Faces&Places

August 2006

Vermont Mutual Insurance Co. announced the election of officers for 2006. Thomas J. Tierney, chairman, president and chief executive officer; William A. Catto, executive vice president; Brian C. Eagan, vice president-chief financial officer and treasurer; Peter P. Fresco, vice president, underwriting and marketing; David N. DeLuca, vice president, claims; Joanne M. Currier, vice president, information systems; Richard N. Bland, vice president-general counsel and secretary; and Peter M. Gutgsell, assistant vice president, underwriting and marketing.

Von Bargen’s Jewelry announced the appointment of Hilary VanBenthuysen to the position of sales associate in its Hanover, N.H., shop. VanBenthuysen is a Fairfax native. She was with the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans. The company also has locations in Burlington, Springfield and Stratton.

DuBois & King Inc. consulting engineers announced that Christopher D. Lathrop, P.E., has joined the firm as senior project engineer in the transportation department of the civil works division. Lathrop has worked on highway projects in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. He works in the firm’s Randolph headquarters.

Compatibles has hired M.J. Merchant to offer image consulting services. Compatibles offers, matchmaking for professionals in Vermont.

Lang Associates announced the addition of Elizabeth Snyder to its team of sales professionals. Snyder’s experience includes work in the sports marketing industry in Chicago and Vermont. She was also a ski instructor at Stowe Mountain Resort. Jessica Sherpa was named receptionist in the South Burlington office. She holds a bachelor’s degree as paralegal/legal assistant from Champlain College and was with the Residence Inn by Marriott. Patti Jasmin has joined the Carol Audette team as an assistant. She was with Smugglers’ Notch.

Owen Clay joined the team at NRG Systems Inc. as director of engineering. He was at Goodrich Fuel and Utility Systems as program manager for the company’s commercial programs with Boeing. Lisa Carlson joined the order fulfillment team. She also worked at Goodrich as a manufacturing mechanical operator.

The Quechee Lakes Development Co., developer of the Quechee Lakes second-home community, announced that Thomas A. Howes was hired as general manager of Quechee Lakes. He was senior project manager of a Cape Cod development and will represent the development company to the residents of Quechee Lakes.

The South End Arts and Business Association has hired Kim Leslie to serve as coordinator for the 14th annual South End Art Hop. Leslie has three years’ experience in the resort ski and development industry, having studied elements of design and oil painting at the Pomfret School. She joins associate director Brooke Hunter, who was hired in January. Hunter was with the department of terrestrial magnetism at the Carnegie Institution of Washington, where she oversaw several events.

Abby Gladstone-Strobel and Diane Gagnon have joined Home Instead Senior Care. Gladstone-Strobel is the recruitment and retention coordinator. She was with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Vermont. Gagnon is the staff coordinator. She was with a Vancouver, Wash., clinic.

Main Street Landing, owners of Waterfront Theatre at Lake and College streets in Burlington, has taken over the management of the theater from Matt Wohl. Wohl has left to focus on his own productions.

Hall Communications Inc. named Dan Dubonnet senior vice president at its national awards ceremony. Dubonnet is general manager for WOKO/WKOL/WJOY/WIZN/WBTZ.

Joseph M. Finnigan, president and CEO of Vermont Federal Credit Union, announced that Jean Giard, CPA, has joined the senior management team as vice president of finance. Giard was a partner with the firm R.F. Lavigne & Co. Lori Crowley was named marketing manager. Crowley was a marketing project manager for BioTek Instruments Inc.

Claire Duke Real Estate announced the association of Vera Jones to her Barre real estate office. Jones held several executive positions at Central Vermont Medical Center. 

Redstone commercial real estate and development firm announced that Erik Hoekstra has joined its team as development manager. Hoekstra worked for developers in New York and, for the last three years, at Housing Vermont.

The Permanent Fund for the Well-Being of Vermont Children has named Christine A. Zachai as executive director. Zachai was executive director of the Vermont Women’s Fund. 

Propeller Media Works has hired Rose Eggert as senior account manager. Eggert has 11 years’ experience developing and implementing Web and integrated marketing campaigns. She worked for Boston firms.

Opportunities Credit Union announced a new team of mortgage specialists. They will work with the credit union’s outreach and education group to deliver counseling-based lending. Brandi Russin, lead mortgage specialist with seven years’ experience, was with Vermont Housing Finance Agency. Natalie Aiuto, mortgage underwriter with 12 years’ experience, was with Homebound Mortgage Inc. and had experience with VHFA and several U.S. government institutions. Bradley Moody, mortgage specialist, worked for Homebound and for Contact Communications.

