IN SHORT

New hires

Northeast Bank in Lewiston hired Brad Heritage as senior vice president, business development in its SBA lending division. Heritage was director of borrower sales and sales productivity at Funding Circle USA in San Francisco.

Katahdin Trust in Hampden hired John Frohock as vice president, managed assets officer.

Northern Outdoors in The Forks hired Luke DiSilvestro as Penobscot River manager.

Camden National Bank hired Nicole Gogan as assistant vice president, treasury management sales advisor and government banking. Gogan was previously deputy director of economic development for the city of Brewer.

Kleinschmidt Associates, an energy and natural resource consulting firm in Pittsfield, hired Glen DeWillie as senior manager of developing markets. DeWillie will be based in the firm's office in Portland, Ore.

Benchmark Residential & Investment Real Estate in Portland hired Rob Dee, RJ Pettis, Erin Oldham, Debrah Yale and Lianne Mitchell.

Systems Engineering, an IT strategy and managed services provider in Portland, hired Eric Tennyson as director of finance and administration and Christine Doucette as quality assurance manager. Tennyson was previously director of international finance at WEX Inc. while Doucette was most recently a coach in the Central Maine Healthcare process improvement department.

Macpage LLC, an accounting firm in South Portland, hired Nadia Batishcheva as an accounting associate. Batishcheva was previously a senior accountant at Infinity Credit Union.

Consigli Construction Co. Inc. in Portland hired Thomas Weeks as project executive and Kevin Morse as purchaser.

Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader hired Jennifer McGaughey in its Auburn office and Erin Herrick as an associate broker in its Scarborough office.

Promotions

Chewonki, a school, camp and environmental education organization in Wiscasset, promoted Susan Feibelman to head of Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki. Feibelman joined the faculty at the school last year as a U.S. history teacher.

Coffee By Design in Portland promoted Nathan Hann to director of training for its five retail locations. Hann previously worked in production.

Geiger, a promotional products distributor in Lewiston, promoted Linda Jones to key customer specialist. Jones was previously a partnership assurance manager.

Unity College promoted Erika Latty to chief academic officer. Latty, a forest ecologist who specializes in the effects of introduced tree disease on forest structure, previously served as the dean of the college's School of Environmental Citizenship.

Town & Country Federal Credit Union in Scarborough promoted Betsy St. Pierre to human resources manager, Heather Savage to consumer loans manager, Esther Birkinbine to cards services manager, Michael McIver to information technology manager and Eric Wright to systems administrator. St. Pierre was previously retail services manager, Savage was senior loan officer, Birkinbine was senior card services specialist, McIver was network administrator and Wright was system support specialist.

University of Maine System promoted Rebecca Wyke to president of the University of Maine at Augusta. Wyke, who served as president of the university for six months in 2015, is currently serving as the System's vice chancellor for finance and administration.

Systems Engineering, an IT strategy and managed services provider in Portland, promoted Mark Benton to director of product management.

Appointments

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association, a statewide organization of commercial real estate owners, developers and related service providers, elected Josh Fifield to its board of directors. Fifield is a senior account executive in the Business Insurance Department of Clark Insurance in Portland.

The First Bancorp, parent company of First National Bank in Damariscotta, elected Mark Rosborough as vice chairman of its board of directors. Rosborough, who has served as a director of the company and the bank since the completion of the merger of FNB Bankshares in 2005, is president of J.T. Rosborough Insurance Agency in Ellsworth and is also a partner in Rosborough Family Limited Partnership, Penrose and TISA.

Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport elected Timothy Griffin and Daniel Kleban to the board of directors. Griffin is an associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, while Kleban is co-founder of Maine Beer Co. in Freeport.

The Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk elected Barbara Finkelstein to its board of directors. Finkelstein is president of York County Community College in Wells.

The Maine Society of CPAs elected Karla Brannen as president of the organization's board of governors. Brannen is a tax manager at Albin, Randall & Bennett, an accounting and consulting firm in Portland.

Achievements

Penobscot Community Health Care in Bangor announced its Postgraduate Year One Community Pharmacy Residency Program earned reaccreditation from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

David Jenks and Dominic Benvenuti, owners of 35 Domino's Pizza locations in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, were awarded the “International Franchise Association Gold Franny Award” for operational excellence for a sixth time.

