Celebrating Coach Lou
CSG Leader Retires After Storied Career in Public Service
By Cody Porter
For over five decades, Sen. Lou D’Allesandro’s name has been synonymous with public service in New Hampshire. In May, at age 85, the dedicated “Lion of the Senate” announced his retirement, effective at the end of his term in December 2024.
“You can’t stay beyond the time when you can make a difference, and I believe that my service in the Senate has made a difference in the lives of people,” D’Allesandro said during a May 21 news conference at the New Hampshire Legislative Office Building.
The impact of D’Allesandro’s legacy is far reaching, extending beyond the Granite State to the regional and national levels of CSG, with one of his most significant contributions making a difference for future elected and appointed officials.
In 2019, while serving as CSG National Chair, D’Allesandro, a former coach and teacher, recognized a need for CSG to foster engagement with younger state leaders.
As was his goal in past roles, CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins said D’Allesandro looked to “inspire the growth of young people, challenging them to use their talents to make the world a better place.”
The result of D’Allesandro’s pursuit was the establishment of the CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award, with the inaugural class awarded in 2020.
2019 CSG National Chair
2022 CSG East Co-Chair
CSG East Executive Committee Member
CSG East Budget Committee Chair
Inspired 20 Under 40 Leadership Award
“I thought that we ought to start talking to these younger people to get an indication of what they were thinking of and how they were going to do things,” D’Allesandro said. “By giving them some mentoring, it would also allow them to really get engaged in the process and to make things that they wanted to do happen.”
As of 2024, the award has recognized the outstanding work of 100 up-and-coming elected and appointed officials from across the country.
“The young leaders recognized with the award are a diverse group of change makers whose passion for public service matches the enthusiasm Sen. D’Allesandro has brought to his many public service roles,” Adkins said.
“Although he has chosen not to seek another term in the New Hampshire Senate, his legacy looms large in the Capitol in Concord and his dedication to serve others is embodied in the recipients of the award he inspired.”
D’Allesandro’s career in public service began in 1972 in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. His initial term in the House was followed by six years as a member of the state’s Executive Council. He later returned to the House, from 1997-99, before beginning his 13-term tenure in the New Hampshire Senate. In addition to nationally serving CSG and its members, D’Allesandro was CSG East Co-chair in 2022.
“Lou’s rich legacy of service is reflected in the lives of the countless individuals who have benefited from his leadership. He’s a coach who sees potential in others and helps grow the next generation of leaders.”
CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins
“Those who have served with Sen. D’Allesandro know him as a tireless champion for his state and a keen practitioner of politics,” Adkins said. “He is a happy warrior whose geniality and warmth make him approachable. He is smart and strategic, which means he works to solve problems. As a leader, he is humble, empathetic and a bridge builder. As a national and regional leader for The Council of State Governments, he earned the admiration and respect of his peers throughout the nation.”
Throughout his career, D’Allesandro sponsored or cosponsored more than 1,700 pieces of legislation, which most notably included bills addressing food assistance, school nutrition and birth records. Despite the magnitude of his legislative work, D’Allesandro hopes he is remembered for the way in which he worked with others to see these bills through to enactment.
“I hope my legacy is how I was a person who got things done, who collaborated with people to get things done,” D’Allesandro said. “It is a result of that that left the impression that you could work together in a good way and make good things happen for the people. My life’s work was to try to make the lives of people better … I hope my lasting impact is that it’s changed for the better.”