Sen. Lou D’Allesandro is from Manchester, the state’s largest city, and has been serving the people of District 20 for eight terms. For the 2013-14 legislative session, he is Vice Chairman of Ways & Means. He also sits on Finance and Capital Budget.

 

D’Allesandro has been a familiar face in New Hampshire government for many years. He served the people of New Hampshire for three terms as an executive councilor and for two terms as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

 

In 2011, Sen. D’Allesandro received the first-ever Walter R. Peterson Citizen Leader Award named after the state’s late governor. The award honors an individual each year for his or her extraordinary commitment to public service, selfless contributions to higher education, sense of humor and high moral character.

 

In addition to his career in public service, the senator has enjoyed professional success in the field of education. He holds an honorary doctorate from Daniel Webster College as well as honorary degrees from Franklin Pierce University and the New Hampshire Institute of Art. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and holds a master's degree in education from Rivier University. He was awarded the Caroline Gross Fellowship to attend the program for Senior Executives in State and Local Governments at Harvard University and two other post-graduate programs there. Currently, the senator serves as adjunct faculty at St. Anselm College, teaching a course on state and local government.

 

An active member of the local community, D’Allesandro has served in many civic capacities, including as a volunteer with the National Council on Alcoholism and as a member of the Manchester Board of School Committee. He is a member of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Inc., and is a director of the New Hampshire Hockey Hall of Fame. Additionally, he currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Southern New Hampshire Services and Members First Credit Union and is the former vice chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s board of directors.

 

Most recently, D’Allesandro served as chairman of the New England Board of Higher Education, a congressionally authorized interstate compact designed to encourage cooperation among New England-based colleges and universities. Established in 1955, the organization and its programs are principally focused on the relationship between New England higher education and regional economic development.

 

D’Allesandro and his wife Patricia recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have three children, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild.