RELATED STORY: NH’s EastersealsNH veterans campus contends with a wave of resignations, resident complaints
MANCHESTER, NH – Following nearly 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, NH National Guard, and as a national director for military counseling services, Ana McKenna has been named Interim Director of Easterseals NH Military & Veterans Campus in Franklin.
The change of leadership followed the exodus a few weeks ago of four members of the campus’s leadership team — including its head, former Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg — who resigned citing a range of concerns, including mismanagement and poor treatment by Easterseals.
At that time, Easterseals NH & VT CEO and President Maureen Beauregard countered that there were “operational and logistical problems” with the “start-up team” led by Aldenberg.
“As a new business start-up, the plan that was developed was not implemented as designed. Unfortunately, despite repeated efforts to make corrections, the recommendations were not followed by the campus staff. We accepted their resignations,” Beauregard said.
McKenna, who will begin next week in the interim position, retired in July 2025 as a Lieutenant Colonel and her areas of professional expertise include Behavioral Health Support, Family Assistance Programs, Human Resources Management, Staff Recruitment & Retention, Provider Relations, Team Leadership, Interagency Collaboration, Crisis Intervention, and Policy Implementation.
“Ana has outstanding qualifications to help us advance our operational effectiveness and reach our goals for Phase Two of our Military & Veterans Campus,” said Beauregard. “Her impressive professional experience, including the past 10 plus years working as Senior Program Manager for the NH National Guard’s Care Coordination Program, has given her the planning and program management experience necessary to provide impactful leadership. Ana’s military background also gives her the tools needed to connect immediately with service members, Veterans, and their families on campus and beyond to assure a smooth transition.”
In her role with the NH National Guard Care Coordination Program, McKenna led a team of 12 in directing strategic operations for a statewide care coordination program serving over 6,000 service members and their families. Previously, McKenna served as a National Director for MilitaryOne Source, where she directed nationwide operations for non-medical counseling provider networks supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. With a background in communications and a Masters Degree in Project Management from UNH Online, McKenna brings more than 26 years of military service, including time on Active Duty, as well as with the New Hampshire National Guard and the United States Army Reserve. During her service, she held multiple commands and key leadership roles as a Logistics Officer in the U.S. Army.
“I have dedicated my professional career to supporting and serving our Veterans, active military, first responders, and their families,” McKenna said. “I am both excited and honored to continue that focus in this new role, and to provide the timely care and support that those who have served us need and deserve. I am familiar with the mission and operational needs of the Campus, I understand the value and contributions that will come from Veteran Service Organizations, and from day one, I look forward to leaning in directly with service members, Veterans, first responders, and their families who access services. Creating these personal connections is one of the most important aspects of the job, and it has been the favorite and most memorable part of my career in military service. I am eager to get started, and with the help and support of the community and broader Easterseals NH family, begin to build on the important work underway at the Easterseals NH Military & Veterans Campus.”
As the Campus continues to scale up to full operations, the interim role ensures continuity, stability, and strong operational leadership during this period of expansion and implementation. McKenna’s responsibilities will include overseeing the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the Campus, including creation and implementation of all necessary policies and procedures. She will oversee management level staffing at the Campus, and recruit Veteran Services Organizations to provide services on the campus. In her role, she will also ensure that Veteran Service Organizations who operate within the Hub of Services or in the Retreat Center have the resources and supports they need to provide high quality services to clients.
Easterseals NH Military & Veterans Campus
Easterseals NH has transformed its 15-acre campus and facilities in Franklin into a unique center of excellence for the military, Veteran, and first responder communities. The Campus provides affordable housing; a retreat center which includes a hub of services for Veteran service organizations, 22 guest accommodations, and a rentable conference center; and outdoor recreation activities. More information can be found on its website MilitaryVeteransCampusNH.org
Carol Robidoux contributed information to this report.