Faces&Places

May 2007

The government and public affairs firm Kimbell Sherman Ellis LLP and its affiliated law firm, Kimbell & Storrow, announced that Clifford Peterson joined the firm as associate. Peterson was a Vermont assistant attorney general.

McFarland-Johnson Inc. announced that Richard J. Brauer, P.E., was named executive vice president of the firm. With more than 20 years’ experience in consulting engineering, Brauer has held senior management positions in several firms.

Larry Sudbay, president and chief executive officer of SymQuest Group Inc., announced that the company opened an office in Plattsburgh, N.Y. The location features 2,000 square feet of office space and will be the home office for account representatives Dave Reynolds and Bruce Finley. The office will also serve the company’s traveling sales and service personnel.

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation announced that Craig Whipple of Plainfield was named director of Vermont State Parks. He was chief of park operations.

Neville Companies Inc. announced the hiring of two employees in its Vermont office. Michele Sandquist was named executive assistant to John Wilking, the president, and Kristy Jankowski was named assistant property manager. Sandquist was operations manager for a small property management firm in Connecticut. Jankowski has experience as assistant property manager with another firm, and was a former flight attendant.

Matthew Dodds of Brandthropology marketing communications firm announced that Erika Hardy was hired as a graphic designer. She was an in-house designer at Vermont Vows, a wedding publication.

Dan Cox, president of Coffee Enterprises, announced that Jeffrey Alpert was appointed vice president of sales for Coffee Extracts and Ingredients. He will report to Cox. Alpert has more than 20 years’ sales and business development experience and a background in the coffee industry. Paul W. deLima III joined Coffee Analysts as director of coffee operations. He has 13 years in the coffee industry.

James Miller, president and CEO of Merchants Trust Co., announced that Dan Stanyon was named senior relationship manager. Stanyon is a Certified Trust and Financial Adviser with 10 years’ experience. Thomas S. Leavitt, executive vice president of Merchants Bank, announced the appointment of two branch presidents. Patricia C. Blake is president of the East Thetford office. She has been acting president since August 2006 and succeeds Sherry Crossley. Blake has been with Merchants since 1988. Maryann E. Russell was named president of the Shelburne Road branch in South Burlington. Russell has been with the bank since 2002.

Business Interiors announced that Suzanne Ludlow joined the firm as director of business development. Ludlow is a contract furniture industry veteran, most recently as market manager with a Steelcase Inc. subsidiary.

Isabelle Electrical Supply Co. Inc., formerly a 10,000-square-foot warehouse showroom in South Barre, has transitioned to Isabelle’s Lighting Inc., an Internet-based company at www.isabelleslighting.com. Tom Isabelle, the owner and lighting specialist, said the move was made because 95 percent of the company’s customers were online-savvy shoppers.

Jeff LaBonte joined Hickok & Boardman Insurance as a commercial sales executive. LaBonte was with Merchants Bank for seven years, most recently as branch president.

Jeff Wolfe, chief executive officer of Global Resource Options in White River Junction, announced the changing of the solar energy company’s name to groSolar.

Paul H. Ode Jr. was named deputy managing partner and chief operating officer at Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC. Ode succeeds Kathleen H. Davis, who will continue to lead the firm’s captive insurance practice. Robert B. Luce was named chairman of the litigation group, succeeding Bruce Palmer, who will refocus on the firm’s insurance coverage practice. Thomas H. Moody will be chairman of the business law group.

Kurt Schueler was appointed branch manager for Wachovia Securities’ Colchester branch. Schueler joined the firm three years ago as vice president-investments and assistant manager of the office.

Mary Harney and Patricia Werner, the owners of Vintage Ladies of Barre, announced the relocation of their business to 168 N. Main St. in the City Center. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Steffen Asper, E.I., and Phillip Peterson have joined Lamoureux & Dickinson Consulting Engineers Inc. in Essex as junior engineers.

Northfield Savings Bank announced several staff assignments. Sherry Doane was promoted to branch administration and operations manager, overseeing all 13 branch offices. Kathy La Cross, branch manager at Taft Corners in Williston, is also regional branch administrator for Chittenden County. Branch manager Christine Martin moved from Montpelier to the home office in Northfield and is regional branch administrator for central Vermont branches. Debbie Kerin moved from Northfield to take over management of the Montpelier branch. Network administrator Rick Nelson was promoted to senior information systems manager.

Sarah Carpenter, executive director of Vermont Housing Finance Agency, announced that Erin Philbrick and Renee Couture were promoted. Philbrick, who has been with the agency since 2001, was named multifamily management officer. Couture, with the agency since 2002, was named legal coordinator.

New England Dairy & Food Council hired Jill Goodroe as nutrition specialist in Vermont. Goodroe was with the Hannaford Food and Drug store in South Burlington.

