New hires

Health Affiliates Maine, a statewide licensed mental health agency based in Auburn, recently hired Michelle Brown, Erichka Strout and Darlene Emerson to support the case-management team based in Bangor.

College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor recently hired Sarah Hall, who holds a doctorate degree in earth and planetary sciences from the University of California, Santa Cruz, to teach geology, a new field for the college. The college also hired Jodi Baker as a full-time theater teacher.

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, a luxury property company, recently hired George Wheelwright as a senior vice president at its Camden office.

iBec Creative, a web design and Internet marketing firm based in Portland, recently hired Hugh Redford as a new operations coordinator and Matthew Belair as a web developer.

Lipman & Katz, a trial law firm based in Augusta, has added two attorneys to its practice: Melissa Reynolds O’Dea, a former Maine assistant attorney general, joins as a partner; Ben Tucker, previously an attorney with Stinson Avery Lawson-Stopps in Bath, joins as an associate.

Sunrise County Economic Council recently hired Sharon Foss as project coordinator of the GROWashington-Aroostook Regional Planning Initiative. The council also hired Larry Saunders as project manager to coordinate Washington County’s Mobilize Maine initiative by working with businesses, community leaders and municipal officials.

Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader, a real estate firm based in Auburn, recently hired Nate Ruddy as a sales agent in its commercial real estate division.

Casco Systems, a Cumberland-based engineering and system integration firm focusing on energy and industrial markets, recently hired Kevin Coyne as a senior automation engineer.

P&C Insurance, a Biddeford-based insurance agency, recently hired Heather Caston-Talbot as an account manager. Caston-Talbot also was installed recently as president of The Insurance Professionals of Greater Portland, where she has been a member since 2008.

Dr. Newton’s Naturals, a South Portland firm offering natural health products, recently hired Ryan Wing as IT manager. Wing previously worked at Legacy Publishing Co.

Franklin Memorial Hospital, a 65-bed hospital in Farmington, recently hired Dr. Todd W. Miller as a hospitalist. He most recently served as a hospitalist for seven years at MaineGeneral’s Thayer campus in Waterville.

Nexus Management, a managed IT service provider in Brunswick, recently hired Dan Baker as help desk technician.

Hall Internet Marketing, a Portland-based Internet marketing firm, recently hired Katie Conroy as an SEO analyst and local search specialist and Barbara Kenney as director of business development. Previously, Conroy worked locally and in the New York advertising market, and Kenney worked as a sales professional representing media firms Gannett, Time Warner and Citadel.

Occupational Medical Consulting LLC, located in Leeds, recently hired Jennifer Dube-Works as its national sales director. Dube-Works has more than 20 years of sales, marketing and development experience.

Harriman, an architecture and engineering firm based in Auburn, recently hired Terri Gamache as marketing director, James Curley as structural engineer and Anatoly Gregor as electrical engineer.

Promotions

Ocean Communities Federal Credit Union, a federally chartered credit union serving Cumberland and York counties, recently promoted Judy Morin to CEO. Morin previously served as the vice president of financial services for the organization since 1986.

Norway Savings Bank, a mutual banking and financial services company headquartered in Norway, recently promoted Anita Hamilton to assistant vice president, senior credit analyst. Since 2002 she had been a commercial credit analyst.

Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor recently promoted David Beaudoin, previously director of hotel operations, to director of non-gaming operations. It also promoted Steven Beaulieu, previously hotel sales and banquet manager, to food and beverage operations manager.

BerryDunn, a certified public accounting and management consulting firm headquartered in Portland, recently promoted Sarah L. Belliveau to principal. Belliveau has been employed by BerryDunn since 1992.

CCB Inc., a woman-owned construction company in Westbrook, recently promoted Mac McKeown to safety resource manager. McKeown joined CCB Inc. in 2011 as an environmental health and safety engineer.

