In short from April 4, 2011 | A roundup of new hires, promotions, accolades and appointments from Maine's business community

New Hires

Jobg8 North America in Portland, a web-based marketplace for online job boards, recently hired Link Stevens as marketing director.

Preti Flaherty, a law firm in Portland, recently hired John Cronan as an associate in its litigation and workers’ compensation practice group. Previously, Cronan was a paralegal at Litigation Group in Boston.

Garrand, a communications agency in Portland, recently promoted Margaret Ervin to account manager of InTouch, the company’s experiential marketing division.

Clark Insurance in Portland recently hired Jon Paul as a personal insurance agent.

Pro Search Inc., an employment firm in Portland, recently hired Kim O’Grady as a senior IT recruiter.

Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, an accounting firm in Portland, recently hired David Kennedy as a manager in the firm’s health care/not-for-profit group.

True North, a nonprofit health care practice and research organization in Falmouth, recently hired Alice Guidi, a licensed clinical social worker, as an affiliate practitioner.

Guiding Stars Licensing Co. in Scarborough, a nutrition guidance program, recently hired Sue Till as client services manager.

Northcross Group, a management and technology consulting services firm in Portland, recently hired Brian Bakke as a business development manager.

Charter Oak Capital Management, an investment firm in Kennebunk and Portland, recently hired Karen Zaramba as a senior financial adviser and Marny Swindell as a client service associate.

People’s United Bank recently hired Amy Freeman as senior commercial credit analyst in its commercial lending department at 201 Main St. in Bangor.

L/A Arts, Lewiston-Auburn’s local arts agency, recently hired Odelle Bowman as executive director.

Camden Financial Consultants, located at Camden National Bank, recently hired Amanda Bost as a financial consultant.

The Maine Community Foundation recently hired Cathy Melio as program officer for midcoast and Down East Maine.

Onpoint Health Data, a health data management and research services organization in Portland, recently hired Len Allen as director of information services and chief database architect.

The Chewonki Foundation, an environmental education foundation, recently hired Ann Carson as head of the Chewonki Semester School, a college preparatory academic and experiential program for high school juniors on the Chewonki campus in Wiscasset.

Patient Advocates, a health care system service provider in Gray, recently hired Paul Lowd as a customer service representative.

Tilson Technology Management, an information technology project management company in Portland, recently hired Jeremy Downs as a construction manager and Elizabeth Mackie as a job cost accountant.

Nancy Marshall Communications, a public relations and marketing firm in Augusta, recently hired Matthew Rideout as interactive marketing manager.

U.S. Cellular recently hired Christopher Gordon as sales manager for its retail store in Farmington.

Trask-Decrow Machinery, a sales and service provider of portable construction equipment, industrial pumps and air-compressors in South Portland, recently hired Louise Douglas to its administrative team.

Promotions

Norway Savings Bank recently promoted Kati Chandler to branch manager of its Exchange Street, Portland office.

The MEMIC Group, a workers’ compensation insurer in Portland, recently promoted Michael Bourque to senior vice president for external affairs.

TD Bank recently promoted Matthew Gilbert to vice president, commercial portfolio loan officer in commercial lending in Auburn and Shonna Eisenhower to store manager of its branch in West Standish.

People’s United Bank recently promoted Angela Butler, senior vice president, to commercial loan team leader of its branch at 201 Main St. in Bangor.

Northcross Group, a management and technology consulting services firm in Portland, recently promoted Vaida Lowell to operations manager.

Tilson Fiber Technology in Portland recently promoted Amy Hayes to program manager of its Three Ring Binder project.

Appointments

Christopher Tyll was recently appointed by Maine Senate President Kevin Raye as a member of Maine’s Commission to Protect the Lives and Health of Members of the Maine National Guard.

The Portland Arts and Technology High School recently appointed Michael Johnson, principal of Portland High School, director.

Gov. Paul LePage recently nominated Thomas Welch as commissioner of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Darryl Brown, commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, recently appointed the following to a senior leadership team: Patricia Aho, deputy commissioner; Teco Brown, director of the Bureau of Land and Water; and Samantha DePoy-Warren, director of education and outreach.

The College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor recently appointed Richard Borden as chair in the humanities.

Midcoast Magnet recently appointed the following to its board of directors: Amber Heffner, president of Little Harbor Technology in Rockland, president; Amanda Roberson Austin, principal of 2A Architects in Rockport, vice president; Lori Roming, research and program officer at Unity Foundation in Unity, secretary; and George Callas, principal of Build Green Maine in Brooks, treasurer.

