Pease PD&A subcommittee nominates Steven Fournier for Portsmouth seat after interview

After a brief interview on Feb. 6, 2026, the Pease Development Authority (PD&A) subcommittee voted to nominate Steven Fournier for the Portsmouth representative seat on the authority’s board.

"My name is Steve Fournier. I'm a resident of Dover, lifelong resident of Strafford County," Fournier told the subcommittee, describing his service as the county’s representative to the Pease Development Authority and noting he has served multiple terms and as a town manager in Newmarket.

Fournier summarized the authority’s recent work, saying PDA activity since the pandemic has emphasized ports and harbors as much as airport-related economic development. "We assist with a lot of the economic development on the base...we deal with tenants," he said, describing long-term land leases tied to an Air Force agreement and the authority’s role approving subleases. He told members the authority is pursuing a master plan for Rye Harbor to balance tourism and working-fishing needs and has upgraded Portsmouth Harbor to accommodate larger ships.

Committee members asked about security and land use. Fournier said federal and military requirements shape what can be done on Pease: FAA-funded airport projects create limits on land uses, and the military would be involved in security-sensitive proposals. "You can't put housing on Pease," he said, reflecting the constraints tied to federal aviation funding and related agreements.

Members also discussed the Port of Portsmouth’s regional importance. One member noted that Portsmouth is the only roll-on/roll-off facility between Boston and Portland in New Hampshire, a point Fournier and others said factors into local economic and infrastructure planning. The committee asked about dredging and navigational work at the harbor; Fournier said he did not have the project status on hand but agreed to follow up.

Several members raised procedural questions about the appointment process, noting Fournier was the only applicant. The chair said the position had been publicly posted and that sometimes voluntary positions attract only a single qualified applicant. Representative Lamontagne moved to nominate Fournier; Representative La Rochelle seconded. A roll-call vote was taken and the motion passed. The subcommittee then moved to adjourn.

The nomination will advance to the state executive council for confirmation or the next step the subcommittee follows for appointments.