Faces&Places

July 2008

Green Mountain Credit Union hired Rachel Piper as member services/marketing officer in its Berlin branch office. Piper has more than 20 years’ experience in the credit union industry.

Mary Ellen Spencer joined The Converse Home as executive director. She was the director of the Champlain Valley Area Agency on Aging from 1973 to 1980 and directed the Vermont Office on Aging from 1980 to 1985. Most recently, she worked at the accounting firm KPMG. Joyce Touchette was named associate director. She was in management at the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties for 20 years.

Rob Landry was appointed manager of Shelburne Farms Welcome Center and Farm store, succeeding Dave Jonah. Landry was guest experience director at ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. Lenore F. Budd was named membership coordinator. She was trail manager for Catamount Trail Association in Burlington.

Kathryn Battillo was named executive director of the Fletcher Allen Foundation and vice president of development at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Battillo has more than 20 years’ fundraising experience at various institutions in the Boston area. In the late 1980s, she worked in alumni relations at the University of Vermont. The announcement was made by Melinda L. Estes, MD, the president and chief executive officer, and Edwin I. Colodny, chairman of the board of the foundation. Sophia Holder was named vice president, finance/controller at Fletcher Allen. She was in system-wide financial positions with Partners HealthCare Systems Inc., an integrated health care system of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

The International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE) announced it has moved to 86 St. Paul St., Suite 301, Burlington.

Worth Mountain Capital Partners, a corporate finance firm, announced the addition of Amadi S. Cisse to its team. A 2007 graduate of Bates College and a graduate of the Tuck Business Bridge Program at the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, he will support the firm’s corporate finance advisory practice and its principal investing activities. Cisse was a marketing assistant at The Human Capital Institute.

Vermont Mutual Insurance Group announced the promotion of Mary J. Gray to vice president of underwriting. Gray joined Vermont Mutual in 1984 and has served in several key positions in underwriting, research and development, and operations.

Shannon King, director of information technology at Hickok & Boardman Inc., has become a shareholder of the seven offices of Hickok & Boardman and Denis, Ricker and Brown Inc. Shannon has been with the organization since 2004.

Gallagher, Flynn & Co. LLP announced the hiring of Brock S. Barton as a staff accountant in the audit and accounting department in Hanover, N.H. A graduate of Colby College in Waterville, Maine, with a master of science in accountancy from the McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley College in Waltham, Mass., Barton was with a Boston firm.

Joseph D. Lisaius, president of Lisaius Marketing, announced that Scott R. Wild has accepted a full-time position as a graphic designer. Wild was a graphic designer and art director in the publishing world on magazines such as Computer Games, MMO Games, and Now Playing.

Neville Companies announced the advancement of Amy Playdon to maintenance manager. Playdon has been with the company since January 2006, when she was hired as assistant property manager and leasing agent. She will continue to handle the leasing of the company’s Vermont residential portfolio in addition to the tasks of her new position.

Bill Young, executive director of Maple Leaf Farm, announced the addition of John LaBounty as an addictions treatment counselor. He receives his master’s degree in mental health counseling in August.

Geoffrey R. Hesslink, senior vice president of Merchants Bank, announced that Patricia Mangan was hired as a corporate banking officer for the Brattleboro and southeastern Vermont region. Mangan has credit and commercial banking experience and received credit and commercial lending training with European American Bank in New York and worked as a commercial lender for two New York institutions. From 1989, she was employed by Vermont National Bank and its successor, Chittenden Bank.

Middlebury College announced the appointment of Michael Roy as the L. Douglas and Laura J. Meredith Dean of Library and Information Services. Until Aug. 1, when he begins his new position, Roy is vice president for library and information services at Kenyon College in Ohio. He replaces Barbara Doyle-Wilch, who served as dean for seven years.

John Ravaschiere joined Northfield Savings Bank as a commercial lender. He has 24 years’ experience in commercial lending. He works at the bank’s Williston-Taft Corners office. Ava Whitcomb was promoted to electronic banking manager. Whitcomb has been with the bank for nine years, most recently as customer service unit manager. Trevor Lombard was promoted to cash management specialist. He was head teller at NSB’s Williston-Taft Corners office.