PORTopera recently appointed Patricia Bredenberg, David Hines, Larry Soule and Candice Lee as board members.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association recently elected Connie Dedam, a certified kitchen and bath designer and certified interior designer at Interiors By Details in Ellsworth, to its exam development subcommittee.

Spotlight

Biovation, a manufacturer of antimicrobial formulations and non-woven fiber products for food packaging and wound care in Boothbay, recently announced it has been selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop a special boot-drying technology, according to a press release from the company.

The technology includes a super-absorbent liner integrated with a bag into which Marines can place wet boots for overnight drying. The eight-month contract calls for Biovation to develop a prototype for field-testing by Marines. Biovation will develop the prototype at its Boothbay facility and anticipates hiring one to two new employees to fulfill the contract.

The bag will feature a non-woven fabric layer that acts as a moisture scavenger. Marines will carry the portable bag in their backpacks.

Company News

The Civic Center Board of Trustees, with the support of Cumberland County officials, selected Portland-based architectural firm SMRT to develop a conceptual architectural/engineering design for the renovation of the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Albin, Randall & Bennett, an accounting firm in Portland, recently announced it has been accepted as the exclusive member in Maine of the Real Estate & Construction Advisors Association, a nationwide association of CPA firms.

The Portland Museum of Art was recently awarded two grants totaling $285,000 to support the Winslow Homer Studio Campaign from the Henry Luce Foundation.

Refill Management Systems, a provider of software that manages a medication refill process in Yarmouth, intends to work with Maine organizations to integrate its Protocol Rx into their workflow.

Gifford’s Ice Cream, headquartered in Skowhegan, opened for the season on March 18.

Port City Architecture recently announced that employee Evan Carroll has become a Maine licensed architect. The Portland Society of Architects also recognized Carroll as its featured member.

Andrew Stone recently announced the launch of MyNetKing.com, a professional business networking website.

Sebago Brewing Co. in Gorham recently announced that its Single Batch Series release, Bourbon Barrel Aged Lake Trout Stout, is now available.

Rudman & Winchell Counselors at Law in Bangor recently announced the rebranding of the law firm, including changing its name to Rudman Winchell Counselors at Law and the launch of its new website, www.rudmanwinchell.com.

The U.S. Navy recently awarded a $7.8 million contract to General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products for procurement of 22 M61A2 20mm Lightweight Gatling Gun Systems for the F/A-18E/F fighter aircraft program. Approximately half of the work will be done at General Dynamics’ Saco Defense facility in Saco. The U.S. Navy also announced plans to invest about $100 million in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery and awarded Bath Iron Works a $28 million contract award to purchase materials to be used in the construction of the second DDG-1000 ship.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation and United Way Worldwide recently announced that the Maine Centers for Women, Work, and Community will receive $125,000 over a two-year period to add modules on investing and retirement planning to their basic money management curriculum; integrate financial planning and investing skills as core competencies in their work force development programs; and create more effective marketing and promotional tools to support their work.

The Maine Technology Institute board of directors recently approved a $50,000 award to the Manufacturers Association of Maine and it is matched by a co-investment of $61,152. The award will allow the association to identify which businesses are already serving the medical device industry, what is keeping others from competing and how Maine businesses can work together to be more successful in securing contracts and subcontracts.

Newport-based Bowman Constructors recently acquired Hardy Construction of Winterport, previously owned by Todd Hardy. The acquisition adds two superintendents and four craftspeople to Bowman Constructors, along with Hardy, who brings expertise in project management and business development.

Verso Paper Corp.’s Androscoggin Mill in Jay recently supplied all of the paper for this year’s Maine Tourism Association magazine, Maine Invites You: Maine’s Official Tourism Planner. More than 300,000 copies of the tourism magazine are distributed internationally and throughout the state in response to visitor inquiries.

Eco-story, an LED lighting provider in Portland, recently announced it has added LED refrigerated case lighting fixtures to its portfolio of products.

The Maine Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the town of Kittery and the Kittery Port Authority, have received $242,766 in competitive grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to construct a pier, ramp and float system that will create new docking space for 12 transient boats. Grant recipients will match this award with $90,000.

Time Warner Cable in Portland recently announced the launch of the TWCable TVapp for the Apple iPad, allowing video customers to stream live linear television to the device at no additional charge.

Chimani, a developer of mobile applications for iPhone, iPad and Android in Yarmouth, recently announced the launch of its Grand Canyon app, a complete resource for exploring Grand Canyon National Park.

Quantrix, a business modeling and analytics provider in Portland, recently announced the release of version 4.0 of its Quantrix Modeler business modeling and analytics software solution. New features include the ability to publish models to the cloud, dramatic improvement in calculation speed and the ability for users to write their own scripts to drive models.

