IN SHORT

New hires

Maine Career Connect, a hiring and retention program of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, hired Ula Polsky to run its recently created Southern Maine program.

The Boulos Co., a commercial real estate firm in Portland, hired John Meador as associate broker. Meador previously served as a founding principal of the Seyon Group of Boston.

Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader in Auburn hired Kayla Caldwell as a team member in Scarborough.

Skelton Taintor & Abbott, a law firm in Auburn, hired William Skelton as a shareholder practicing in the areas of real estate and title matters, elder law and corporate and business law. Skelton has 20 years of experience in title law.

Day One, an agency in South Portland dedicated to addressing substance use and mental health needs among children and young adults, hired Jeffrey Aalberg as medical director. Aalberg has experience in research, system development, person-focused health care and quality improvement.

Gartley & Dorsky Engineering & Surveying Inc. in Camden hired Stephen Mischissin as senior mechanical engineer, Paul Curtis as structural project engineer and Alyssa Gartley as civil design engineer.

Maine Conservation Voters and Maine Conservation Alliance in Augusta hired Kathleen Meil as director of policy and partnerships. Meil, who will be managing the Environmental Priorities Coalition and the Clean Energy for All program, was previously with Acadia Center.

Coffee By Design in Portland hired Jeremy Behne as director of coffee and wholesale operations. Behne was most recently director of coffee for Larry's Coffee Co. in Raleigh, N.C.

The Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center in Farmington hired Tammy White as breast care support nurse. White has 18 years of nursing experience, most recently in Franklin Memorial Hospital's Day Surgery Unit.

Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates in South Portland hired Caitlin Spain as a medical aesthetician at Skin Solutions. Spain, who is certified as an oncology and acne aesthetician, was with the Plastic Surgery Center and Spa in Portland.

Tedford Housing, a nonprofit agency in Brunswick whose mission is to find lasting solutions to the challenges of homelessness, hired Thessa de Hollander as case management services coordinator and Anthony Lamarr as supportive housing case manager for Lewiston, Auburn and Augusta.

OTELCO, a telecommunications provider New Gloucester, hired Donna Fatum and Joshua Stanley as technical support representatives in Bangor.

Maine People Before Politics in Augusta hired Michael Hersey as director of operations and Julie Rabinowitz as director of policy and communications.

Norway Savings Bank hired Nathan Franck as vice president, commercial credit manager. Franck has nine years of banking experience.

Kennebunkport Resort Collection hired Margaret Ybarra as director of marketing and Melissa Mitchell as content creator. Ybarra was previously principal marketing strategist with IMPACT Branding & Design while Mitchell was marketing coordinator at Sea Bags.

The Maine Heritage Policy Center in Portland hired Adam Crepeau as policy analyst. Crepeau was previously a special assistant to former Maine Gov. Paul LePage and a legislative aide in the 128th Maine Legislature.

GAC Chemical Corp. in Searsport hired Shawn Albert as senior sales manager. Albert most recently was northeast regional manager for Buckman, a privately owned global specialty chemical company serving the pulp and paper industry.

Jensen Baird Gardner & Henry, a law firm in Portland, hired Benjamin McCall and Sharra Inglis as associates. McCall and is a member of the firm's government services and land use and permitting practice groups and Inglis is a member of the firm's real estate practice group.

Chalmers Insurance Group in Bridgton hired Katie Piper as personal lines new business sales manager. Piper has 17 years of insurance experience.

United Way of Greater Portland hired Diane Horvath as senior vice president of technology and operations. Horvath was previously a management consultant in procurement and sourcing for BDO Canada.

The Institute for Family-Owned Business in Portland hired Brooke Stewart as director of communications. Stewart was race team manager for Ronnie Stewart Racing, a professional supercross and motocross team.

Spurwink, a Portland-based nonprofit offering a broad range of mental health, education and residential services, hired Emily Silevinac as director of annual giving. Silevinac was previously with the American Diabetes Association where she directed the Kennebunks Tour de Cure.

Promotions

Maine Heritage Policy Center in Portland promoted Jacob Posik to director of communications. Posik was previously a policy analyst.

Jensen Baird Gardner & Henry, a law firm in Portland, promoted Casey McCormack to shareholder. McCormack is a member of the firm's business services and real estate practice groups.

Diversified Communications, an international media company in Portland, promoted Mary Larkin to president of the company's U.S. operating division. Larkin was previously executive vice president. The company also announced the promotion of Missy Byrne Ayotte to manager, marketing analytics; Sokvonny Chhouk, graphic designer; Danielle Dyer, Anne Hebson and Kat McDonald, account executives; Jessica Eames, senior conference coordinator; Jenn Jipson, senior financial analyst; Amy Jordon, operations project manager; Adrianne Madden, conference project manager; Dana Maletzke, vice president, human resources; Kara O'Brien, project manager; Tom Sleeter, senior web developer; Aly Stanton, conference manager; CJ Webber, web developer; and Jason Zecchinelli, director, marketing technology and data.

Katahdin Trust in Houlton promoted Bradley Berthiaume to senior vice president, financial consultant. Berthiaume has 15 years of financial services experience.

Eaton Peabody, a law firm in Bangor, announced that Janna Gau and Michael Tadenev were made shareholders. Gau represents both private and public sector clients in the defense and prosecution of claims relating to construction, commercial and banking, employment, equine and agriculture, and professional liability and insurance related litigation while Tadenev works with businesses and individuals in the areas of real estate law, asset preservation, estate planning and general business matters.

Town & Country FCU in Scarborough promoted Lisa Bellefleur to vice president of mortgage lending. Bellefleur was previously mortgage services liaison.

Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution promoted Melissa Boilard, Alie DiCarlo and Joe Reardon to vice presidents; Lisa Bowdler, Jena Walton, Julie Cyr, Andrew Grantham, John Mondor, Matt Grenier and Sarah Gonneville to assistant vice presidents; Jean Cosgrove to floating customer care officer; and Casey Dunham to a customer relationship associate.

The Maine Community Foundation in Ellsworth promoted Lelia DeAndrade to vice president of community impact. DeAndrade was previously senior director of grant-making services.

Sevee & Maher Engineers in Cumberland promoted Brian Pierce and Lisa Jacob to principal. Pierce is the firm's chief engineer while Jacob is a senior geologist and geophysicist.

First National Bank and its parent company, First Bancorp in Damariscotta, promoted Tiffany Dow to branch operations manager. Dow most recently was assistant branch manager in Bar Harbor.

Appointments

Tedford Housing, a nonprofit agency in Brunswick whose mission is to find lasting solutions to the challenges of homelessness, elected Patti Lawton and Andrew Lardie to its board of directors. Lawton is a realtor at Sotheby's International Realty while Lardie is associate director at Bowdoin College McKeen Center for the Common Good. In addition, Field Griffith was elected treasurer of the board.

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Boston announced that Robert Turner was elected chairman of the board of governors. Turner, a Windham native, has been a member of the hospital board for eight years, most recently serving as vice chairman. Turner joined Anah Shrine in Bangor 2001 and served as Potentate of Anah Shriners in 2016.

Berman and Simmons, a law firm in Lewiston, said attorney Susan Faunce was elected to serve as the Women's Law Section representative on the Maine State Bar Association board of governors. This member-run committee provides women lawyers a forum to network, explore professional development opportunities and discuss issues of interest to women attorneys. Faunce represents client claims involving personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death and dangerous drugs and medical devices.

Maine People Before Politics in Augusta added former Maine Governor Paul R. LePage to serve as the organization's honorary chair.

Verrill Dana, a law firm in Portland, said that attorney Elizabeth Connellan Smith accepted reappointment as the American Bar Association labor and employment track coordinator for the workers' compensation programming to be presented at the 2019 Labor and Employment Law Annual Meeting, representing the defense/employer.

The Women Presidents' Organization, an international peer advisory group for women-led companies, inducted Tabitha Swanson to the Portland Chapter. Requirements for induction include an annual revenue of at least $2 million and an ownership interest in the company. Swanson is CEO of The Swanson Group, a tax, accounting and consulting firm in Westbrook.

Waterville Creates!, an arts and cultural organization in Waterville, elected Jim LaLiberty as chair of its board of directors. LaLiberty is an attorney at Jabar, LaLiberty & Dubord LLC. The organization also added Don Cragen, professor and chair of the H. Allen Ryan School of Business at Thomas College, and Debra Susi, a teacher and arts educator, to its board.

Spurwink, a Portland-based nonprofit offering a broad range of mental health, education and residential services, said that Eric Meyer, president and CEO, joined United Way of Greater Portland's Thrive2027 Goal 3 Cabinet. Thrive2027 is Portland's commitment to three, 10-year goals. Meyer joins in the third goal: Help Us All Live Longer, Better so that by 2027, we reduce preventable premature deaths by 10%. In addition, the organization announced that Sarah Ferris, director of refugee services, was nominated to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Steering Committee.

Achievements

Geiger, a promotional products distributor in Lewiston, announced several of its associates earned Promotional Products Association International Certification demonstrating a commitment to both business excellence and continual professional growth. Amy Hill, Debra McCampbell, Ronald Seguin, Allen Whitman, Nicole Ross, Julie Rheinhart, Corey Dill, Joanne Hadfield, Winter Thatcher, Pamela Delcourt, Casey Conroy, Katlin Saltzer, Diane Melanson, Jason Dix, Holly Miller, Jessica Harvey, Ann-Marie Payne, Karly Bunkowske, Nicole Wiczynski, Wanda Castonguay, Amanda Bryant, Andrew Parker and Gloria Arita earned certification of Certified Advertising Specialist while Charly Dion, Alicia Doyle, Pat Paiton-Small, Leo Nieter, Patti Gallant and Dawn Byrnes earned certification of Master Advertising Specialist.

Harbor Candy Shop in Ogunquit said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals selected its Velvet Box Truffles as the “Top Vegan Chocolate Boxes” from stores across the U.S.

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center Foundation recently recognized individuals, organizations and businesses for supporting its “Champion the Cure Challenge,” the largest cancer fundraising event in eastern and northern Maine including Deborah Carey Johnson, honorary chair; Parker Brown, “Youth Champion;” Michele Campbell, “Terry Fox Award;” Mt. Waldo Plastics, “Corporate Champion;” Deb Neuman, “Volunteer of the Year;” and Ntension, “Community Champion.”

Skelton Taintor & Abbott, a law firm in Auburn, said attorney Jordan Payne Hay presented at the conference, “I'm ready for a raise: Cracking the millennial code,” held at the Gendron Franco Center in Lewiston. Other presenters were David Pease, senior vice president and director of talent, diversity and inclusion at Bangor Savings Bank, and James Brissenden, director of business development at Clark Insurance. Hay, Pease and Brissenden provided practical advice on inter-generational conversations and gave some insight into how to address the questions and concerns of millennials.

RE/MAX Shoreline in Portland said the Ranello Group was included in the “RE/MAX LLC Platinum Club” based on its 2018 performance.

Patrons Oxford Insurance in Portland said Brenda Neal earned the Certified Insurance Counselor designation from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research and Rhonda Volkernick was awarded the professional insurance designation Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter by The Institutes. Neal is a senior underwriter in personal lines for the firm while Volkernick is a senior underwriter.