Ellen Kahler, executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, announced the hiring of Netaka White as biofuels director. White was the co-founder and executive director of the Vermont Biofuels Association, which recently merged with Renewable Energy Vermont. Contrary to recent negative publicity about biofuels, said White, in Vermont, the effort is to work with farmers, agriculture researchers, and entrepreneurs to create sustainable, affordable local production for local use.

Steve Conant, the owner of Conant Custom Brass retail and manufacturing business, announced a name change for his Burlington company, which is now called Conant Metal & Light. The company has also changed its focus to green lighting and distinctive products in all metals. The recent sale of the rights to the Conant Custom Brass brand and its weather instrument business to an Annapolis, Md., company, was the catalyst for the name change.

Century 21 Advantage in South Burlington announced that Paula Courcy has joined its staff of real estate professionals. Courcy was the Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors Rookie of the Year in 2006 and became a member of the Vermont Association of Realtors Honor Society last year.

NRG Systems Inc. announced the addition of Nicholas Trotter and Travis Jones to its electronics technician team. A graduate of Bennington College, Trotter has worked for small-scale manufacturers. Jones was a technical lab specialist and manufacturing specialist at IBM. He has an associate’s degree in electrical engineering from Vermont Technical College.

Larry Sudbay, president and chief executive officer of SymQuest Group Inc., announced that Robert F. Peterson was named director of operation. Peterson was a vice president of administration for Chittenden Services Group. Donna Dec was hired as human resources benefits and training administrator. Dec was a concierge in the owner service department and later, data integrity specialist for the IT department at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Jeffersonville.

Kevin Henry joined the law firm of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC as of counsel. He practices in the area of complex commercial litigation, and represents clients in connection with government enforcement actions and internal investigations in the areas of health care, securities, and antitrust. A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, he was with a Washington, D.C., firm. Alexa Bolanis is an associate with the firm’s litigation practice group, with a focus on commercial matters, insurance defense, and class actions. Bolanis is a graduate of McGill University and Tulane University Law School and was with a California firm.

New England Federal Credit Union announced that Tricia McMahon was named branch supervisor at the on-site branch office at Fletcher Allen Health Care. McMahon has experience with banks in Florida and a credit union in Vermont and has worked as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.

Ross Montgomery returned to his native Vermont to join Hickok & Boardman Commercial Realty as a sales associate. The Hobart College graduate spent the last six years in Boulder, Colo., working with computer software development.

Windows & Doors By Brownell announced that Glenn Beaudoin joined the company’s commercial sales department. Beaudoin has 15 years’ experience in the millwork industry. David Santelices joined the installation team. His experience includes 12 years as a carpenter.

Co-operative Insurance Companies named Gina Larrow vice president of human resources and Fletcher Brush vice president of education and community relations. Larrow has been human resources manager at the company since 2000. A Champlain College graduate, she holds the designation of Professional in Human Relations. Brush joined the company in 1980 and has held various positions from claims adjuster to customer relations manager to vice president of agency services.

Wiemann Lamphere Architects announced that Steven Roy has become a partner. Roy joins Gary Lavigne, president, and vice presidents Dennis Webster and David Roy in the firm.

Union Bank of Morrisville announced the promotion of several members of its team. Schuyler Sweet was elected to the board of directors of Union Bankshares Inc., the parent company whose sole holding is Union Bank, and was appointed to the bank’s trust committee. David S. Silverman, senior vice president, was named vice president of Union Bankshares and senior loan officer for Union Bank. Therese H. Butler was promoted from commercial credit analyst to assistant treasurer, credit administration. Jeffrey G. Coslett, head of the bank’s human resources department, was promoted to senior vice president, human resources and branch administration. Melissa A. Greene, manager of the Hardwick office, was promoted to assistant vice president and branch manager. Lynne Jewett, manager of the loan servicing department, was promoted to assistant vice president and loan servicing manager. Karyn Hale, finance officer, was promoted to assistant vice president, finance. Craig Provost, commercial lender in the Stowe office, was promoted to vice president and commercial loan officer.

Stantec announced the hiring of two engineers. Peter Murphy joined the buildings engineering group in North Springfield. He has more than 15 years’ experience, ranging from design to quality assurance to project management and inspection. A licensed professional engineer, Murphy holds a degree in electrical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He was with DuBois & King in Williston. Erik Alling joined the South Burlington office as part of the transportation engineering group. Alling will help design a variety of roadway and bridge projects in Vermont and New England. He graduated in May with a bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Vermont.

