Faces&Places

April 2007

Mary Vargas has joined Cope & Associates Inc. consulting and training firm in Burlington. Vargas is a senior consultant with an emphasis in organizational development, change management and communication. Trained in Appreciative Inquiry, she has more than 19 years’ experience.

C.J. Knudsen, general manager of the Vermont Lake Monsters, announced that Nate Cloutier was promoted to assistant general manager. He has worked in the organization’s front office since 2002. Joining the front office is Florianne Irwin, named director of finance. Adrienne Wilson, executive operations manager, has left the organization to take a sales job in Boston.

Small Dog Electronics announced that Matt Kiedasch was named retail manager for its flagship retail store in South Burlington. Kiedasch is a professional sports and action photographer and digital imaging consultant who joined Small Dog over a year ago in Waitsfield. David Hitchcock, Jeremiah Johnson and J. Christopher DeRose joined the Burlington retail staff. Hitchcock and Johnson are Certified Apple Sales Professionals. DeRose is a Certified Apple Technician.

Michael McCormack, Pete Trottier and Brigette White assumed ownership stakes and share all management responsibilities of the Hickok & Boardman financial planning division. The three have more than 40 years’ experience in financial planning, asset management and investment advisory services.

Re/Max North Professionals announced that Realtor Sarah Harrington, ABR, CRS, has become an independent agent. She was with The Desautels Group/The Condo Guy and is a top-producing agent. The company also announced that Rob Johnson, ABS, CRS, is forming his own real estate services business in association with Re/Max North Professionals.

Patricia M. Sears was contracted to fill the newly created position of Newport’s downtown coordinator, As a consultant, Sears will work for the city over an 18-month period. She is the president and co-owner of Northeast Kingdom Tamarack Inc. and its subsidiary NEKTO Consulting, which offers communications, advocacy and community relations expertise.

Don Mayer, chairman of the board of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, announced that Spencer Putnam has resigned as executive director to pursue other ventures. A search committee has been formed, and Putnam has agreed to stay on through a two-month transition period.

Child Care Resource announced the appointment of Renee Lavalley, Stephanie (Tess) Glanville, Jada Berg and full-time teacher Carrie Haselton.

Cabot Creamery announced that Ed Townley was promoted to senior vice president/Cabot controller for Cabot Creamery Co-op Inc. in Montpelier. Townley, who has been vice president/Cabot controller for two years, has more than 28 years’ financial management experience with such firms as IBM, Gannett Co. and the Lane Press.

Joseph D. Lisaius, president of Lisaius Marketing, announced that Mark Crow joined the company as a partner. He will serve as vice president of communications for the graphic design agency. Crow was a partner in the Burlington law firm Gravel and Shea.

Champlain Vocational Services Inc. in Colchester announced the hiring of Mike Reilly as development coordinator. Reilly has experience in sales, communications and managing community-based organizations.

Spike Advertising announced that Liz Schlegel has joined the team. As a solo marketing practitioner, Schlegel gained experience in high-technology, financial services, consumer goods and socially responsible business. At Spike, she will work in strategic planning, business development and hands-on account management. Devon Dams-O’Connor was hired to work in a variety of areas, with an emphasis on copywriting, account management and community relations. She worked for a Buffalo, N.Y., firm.

Linda Stearns is retiring after 24 years as executive director of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce. Stearns played a long and respected role in her position in Addison County and in the state. She was named Executive of the Year in 1995 by the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and served as the organization’s president in 1998. She also served as president of the Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Nate Otis has joined the sales team at ICON Promotional Products in Burlington. Otis has more than 20 years’ experience with branded merchandise, graphic design and product management.

NorthCountry Federal Credit Union promoted seven employees: Heather Baron, assistant branch manager; Rachel Kehoe, loan support; Reem Ladner, risk assessment specialist; Jeff Smith, lending manager; Holly Snider, support services specialist; Abbey Welch, loan officer; and Lynn Willis, accounting associate. The credit union also hired three tellers: Ria Byington, Torie Fitzgerald and Karrie Nelson.

James D. Miller, president and CEO of Merchants Trust Co., announced the hiring of two relationship managers. Andrea Dion will assist Miller in servicing client relationships. She has been in financial services for six years. David Armstrong will work with Kevin Farley, a trust officer. Armstrong has more than 10 years’ experience, five of them in trust and banking. Dion and Armstrong are Registered ParaPlanners.

James Hester, Vermont vice president of MVP Health Care, announced the appointment of Ronald J. Vance as director of sales for Vermont. Vance was with UPMC Health Plan in Pittsburgh.

David Donegan was promoted to membership manager at Vermont Public Television. Donegan joined VPT in 1999 as a member services representative. In 2003, he was promoted to pledge/events coordinator.

Bryce Gilmer joined the real estate team of Geri Reilly, the top Coldwell Banker agent in Vermont. Gilmer was Vermont sales manager for Harpoon Brewery.

Redstone real estate and development firm announced that Rachel DiGiammarino was promoted to director of operations and marketing after two years with the company. Billy Wilson was promoted to project assistant. Wilson was in Redstone’s property management division.

Central Vermont Medical Center announced that the Barre Health Center has moved into its new facility on South Main Street. The center includes Barre Internal Medicine Physician Practice, Barre Pediatrics Physician Practice and satellite CVMC Rehabilitative Services. The Medical Center’s rehabilitation services department has also moved, from the main campus into the former Harry’s building on the Barre-Montpelier Road.

Bruce Erwin will serve as interim CEO for Good News Garage New England. Erwin has been director of Good News Garage Vermont for two years.