Faces&Places

July 2010

Philip S. Spillane of Bell Wealth Management, South Burlington, announced the addition of Amy Antonacci as a registered representaive. Antonacci brings 25 years’ experience to the firm specializing in high net family and individual wealth management.

John Bramley, president and CEO of the Windham Foundation, announced the appointment of John Cray and Kathy Metelica as innkeepers of The Old Tavern at Grafton. Kevin O’Donnell, who served as innkeeper for 14 years, has moved on to become the food and beverage director at New England Culinary Institute. Cray, a former bartender for The Old Tavern, was the owner of Saxtons River Village Market. Metelica was retail execution manager for Kimberly-Clark Corp.

Jack McKernon, founder and president of The McKernon Group, announced his retirement from day-to-day operations of the company. He will remain as chairman of the board of directors. Kevin Birchmore, McKernon’s partner since the company’s inception 25 years ago, was elected president.

Co-operative Insurance Companies’ board of directors appointed two company officers: Eric Rhoades, vice president of claims and loss control; and Bradley Fortier, vice president of marketing. Both have been with Co-op since 2008. The board announced that Marie Jewett was named president and CEO. She succeeds Jim Sullivan, who is stepping down for health reasons. Jewett has been with the company since 1978. Lisa Lucia joined the finance department as accounts receivables specialist. Carrie Lussier, named accounts receivable specialist, has been with Co-op since 2001. Abbi Lengyel joined the personal lines underwriting department as an administrative assistant.

Mickenberg, Dunn, Lachs, Hazel, and Smith PLC announced that David Mickenberg was made a partner in the law firm. Mickenberg was a Dorot fellow at the Alliance for Justice in Washington, D.C. He joined the firm in 2006, 25 years after his father, Neil Mickenberg, helped found the Burlington office.

Signature Properties of Vermont announced that Stacey Barton joined the firm’s staff of sales professionals. She has been a Vermont-licensed real estate professional since age 18 and has a background in new construction.

The Stowe Street Emporium in Waterbury has reopened six months after a fire caused smoke and water damage to the historic building at 23 Stowe St. The store held a “Back From the Ashes” celebration, featuring refreshments, music, live WDEV broadcasts and door prizes.

Christopher Mutty joined Encore Redevelopment as a project analyst. The recent Middlebury College graduate was a student intern with Encore in 2009.

Carol Audette and her real estate team — Kathy Hale, Jill Vespa, Peter Audette, Susan Mathieu, Samantha Mathieu, and Patti Jasmin — have joined Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty.

Richard Feeley, president of Coburn & Feeley Property Management Inc., announced that Stephanie Allen was promoted to vice president and property manager. Allen has been with the firm six years and manages the South Meadow Apartments in Burlington. Theresa Heinrich has rejoined the firm as part-time assistant property manager.

People’s United Bank announced that Manuel Andrade was appointed senior vice president for the wealth management division, responsible for all division activities in several states, including Vermont. He will work from Connecticut.

Dan Feeney, president of North Star Leasing, announced the hiring of Susan Stevens as a documentation specialist. Stevens was with DoubleTree Hotel Burlington. John Desrochers joined the team after an 18-year career with Nordic Funding. North Star recently acquired Nordic’s book of business.

Stratton Mountain Resort’s Golf University announced the addition of Jerry Elwell to its staff. He has 40 years’ experience, including work with major championship winners and Hall of Fame members. He is a five-time nominee for PGA National Teacher of the Year.

MyWebGrocer announced the hiring of nine employees in its Vermont office. They are pictured, from left. Steve Wolfe, a software engineer, was with Computer Services Inc.; Becca Jones, project manager, was with Systems & Software Inc.; Steve Pyrtherch, systems analyst, was with Union Mutual of Vermont; Peter Hurd, junior software engineer, was with the University of Vermont; Jonathan Maddix, project manager, was with IBM; Jeremy Bull, senior software engineer, was with Pragmatic Technologies Inc.; Peter Sanschagrin, customer service engineer, was with Parexel International; Paul Ferro, software engineer, is a graduate of George Mason University; and Rob Gucciardi, senior software engineer, was with GE Healthcare.