CES Inc., a firm of engineers, environmental scientists and land surveyors in Brewer, received the “Richard J. Haines Award for Safety Excellence” from the Maine Chamber Group Trust. The company also announced that David Chapman received licensure as a state of Maine Certified Geologist. Chapman is based in the firm's Lewiston office.

The Institute for Family-Owned Business, in partnership with MEMIC, recently presented its annual awards. OceanView at Falmouth received the “HUB/Norton Insurance and Financial Services Environmental Leadership Award;” Puritan Medical Products, “People's United Bank Innovation and Technology Award;” Custom Composite Technologies Inc., “Holiday Inn by the Bay First Generation Award;” Hanson Enterprises LLC, “Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award;” Geaghan's Pub and Craft Brewery, “The Shep Lee Community Service Award;” Highland Avenue Greenhouse of Scarborough, “Maddy Corson Small Business Award;” and Capozza Tile and Floor Covering Center, “Renys Large Business of the Year.”

Harriman, a design and engineering firm with offices in Portland, announced it was selected by the Fall River Redevelopment Authority to develop two master plans for Fall River, Mass. The first is an urban renewal plan for the waterfront and the second is an urban renewal plan for the downtown.

Josh Rich, JL Rich Timber Harvesting, was named the “2017 Entrepreneur of the Year” in the Aroostook Partnership Entrepreneur of the Year competition. Bruce Sargent, Falcon Transportation,was first runner-up while Cameron Clark, Cameron's Lawncare and Chainsaw Carving, and Peter Chase, Buildings Etcetera, tied for second runner-up.

The U.S. Olympic Committee recognized Carlisle Academy in Lyman as an official Paralympic Sports Club. The academy works with those with disabilities to develop equestrian skills through a number of training programs.

GHM Insurance in Waterville was named to The Hanover Insurance Group's President's Club, for delivering value to its customers through insurance expertise and responsive service. The firm was one of 125 independent agencies recognized across the country.

The National Arbor Day Foundation recognized Central Maine Power Co., a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc., as a Tree Line USA Utility for 2016.

The Partnership for a Healthier America named MaineHealth one of five finalists for the “PHA Partner of the Year Award.” This award is presented to a partner who is working to ensure the health of our nation's youth, making healthier choices more affordable and accessible to families and children across the country. The winner will be announced in November.

Bert Languet, vice president of Golden Wealth Management in Waterville, attended the 2017 Maine State Bar Association Elder Law and Estate Planning Institute.

United Way of York County presented its “Elise Kittredge Award” to the Eagleson Family, which operates Baker in Sanford. The award recognizes a volunteer who has helped the organization effect long-lasting changes in the community.

The Meadowmere Resort in Ogunquit was awarded “Best Hotels for Families in 2017” by Family Vacation Critic, TripAdvisor's family travel site.

United Way of Mid-Maine in Waterville announced recipients of its Community Impact Awards. New Ventures Maine won the “Spirit of Partnership Award;” Mark Tanner and Jackie and John Dalton, “Spirit of Mid-Maine Award;” Lynne Dailey, “Volunteer of the Year (Chester A. Baker) Award;” Barbara Covey, Denise Plante and Jackie Dalton, “Women's Leadership Award;” and Boy Scout Troop 417, “Youth Leadership Award.”

The state of Maine received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report. The Office of the State Controller, a bureau of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, is responsible for preparing the report on behalf of the state.

Coastal Enterprises Inc., a Brunswick-based mission-driven investor specializing in rural economic development in Maine and the United States, said it received a four-star impact performance rating with Policy Plus and AA- financial strength and performance rating from Aeris, a national rating and information service.

Amica Insurance in Portland announced its corporate communications team earned a “Best of Category Award” and a “Gold Award” in the print advertisement/promotional category at the Horizon Interactive Awards, an international interactive media awards competition.

Maine Credit Union League presented its annual awards. Dave Leclerc, chair of the board at Atlantic Federal Credit Union was named the “Alexander Ferguson Award for Outstanding Credit Union Volunteer;” George Roy, president/CEO of Lisbon Community Federal Credit Union, “James M. Gratto Award for Outstanding Credit Union CEO;” Beverly Wallace, member service representative at TruChoice Federal Credit Union, “Jeannette G. Morin Award for Outstanding Credit Union Employee;” and Stacey Dow, executive assistant at Maine State Credit Union, “Diane L. Oceretko 'People Helping People' Award.”

