Faces&Places

February 2006

SilverLake Wealth Management LLC announced that Bonnie Conchieri joined the firm as vice president of client services. The Burlington native has 34 years’ experience in the investment brokerage industry and holds an NASD Series Seven license.

Longtime public relations consultant Erik Filkorn has joined Spike Advertising after years of outside collaboration with the firm. He relocated to Vermont from California in 1999 and set up his own public relations firm representing clients such as Northfield Savings Bank, The Adamant Music School, Waitsfield Telecom, Vermont Coffee Co.  Ren Chase was named art director at the firm. He was a digital production specialist at JDK Design and has worked as a freelance graphics consultant.

Freeman French Freeman architects announced the addition of Jaroslava Martinek and Carol Stenberg to its team. Martinek has more than 20 years of architectural experience; Stenberg, more than 15 years. Both work on the firm’s base lodge project for Spruce Peak Realty. Lisa Devoid was named office manager.

The Humane Society of Chittenden County announced the hiring of B.J. Rogers as executive director. Rogers was director of community relations for the Vermont Children’s Aid Society.

Ellen Kahler was named executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. Kahler replaces Wayne Fawbush. Ed Delhagen, deputy director, served as interim executive director for six months, before Kahler’s arrival. Kahler was executive director of the Peace & Justice Center from 1990 to 2002 and the creator and director of the Peer to Peer Collaborative, assisting small Vermont manufacturers.

The RehabGYM announced the addition of two physical therapists to its team. Colleen Duffy has six years’ experience in outpatient orthopedics. Jeff Look has five years’ experience in a variety of settings.

Northfield Savings Bank announced the following staff changes. Tim Ross was named senior commercial and administrative services manager. He has been with the bank for six years. Eileen Bradley is manager of the Waitsfield branch. She has been with the bank for 14 years in various positions. Branch manager of the bank’s Montpelier office is Christine Martin, with the bank for 10 years. Now in his 14th year with the bank, Al Flory has been named commercial team leader. Megan L. Cicio, former branch manager in Montpelier, was named commercial loan officer.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties announced the following staff changes. Ann Irwin is manager of community relations. She was special events coordinator. Melissa Baptiewright was promoted to annual giving coordinator. Sue Scheer was appointed special events coordinator. She was with Ben & Jerry’s Homemade for 16 years.

ReCycle North announced several staff changes. Heather Newcomb was hired as administrative assistant. She was a Reach Up volunteer. Katherine Hanson was promoted from business manager to finance director. She has been with ReCycle North for four years. Wendy McArdle was hired as marketing and outreach director. She was with Chittenden Solid Waste District.

Mary Alice McKenzie has joined the Burlington law firm Paul Frank + Collins as of counsel to lead the firm’s employment and labor practice. McKenzie was president and CEO of McKenzie of Vermont and served as general counsel for Vermont State Colleges.

Lang Associates announced the following appointments. Sarah Ki Rice and Donna LaBerge have joined the team of sales professionals. Joining the South Burlington office, Rice was a legislative assistant for Gov. Jim Douglas. LaBerge, in the Middlebury office, has been in real estate for 10 years and is past secretary of the Addison County Board of Realtors. Lisa Hughes, a Certified Public Accountant, has joined the firm’s accounting department.  She was assistant controller at New England Overshoe. Alison Toth was named an assistant to the Lang Lion & Davis department. 

Richard L. Golder was named property manager of the Maple Tree Place shopping and lifestyle center in Williston. He is employed by Inland US Management LLC, which bought Maple Tree Place in 2005. He has 23 years’ shopping center management experience, most recently with the Diamond Run Mall in Rutland.

Steve Habif, executive director of the Vermont Children’s Aid Society, announced that Cheryl Herrick and Robyn Young have joined the staff. Herrick is director of development. She was with the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington. Young was named outreach specialist for the infant adoption awareness training project. She was with the United Way of Chittenden County.

