In Short from Feb. 23, 2009 | A roundup of new hires, promotions, accolades and appointments from Maine's business community

New Hires

Living Wealth Partners LLC of Portland, a general agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America in New York, N.Y., recently hired James Kachmar as a career development supervisor and David Tremberth as a field representative.

The VIA Group, a marketing agency in Portland, recently hired Teddy Stoecklein as a creative director. Previously, Stoecklein was creative director at BBDO in New York, N.Y.

Iris Network, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Portland, recently hired Michael Barndollar as development director. Previously, Barndollar was the director of major gifts and planned giving for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

Robert Brochu was recently hired by Briggs Advertising in Bath as creative director. Brochu previoulsy owned his own design company, Brochu Design.

Rachel Taber-Hamilton has been named director of pastoral care at MaineGeneral Health in Augusta. Previously, Taber-Hamilton was rector of St. Stephen Episcopal Church on Whidbey Island, Wash.

Alison Settele recently was hired by The Warren Center for Communication & Learning in Bangor as an audiologist. Previously, Settele worked for Eastern Maine Medical Center in its audiology department.

Jeffrey Oldfield, a fixed-income investment manager, has joined Bigelow Investment Advisors LLC in Portland as vice president. Previously, Oldfield worked for TD Banknorth in the bank’s Wealth Management Group.

O2 Salon & Spa in Portland recently hired the following: Nichole Brown as an aesthetician and makeup artist; Bianca Pastrana as a massage therapist specializing in polarity and Reiki therapy; Laura Dalton as a stylist; Colleen O’Grady and Tim McClain as massage therapists; Megan Vaughn as receptionist and Colleen Griffin as an apprentice cosmetologist.

First Financial Mortgage, a residential mortgage lender in Portland, recently hired Kim Brown as a mortgage officer.

Ross Manor in Bangor, an assisted living facility and member of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, recently hired Dale Walker as its long-term care medical director. Walker will continue as medical director at both Stillwater Healthcare and Sylvia Ross Home in Bangor. 

Kennebunk Savings Bank recently hired Susan Benson as assistant vice president of marketing. Previously, Benson worked for GGDirect in Portland as director of creative services.

Promotions

Kennebunk Savings Bank recently promoted the following: Michelle Dow to vice president of the Lower Village banking office; Joy Symon Fall to vice president of compensation and benefits; and Robyn LeBuff to vice president of marketing.

Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution recently promoted Kathy Clegg to customer service representative at the Saco branch. Previously, Clegg was a full-time teller.

Unum, an employee-benefits service provider in Portland, recently promoted the following: Marc Doyon to vice president of planning and forecasting and John LoBosco to vice president and managing counsel. Previously, Doyon was in finance supporting pensions and annuities and LoBosco was a litigation manager.

Norway Savings Bank recently promoted Becky Mason to vice president and loan officer. Previously, Mason served as assistant vice president and mortgage specialist.

Androscoggin Bank recently announced the following promotions: Bruce Winter to vice president, and Lena Hann and Jessica Shuck to assistant vice presidents. Previously, Winter served as underwriter/loan processing manager, Hann served as branch manager and Shuck served as human resources generalist.

Abigail Greenfield was promoted to director of communications and marketing at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Previously, Greenfield was manager of community relations.

Kennebunk Savings Bank recently promoted Kevin Gray to assistant vice president of the Berwick banking office. Previously, Gray managed its York banking office.

Appointments

Jim Breyley, chair and director of business departments and divisions at the University of New England in Portland, was recently named the chair of the board of directors of the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce.

United Way of York County recently appointed the following to its board of directors: Sue Hadiaris, vice president of community relations, development and planning at Southern Maine Medical Center in Portland; and Mike McMahon, manufacturing engineering manager at Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick.

Rene Daniel, office manager and general assistance director for Westbrook Housing, was recently elected chair of the St. Joseph Manor board of trustees for 2009-2010 and board secretary of the VNA Board of Directors Annual Meeting for 2009-2010. Christine Carey of Westbrook Housing recently became a certified housing quality inspector for the Section 8 housing program.

The law firm of Eaton Peabody in Bangor recently named Noreen Patient, a member of the litigation practice in the Brunswick office, and John Canders, a member of the real estate practice in the Bangor office, shareholders of the firm.

Hilda Taylor, owner of Urban Catsitters, a professional pet-sitting service catering to cats in Portland, was recently selected to participate on one of The NASCAR Foundation’s regional advisory committees. The committee is charged with engaging the local community in foundation programs.

