County as a sworn Probation / Parole Officer.

    In 2014, Nicholas relocated back to Hampton, and immediately jumped right back into serving the community. Working the first year help with the Experience Hampton Christmas Parade, then running for and getting elected to Hampton's Municipal Budget Committee. He has worked hard to grow the online presence of Experience Hampton, becoming the social media coordinator, showcasing and market events and projects, this lead to being appointed onto the board of directors, where he serves currently.

    Nicholas enjoys showcasing and promoting local businesses, he created the "Together, We Are Hampton" Facebook group, where over 1800 residents daily connect, and in 2018 he started up his own local business, Shore Line Brand Management, to assist local businesses and non profits gain exposure, and become more successful.

  • Lisa Stonesifer - Director

    Lisa Stonesifer has been in the banking industry since 1998 and is currently AVP, Business Development Manager for Newburyport Bank in Hampton.

    She has a degree in Business Administration and Management from Monterey Peninsula College and has taken numerous banking courses from the Center for Financial Training, including Law and Banking and Ethical Issues for Bankers. Lisa also attended the School of Leadership I and II led by Development Dimensions International.

    Active in the local community, Lisa volunteers with the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk in Portsmouth and before becoming a board member, Experience Hampton.

    She resides in Stratham with her husband Florian Kozinczak and their dog Rex.

  • Dyana Martin - Director

  • Michael Brillard - Director

  • Bob Preston - Director

    Bob is self employed as a Broker with Preston Real Estate. A family business, started by his parents, Senator Bob and Charlotte Preston. Specializing in Sales and Rentals of hundreds of vacation properties at Seabrook and  Hampton Beach for over 50 years.

    Mr. Preston is a Past President and currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Hundred Club of New Hampshire. The 100 Club cares for Families of Firefighters and Public Safety Officers that suffer tragedy in the line of duty. Membership information is available on the Club website. 100ClubNH.org

    Mr. Preston is a Director on the Hampton Beach Area Commission (HBAC) as the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce Representative. Mr. Preston is a Corporator of The Provident Bank. An independent, mutually owned full service community bank with offices in Amesbury, Newburyport, Ma and Exeter, Hampton, Portsmouth and Seabrook, NH

    Hampton Rotary Club, Citizen of the Year, 2011

  • John Tinios - Director