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association announced the recipients of its 2016 Notable Projects Awards including Forefront Partners for Brick North at Thompson's Point in Portland, Avesta Housing's Ridgewood at Village Square in Gorham, Community Housing of Maine's Village Centre in Brewer, Anew Development's Meetinghouse Lofts Condominiums in South Portland, Southern Maine Affordable Housing and Biddeford Housing for their collaborative effort at Mission Hill in Biddeford, Avesta Housing for the Young Street Apartments in South Berwick, The Szanton Co. for The Lofts at Saco Falls in Biddeford, Sebasticook River Partners' Sebasticook River Apartments in Newport, Priority Real Estate Group's Wayfair at Brunswick Landing and Risbara Properties LLC for Blue Spruce Farm Apartments, Waterside Apartments and Island View Apartments in Westbrook.

CFRE International announced that Joleen Bedard, executive director at United Way of Androscoggin County in Lewiston, achieved CFRE designation. Individuals granted designation met a series of standards including tenure in the profession, education and demonstrated fundraising achievement for not-for-profit organizations.

The Board of Maine Emergency Medical Services presented NorthStar employee Carol Pillsbury with its “Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Baker Newman Noyes, an accounting and consulting firm in Portland, said that Janet Hodgdon was the 2017 recipient of the “Healthcare Financial Management Association Founders Medal of Honor” for her service to the association and to the health care finance profession. Hodgdon is director of health care development at the firm.

The Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce held its first membership awards banquet. Winners included Hid'n Pines Family Campground, “Employer of the Year;” Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution, “Business of the Year;” Larry Mead, town manager of Old Orchard Beach, “Excellence in Municipal Leadership;” Dickinson's Candy Factory, “Tourism Leadership and Growth;” Pat Brown and Helene Whittaker, “Volunteers of the Year;” and Louise Reid, assistant town manager of Old Orchard Beach, “Hall of Fame Award.”

Rudman Winchell, Counselors at Law in Bangor said that four of its attorneys were recognized by Chambers and Partners, a worldwide legal rankings firm, for excellence in their respective practice areas. David King was recognized in litigation including medical malpractice and insurance, Frank McGuire in labor and employment, William Hanson in Real Estate including Timberland/Conservation and Curtis Kimball in corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Pierce Atwood, a law firm in Portland, announced that 27 of its attorneys were recognized by Chambers and Partners, a worldwide legal rankings firm, for excellence in their respective practice areas. In addition, Randy Rich, energy and natural resources, and Robert Stier, for IP work in Sweden, were included in Chambers' Global Guide; the firm received No. 1 rankings in all six practice areas evaluated in the state; and the firm was included in Band 1, the highest ranking available, for environmental law.

Tree Street Youth, a youth organization in Lewiston, named Reshid Shankol its “Sapwood Individual Award” winner; The Career Center its “Sapwood Organization Award” winner; Deborah Lewis its “Heartwood Individual Award” winner and Wayfinder Schools its “Heartwood Organization Award” winner.

The Maine State Bar Association honored Rebecca Irving with its “Caroline Duby Glassman Award.” The award recognizes the accomplishments of a woman in the Maine Bar who has excelled in the profession, paved the way to success for other women lawyers and worked to advance the position of women in the legal profession and the public. Irving, who retired in 2016, was appointed by the Joint Council as the chief judge of the Passamaquoddy Tribal Court and continues in that capacity today.

William Harwood was honored with the “Hon. Edmund S. Muskie Access to Justice Award” for his leadership in the community and the impact he has had in furthering access to justice. Harwood is a partner at Verrill Dana, a law firm in Portland. The firm also said it was listed as a “notable firm” in Maine for its intellectual property practice in Managing Intellectual Property's 2017 IP Stars Guide. In addition, attorneys James Goggin and Tim Shannon were individually recognized on both the patent and trademark lists for the third consecutive year.

Bernstein Shur, a law firm in Portland, announced it earned top ratings in Chambers and Partners, a worldwide legal rankings firm. The firm received the highest possible ranking in three practice areas: corporate mergers and acquisitions, energy and natural resources and real estate. In addition, 25 of the firm's attorneys were recognized and five were ranked in the top band in their areas of practice including Robert Keach, “Star Individual” for his bankruptcy practice; Charles Miller, Gordon Grimes and Nathan Smith, “Senior Statesman;” and Patrick Scully, “Eminent Practitioner.”