Katahdin Bankshares Corp., parent company of Katahdin Trust Co. in Houlton, recently reported 2010 earnings of $4.7 million.

Penobscot Island Air, a six-year-old air service operating out of Knox County Regional Airport in Owls Head, recently performed its 500th island medevac flight.

KICTeam, a manufacturer of cleaning cards in Auburn, recently announced the release of two new cleaning cards designed to remove paper flash, dirt, oils, adhesive buildup and other contaminates that impair thermal printer receipts or labels. KICTeam also announced the launch of KICTeam Canada to supply technical cleaning products to all of Canada, operating out of an office in Surrey. B.C., and a logistics hub in Mississauga, Ont.

Allen Insurance and Financial in Camden recently announced that employee Scott Carlson has received his state license to sell insurance.

The Maine Technology Institute recently awarded the following seed grants: Campbell Compost in Litchfield, $12,500, match $16,412; EcoSeaTile in Mount Desert, $12,500, match $19,820; Micro Technologies Inc. in Richmond, $12,500, match $12,710; The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, $12,500, match $13,385; Yeti Skis in Veazie, $12,500, match, $19,90; Nyle Systems in Brewer, $12,500, match $49,740; Baseline US in Waterville, $12,500, match $25,000; SeaChange Group in Cape Elizabeth, $7,510, match $7,900; Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, $12,500, match $14,748; i-helpuexhibit in Naples, $12,500, match $38,000; Woodfords Family Services in Westbrook, $12,500, match $13,000; and Chimani in Yarmouth, $5,000, match $5,000.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently certified workers at Katahdin Paper Co. as eligible to receive Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits if they are needed.

The First Bancorp in Damariscotta recently declared a quarterly dividend of 19.5 cents per share. This first-quarter dividend, which is payable April 29 to shareholders of record as of April 6, is equal to the 19.5 cents per share declared in the previous 10 quarters.

Wright Express Corp. in South Portland recently announced a new matching program for its associates who donate time and money to charitable organizations. For associates who donate financially, the company will match dollar for dollar, up to $100 per year, an associate’s contribution to a charitable organization. Associates who volunteer at least 25 hours per year will have their time matched at a rate of $2 per hour. In addition, the company will pay associates’ cost of participation in charitable events.

Integrated Construction Services Inc., a provider of structural steel and miscellaneous metals erection services in Bangor, recently announced it is open for business.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent was recently selected as a member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance, which will allow University of Maine at Fort Kent biology faculty to attend National Genomics Research Initiative training sessions this spring and summer, and to adopt a course curriculum for implementation next fall.

Savvy Inc., a public relations firm in Portland, has been hired by the Coaliton to Protect New York to help organize opposition to a method of gas drilling called high-volume hydraulic fracturing, which injects chemicals, water and sand deep into the ground to break up shale deposits and release methane gas.

Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor recently announced its medical assistant program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Spectrum Medical Group in South Portland, a physician-owned, multi-specialty practice with more than 150 board-certified physicians, recently announced it has established a partnership with St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston to provide the hospital with pathology services.

The Washington Hancock Community Agency recently announced it will receive a $150,000 loan and $37,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. Under the program, funds are provided to an intermediary who re-lends it to entrepreneurs and offers technical assistance.

Bangor Savings Bank recently donated $56,000 to the Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Auburn.

Lighthouse Imaging Corp., a developer of endoscopes, endoscope adapters, endoscope test and measurement equipment in Portland, recently announced the launch of its EndoBenchXT for scope repair firms and manufacturers, and plans for EndoBench XTB, intended for high workflow environments.

Off The Grid Jobs, a direct-hire recruiting service to green and alternative energy companies, was recently accepted into the Northern New England Association of Personnel Services.

Accolades

Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Co. in Portland was recently awarded the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Neighbor Award.

The Fireside Inn & Suites in Waterville, SeaCat’s Rest Oceanside Suite in Lamoine and two of Maine Huts and Trails’ huts in western Maine’s mountains were recently recognized by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for their voluntary efforts to reduce the impact their businesses have on the environment.

Jo-an Lantz, executive vice president of Geiger in Lewiston, recently received the Women to Watch in the Advertising Specialty Industry award from the Advertising Specialty Institute.

Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor recently received a silver medal of honor from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ArtWalk Maine was recently presented with the Maine Tourism Award for Commitment to Creativity by the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Tourism Commission. Jason Briggs, vice president of business development at VIP Tour & Charter Bus Co. in Portland, was also presented with the Maine Tourism Award for Commitment to Community.