Julie Gamelin joined Hampton Direct importing and distribution firm in Williston as a customer service/inventory assistant. She was with a Canadian company. Melissa Cortese was hired as a sample room/jewelry shipping facilitator.

Century 21 Advantage in South Burlington announced that Jeanie Gracey re-joined its team of real estate professionals. Gracey has been in the business for 10 years and recently sold her real estate company. Sheila Jacobs also joined the Century 21 team. She has been in the business for three years.

Sarah Ray was named director of public affairs at Middlebury College. Ray joined the public affairs office in 1997 and has nearly 20 years’ experience in public relations.

DuBois & King Inc. consulting engineers announced that Cathy Herlihy was hired as executive assistant to the president. Herlihy was deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. Rachel Willett was hired as marketing assistant. Willette is a recent graduate of Castleton State College. Elizabeth Wheaton was promoted to marketing department manager. She has been with the firm since 2003. All three work in the firm’s Randolph office. Briana Brookes joined the firm as structural engineer. She is completing her master’s degree in civil engineering. She works in the Williston office.

Steve Donahue of Donahue & Associates in Burlington announced that Meg McGovern joined the firm as a licensed sales associate. McGovern has 13 years’ business experience and has worked as a commercial real estate broker.

Sara C. Blum, managing partner of PostScript Inc., announced that Jordan Meserole joined the firm as a graphic designer. Meserole is a recent graduate of the University of Miami. She is a Burlington native.

Champlain College announced promotions in its student services division. Dr. Mary Kay Kennedy was named vice president for enrollment and student services. Leslie Averill was appointed assistant vice president for student services. Lisa Mazzariello was promoted to director of the college’s IDX Student Life Center.

Joseph M. Finnigan, president and CEO of Vermont Federal Credit Union, announced that Carmen E. Blatt was hired as mortgage underwriter/closer. Blatt was with Liberty Quest Mortgage in Williston.

Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs announced the hiring of Daniel W. Huskes as staff accountant. The Barre native was in the restaurant industry in South Carolina.

Thomas S. Leavitt, executive vice president of Merchants Bank, announced that Patricia N. Lemay was appointed branch president for Merchants’ Hardwick office. Lemay, who has been with the bank since 1993, succeeds Dana Ashbridge, who is relocating to Colorado.

Suzanne Stewart, president of Future Planning Associates Inc. of Williston announced that Joshua Keenan, CPC, QPA, QKA, joined the firm as pension consultant. He was with a Dallas firm. Dave Davis was named senior vice president by the board of directors. Davis is an owner and director and has been with the firm for 18 years.

The Vermont Association of Business, Industry and Rehabilitation named Christine McCarthy executive director. McCarthy was the assistant director and has been with the organization since 1998.

The hotel formerly known as University Suites at 5 Dorset St. in South Burlington has become Comfort Inn & Suites. The Choice Hotel International Inc. franchise features 86 guestrooms and suites, a meeting room and an outdoor pool and business center. The property is owned by the Larkin Family Partnership and operated by Lark-Inns Hospitality Group, subsidiaries of Larkin Realty.

Pumpkin Harbor Designs Inc. in Jeffersonville announced that Luke Robins joined the firm as a sales representative. Robins was at Northeast Air Solutions.

Cope & Associates Inc. hired Joshua Langer as a project associate to support the performance consulting team with a focus in government. Langer worked for state Senate campaigns and the office of the Vermont Attorney General. Hattie Johnson joined the firm as a project and marketing assistant to support the performance consulting team. She was with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Vermont and New Hampshire.

The law firm of Paul Frank + Collins announced several additions to its team. Santo Longo joined the property and development team as of counsel. Longo had a private practice in Connecticut. Tristram Coffin joined the litigation team as of counsel. He was with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. Nolan Burkhouse joined the insurance practice team as of counsel. He was a partner at a boutique insurance practice and commercial litigation firm. Joshua Carver was named to the litigation team. He practiced law in a Boston firm.

David F. Finney, the president of Champlain College, and Lynne Ballard, dean of the college’s online and continuing education division, announced that A. Wayne Roberts will join the college as a senior project consultant. Roberts recently retired as president of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. He will work with the work-force development center. Melodie Woodward was hired as a computer forensic examiner and instructor for Champlain’s center for digital investigation. In addition to teaching at the college, Woodward does computer forensic exams at the Burlington Police Department.

Neville Companies Inc. announced the hiring of Jennifer Bovat as property accountant under Michelle Lincoln, treasurer. Bovat was with PDM Inc. Jonathan Lakin was named Chace Mill site manager. Lakin has experience with Burlington retail and office properties.

Timberline Interactive, an Internet marketing and Web development company in Middlebury, announced the hiring of Tom Funk as vice president of client services. Funk was Web manager at The Vermont Teddy Bear Co. for six years.