Appointments

Gorham Savings Bank, a community bank based in Gorham, recently named Katherine Coster to its board of directors. Her previous banking experience in corporate and middle-market lending includes Bank of New England, Security Pacific Bank and Bankers Trust Co.

Junior Achievement of Maine, a Portland-based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy, recently elected the following officers to its board of directors: chairman, Darren J. Hurlburt, CPA, president and CEO of MES Maine Education Services; vice chairman, Guy Langevin, VP of human resources and organizational development at Dead River Co.; past chairman, Jeffrey Laniewski, vice president of Synernet Inc.; treasurer, Paul Clancy, EVP/chief financial officer of Diversified Communications; secretary, Scott Twitchell, VP practice group leader of TD Insurance.

Dennis Lemieux, director of operations at BerryDunn, a Portland-based accounting firm, recently was elected president of the Association of Accounting Administration for a term that extends through June 30, 2013. Founded in 1984, the Association of Accounting Administrators includes 900 administrators responsible for accounting administration in the United States and Canada.

Preti Flaherty, a law firm based in Portland, recently announced that Michael Messerschmidt, a partner and chairman of its labor and employment practice group, has been elected as a fellow in The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Taylor, McCormack and Frame LLC, a Portland law firm, recently announced that the Maine State Bar Association

has appointed H. Ilse Teeters-Trumpy as chairwoman of the Family Law Section, pending final approval by the MSBA Board of Governors. Teeters-Trumpy has been representing clients in family matters since 2007 and is a rostered guardian ad litem.

Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution, headquartered in Saco, recently elected Sue Hadiaris to its board of directors. Hadiaris and her husband, Leon, have owned and operated the Saco Dairy Queen for more than 25 years.

Matthew Hoidal, executive director for Camp Sunshine, recently was appointed to the 2012-2013 national board of directors for Students Against Destructive Decisions, the national school-based, peer-to-peer prevention, education and activism organization. Camp Sunshine is a nonprofit in Casco that provides recreation for children with life-threatening illnesses and respite and support for their families.

Saint Joseph’s College, a Catholic liberal arts college in Standish, has appointed Patricia Ireland as its new online theology program director. Previously, Ireland was an assistant professor of religious studies at Dominican College in Orangeburg, N.Y., where she also directed the religious studies program and the humanities program.

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health recently announced that Dr. Edison “Ed” Liu, president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory, a genetics research facility headquartered in Bar Harbor, was unanimously elected to its board of directors.

Spotlight

ArtPlace, a new collaboration of 11 major national and regional foundations, six of the nation’s largest banks and eight federal agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts, recently awarded a $250,000 grant to ARTSIPELAGO, a comprehensive community revitalization initiative that bets on art as the centerpiece of a comeback in rural eastern Maine. The Tides Institute and Museum of Art in Eastport, the organizing force behind the program, hopes to sharpen the region’s image as a distinctive destination for residents and travelers.

This is the first ArtPlace award in the state of Maine and one of only two in New England this year. ARTSIPELAGO involves the creation of a new arts and cultural passport, and year-round guide to regional artist studios, cultural centers, ferries, films, festivals to local foods, lighthouses, music, parks, theater and more. In addition, arts performances, workshops and demonstrations will be integrated throughout downtowns during the region’s festivals. Funding will also support the establishment of a downtown regional StudioWorks facility linking artist residencies, students and communities.

“We have always believed that innovation and critical mass, with art as a central component, can contribute to revitalization efforts in this rural region,” said Hugh French, director of the Tides Institute & Museum of Art.

ArtPlace received almost 2,200 letters of inquiry from organizations seeking a portion of the $15.4 million available for grants in this cycle

Company News

AlliedCook Construction, a construction management firm with an office in Scarborough, will serve as construction manager on Hyde School’s new two-story, 17,000-square-foot residence hall in Bath.

Ronald Lebel, an attorney at Skelton, Taintor & Abbott in Auburn, presented at the day-long continuing legal education seminar “Advanced Family Law” in Portland.

