MANCHESTER, N.H. – Raymond Pinard, EVP and chief operating officer of St. Mary's Bank, was chosen by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to serve on its Public Affairs Committee for the 2005-2006 election cycle. The committee's primary responsibility is overseeing the Chamber of Commerce's involvement in federal elections including representing the business community's interests when reviewing and recommending candidates for endorsement by the U.S. Chamber. In addition, the committee oversees the Chamber's involvement with candidate recruitment, endorsements, press conferences, meet-and-greet sessions, fundraisers, get-out-the-vote programs and PAC development. It also reviews legislative and regulatory issues related to federal elections, including campaign finance reform, term limits and Federal Election Commission rulemaking. Pinard said he was honored to have been selected to serve on the committee and recognized its "important role in presenting candidates for office who understand the operations and challenges of the business community."