NHMA Staff
Margaret M.L. Byrnes
Margaret has served as Executive Director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association since 2019. She joined NHMA in 2014 as a staff attorney. Previously, she was an associate attorney with the firm Hage Hodes, P.A. in Manchester and an adjunct professor of legal research and writing at Northeastern University School of Law, Suffolk Law School, and The Massachusetts School of Law. Margaret has an M.B.A. from The University of New Hampshire Paul School of Business, a J.D. from the Massachusetts School of Law, and a B.A. in English Language and Literature and Classical Languages from Smith College, and volunteers as a CASA (Guardian ad Litem) for CASA of New Hampshire.
Stephen C. Buckley
Stephen Buckley directs NHMA's legal services program, with responsibility for providing legal advice to members and overseeing training programs and educational publications for municipal officials. He was in the private practice of law from 1984 to 2014 concentrating in representing municipalities. In his hometown of Bow, Steve was a member of the planning board for 12 years and served as a member of the budget committee, and he currently serves as an alternate member on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. He is a past chairman and current member of the executive committee of the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission, and he is currently chairman of the New Hampshire Association of Regional Planning Commissions. Steve received his B.A. from San Diego State University and his J.D. from UNH School of Law.
Natch Greyes
Natch Greyes advocates for NHMA’s 234 member municipalities at the New Hampshire legislature and provides legal advice and training to NHMA members and partner organizations. He is routinely featured in New Hampshire-based publications focusing on a municipal audience, and is chair of the municipal bar section. Before joining NHMA, Natch was a prosecutor in northern Grafton County supporting three separate police departments. Natch received his bachelor’s degree from Clark University and his law degree from William & Mary.
Katherine Heck
Katherine Heck provides legislative advocacy and serves as a resource to municipal officials and staff on a variety of government finance and taxation issues. She works collaboratively on publications and workshops for local finance officials to assist them in understanding and successfully performing their fiduciary responsibilities to promote fiscal health in New Hampshire cities and towns. Katherine lives in Greenfield where she has served as the Town Treasurer for the past 15 years and is elected to the local School Board. Katherine received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and certificates in Municipal Finance from the University of Chicago and in Public Financial Management from the International Monetary Fund.
Jonathan Cowal
Jonathan Cowal provides both legislative and legal services to NHMA’s member municipalities. Before joining NHMA, Jonathan served as a prosecutor in both Rockingham and Hillsborough County in the special victim’s unit. Jonathan received his bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University and his law degree from New England School of Law in Boston. Jonathan worked briefly as an associate attorney at the law firm of Falbo, Solari and Goldberg in Winthrop, Massachusetts before becoming an Assistant District Attorney for Essex County in 2015.
Judith Pellowe
Judith Pellowe manages the finance and human resources for the Association and its employees, and assists the Executive Director in managing the administrative functions. Before joining NHMA, Judith was the business office manager for a medical practice on the New Hampshire Seacoast. Judith received her B.A. from Wells College, and a degree in accounting from McIntosh College. Judith is also certified in Human Resources by the Society for Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute.
Timothy W. Fortier
Tim Fortier serves as editor of Town and City Magazine and NewsLink, and coordinates communications, member webinars, and advertising. Tim is also responsible for managing the Association's website. Prior to joining NHMA in 2011, Tim served as government relations advisor with the McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton law firm, vice president with the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire, and lobbyist and executive vice president of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association. Tim holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire.
Ashley Methot
Ashley Methot assumed the position of Conference and Workshop Coordinator with NHMA in April, 2014. Ashley has held other positions such as Benefits and Wellness Associate and Event Planning Associate during her 9 year career with HealthTrust, Inc. Ashley is the "behind the scenes" coordinator for various events such as the Budget & Finance Workshops, Municipal Law Lecture Series and the NHMA Annual Conference in November. Ashley holds a B.A. degree in Sociology from Keene State College.
Pam Valley
Pam Valley is often the first voice you hear when calling NHMA. Pam is the “behind the scenes” coordinator for dozens of activities, such as NHMA board meetings and publication of theLegislative Bulletin. Before joining NHMA in 1996, Pam worked for a private law firm in Concord, New Hampshire.