North Central Mass— Allie Catlin, co-owner of Smith’s Country Cheese, a family-owned working dairy farm, creamery, and retail destination in Winchendon, Massachusetts, has been elected Chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 2026-2027. The announcement was made at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on June 11, 2026. As Chair of the Chamber’s board of directors, she will work with fellow board members, Chamber staff, and the membership to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region’s business community.

Catlin brings deep roots in the region’s agricultural economy to her new role. Founded in 1985, Smith’s Country Cheese has grown into one of the region’s most beloved agricultural enterprises. In 2016, Catlin and her family purchased the farm from its founder and built on its legacy, growing the operation into a thriving business that draws visitors from across the region to its farm store and working dairy farm, where guests can shop for handcrafted cheeses, milk, and butter and watch the cheesemaking process firsthand.

Under her co-ownership, Smith’s Country Cheese employs 14 people and produces approximately 180,000 pounds of raw milk Gouda, Havarti, and cheddar cheese annually, distributed nationally through the farm store, local farmers markets, and online. In 2024, Catlin was named to the Worcester Business Journal’s Power 100 list of the most influential professionals in Central Massachusetts.

Catlin holds degrees from Franklin Pierce University and Suffolk University and has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for several years, holding leadership positions on the board, including Vice Chair.

She succeeds Tony Fields, president and owner of Cleartech Group, who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the board of directors.

“The Chamber has been such an important partner to our farm and to so many small businesses across this region,” said Catlin. “I’m honored to take on this role and to continue the work of connecting our business community, supporting our members, and championing the people and places that make North Central Massachusetts such a special place to live and work.”

“As a farmer and small business owner, Allie brings a perspective to the board that’s vital to understanding the full picture of our regional economy,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Her leadership will help ensure the Chamber continues to serve businesses of every size and sector, and I look forward to working with her in the year ahead as we continue advancing the economic vitality of North Central Massachusetts.”

In the same election, Melissa Glenny, founder and CEO, Franklin Professional Associates, located in Leominster, was elected Vice Chair. Chris Hendry, president and CEO, IC Credit Union, located in Fitchburg, was elected to the position of Treasurer.  Rounding out the Executive Committee, Mark Hettinger, president and CEO of GFA Federal Credit Union, and Patrick McCarty, president of the McCarty Companies, were elected to fill the two non-officer seats on the committee as outlined in the Chamber’s bylaws.

Board members elected for new terms were

• Tony Fields, president and owner, Cleartech Group, Leominster
• Dr. Donna Hodge, president, Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg
• Johnny Ahern, managing partner, Aroma Joe’s, Leominster
• David Moura, president, Moura’s Cleaning Service, Fitchburg
• Nicole Moorshead, general manager, Chocksett Inn, Sterling and the Colonial Hotel, Gardner
• Rozanna Penney, president & CEO, Heywood Healthcare, Gardner
• Kenneth Hodges, plant director, Georgia-Pacific/Dixie, Leominster, appointed to fill a one-year board vacancy

Continuing current terms on the board of directors are

• Marieke Cormier, owner, Roots Natural Foods, Leominster
• Joseph Basile, president, Catania Oils, Ayer
• Patrick McCarty, president & CEO, McCarty Companies, Leominster
• Mark Hettinger, president and CEO, GFA Federal Credit Union, Gardner
• Barbara Mahoney, president & CEO, All-One Credit Union, Leominster
• Joshua Page, president, JP Electric and Son, Fitchburg
• Alex Matthews, general manager, Great Wolf Lodge New England, Fitchburg
• Kayla Nault, broker/owner, Central Mass Real Estate, North Central Massachusetts

 The Chamber congratulates its newly elected and appointed board members and thanks all those who continue their service to the region’s business community. For more information, visit northcentralmass.com.