Catamount Ranch, a provider of emergency service and adventure training, announced the move of its operational headquarters to Monkton. The phone number is 453-5888.

Shelburne Museum’s board of trustees appointed Stephan Jost director of the museum. He succeeds Hope Alswang, who has become director of the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art. Jost, director of the Mills College Art Museum in Oakland, Calif., begins work at Shelburne in mid-March.

Andrée Falardeau, president of Canus Goat’s Milk of Waitsfield, announced the completion of the first phase of the company’s relocation to new office and warehouse space at Pilgrim Park in Waterbury. The move consolidated the company’s shipping/receiving and warehousing operations. Eventually, Canus expects to occupy around 30 percent of the 42,000-square-foot facility.

Vermont Teddy Bear Co. announced several additions to its staff. Julie Jones was hired as product designer for PajamaGram. Donna Avila and Patrick Brady were hired in facilities. Amanda Haley, Katrena Young, Kathleen Bennett and Amy Haley joined the production team in the Shelburne factory.

The Barre Partnership hired Matt Lash as its executive director. A Barre native, Lash was with a New York City public relations firm.

Chip and Shelley Spillane, owners of Thrifty Car Rental of Vermont, announced the relocation of the company’s valet airport parking lot to property next to the rental center on Williston Road.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of  Vermont hired Louis Wechsler as program services director. Wechsler was with the Braille Institute near Palm Springs, Calif. Hattie Johnson was named office administrator. She was an intern with the organization in the fall of 2004.

Main Street Landing announced the Merritt & Merritt & Moulton law firm has relocated from the CornerStone Building to the new Lake & College building on the waterfront. 

Karen Trubitt was named director of development at Southern Vermont College in Bennington. Trubitt is an experienced fundraiser who was director of development and community relations for the Bennington Museum.

HMC Advertising LLC announced the addition of Elena Bertrand to its staff as production coordinator. She was the e-commerce manager for Stowe Kitchen Bath & Linens. A native of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Bertrand graduated from New England College in Henniker, N.H., with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She also worked as assistant director of marketing at the New England Culinary Institute and marketing manager at Turtle Fur.  

Jager di Paola Kemp Design appointed Zak Jensen junior designer and Matthew Stevens digital production specialist. Jensen has worked with a New York design studio and with the Brighton, Utah, ski and snowboard team. Stevens joined JDK in January 2004 as an intern, and was most recently a full-time temporary employee.

Topnotch Resort and Spa announced the appointment of Jeffrey D’Amato as revenue manager. D’Amato has 15 years’ experience in hotel operations and revenue management, most recently at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel as director of rooms.

Seventh Generation hired Chrystie Heimert to fill its newly created director of communications position. Heimert was director of public relations for Ben & Jerry’s Homemade. She will report to Jeffrey Hollender, president and chief responsibility officer.

Sarah R. Suscinski was admitted to the Vermont Bar in November and has joined Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC as an associate in the DRM Schoenberg Family Law Group. She has been with the firm since June 2005.

 The Vermont Federal Credit Union announced the addition of Howard Mann to its senior management team as chief financial officer. Mann was CFO for the Georgia Power Federal Credit Union. Chris Sargent was promoted to branch manager for the St. Albans branch. Sargent is a recent hire who was with Citizens Bank.

Langrock Sperry & Wool LLP announced the addition of four lawyers to its practice. Thomas J. Sherrer has become of counsel after practicing law in Burlington for 20 years. Clara Gimenez joined the firm as an associate in the Burlington office after clerking for the Hon. Jeffrey L. Amestoy, chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court. Wanda Otero-Ziegler is an associate in the Middlebury office, having clerked for the Hon. James T. Giles, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, followed by two years at another Vermont firm. Erin Miller Heins, an associate in the Burlington office, practiced in a New York City firm.

David Bard, president and chief executive officer of the New England Federal Credit Union, announced that John J. Dwyer Jr., formerly executive vice president and chief operating officer, was promoted to president and COO. Bard will remain as chief executive officer.