Avesta Housing in Portland recently announced that Norway Savings Bank will provide the financial support for Avesta’s Home Buyer Education Program.

Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco recently opened its Mount Olympus Water Slides, featuring six new water slides, The Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe and three new restaurants, the Parthenon Café, the Hungry Bear and Bar-B-Que Pit.

Fresh Restaurant in Camden recently expanded and opened next door its Fresh Bakery & Market, featuring hand-made artisan breads, pastries, cookies, bars, cakes and pies, coffee and espresso drinks.

Preti Flaherty, a law firm based in Portland, recently announced 20 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2012 Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Business Lawyers, the legal directory of leading attorneys and law firms in the United States. Preti’s Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group earned the highest possible ranking for the third year in a row.

PLUM, a high-end women’s consignment shop, recently opened in Portland at the corner of Congress Street and the Franklin Street Arterial.

Nelson & Small Inc., a 76-year-old Portland-based wholesale distributor of major appliances, commercial laundry equipment and energy-efficient heating and water-heating equipment, announced it is ending its nearly 50-year residential appliance distribution arrangement with Electrolux/Frigidaire and other appliance manufacturers. Nelson & Small will continue to distribute Electrolux, Wascomat, Whirlpool, and Huebsch commercial laundry equipment and will also continue to distribute products from Rinnai, Toyostove, Napoleon, Bosch, Lochinvar, Steffes, Eternal, Thermomax Solar, Burner Booster, Odorox, and others.

The Portland Museum of Art recently announced the following officers elected for new terms: president, John Isacke; chairman, Hans Underdahl; vice president, Anna Wells; vice president, Laurence Rubinstein; treasurer, Robert Nanovic; assistant treasurer, William Ryan Jr.; secretary, James Houle. Trustees elected for new terms are Selma Botman, Albert Glickman, Walter Goldfarb, Joan Kelly, Christopher Robinson and Earle Shettleworth Jr.

The Maine-produced web series “Ragged Isle” returns for its second season after winning five major international awards including best director and best series from The Indie Soap awards in New York City and also best thriller and best supporting actor from the online Indie Intertube awards.

Downeast Energy in Brunswick recently held its 19th annual Downeast Energy Classic at the Brunswick Golf Club, raising and donating $20,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters (of Bath/Brunswick) and Jobs for Maine Graduates.

Wade Johnson, CEO of Pen Bay Health Care, recently was the featured speaker at a Kiwanis meeting at the Samoset Resort. He discussed the challenges of providing health care while insurance and state payments become increasingly more difficult to collect.

W. A. Bean & Sons, a family-owned meat sales company based in Bangor, recently was selected by Wolf Gang Puck Catering to provide the traditional Scottish fare haggis at the premiere party for the Disney/Pixar movie “Brave!” as part of the Los Angeles Film Festival.

Heirloom Antiques and Vintage, a shop selling antiques, vintage jewelry, works of art and vintage clothing, recently opened in Waterville.

PROPEL, the Portland region’s young professionals networking and business organizational group, recently presented its fourth annual entreverge awards to five winners: Bite Into Maine, a Maine-centric mobile food truck at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth; Brook There, a Portland area organic lingerie and loungewear manufacturer; Might & Main, a small branding and design agency in Portland; Portland Flea-For-All, an indoor weekend flea market that collaborates with vendors; and Rogue Wallet Co., a company offering wallets with a patented curved edge to fit into front pockets.

McDonald’s and Nouria Energy’s Lil’ Mart convenience store, gas station and car wash recently opened in Thomaston.

The Maine Cancer Foundation Research Grant Committee recently awarded a $55,936 research grant to the University of New England’s College of Pharmacy and its Center for Health, Policy, Planning and Research. UNE pharmacy professors Edward Li and Chunhao Tu, along with Gary Cattabriga of UNE’s Center for Health Policy, Planning and Research, will conduct research in collaboration with the Maine Medical Center Cancer Research Institute.

