In short

New Hires

Putney Inc., a pet pharmaceutical company in Portland, recently hired Ted Smolenski as vice president of strategic portfolio planning.

Two Lights Home Care, a personal care and companion agency in Cape Elizabeth, recently hired Dianne Fazio as manager.

Central Maine Orthopaedics in Auburn recently hired Kristy Smith as a health information technician.

GEI Consultants Inc., a Boston-based engineering firm, recently hired Lissa Robinson as a senior civil engineer, hydrogeologist and land planner at its Portland office.

The Cedars Auxiliary, the fundraising arm of The Cedars, a senior living facility in Portland, recently hired Suzie Berzinis as president.

Maine Street Solutions in Augusta, a public affairs and consulting service of Portland-based law firm Verrill Dana, recently hired Sara Vanderwood as a member. Previously, Vaderwood was chief of staff for the Senate Republican Office.

Manpower, a staffing service provider, recently hired Shannon Davis in its Bangor office as a staffing specialist responsible for light industrial and administrative positions in its Pittsfield to Presque Isle territory.

Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care in Lewiston recently hired Betsy Norcross Plourde as executive director.

Management Accounting In New England, a Brunswick-based accounting firm, recently hired Rhonda Guptill as an accountant.

Mercy Gorham Crossing, an affiliate of Mercy Health System of Maine, recently hired John Brewer as a primary care provider.

TD Bank recently hired Luke Libbey as small business relationship manager in Bangor.

Patrons Oxford Insurance Co. in Auburn recently hired Mark Pettingill as president.

Sanford Institution for Savings recently hired Anthony Cataldi as senior vice president and chief operating officer. Previously, Cataldi was COO at Macon Bank in Franklin, N.C.

Caleb Johnson Architects in Biddeford recently hired Michael Chestnutt as an architect and Dana Johnson as office manager.

Swiftcurrent Engineering Services in Yarmouth recently hired Stephen Berthiaume as a senior electrical designer.

Prime Mercedes in Scarborough recently hired David Waldecker and Kallie Newcomb as sales and leasing agents. Prime Toyota in Saco recently hired Devan Porter and Neil Brown as sales and leasing representatives. Prime Ford in Saco hired John Palladino and Mike Ducharme as sales and leasing representatives, and Prime Hyundai in Saco hired Sondra Allen as a sales and leasing representative.

Promotions

TD Bank recently promoted Dana Samson to vice president, portfolio manager III in commercial lending in Portland.

University Credit Union in Orono recently promoted Jay Fortier from business services officer to assistant vice president, member business services.

Appointments

The Nature Conservancy in Maine in Brunswick recently appointed Joseph Messler to its board of trustees.

The Acadia Hospital in Bangor recently appointed Anthony Ng as vice president and chief medical officer.

Pierce Atwood, a law firm in Portland, recently announced that partner Jared des Rosiers has been appointed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court as a trustee to the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection.

Charles Dingman, a partner with the Portland-based law firm Preti Flaherty, was recently appointed as the 2012 chair of the Campaign for Justice.

Joseph Ditré, the founding executive director of Consumers for Affordable Health Care in Augusta, was recently named to serve as a consumer liaison representative for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Denise Bisaillon, associate professor and director for graduate programs in the University of New England's Public Health in the College of Graduate Studies, was recently elected vice president of the Maine Public Health Association's board of directors.

The Children's Center, an early intervention and family support, private nonprofit organization in Augusta, recently appointed the following to its board of directors for 2012: Dana Hamilton, president; Patsy Garside Crockett, vice president; Elisa Paylor, treasurer; Don Lemieux, secretary; Elizabeth Pohl, director; Fernand LaRochelle, director; Randall Liberty, director; and Maria Hayes, director.

Mayo Street Arts, a community arts center in Portland, recently appointed Rob Schreiber to its board of directors.

Spotlight

Upper Valley Economic Council in Sherman recently announced the creation of a $44,000 revolving loan fund, funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The grant is designed to assist in local business development and job creation. It grant will also allow the council to provide loans at reasonable rates to small and emerging businesses that are unable to obtain credit through conventional sources. Loans will typically range from $2,000 to $5,000, with technical assistance available on an as-needed basis.

The council has partnered with Machias Savings Bank to assist with administering the funds.