Paul Costello, executive director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development and leader of the e-Vermont Partnership, announced that Helen Labun Jordan was chosen as program director of e-Vermont, the community broadband project, a new, two-year initiative to help rural Vermont towns take advantage of the Internet. Jordan was with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.

Judy Tarr, president of Central Vermont Medical Center, announced that Cynthia S. Smith, M.D., joined Barre Internal Medicine, part of the CVMC Medical Group. Smith was at University Health Center in Burlington.

The Lake Champlain Maritime Festival hired three employees in anticipation of the second annual event. Tara C. Perkins is director of public relations and social media. She was director of public relations for PostScript Inc. Sharon Thompson Radtke, director of development, was executive director of First Night Burlington. Serena Fox, art director, has 20 years’ experience in Vermont, Connecticut, and New York City.

Suzanne Connell has joined Hampton Direct in Williston, as executive assistant to CEO Steve Heroux. Connell was an executive assistant at Bombardier Aerospace in Colchester.

The Coaching Center of Vermont has added coaches to its business division. James Papiano is a strategy consultant and leadership coach with 13 years’ experience. Cara Taussig has 20 years’ experience in private and nonprofit sectors.

John Benoit, CEO and president of NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, announced the return of Bob Cowie to Vermont as the vice president-operations. Cowie was chief operating officer at Ohio University Credit Union.

Shems Dunkiel Raubvogel & Saunders announced that Jessica A. Oski has become of counsel to the firm. She was assistant attorney general for the Vermont Department of Mental Health.

Union Bank announced the addition of Christine Latulip as vice president of retail and commercial lending in the Littleton, N.H., office. She will take over as branch manager in August. Bob Richardson joined the commercial lending team, working from the Morrisville office to serve Lamoille County and surrounding areas. He was with Community National Bank and TD Bank.

Marketing Partners Inc. announced that Alec Julien joined the team as Web designer. Julien was with the Vermont Cancer Center.

Kelley Boyden joined Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs as an associate accountant. Boyden is a recent graduate of St. Michael’s College.

Matthew Granai has joined the NBT Financial Group as vice president and relationship manager, based in the bank’s Burlington office. Granai was with People’s United Bank and its predecessor, Chittenden Bank.

Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew announced that Brian Murphy was elected president and managing partner to succeed Spencer Knapp, who stepped down after serving since 1993. Knapp will remain as counsel to the firm. Murphy is a corporate and tax attorney who joined the firm in 1999.

David Churchill has been named district manager at Green Mountain Beverage in Middlebury. Churchill is responsible for sales in Vermont, western New Hampshire, and one wholesaler in New York. He was with Otter Creek Brewing.

Ronald A Court, founder of the Booker T. Washington Society, announced the hiring of Jennifer Joyce Faulkner as executive associate. She recently relocated from Austin, Texas.

Allen J. Hinkle, M.D., joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont as chief medical director. Hinkle, a board certified pediatric anesthesiologist, was senior vice president and chief medical officer at Tufts Health Plan in Massachusetts.

Power Shift, an Internet company, announced the hiring of Larissa Kepchar as Web designer and project coordinator. Kepchar was with The Wall Street Analyst Forum in Stowe. Ryan Meravi was promoted to sales manager. He has been with the company since 2005 and, in 2008, started the Web design department.

David Rowell was named the executive director of the Spruce Peak Arts Center, a performing arts center under construction in Stowe that is slated to open in December 2010. The center is expected to be a year-round venue for theater, music, dance, film, lectures and multimedia presentations.

Shelly Robbie has joined hmc2 in Richmond as creative director. Robbie was creative director with Kelliher Samets Volk in Burlington, and prior to that, Evergreen Advertising. She has more than 20 years’ experience in advertising and direct marketing.

Cathleen Doty joined the trust and investment division of Merchants Bank as senior relationship manager. She will work with the team in Manchester and maintain an office in the Rutland market. Doty has more than 25 years’ trust and investment experience in southern Vermont. She was with TD Bank.

Fox Marine Service and Sales announced the return of customer service award-winner Michael Lucas as sales manager. Erik Zahm, promoted to service manager, has been with the company for seven years.