Faces&Places

August 2005

Planet Hardwood Flooring has moved its business from Winooski to an 18,000-square-foot facility on Vermont 2A in St. George. Owner Peter Nazarenko said the move will allow the company to show flooring in large panels rather than the standard samples. Planet Hardwood shows flooring produced in Vermont and around the world, with an emphasis on certified wood, recycled wood, bamboo, Marmoleum and cork.

Keith Brown, director of the South End Arts and Business Association, announced the appointment of Cynthia Newton as Art Hop coordinator. This is a new position that will focus solely on the Art Hop, SEABA's annual event. This year's Hop was named a Top 10 Fall Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

Jager DiPaola Kemp Design announced the promotion of Neil Ryan to account manager. Ryan joined the firm in March as office administrator.

Lang Associates announced the addition of Catherine Willis to its team of sales professionals. Willis' experience includes a career working for members of Congress in their home constituencies and later as a lobbyist for consumers and private industry. Melissa McCormick was named to Lang's team as a shared agent assistant in the South Burlington office. She has experience in both real estate and commercial property management. Kate Houston was hired as a personal assistant to Carol Hinkel at Lang. Houston is a senior at the University of Vermont.

Douglas E. Hill, managing partner of the investment firm Edward Jones, announced the appointment of Brian Cussimanio as investment representative in Shelburne. The Shelburne office has moved to Tenneybrook Square. The phone number is 985-9965; toll-free (888) 985-9991.

William P. Clifford was named president of the northern New England region of TD Banknorth Insurance Group. He will manage operations and offices throughout Main, New Hampshire and Vermont. Clifford was with JPMorgan Chase Bank in New York; he will live in Cumberland, Maine.

Kimberly K. Farnum was named fund development and special projects manager at Central Vermont Medical Center. She was a consultant and project manager for the medical center and the medical center auxiliary.

Joan Wry, coordinator of academic programs at St. Michael's College since 1999, was appointed assistant dean of the college. The 1979 St. Michael's graduate will continue to teach periodically in the English department.

Otter Creek Engineering announced that Michael A. Smith, P.E., has joined the staff as a managing engineer in the Rutland office. He has 17 years' municipal wastewater and biosolids management experience.

Hackett Valine & MacDonald Inc. insurance agency in South Burlington announced the election of the following officers: Kevin Dwyer and Timothy Ford, executive vice presidents; Sally Severy and Michael Walsh, senior vice presidents. Dwyer is director of the risk management and claims departments; Ford directs the group/life department; Severy manages the Enosburg Falls office and is president of Town & Country Insurance Agency in Jeffersonville, an affiliate of the firm; and Walsh works in commercial lines.

Susan Coddaire has joined Truex Cullins & Partners Architects in Burlington as part of its architectural design team. The native Vermonter was with a Colorado firm.

The Vermont Energy Investment Corp. announced that Jim Grevatt has joined the staff as director of residential energy services. He was manager of energy services at Vermont Gas Systems.

The Inn at Shelburne Farms announced the appointment of Rick Gencarelli as head chef. Gencarelli's credits include four years working for Todd English at Olives, the renowned Boston restaurant; cooking at Rubicon and One Market in San Francisco; and opening Olives and WHotel in New York.

Cheryl Fatnassi was appointed chief operating officer for Opportunities Credit Union, whose main office is in Burlington. Fatnassi has more than 10 years of experience with financial institutions and in nonprofit management.

Abbott D. Abbott II, president of Vermont Courier Inc. in Williston, announced that Rick Lockwood Jr. was named assistant general manager. Lockwood has been with the company since 2003.

Thomas S. Leavitt, senior vice president of retail banking for Merchants Bank, announced the promotion of Maryann E. Baker to the new position of branch operations manager. Baker appointed assistant vice president by the board of directors. She has been with Merchants since June 2002.

Sentinel Advisors Co. announced the promotion of Betsy Pecor to co-manager of the Sentinel Small Company Fund. Sentinel Advisors is an affiliate of Sentinel Asset Management Co., asset manager for the National Life Group. Pecor joined the National Life Group in 2000.

Topnotch Resort and Spa announced the appointment of Sheila Cleary as director of marketing and sales. Cleary has more than 20 years' experience in hotels, resorts and conference centers, including the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center and the Ramada Inn in South Burlington.

The board of directors of Sports & Fitness Edge Inc., parent company of Twin Oaks Sports & Fitness, Racquets Edge, The Sports and Fitness Edge of Williston and the Physical Therapy Center of Vermont, promoted Michael Feitelberg to president. With the organization five years, he succeeds Jan Riordan, who relocated to New Mexico.

DuBois & King Inc., consulting engineers, announced that Scott Rotman has joined the firm as environmental documentation specialist. Rotman has a law degree with a concentration in environmental law and is a Ph.D. candidate in natural resources management from the State University of New York. He will work in the firm's Randolph office.

Barbara McEnany has joined PayData Payroll Service as regional sales representative for southeastern Vermont and the upper valley of New Hampshire. McEnany is responsible for marketing and sales.PayData is a privately owned payroll service based in Vermont.