Purple Shutter Herbs has moved to 7 W. Canal St. in Winooski after 10 years in Burlington. The store has evolved into an herbal apothecary, with a focus on compounding herbal remedies in capsule, tincture, tea and salve forms. Laura Brown is the proprietor. The phone number is 865-HERB; Web address is www.purpleshutter.com.

KeyBank announced that Amy McKeage White was named branch manager of the Barre KeyCenter branch at 315 Main St. White was assistant manager of the Barre KeyCenter, and joined the bank in 1996.

Bread Loaf Corp. architects planners and builders announced the hiring of Ted Hirdler as a senior estimator. He was with a California construction company and has 22 years’ experience.

Freeman French Freeman announced that Tonya West was named marketing director. West was with Lane Press for six years.

Patent attorney Norman S. Yi has joined the intellectual property practice group at Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC. Yi was with a Grand Rapids, Mich., firm.

Eating Well Media Group announced the appointment of Tony Catalano as publisher/chief sales officer. Catalano has a media sales and management background spanning more than 20 years. He was with Hachette Filipacchi Media. He will head up Eating Well’s New York sales office. Kevin Gillespie was appointed to the position of director of natural products advertising. His 15 years’ sales experience includes work as associate publisher for Taste of Life magazine. Larry Sommers was named general manager, interactive media and new business development. Sommers will have oversight for all non-magazine assets, such as eatingwell.com, book publishing, licensing and new business ventures. He was with the National Gardening Association.

Rick Milliken, general manager of the DoubleTree Burlington Hotel, has named Jeffrey Boyce to the position of rooms division manager and J. Pat Middlebrook as food and beverage service manager. Boyce was assistant general manager at the Holiday Inn Burlington. Middlebrook was restaurant and banquet manager for the Burlington Country Club. Both worked for the Sheraton Burlington Hotel at one time.

The Lyndonville Savings Bank and Trust Company board of directors voted at its annual meeting to change the name of the bank to LyndonBank. The change was announced by Charles W. Bucknam Jr., president of the bank and a member of the board. The name more closely reflects the bank’s roots, which is chartered as a commercial bank and not a savings or trust company.

HMC Advertising LLC in Stowe announced the addition of Bill Germer as junior art director. Germer was art director at Tecnica USA ski boot corporation and Völkl Sport America.

Ascension Technology Corp. has hired Joanna Harrington as sales manager, core markets. She was an account representative at Polhemus.

David Trombley has joined the South Hero office of Coldwell Banker Islands Realty Inc. as a full-time Realtor. He has 30 years’ experience in retailing and insurance and will specialize in Grand Isle County properties.

Erich Kasprik of Underhill has joined Truex Cullins & Partners architects as a project manager. He has more than 17 years’ experience in construction and architecture, working with firms such as J. Graham Goldsmith Architects of Burlington and others in Massachusetts.

Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty announced that Kate von Trapp was named a buyer’s agent for her father, Chris von Trapp. She has experience in sales for a golf course and local radio station. Susan Moses has joined the real estate team of Geri Reilly, the Number 1 Coldwell Banker agent in Vermont. Moses was the president of Merchant s Trust Co. and director of planned giving for St. Michael’s College and the University of Vermont.

Hackett Valine & MacDonald Inc. insurance agency announced that Michele Walker was hired as an executive assistant. She was a financial adviser with TD Banknorth Wealth Management.

The Vermont Land Trust announced that Darby Bradley will step into a new role in February 2007. Gil Livingston, the organization’s vice president for land conservation for 15 years, will assume the reins as president. Darby will become a special assistant for donor and government relations.

New Breed Marketing promoted Nissa Weisser to general manager and head copywriter. Weisser has been with the firm for three years. The company hired Colleen McCabe as a graphic designer. McCabe joined the company as a freelance artist last year, having moved to Burlington as part of an Americorps Vista program. Kirstin Minton was promoted to traffic coordinator. She has been with New Breed since March as an administrative assistant.

Shawn Oxford has joined Bristol Financial Services as a registered representative for Tower Square Securities. Oxford holds a Vermont insurance license and has a background in sales management.

Min Gu has joined Hampton Direct importing and distribution firm in Williston as a product sourcing coordinator. Gu was with a firm in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hampton Direct also hired Amanda Tatro as a product sourcing assistant. She was an intern with the company.

