In short from Jan. 25, 2010 | A roundup of new hires, promotions, accolades and appointments from Maine's business community

New Hires

Preti Flaherty, a law firm in Portland, recently hired Neal Pratt as a partner in its litigation group. Previously, Pratt was a partner at Verrill Dana in Portland.

Pen Bay Healthcare in Rockland recently hired Reginald Albert as the vice president of physician practices.

Drummond Woodsum, a law firm in Portland, recently hired M. Thomas Trenholm as an attorney.

True North Health Center in Falmouth recently hired Lisa Blake as a practitioner of meditation services.

Portland-based Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, a provider of free and low-cost immigration legal assistance for low-income residents, recently hired Hayden Anderson as development director. Previously, Anderson was a development officer for the College of Science and Engineering at Seattle University in Seattle, Wash.

Saint Joseph’s College in Standish recently hired Lisa Fraley as director of major gifts and planned giving. Previously, Fraley was the vice president of major gifts and gift planning for the United Way of Greater Portland.

Norton Insurance in Cumberland Foreside recently hired Jill Ketchen as personal lines customer service representative. Previously, Ketchen was a quality review editor at Alexander and Schmidt in Yarmouth.

Allen & Selig Realty in Bath recently hired Win Reed as a real estate agent.

The Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick recently hired Catherine Palmer as manager of marketing and development and Joseph Feller as general surgeon. Previously, Palmer worked for Sweetser’s development office in Saco and Feller was assistant chief of surgery at the Boston VA Medical Center.

Maine Valuation Co., a provider of valuation products and services in Portland, recently hired Marc Gowdy as a real estate appraiser.

MetLife Home Loans in Bangor recently hired Glen Hudgens as a relationship manager.

SymQuest Group Inc. in Bangor, a provider of networking and document management solutions, recently hired Gregg Cronin as an account manager. Previously, Cronin worked for Bottomline Technologies in Portsmouth, N.H.

Jordie Lee Investments, a Portland-based commercial real estate brokerage firm, recently hired Peter Dunn as a business broker and consultant.

Promotions

Occupational Medical Consulting in Leeds, a provider of occupational, health and wellness services to businesses, recently promoted Phil DiRusso to wellness works manager.

Appointments

The Portland Water District recently elected William Lunt of Falmouth as president of the board and John Emerson of Gorham as vice president of the board.

Ann Archino Howe, president of Sustainable Design Studio in Portland, was recently elected to the 2010 National Board of the U.S. Green Building Council, a member organization and developer of the LEED rating systems.

Pen Bay Healthcare in Rockport recently appointed Gregory Dufour and Mark Eggena to its board. Pen Bay Healthcare also reappointed Eric Schenk.

The Maine Innkeepers Association recently elected Woody Woodward of Highland Lake Resort in Bridgton as president of the board and Cornelius Russell of Samoset Resort in Rockport as chairman of the board for 2010.

The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce recently announced new members: 2A architects in Rockport; Blue Tulip Garden Boutique in Tenants Harbor; Breakwater Vineyards in Owls Head; Ralph Field in Rockland; J. Miller and Associates in Thomaston; and Sail Away Maine Realty and Property Management Inc. in Rockport.

Ginny Vaitones, an oncology social worker on staff at Penobscot Bay Medical Center’s Cancer Care Center in Rockport, was recently re-elected to her third, three-year term on the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, representing the Association of Oncology Social Workers.

Benjamin Shambaugh, senior pastor of St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland, has been appointed to the Preble Street board of directors.

Spotlight

Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport recently announced it will receive $500,000 from the federal 2010 Department of Labor and Health and Human Services and Education spending bill to support a nursing education and retention initiative, according to a press release from the organization.

The program is designed to retain experienced nurses, train and mentor novice nurses, increase clinical training opportunities for student nurses and enhance patient care.

In partnership with University of Maine at Augusta, Pen Bay plans to host additional student nurses per semester for their clinical rotations, providing the venue, permissions and professional interactions required for this program and receiving in return the ability to recruit more new nurses.

The Pen Bay nursing initiative is a $1.3 million program funded by the federal appropriation and other funds.

Company News

Verizon Wireless recently donated $32,500 to the following domestic violence organizations: The Maine State Coalition to End Domestic Violence received $10,000; MaineGeneral Hospital received $7,500; Physicians for Social Responsibility, Maine chapter, received $5,000; and A Safe Place received $10,000.

Bar Harbor Bankshares, parent company of Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, recently announced that it expects to offer and sell approximately $20 million of its common stock in a public offering.

