David Juvet, senior vice president of public policy for the Business & Industry Association, will retire this October after 25 years with New Hampshire’s statewide chamber of commerce.
Juvet has implemented and guided the legislative and public policy agenda of the BIA, the state’s largest nonpartisan business advocate, over the past three decades. He is a trusted go-to source for BIA’s 400-plus members, who employ over 100,000 people throughout the state. His advocacy leadership stretched through the gubernatorial administrations of Chris Sununu, Maggie Hassan, John Lynch, Craig Benson and Jeanne Shaheen.
Juvet is the staff liaison to BIA’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Committee and the HR/Health Care/Workforce Development Policy Committee, which inform BIA’s positions on some of the most significant legislative efforts at the State House.
Susannah Chance, senior vice president of human resources for Work Opportunities Unlimited, chairs the workforce committee and has worked closely with Juvet for several years.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Dave as he has provided leadership and support,” said Chance, a member of BIA’s Executive Board. “Dave’s style is very collaborative, bringing in different perspectives to help the committee learn and make decisions. He makes everyone feel welcome. His friendliness and sense of humor will be greatly missed.”
David Juvet is retiring as senior vice president of public policy for the Business & Industry Association after 25 years.(Courtesy photo)
Juvet lists a handful of the most important legislation he collaborated on with lawmakers, BIA members and other business and nonprofit leaders. They include reinstatement of the research and development tax credit in New Hampshire, establishment of the Housing Appeals Board during the prolonged housing shortage, the updating and modernizing of New Hampshire’s LLC and corporation statutes, and the establishment of expanded Medicaid and its reauthorization last year.
Juvet is quick to point out that in each case success was a group effort.
Stephen Lawlor, principal with Nathan Wechsler, a full-service accounting and tax firm, has worked with Juvet on BIA’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Committee, which tackles some of the most complex and potentially impactful legislation.
“Dave always has an excellent understanding of the goings on at the State House as well as bills the committee would be interested in,” said Lawlor, who serves as treasurer of BIA’s Board of Directors. “As issues with the State House can be complex, Dave always explains them so the committee understands and adds a little levity to keep it interesting.”
Andrea Chatfield, an attorney with Sheehan Phinney, has collaborated with Juvet as vice chair of BIA’s workforce committee. Each session, the committee sorts through challenging bills that can positively, or negatively, impact New Hampshire employers. Chatfield said Juvet’s knowledge of the legislative process is vast, but his calm, inclusive and respectful demeanor equally stands out.
“Dave is a master of the impossible — not only is he incredibly knowledgeable of the New Hampshire legislative process, but he is respected and genuinely liked by members of both political parties in the Legislature, and among the various state agencies,” she added.
Chatfield said Juvet’s guidance on public policy is how she was introduced to legislative advocacy.
“Dave and I have collaborated in advocating for New Hampshire’s employers on many workplace legislative bills and I have relied on his guidance numerous times,” she said. “Dave knows how to connect with people in meaningful and genuine ways — and he tells the best stories! I consider him a friend and colleague whom I will miss greatly.”
BIA President & CEO Michael Skelton said Juvet will leave a lasting impact on New Hampshire’s business community.
“Dave’s 25 years of service as the top policy person for the BIA means he has guided and shaped thousands of pieces of legislation impacting employers of every shape, size and industry sector across New Hampshire,” Skelton said. “He has spearheaded countless successful efforts to adopt policies that helped our member businesses grow and succeed. His legacy of successful advocacy for pro-business policies will be felt for decades to come and the BIA is incredibly grateful for his long-time service and leadership.”
Juvet’s final official BIA appearance will be at the association’s 111th Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration, presented by Eversource, Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester. BIA will present Lifetime Achievement Awards to David Greer, CEO of Wire Belt Company of America, Teresa Rosenberger, senior advisor with the Bernstein Shur law firm, and New Hampshire Senate President Jeb Bradley. The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester will receive the New Hampshire Advantage Award. For tickets to the Annual Dinner and to see a list of event sponsors, visit https://bit.ly/BIAAnnualDinner2024.
Rick Fabrizio is director of communications and public policy for the BIA. Visit BIAofNH.com.