Moneer N. Greenbaum joined Champlain College’s development office as a senior development officer. She will act as liaison for the business division. Greenbaum held executive-level positions at the corporate headquarters of US Airways in Arlington, Va., and was a loaned executive with the United Way of Chittenden County.

A farewell reception was held in May for Beth Ann Maier, M.D., at Associates in Pediatrics at Central Vermont Medical Center. A pediatrician for 28 years, 13 of them at CVMC, Maier is leaving group medical practice to pursue other interests.

Kingsley Poulin has been promoted to senior art director at New Breed Marketing in Winooski. Poulin has been with New Breed for two years. New Breed promoted Deanna Dahlgren to marketing consultant. Dahlgren has been with the firm three years.

Bill Shearer announced that Tom Clark was named general manager of Shearer Pontiac Buick GMC Cadillac. Shearer owns two dealerships in South Burlington and one in Rutland. Clark takes over the Shelburne Road dealership, which recently expanded. He will oversee sales. He managed dealerships in Vergennes and Newport.

Matthew Moore has joined Housing Vermont as development manager. Moore has nine years’ experience in land conservation and stewardship with organizations such as the Green Mountain Club, Vermont Land Trust and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps.

Janice Valgoi has joined Delaney Meeting & Event Management with founder Cindy Delaney. Valgoi was in the hotel business for more than 20 years in several states before coming to Vermont to work at the Radisson Burlington in 1990. She was director of sales for 16 years.

Brent J. Raymond has been promoted to vice president at TD Banknorth wealth management group in Williston. He serves as a corporate trust sales and service adviser for clients through New England and upstate New York. He joined the bank in 2001. Douglass A. Ball has joined TD Banknorth N.A. as a vice president in the commercial loan division, working from the bank’s Bennington and Manchester Center offices. He has 24 years in banking and finance, most recently with a Pennsylvania commercial bank.

Phi Beta Kappa honors graduate Sarah Gabriele has taken a job with her alma mater, St. Michael’s College, as marketing assistant. She will work with Anne Conaway Peters, the marketing director.

Bread Loaf Corp., architects, planners and builders, announced the hiring of two employees. Earl Rand was named project manager. He was with Intrawest Stratton Development Corp., and is working on the Okemo Ice Rink project. Richard Groman Jr. is an architectural designer, working on the Health Care and Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont project in Bellows Falls.

Bruce Foust, group manager of Chittenden’s private banking department, has been promoted to senior vice president. He joined Chittenden in 1971. 

 Karen Marshall, chairwoman of the board of directors of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, announced that Tom Torti has been chosen as president. He will replace A. Wayne Roberts, who is retiring at the end of the year. Torti was secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.

From left: David Speidel, Keri Piatek
and Steven Crafts of Place Creative.

Place Creative Co. branding firm expanded its offices in Burlington’s historic Hood Plant at 187 S. Winooski Ave. The expansion is part of an ongoing creative renaissance in the building. 

Paul Kaza Associates has named Lisa Bolwin as account coordinator/public relations. A 2005 magna cum laude Champlain College graduate, was public relations and events coordinator at Bolton Valley Resort.

Dr. Jerome Cariaso has joined Associates in Pediatrics on the Central Vermont Medical Center campus in Berlin. Cariaso was with a practice in Newtown, Conn.

Larry Mandell, president of Woodbury College, announced that Anne Connor has joined the college as director of student affairs. She was director of the academic support network at Vermont College. Denise McMartin was named Woodbury’s director of admissions. She has worked in higher education for 20 years in various capacities, most recently at the Vermont College Campus of Union Institute & University. Suzanne Rexford-Winston was hired as admissions counselor. She continues to teach studio art and art history for Community College of Vermont.

Otter Creek Awnings, Sunrooms and Custom Closets announced two new hires. Bob Allstadt has joined the awning design sales team and will do residential design in the southern towns of Chittenden County and residential and commercial design and sales in Addison, Rutland, Windsor, Bennington and Windham counties. Kate Jackson was named marketing/customer service representative. She will assist the president, Todd Warren, with marketing and be a contact person for customers. She was with April Cornell.

Community Capital of Vermont, a nonprofit small-business loan fund, announced the addition of Judith Kaufman to its loan officer team. Kaufman, with experience serving microentrepreneurs in Vermont, New Hampshire and internationally, will serve as southern Vermont loan officer. •