Company News

The Bank of Maine recently hosted its first annual Focus on Philanthropy: The Art of Leadership program, which gave the following nonprofit directors a Leaders & Luminaries Award providing a total of $20,000 in grant money to their organizations: Vernon Moore, Counseling Services Inc.; Thomas Wright, Seeds of Independence; Barbara Covey, Kennebec Valley Dental Coalition Inc.; Susan Brackett, The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor; and grand prize winner Normand Rodgrique, Kennebec Land Trust.

Cristan Anderson, a general surgeon and cancer care liaison at Pen Bay Surgery in Rockport, was recently named a fellow by the American College of Surgeons.

Blue Marble Geographics, a software developer in Gardiner, recently announced it is offering improved support for the use of SEGY files within the Geographic Calculator v7.6 module.

The Maine Health Access Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $495,600 to the following organizations to provide expertise on health reform efforts: Consumers for Affordable Health Care Foundation, $125,000; Indian Township Tribal Government, $125,000; Maine Equal Justice Partners, $124,882; and Maine Medical Education Trust, $120,750.

The Planet Dog Foundation, Planet Dog's nonprofit arm, recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Maine Medical Center to help fund its therapy dog program for the next three years.

Total Community Manager, a donor management software program developer in Cape Elizabeth, recently announced the release of version 6.0.13, which adds a land trust manager and volunteer manager function.

Rebecca Ryder, president and CEO of Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, and Gilly Hitchcock, vice chair of the Franklin Community Health Network board of directors, were recently featured panelists at the New England Healthcare Assembly's annual trustee conference, “An Industry in Flux: Leadership Challenges for Hospital Trustees.”

U.S. Cellular recently announced the development of new cell sites in Smithfield, East Sumner and Lewiston.

Jean Hoffman, president and CEO of Putney Inc., a pet pharmaceutical company in Portland, recently spoke as an expert in generic animal pharmaceuticals at the World Animal Health Congress 2011.

Carol Emerson recently announced the launch of Custom House Business Services, a consulting business specializing in accounting, human resources, operations and personalized business coaching in Portland.

Swanson, Eshelman & Gamage, an accounting firm in Portland, recently announced it is now open for business.

The Corner Room Italian Kitchen and Bar in Portland recently announced it is serving Sunday brunch.

Mt. Abram Ski Area in Greenwood recently received a “D” Energy Box from Maine Energy Systems to heat the 5,500-square-foot base lodge using renewable and locally sourced wood pellets.

The Sheridan Corp., a construction firm with offices in Fairfield and Portland, recently completed a new headquarters and emergency response facility for Delta Ambulance in Waterville.

A Total Look Day Spa recently opened a second location in Scarborough.

Attorney David Strock, a partner in the Portland-based law firm Fisher & Phillips, recently joined National Labor Relations Board Regional Director Rosemary Pye at the Maine Bar Association's annual employment law update to lead a seminar about recent NLRB decisions addressing employee use of social media and what employers can do to understand the board's rulings and develop sound policies.

The design/build team of Consigli Construction Co. Inc. and Becker Structural Engineers Inc. have recently completed the exterior envelope restoration of the original MaineGeneral Hospital building at the Maine Medical Center.

The Nobleboro Historical Society was awarded a $92,505 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for restoration efforts. The grant requires matching funds of $116,000, of which $67,000 has been raised.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently awarded the following funding, provided through the Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, to improve access to health care and educational services in rural areas of Maine: $1,477,946 to Region Two School of Applied Technology in Houlton; $467,873 to Maine School Administrative District No. 75 in Topsham; $325,000 to Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice in Lewiston; $490,132 to Learning Disabilities Association of Maine in Waterville; $50,000 to Eastern Maine HomeCare in Caribou; $492,200 to Maine School Administrative District No. 3 in Unity; and $108,820 to Maine Sea Coast Missionary Society in Bar Harbor.

AlliedCook, a construction firm in Scarborough, recently completed a five-story addition to the Coliseum Senior Residence in Nashua, N.H.

Goldworks jeweler recently announced it is open for business at 33 Center St. in Auburn.

The Portland International Jetport recently announced that the Great American Bagel Bakery has moved to its new post-security location between Gates 4 and 5.

S&J Tuxedo recently announced it is open for business at 76 Sabattus St. in Lewiston.

Engineering firm Fay, Spofford & Thorndike recently announced it is open for business at 75 Washington Ave. in Portland.

Melissa Duffy, managing partner at Duffy Anderson Investment Management in Cumberland Foreside, recently attended the sixth-annual Barron's Winner's Circle Top Women Advisors Summit, hosted by Barron's magazine to promote best practices in the industry and the value of advice to the investing public.

Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway in Bangor recently partnered with Eastern Maine Community College to participate in a new program at the college. Eastern Maine Community College‘s Maine Hospitality Institute will provide students with associate degree options in culinary arts and hospitality and tourism management, in addition to short-term training in all facets of the hospitality industry.

The Portland Society of Architects recently was granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The new IRS designation recognizes PSA as a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization with educational efforts to promote the progress and economic development of greater Portland.

Moody's Collision Centers, an auto body repair shop, recently opened its newest location at 798 Main St. in Lewiston.

The Belfast Creative Coalition, a consortium comprised of the city of Belfast, Waterfall Arts and Our Town Belfast, announced it will receive a $50,000 grant through the Maine Arts Commission's Creative Communities = Economic Development grant program.

Urban Outfitters recently opened a 10,000-square-foot retail store in Portland.

Prime Motor Group, an automobile dealer, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark construction of a new facility for its Honda dealership on U.S. Route 1.

University of Maine industrial ecologist and certified Life Cycle Assessment professional Anthony Halog has received a $150,000 federal grant to create a comprehensive new online database to allow researchers, scientists and business people to assess ecological, social and economic implications of new and emerging products, starting with wood-based biofuels.

The First Bancorp in Damariscotta recently declared a quarterly dividend of 19.5 cents per share. This fourth-quarter dividend is payable Jan. 31, 2012 to shareholders of record as of Jan.6, and equal to the 19.5 cents per share declared in the previous 13 quarters.

Lisbon Community Federal Credit Union recently announced it is open for business at 802 Sabattus St. in Lewiston.

The Northeast Patients Group, a medical marijuana dispensary and wellness center, recently changed its name to Wellness Connection of Maine.

Accolades

The Androscoggin Land Trust recently awarded Kathy Eickenberg of the Maine Department of Conservation with its Elliott Bates Stewardship Award, and Tim DeMillo and Mary Howes of Otis Ventures with its inaugural Androscoggin Partner Award.

The Portland Development Corp. recently presented Planet Dog in Portland with its 2011 Small Business of the Year Award, and The VIA Agency with its 2011 Business of the Year Award.

The Jingle Bell EXPRESS aboard Maine Eastern Railroad in Rockland was recently featured in the December 2011 issue of Kiwanis Magazine.

Harriman, an architecture and engineering firm in Auburn, was a recipient of the 2011 Building New Hampshire Awards for its design of the new Idlehurst Elementary School in Somersworth, N.H.

Woodard & Curran, an engineering firm in Portland, recently announced that the wastewater treatment facility upgrade project it completed for the Paris Utility District received an Engineering Excellence Award from the Maine chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Custom Home Theater in Brunswick recently won two 2011 Mark of Excellence awards from The Consumer Electronics Association Tech's Home Division for achievement and innovation in custom home electronics for design and installation technologies.

Safe Voices, a domestic violence awareness organization, recently honored Gerald Cayer, executive vice president of Franklin Community Health Network, as a community hero for responding to No Excuses: A Call to Men, an initiative to engage men against domestic violence in Franklin County.

The American Heart Association recently awarded General Dynamics Armament, Technical Products and Maine Oxy with its Friendly Company recognition for promoting physical activity and health in the workplace.

Leslie Merrill, a staff member of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, was recently honored by the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project for her work with Maine immigrant families.

Verrill Dana, a law firm in Portland, recently announced that attorneys James Goggin and James Kilbreth have been named Local Litigation Stars in Benchmark Litigation's 2011 edition.

Berry Manor Inn in Rockland was recently selected as a Top Ten Inn from bestofbedandbreakfast.com.

Michael Womersley, a professor at Unity College in Unity, was recently presented with an Individual Merit Award from Maine Rural Partners, a nonprofit organization based in Orono. The organization also recognized the following for their service: Dana Doran, energy programs director at Kennebec Valley Community College; Milt Baston, Strong first selectman; Ken Morse, Healthy Oxford Hills Partnership director; and Tess Woods, Unity Barn Raisers executive director.

DeLorme, a navigation technology company an Yarmouth, recently announced that its inReach Satellite Communicator was chosen for a Gear of the Year award by Men's Journal magazine.

The Girl Scouts of Maine honored Pam Hurley-Moser, president and CEO of Hurley Travel Experts, as its 2012 Woman of Distinction.

Eaton Peabody, a law firm in Bangor, recently announced that attorneys Berney Kubetz, Dan McKay, Matt Raynes and Matt Worthen were top rated by Super Lawyers New England Magazine in 13 areas of practice.