40 Under Forty

January 28. 2013 1:22AM

Amy Chhom saw River's Edge project through from the very beginning

By KATHY REMILLARD
Union Leader Correspondent

Amy M. Chhom, 35

Home: Bedford

Birthplace: Dracut, Mass.

Family: Married to Sar Chhom since 2004 and have two children, Ella Grace, 7, and John, 3

High school: Dracut High School, Class of 1995

College/post-grad degrees:

Massachusetts College of Art, dual degree: BFA in painting and Certification for Art Educa tion

Current job: Director of Real Estate & Development, Anagnost Investments, Inc. since May, 2007

Volunteer activities: Notary Public, State of New Hampshire; member, Greater Manchester Nashua Board of Realtors; member, New Hampshire Association of Realtors; founding member, N.H. Realtors Young Professional Network; Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Graduate, 2009; past member, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Green Committee; board member, Holy Cross Learning Cen ter; volunteer educator/committee member, Neighborworks Greater Manchester. Also recently appointed secretary of the Holy Cross Family Learning Center and to the board of trustees of Intown Manchester

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BEDFORD - She may not be a practicing artist, but Amy Chhom is still able to use her art background in her work for Anagnost Investments.

As the director of real estate and development, Chhom said, "My role is to work hand and hand with architects and engineers to get a picture of a building site," coming up with creative, yet cost-effective ways to maximize the square footage of a property.

According to her boss, Dick Anagnost, Chhom was an integral part of the Elliot at River's Edge project, developing an initial response to the city of Manchester's proposed plans, managing the project and the event planning surrounding it.

"It was the first project where I was involved from the first day to the ribbon cutting," she said.

In addition to her work at Anagnost Investments, Chhom is active in the greater Manchester community, including the N.H. Association of Realtors, the N.H. Realtors Young Professional Network and InTown Manchester.

An organization near and dear to Chhom, however, is the Holy Cross Family Learning Center, where she was recently appointed secretary.

"The Holy Cross Family Learning Center is really for personal reasons," Chhom said. "My husband was a refugee and they really help with providing a variety of services. People don't always understand refugees' situations."

Chhom said she was a bit taken aback by the nomination to this year's 40 Under 40 class.

"You just work hard, and sometimes you don't realize the impact you have, so it was nice to be recognized," she said.

Chhom said one of New Hampshire's challenges is to develop and retain a skilled workforce.

"If New Hampshire could develop educational opportunities that created this type of workforce, then it would be easier to attract businesses that would benefit from the graduates," she said.

Chhom said she knows of some friends that, after commuting to Massachusetts for their jobs, are considering moving there to be closer to their jobs.

"They're good, quality people who could make a difference in New Hampshire," Chhom said. "It would be terrible if they left."