Darryl Brown, owner of Main-Land Development Consultants in Livermore Falls, has been chosen to chair the board of the University of Maine Foundation, an independent, nonprofit organization established to encourage gifts and bequests to promote academic achievement.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine recently named Kristine Ossenfort as director of government relations for the plan. Previously, Ossenfort served as senior government affairs specialist at the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

Spotlight

Cold River Vodka of Freeport and barbecue sauces and rubs from DennyMike’s ‘Cue Stuff of York were recently featured at the sixth annual In the Spirit of the Game event in Los Angeles, co-hosted by actors Don Johnson, Brendan Fraser and former Major League pitcher Rob Dibble. The event, known as “the world’s largest auction of sports and entertainment memorabilia,” benefits the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation in Beverly Hills, which raises funds to help baseball scouts in need.

Cold River Vodka’s classic potato vodka and DennyMike’s Texas-style barbecue sauces and rubs were selected for distribution at the event, which was attended by celebrities, VIPs and sports reporters, according to a release from Front Burner PR in Portland.

Cold River Vodka is available in major markets, restaurants and fine spirits retailers nationwide and has also been picked up by businesses in British Columbia and London. DennyMike’s ‘Cue Stuff rubs and sauces are available in a growing number of states and are shipped nationwide.

Company News

MEGA Industries LLC, a manufacturer of microwave waveguide and component parts in Gorham, ended 2008 with a profit and has generated orders worth over $1,000,000 in new business for 2009.

Clay Hill Farm in York recently introduced five couples who will begin their campaign to secure the most public votes and receive a complete green wedding ceremony and reception at Clay Hill Farm on June 21, 2009.

KeyBank has agreed to collect donations for the American Red Cross in each of its 62 branches across the state. The donations will be used by the local American Red Cross to help people in need in Maine.

University of Maine at Farmington Athletics recently announced a new multi-year partnership with University Credit Union. University Credit Union opened a branch on High Street in Farmington adjacent to UMF in August of 2007 and has since contributed to the school, such as sponsoring the installation of a flat-screen TV in the fitness center. 

Planet Dog in Portland recently announced the winners of their annual Adoption Champion Awards.  As part of its ongoing campaign to encourage adoption and reduce the number of pets euthanized each year, Planet Dog created the awards program to support, encourage and reward Planet Dog retailers who “romp the extra mile” when it comes to social responsibility, philanthropy and advocacy for pet adoption. 

The Belfast-based Waldo County Healthcare Inc. board of directors unanimously endorsed entry into the MaineHealth system, the parent organization of Maine Medical Center, after nearly two years of study. The purchasing power of MaineHealth will save Waldo County Healthcare Inc. more than $1 million in annual operations.

Portland-based mCaddie, a manufacturer of GPS/database cell phone applications for golfers, recently won $25,000 in the Queen’s University Entrepreneurs Competition in Kingston, Ontario, beating out 15 other teams.

The 2009 editions of the Local Food and Farms Booklets are being updated this winter. Farms and businesses in Oxford, Somerset and Franklin counties that sell locally grown and raised food products are invited to list their business in the directory.

Meredith Perdue of Cape Elizabeth recently launched her dog photography business, & unlimited dogs.

Portland-based law firm Preti Flaherty energy attorneys Don Sipe and Todd Griset have been invited to speak at the Consumer Demand Response Initiative summit in Boston. The event is aimed at informing energy consumers at businesses and organizations about how to work together to lower energy costs.

The Boston office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently notified Verso Paper Corp.’s Androscoggin Mill in Jay that it has been certified for continued participation as an OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs Star site. The premier certification is awarded in recognition of the mill’s safety and health management programs.

Sunday River ski resort in Bethel Village has launched a fine-dining mountaintop restaurant called Dining @ The Peak in North Peak Lodge. Dining @ The Peak offers guests a four-course menu with local ingredients presented throughout each serving.

Bowdoin Medical Group and Martin’s Point Health Care, which provide primary care services at multiple sites in Maine, have entered into exclusive discussions to explore the possibility of an affiliation. While no final agreements have been reached, the organizations have signed a letter of intent.

Bliss Bros. Dairy of Massachusetts recently announced a new partnership with Portland-based Oakhurst Dairy. Bliss Bros. will distribute Oakhurst products throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Halifax, Canada-based Ekistics Planning & Design, a service provider in landscape architecture, urban design and environmental planning, has opened a new office location in downtown Bangor. The new office will meet growing demand for the company’s services in the New England market.

McClain Marketing Group, a strategic marketing solutions firm headquartered in Portland, recently announced its selection by Portland-based insurance agency Clark Associates to direct a comprehensive marketing communications initiative for the firm’s offices in the greater Portland area and in Manchester, N.H.

Portland-based Kepware Technologies, a manufacturer of communication software for automation, recently announced that it was selected by Specter Instruments, headquartered in Austin, Texas, as its primary provider of connectivity to devices in the automation marketplace.

