Executive board

nhsaa president

Mr. Pierre Couture

Phone: (603) 774-5555

Mr. Pierre Couture is presently Superintendent of Schools for the Alexandria, Bridgewater, Bristol, Danbury, Groton, Hebron and New Hampton School Districts in addition to President.

​

Pierre was born in Lancaster, NH, grew up in a French-Canadian family, and lived and worked on a family farm. He was one of seven children and graduated from White Mountain Regional High School in 1981. He wrestled on two state championship teams and won the individual championship in 1981, before going on to wrestle for Keene State College. He benefited from tremendous coaches in high school which continues to influence him throughout his career. Pierre graduated from Keene State College in 1985 with a BS in Industrial Technology. In 1986, he began teaching Industrial Arts at Milford High School and coached boys' soccer and wrestling, winning two state championships in 1998 and 1999. At Milford, he developed a successful Precision Machining program at which produced many USA State winners and one national place winner. He completed his masters degree from Rivier College in School Leadership in 1999. 

​

In 1999, he began work at Groveton High School as the Assistant Principal and served as the school Principal from 2003 to 2013. He coached the boys state championship soccer team at Groveton High School in 2000. 

​

In 2010, Pierre completed his CAGS at Plymouth State University. He took his first Superintendent position at SAU 35 (Libson, Bethlehem, Lafayette, Landaff, and Profile), in 2013 and remained there until July 2020. He has now accepted a role as the Superintendent for the Newfound Area School District. 

​

He has two terrific sons Colby (24) and Bailey (23). Bailey is proudly serving our country in the Air Force, stationed at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. Colby is a Plymouth State graduate working in a management position for a mechanical contractor in Andover, MA. 

​

In his free time, he enjoys skiing at Cannon mountain. He also enjoys cycling, having completed the Prouty century ride several times and also road the RAGRIA in Iowa, a ride across the state about 500 miles. He also enjoys handyman projects and gardening. 

​

Pierre believes strongly in equity for all students regardless of social class or race. 

nhsaa vice-president 

Mr. Russell Holden

Phone: (603) 763-4627

Superintendent, SAU #85

Executive director/treasurer

Dr. Carl M. Ladd

Phone: 1 (866) 753-4479

Email: carl@nhsaa.org

Dr. Ladd earned his Bachelor of Science and teaching certification from Lyndon State College, a Master of Education with honors from Norwich University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Plymouth State University, both specializing in Educational Leadership. In 2010, he earned his Doctorate in Education from Argosy University with a specialization in Educational Leadership. In 1996, Dr. Ladd was named a Harry S. Truman Scholar National Finalist.

​

Dr. Ladd has been a teacher of students in grades 6-12 and at the graduate school level. He has served as an assistant principal and principal at the elementary and middle school levels and as a Superintendent of Schools in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. In addition, Dr. Ladd served as a school board member for eight years, of which seven were as chairperson. He was named the 2014 NH Superintendent of the Year. He is the Executive Director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association. Carl and his wife Michele, an elementary teacher at Abbot-Downing Elementary School, reside in Concord, NH.

student support center director

Ms. Jennifer Pomykato

Phone: (603) 225-3230

Email: jennp@nhsaa.org

Jennifer Pomykato joined NHSAA as the Director of the Student Success Center in 2015 after more than 30 years in public education. Following a successful teaching career as a high school and elementary special education teacher, Jennifer served for six years as an elementary assistant principal and then as an SAU Administrator and Director of Student Services for the next decade. During her distinguished career as a district-level administrator, Jenn earned professional recognition for her contributions to children and families.

As a highly respected professional, Jennifer was elected to the executive board of the NH Special Education Administrators Association, serving as president, vice president and treasurer. Additionally, Jenn served as regional chair of the Seacoast Special Education Directors for eight years and continues to be an active participant in a variety of local and statewide committees.