Richard Angney, executive vice president of Central Vermont Economic Development Corp., announced his retirement, to be effective in June. Angney began work for the organization in December 1996, with 11 years as a board member behind him. A search is under way for his replacement.

The Green Mountain Inn announced the Jack Pickett was hired as food and beverage facilitator for the Whip Bar & Grill and Main Street Dining Room. Pickett was executive chef at Ten Acres Lodge for several years until opening Blue Moon Café in 1992.

Thomas S. Leavitt, senior vice president, retail banking for Merchants Bank, announced the appointment of Debra L. Ouelette as branch president for the Windsor office. She is assisted in the branch by personal banker Donna Tabor. Ouelette has been with the bank since 1995.

ReCycle North announced the following new hires: Andrew Jope is the YouthBuild program manager. He was with the Northlands Job Corps. Lindsay Foreman was hired as case manager for the YouthBuild program. Forman was the AmeriCorps community outreach coordinator at ReCycle North.

The Vermont Agency announced that Scott Hinman was appointed director of College Planning Associates, a service that offers advice and strategies for anticipated college expenses. He is an associate with the agency.

Bruce Hyde, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, announced that Dave Haskins joined the staff as director of sales and promotion. Haskins returns to Vermont from the New York area where, for 20 years, he sold and produced promotional events, conferences and incentive travel for Fortune 500 corporations, marketing agencies, television networks and professional sports and entertainment organizations. He began his career in Vermont as a reporter and editor at the Rutland Herald.

The Village Cup in Jericho announced the addition of New England Culinary Institute intern Michelle Nelson to its pastry and baking staff. Nelson was elected Most Valuable Bakery Student and Outstanding Professional Foods Student for the class of 2005 at NECI’s Center for Technology in Essex. She also holds a First Place ribbon in the state’s commercial baking skills competition for 2005. 

Jacqueline Battoe was hired by Maple Leaf Farm residential drug and alcohol addiction center as a part-time registered nurse. The University of Vermont graduate is pursuing certification as an Addiction Registered Nurse.

Thomas S. Leavitt, vice president, retail banking for Merchants Bank, announced the appointment of Kyle E. Thygesen to the position of branch president for the White River Junction office. Thygesen was director of agricultural operations at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center, and before that, served four years as commercial loan officer at First Pioneer Farm Credit in upstate New York.

Jan S. Eastman, president of the Snelling Center for Government, announced she is stepping down this year after 13 years at the helm of the leadership and public policy think tank. Richard W. Mallary, the center’s vice chairman, will lead the search committee.

 NorthCountry Federal Credit Union has moved its office from the Ethan Allen factory in Orleans to 21 Water St., Orleans. The site, the former home of Wilcox’s Market, offers more space and is more easily accessible to the public. The branch’s two employees, Tonja Jardine and Janelle Green, have moved to the new location, and a part-time position is being added. NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, with headquarters in South Burlington, acquired its Orleans office through its merger with Ethan Allen Credit Union in 2005.

Kathleen Fortin has joined TD Banknorth Vermont as business development and sales manager in the Swanton branch. Fortin, who has 20 years’ banking experience, served in a similar capacity at a TD Banknorth branch in Lowell, Mass. She has also served as a training officer with TD Banknorth N.A. The Winooski resident is a graduate of Merrimack College. Sharon A. MacFarlane was promoted to a customer service representative II in the TD Banknorth Vermont branch at 90 Main St. in Montpelier. MacFarlane joined TD Banknorth Vermont in 2003. Arthur Wright was appointed mortgage specialist at Saffire Mortgage Inc. in South Burlington. A University of Vermont graduate with a degree in business administration, Wright has more than a year’s experience in residential lending.

Sarah Carpenter, executive director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, announced the hiring of Erin Navin of Williston as homeownership outreach coordinator. Navin was an individual development loan manager at Opportunities Credit Union in Burlington, and before that, was a branch manager at Merchants Bank. She holds a bachelor of science in international business from the University of Vermont. •