Bill Trask, broker and owner of Coldwell Banker Friends & Neighbors Realty in Standish, recently sold the firm to Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate/The Masiello Group and is now the managing broker of the Standish office. 

HealthReach Community Health Centers was recently nominated by a governing board member to take part in Bangor Savings Bank’s 2009 Community Matters More Program. HealthReach Community Health Centers is one of 48 nonprofit organizations nominated in eight Maine regions, and was placed in the western market region.

Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative, in collaboration with the Maine Marine Trades Association, launched a new youth-oriented website, Mainemarinecareers.com, and outreach campaign to educate Maine’s students, parents and teachers about the career possibilities and opportunities within Maine’s marine industries.

Lewiston-based VIP Parts, Tires and Service recently raised $42,779 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine from customer donations in its Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts stores. Customers were given a paper Make-A-Wish star on which they could write their name or a magnetic Make-A-Wish star for their car.

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development in Maine is accepting applications for grants through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. The program helps to provide rural areas with access to education, training and healthcare resources.

Portland-based Planet Dog’s nonprofit grant-making organization, Planet Dog Foundation, is celebrating another year of giving with 14 grantees and more than $100,000 donated to canine service programs nationwide.

The Penobscot Bay Medical Center Gift Shop in Rockland recently reported a 4.1% sales increase over last year.

Old Town-based James W. Sewall Co., geospatial, engineering and natural resource consultants, recently announced the launch of its new corporate website. The site offers new and expanded content, image-rich design and intuitive, easy-to-use navigation.

Bangor Savings Bank recently announced plans to further expand its presence in the Mid-coast region of Maine with a new branch located at 106 Main St. in Belfast. Bangor Savings Bank plans to be open for business at the downtown Belfast location by April.

Accolades

Bridgewater-based Wood Prairie Farm’s new Organic Prairie Blush Potato has earned the coveted Green Thumb Award from the Mailorder Gardening Association as one of the top six plant introductions of 2009.

Solo Bistro, a European-style restaurant located in downtown Bath, has recently earned Santé magazine’s Innovative Culinary Hospitality Award. The Santé awards recognize the highest level of cuisine, wine and service within the hospitality industry. Solo Bistro was also featured in National Culinary Review, the flagship monthly magazine published by the American Culinary Federation, along with Portland’s Cinque Terre and the Black Point Inn in Scarborough. 

The Hilton Garden Inn in Portland has been recognized nationally with three awards from the Hilton Garden Inn hotel franchise. The franchise gave the hotel the Best Community Service Project award at the hotel chain’s brand conference recently. Also honored were two employees from the hotel. Chris Chapin was awarded the Director of Sales of the Year for 2007 and Sam Howard, a valet for the hotel, won a Spirit of Pride award. In addition, the hotel recently won an award from Dream Factory Inc., a Kentucky-based organization that grants the dreams of critically and chronically ill children, which chose the Hilton Garden Inn in Portland as its National 2008 Local Corporate Partner of the Year.

GHM Insurance Agency, with offices in Waterville, Augusta and Auburn, is among a select group of agents nationwide to be recognized as a member of Worcester, Mass.,-based The Hanover Insurance Group’s President Club.

Top of the East at the Eastland Park Hotel in downtown Portland has been named Best Place to Rendezvous by Down East Magazine. Top of the East is Portland’s only rooftop lounge overlooking the city skyline, Casco Bay and Back Bay.

The Health Education Department at Portland-based Martin’s Point Health Care recently received the prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate in recognition of the high-quality diabetes self-management education program the department provides its patients. 

Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport has been named to the 2008 Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Hospital Honor Roll. The honor roll highlights acute care hospitals whose performance was among the top 25 % of those evaluated nationally according to a set of quality and patient-experience measures.

The super-insulated, solar-heated BrightBuilt Barn, built by Portland-based Kaplan Thompson Architects, was recently featured in the New York Times Home & Garden section.

Kassiani Pitassi of Cumberland and Margaret Card of Windham recently received top honors from Wood Dale, Ill.,-based lia sophia, an in-home demonstration jewelry retailer, for its Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers for their outstanding sales accomplishments and professionalism.

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association recently announced the following 2009 winners at its annual Real Estate Forecast Conference: The Robert B. Patterson, Jr. Founders’ Award was presented to TD Banknorth of Portland; the Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Richard Shinay, an attorney with the Portland law firm of Drummond Woodsum and MacMahon; the Public Policy Award was given to Roxane Cole, a principal in Ram Harnden Commercial Real Estate Services in Portland; and the Presidents’ Award was presented to Bill Shanahan, vice president at Northern New England Housing Investment Fund in Portland, and Jim Otis, a founder the Otis/Atwell CPA firm in South Portland.