The United Way of Greater Portland recently joined with Preble Street to roll out The Pantry Project, a program aimed at feeding hungry people from now until June 2010.

The Dance Studio of Maine recently announced the opening of its latest offering, the Music School of Maine in Gorham.

The Maine Higher Education Council, an association of Maine’s college and university presidents, recently announced the launch of a new website, www.collegeInmaine.org. The website features an interactive map of Maine colleges and universities with content and web links.

SailMaine, a nonprofit sailing organization in Portland, recently announced the launch of its first-ever public fundraising appeal.

Bangor International Airport has been selected by Global Aviation Holdings Inc. to serve as the exclusive technical stop location for troop flights transiting to and from overseas for a three-year contract.

CrossRate Technology, a manufacturer of navigational equipment in Windham, recently announced the launch of its eLGPS 1110, which provides a non-magnetic true heading even while stationary for chart plotters, radar overlay or autopilot.

The Camden Harbour Inn and its restaurant, Natalie’s, will be closing for a brief winter break on Jan. 4, reopening Natalie’s on Feb. 10 and the inn on Feb. 11.

The Cumberland County Fund, part of the Ellsworth-based Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grants Program, recently announced its next deadline for applying for grants is Jan. 15.

FirstMRI in Bangor recently announced that it received a 3.0T magnet, which allows physicians to see tiny structures inside a patient’s body. FirstMRI removed roof panels and lowered the massive equipment into the building via crane.

The Maine Community Foundation awarded $4,000 from the Maine Charity Fund to help the Acadia Hospital in Bangor purchase books, music and subscriptions for the Pediatric and Family Center’s youth library.

Kimberly Volk, chief financial officer for Spinnaker Trust in Portland, recently received the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association, in Washington, D.C.

In and Out Computers, a computer products retailer in York, recently donated laptops, DVD players, web cameras, accessories and laptop carrying cases to Grahamtastic Connection, a Springvale-based nonprofit that provides laptops and Internet access to seriously ill children.

Nemo Publishing in Portland recently announced the release of its second annual “Commander X Adventures” comic book.

U.S. Cellular recently installed new towers in Hartland, to increase coverage and network capacity along routes 23, 43 and 152, and Rockwood, to increase coverage and networking capacity at Moosehead Lake, as well as along Route 6.

The Maine Historical Society in Portland recently received a $2,500 grant from the Maine Community Foundation.

Mercy Hospital in Portland recently announced the opening of its newest primary and express care facility, Mercy Gorham Crossing, located at 19 South Gorham Crossing in Gorham.

The Living with Diabetes self-management education program at Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick was recently awarded continued recognition by the American Diabetes Association.

Thompson-Hamel, a Presque Isle-based financial services firm, recently donated a new Apple iMac computer to the Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle.

Melinda Caterine, a partner at law firm Fisher and Phillips in Portland, recently spoke at the Maine State Bar Association’s 9th Annual Employment Law Update 2009, held on Dec. 4 in Augusta.

Liz Bradford, owner of Enerjoy Health/Fitness Programs Inc. in West Falmouth, recently earned the advanced health and fitness specialist certification from the American Council on Exercise.

Quantrix, a software manufacturer in Portland, recently announced that its partner, Civitium, a management and technology consulting firm for broadband infrastructure planning, developed a winning $33 million proposal for federal broadband stimulus funds for the North Georgia Network Cooperative.

Fluid Imaging Technologies Inc., an instrumentation manufacturer in Yarmouth, recently announced that ATS Scientific Inc., a distributor of scientific equipment headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, has been appointed as its exclusive distributor for its industrial products for the Canadian market.

William Brown, an accountant at Berry, Dunn, McNeil and Parker in Portland, was recently awarded the certified forensic financial analyst credential in the field of forensic accounting by the National Association of Certified Valuation Experts.

The BrightBuilt Barn, a privately sponsored demonstration project of sustainable housing located in Rockport, was recently awarded the 2009 Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design Award for Innovative Project by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick was recently awarded accreditation for stereotactic breast biopsy, according to a survey by the American College of Radiology.

The First Bancorp in Damariscotta recently declared a quarterly dividend of 19.5 cents per share. This fourth-quarter dividend, which is payable Jan. 29 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 7, is equal to the 19.5 cents per share declared in the previous five quarters.

United Insurance, headquartered in Falmouth, has acquired the Mexico Agency from Northeast Bank Insurance Group located at 89 Main St.

Bangor Hydro Electric Co. recently donated five poles and their installation to The Acadia Hospital to assist in the creation of a high ropes course on the hospital’s campus on Stillwater Avenue in Bangor.

