Our Mission
To advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance.

Northern New England Chapter CSI – A Brief History

The Northern New England (formerly New Hampshire) Chapter of CSI can trace its inception to the foresight and enthusiasm of the late Paul Tolman, who was the Director of Public Works Division of the New Hampshire Department of Public Works and Highways. Having initiated CSI through his association with the Maine Chapter, Tolman gathered together twenty-one people from the New Hampshire construction industry to petition for the chartering of a new chapter in the spring of 1970. In September 1970, a meeting was held in Manchester, and the Institute President formally chartered the New Hampshire Chapter. The celebration was joined by a number of CSI Members from the Boston and Maine Chapters.

By 1975, the original membership of twenty-one had grown to thirty-nine, and the monthly programs were well established and well attended. The next five years saw another membership increase of ten to forty-nine members by 1980. During this period of time, the Chapter had begun to participate in Region activities more vigorously. A noteworthy achievement in this respect came in the fall of 1976 when the Chapter hosted a very successful Region Conference in Hanover, which is still remembered by many Region members.

Between 1980 and 1984, membership fluctuated between 35 and 45, causing some concern for the chapter leadership. However, the chapter's activities continued to expand in scope into areas of continuing education and student education, and annual product shows. The Chapter was instrumental in the establishment of an architectural technology program at the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord and it started an annual seminar program for practicing professionals. The first product show sponsored by the New Hampshire Chapter was held in 1974 and was revived in 1983 to become an extremely successful annual affair. Also during this time, the Chapter cultivated a close relationship with the Vermont Chapter, in addition to the Maine Chapter, and held several joint meetings with both of the chapters.

In 1984, Dale Doller was elected Chapter President and launched a campaign to strengthen the chapter’s membership base. His leadership during the next two years, followed by President Joleen Worden, resulted in a phenomenal increase in membership to 62 in 1985, 69 in 1986, and 86 by June of 1987. The crowning event during this period of Chapter growth was another superb Region Conference, held in Nashua in October 1987.

Other events include the first Annual NHCSI Golf Tournament held at Candia Links in 1993 and the fifth Annual Product Show at the Center of New Hampshire in March 1993.

Today, the Northern New England Chapter of CSI is a vibrant and visible organization, actively serving the construction communities of Maine and New Hampshire. The early goal of promoting one-to-one communication among engineers, architects, contractors, suppliers, and producers is still the most important aspect of the Chapter activities, but the Chapter now serves to promote closer communication and coordination among various trades and professional organizations as well.

No history of an active organization is complete without a forecast for the future. The Northern New England Chapter’s growth, coupled with the growth of the Institute as a whole, promises that CSI will continue to gain stature in the New Hampshire and Maine construction scene as a leading organization that promotes the advancement of construction.