KedarQuilts, a quilt shop in Waterford, recently opened Kedar Gallery in the upstairs of the former Kedarburn Inn in Waterford.

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced that Katahdin Trust Co., a bank based in Houlton, has been designated a preferred lender in its SBA loan programs. The preferred lender status is reserved for the SBA’s most experienced and trusted lenders with a proven record of lending performance and excellence.

People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, recently provided $38,000 in classroom funding throughout Maine as a result of a $100,000 grant to DonorsChoose.org.

The Northern Maine Development Commission, a membership organization based in Caribou that provides regional community planning and economic development services in northern Maine, recently secured a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant that leveraged a $50,000 cash donation from the Northern Border Regional Commission. The funding will be used to offer an 11-session training program for selected entrepreneurs wanting to set up shop in Caribou.

Hurley Travel Experts, headquartered in Portland, recently announced that its office in Naples, Fla., has received accreditation from a network of travel specialists, Virtuoso.

Lighthouse Digest, the East Machias-based lighthouse news and history magazine started in 1992 by Timothy Harrison and Kathleen Finnegan, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. It has subscribers in all 50 states and 17 countries.

PowerPay, a provider of payment processing services headquartered in Portland, recently launched AppCharge, a new payment technology that transforms any iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and many Android devices into a payment terminal for merchants.

Bangor’s Economic Development Office recently added to the revamped city website, www.bangormaine.gov, an inventory of available commercial properties within the city.

Sea Dog Brewing Co., a Maine-owned and brewed beer company, recently opened its newly expanded brewery and a beer-themed restaurant space called Barrel Room in Bangor.

Accolades

Wright-Pierce, an employee-owned environmental engineering firm based in Topsham, recently received the 2012 Circle of Excellence award from PSMJ Resources Inc., a management consulting firm for architecture, engineering and construction industries. It has received the performance-based award since 2006.

Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick received an “A” hospital safety score from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits.

The Clam Shack in Kennebunkport recently won the Tasting Table Food Culture Daily’s Fan Favorite Award with its Maine lobster roll, besting 20 other restaurants.

ArtPlace, a new national collaboration of 11 major national and regional foundations, six of the nation’s largest banks, and eight federal agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts, recently awarded a $250,000 grant to ARTSIPELAGO, a comprehensive community revitalization strategy that bets on art as the centerpiece of a comeback in rural eastern Maine. The Tides Institute and Museum of Art in Eastport, the organizing force behind the program, hopes to sharpen the region’s image as a distinctive destination for both residents and travelers.

The Governor’s Council on Physical Activity recently awarded a Maine Fitness Award to Saint Joseph’s College in Standish for its success in improving the health and well-being of staff and faculty by providing them with healthy lifestyle opportunities.

The Association of Small Business Development Centers recently honored U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, for her long-standing support of America’s small businesses.

Earle W. Noyes & Sons Moving Specialists in Portland recently was recognized as United Van Lines’ Agent of the Month. The agency was selected from among more than 400 United Van Lines agencies eligible for the distinction.

The University of New England College of Pharmacy, located in Portland, recently announced that three of its faculty have been honored by peers: Emily Dornblaser, assistant clinical professor and critical care specialist, has been elected secretary of the Global Pharmacy Education Special Interest Group by her faculty colleagues in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy; Steven Sutton, chairman of pharmaceutical sciences, has been selected as a fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Matthew Lacroix, has been appointed to a one-year term on the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Faculties Rules and Resolutions Committee.

Rudman Winchell, Counselors at Law in Bangor, recently announced that the firm and several of its attorneys have been recognized by Chambers and Partners, a worldwide legal rankings firm, in the following practice areas: corporate/mergers and acquisitions, labor and employment, litigation and real estate.

Liz Meserve of Portland has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct sales company featuring easy-to-prepare foods.

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