Camp Sunshine in Casco recently announced it exceeded its fundraising goal in a $250,000 matching challenge from the New Balance Foundation.

U.S. Cellular recently opened a retail store in Rockland.

MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta recently filed a certificate of need application with the state of Maine, seeking approval to build a new regional inpatient hospital adjacent to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in north Augusta and update the Thayer Campus in Waterville.

Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees in Maine recently helped raise $25,540 for Operation Tribute, a Gorham-based organization that provides holiday gifts to children of military families in New England.

Wells Fargo Advisors in Portland recently donated a $3,500 grant from the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation to the Good Shepherd Food-Bank.

Walter’s restaurant reopened at its new location at 2 Portland Square in Portland on Dec. 29.

Reed & Reed, a wind power contractor and heavy civil contractor headquartered in Woolwich, recently erected its 100th wind turbine at Stetson Mountain in Danforth. The site is home to the existing Stetson 1 wind project, which hosts 38 turbines. Reed & Reed is currently constructing phase two of the project, which will provide an additional 17 state-of-the-art GE 1.5 MW wind turbines.

The People’s United Community Foundation recently awarded the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter an $8,500 grant and Camp Capella in Holden a $5,000 grant.

The Morong Falmouth car dealership recently donated $7,000 to the Good Shepherd Food-Bank.

Yamabibs.com, a manufacturer of adult clothing protectors in Lewiston, recently announced the release of two new products, the YamaMama, for nursing mothers, and the YamaKid, for children of all sizes.

Accolades

The Maine Innkeepers Association recently presented the following awards: Pat Eltman, director of the Maine Office of Tourism, received the Special Service Award; Barton Brass of the Turkish Towel Company in Peabody, Mass. received the Allied Member of the Year Award; Jeanne Carpentier of Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown received the Community Service Award; and Bernard Cough of Atlantic Oakes by the Sea in Bar Harbor received the Hall of Fame Award. Jim Littlefield of Oakland House Seaside Resort was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Riding To The Top, a therapeutic riding center in Windham, recently announced that instructor Nancy Hohmann was awarded the National Instructor of the Year award by the North American Riding For the Handicapped Association.

Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor recently received the Pro Patria Award from the Maine Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program.

Jonathan Bacon Smith, senior captain of the Ocean Classroom Foundation in Boothbay Harbor, recently received the lifetime achievement award for 2009 from the American Sail Training Association.

The Maine Development Foundation and its Maine Employers’ Initiative have recognized Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution for its efforts in supporting employee higher education.

Eric Schenk, a physician with Pen Bay Healthcare in Rockport, was recently honored by the American College of Osteopathic Internists for excellence in the practice of internal medicine. WMPG, the non-commercial community radio station broadcasting at 90.9 and 104.1 FM from the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine, recently announced that its producers won both first and third place in the public affairs category of the 2009 Maine Association of Broadcasters’ Annual News and Creative Awards. The Leapfrog Group recently recognized Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway as one of three top rural hospitals in the country for its delivery of quality care based on results from The Leapfrog Hospital Survey.

Gregg Frame, a partner at Taylor, McCormack and Frame in Portland, was recently named Maine’s rising star in the field of employment litigation by New England Super Lawyers.

The Front Room restaurant, located at 73 Congress St. in Portland, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month.

Earle W. Noyes and Sons, a moving company in Portland, recently received the 2009 United President’s Quality Award from United Van Lines.

Portland Harbor Hotel in Portland was recently selected for the Recommended Hotel Guide 2010 by Condé Nast Johansens, a hotel guide.

Jerrol Crouter, a lawyer at Drummond Woodsum in Portland, was recently named Portland’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year for 2010 by Best Lawyers.

The Maine Potato Board recently named Gregg Garrison, co-owner and operator of Double G Farms in Bridgewater, 2009 Young Farmer of the Year.

Camden Harbour Inn and its Natalie’s restaurant recently earned four diamonds from AAA.

The Sunrise County Economic Council in Machias recently received the Maine Community Foundation’s 2009 Noyce Award for Nonprofit Excellence for its Washington County Leadership Institute.

Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers, designers and builders of hand-crafted wood furniture in Auburn, recently received the Best of Year award in Interior Design magazine’s annual design competition for its Pasadena Rocker.

Twenty 2 Micro Distilled Vodka in Houlton was recently awarded the bronze medal for vodka in the 2009 World Spirits Competition.

The Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA Campground, owned and operated by Larry and Nancy Babyak, was recently recognized as among the “best of the best” in the Kampgrounds of America system.