Matthew Bushey, AIA, LEED AP, was named an associate at TruexCullins architecture and interior design firm in Burlington. Bushey is a project manager in the firm’s interiors studio. His experience includes many years in the Boston area as a sole proprietor and with several firms. A registered architect and a LEED-Accredited Design Professional, he holds a bachelor of architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. Nancy Ruben joined the firm as a designer in the interiors studio. She has more than 18 years’ experience in the hospitality and high-end residential market. She was a senior interior designer with William Caligari Interiors and Architecture. She holds a master of fine arts from Yale University.

Robert Ide has agreed to become the rail program manager for the Vermont Agency of Transportation. He was director of energy efficiency for the Vermont Department of Public Service. As a former state senator from Caledonia County, Ide served eight years on the Senate Transportation Committee.

Community Capital of Vermont hired Robin Svarfvar as its full-time southern Vermont loan officer. Svarfvar replaces Michael Carr, who served in the position temporarily. A native of central Vermont, she has 20 years’ experience in banking and insurance, having worked for such companies as National Life, Banknorth, Community Land Trust, and State Farm.

Veronica Williams, president and managing partner of hmc2 Advertising in Stowe, announced that Tom Holmes was hired as marketing director. In the newly created position, Holmes will lead strategic marketing initiatives for the agency’s clients. Holmes was with Kelliher Samets Volk for six years.

The Champlain Housing Trust announced the addition of two team members. Philip Cecchini is chief financial officer, and Jon Shenton is the marketing and communications coordinator. A Certified Public Accountant, Cecchini was with the Central Vermont Community Action Council and worked in the private sector for 25 years. Shenton was with Vermont Teddy Bear Co. and was a co-founder of Spike Advertising.

Robin E. Russom was named a divisional sales manager in retail banking at TD Banknorth in Burlington. She oversees sales and service programs for the retail branch network of the bank’s northern division, which includes Vermont, upstate New York, New Hampshire, and Maine. Russom joined TD Banknorth in 1997. James E. Van Orden III was promoted to a commercial loan officer IV in commercial lending at TD Banknorth in St. Albans. A vice president, he will continue to provide lending services to business customers in northwestern Vermont. Van Orden joined the bank in 2006. Arthur P. Wright joined Bancnorth Investment Group Inc. as a financial adviser, based in the Williston branch. A graduate of the University of Vermont, he has more than four years’ experience in financial services.

Trudell Consulting Engineers of Williston announced the hiring of three employees in its survey department. Michael Rioux was with Vermont Survey and Engineering, and has experience as a survey crew chief with an Arizona firm and with Stantec. Ryan Cloutier, a professional land surveyor in Maine and Vermont, was named survey manager. His project and survey management experience was with SGC Engineering. Brad Perry was a chief construction surveyor with Engelberth Construction Co.

The First National Bank of Orwell announced the addition of Stephanie Ouellette as a loan officer in the Shoreham branch. Ouellette earned a degree in agricultural business from the State University of New York at Cobleskill and a degree in animal science from Cornell University. She has worked for First Pioneer Farm Credit in Enfield, Conn., and Lyndon Bank in Vergennes.

Rob Ostrander joined Shadow Productions as a multimedia producer. A longtime musician and producer, he was educated in design at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Kentucky, and earned a specialized degree in audio engineering at Full Sail in Orlando, Fla. Ostrander also owns and operates Angry Neighbor Recording, a recording, mixing, and mastering studio, and builds custom computers for audio and gaming. He is a member of the local band Doghouse Roses.

VHB Pioneer announced that Juli Beth Hinds, AICP, was appointed senior project manager-planning in VHB’s Vergennes office. Hinds has Vermont and national experience in storm water and wastewater policy and management. She was director of planning and zoning for the City of South Burlington. He earned her master’s degree in city and regional planning from Rutgers University.

FairPoint Communications Inc. announced that Pamela Joy was appointed vice president of community affairs. The Maine native has worked at FairPoint for 12 years and in the communications industry for over 20 years. She is a graduate of the University of Maine and holds a master of business administration from Simmons College in Boston. •