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

New Hires

Kennebunk Savings Bank in Kennebunk recently hired Jill Peter as vice president of credit administration, and Laurel Castorina and Mary Weickert as vice presidents in its commercial loan department. Previously, Peter worked for Pepperell Bank and Trust in Biddeford as senior vice president of compliance and credit administration, Castorina worked for Rivergreen Bank in Kennebunk as vice president of credit administration and Weickert worked for Joyce & Joyce law firm in Portland.

Thomas College in Waterville recently hired Deb Biche as athletic director. Previously, Biche worked at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., as the women’s soccer head coach as well as event manager, building supervisor and athletic schedule coordinator.

Pollard Builders, an ecologically sustainable construction company in Portland, recently hired Ian-Michael Wilkey as an operations associate and Daisy Wilson as a management associate.

Rinck Advertising, a full-service marketing, promotion and public relations firm in Auburn, recently hired Thomas Scola as digital manager.  

Portland-based law firm Pierce Atwood recently hired Liam Vesely as counsel and Bruce Miller as a partner, both in the firm’s business practice group in Boston. Previously, Vesely and Miller worked for Aloisi & Aloisi, a law firm in Boston.

Living Wealth Partners in Portland, a general agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, recently hired James Croft as a career development supervisor, Kevin Chisholm as a field representative, Jeffrey Putnam as director of operations and Nancy Thompson as a field representative. Previously, Croft was a managing director with John Hancock, Putnam was a business systems analyst for the Portland Water District and Thompson was a financial services representative with MetLife.

Bernstein Shur, a law firm in Portland, recently hired Jay Geller as a shareholder and co-chair of the firm’s business restructuring and insolvency practice group. Previously, Geller served as the sole member of the Law Office of Jay S. Geller in Portland.

The University of New England in Portland recently hired Douglas Leitch as senior advancement officer. Previously, Douglas was senior philanthropy officer with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. 

The Holiday Inn in Waterville recently hired Monica Botti as director of sales and marketing.

Rocco Tripaldi was recently hired as the fourth partner at christophermichaelsullivan, an art firm in Portland. Tripaldi will act as the firm’s technologies director and develop the company’s web and digital elements. Tripaldi is a recent graduate of Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H.

Catholic Charities of Maine, based in Portland, recently hired Dawn Brennan-Daly as its director of development. Previously, Brennan-Daly served as a civil rights specialist in the Massachusetts Department of Education’s Bureau of Equal Educational Opportunity.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission in Augusta recently hired John Brautigam as director of the energy programs division. Previously, Brautigam served as a member of the Maine Legislature’s Joint Committee on Utilities and Energy.

The Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston recently hired Denise Marois as box office manager for the performing arts venue. Previously, Marois was co-owner and producer for Main Street Entertainment and Mystery for Hire in Poland Spring.

Promotions

Community Credit Union in Lewiston recently promoted Kim Polley to operations supervisor, Jessica Edgecomb to member service supervisor and Jennifer Hogan to marketing and business development director. Previously, Polley served as a member services supervisor, Edgecomb served as a member representative and Hogan served as a marketing and training coordinator.

Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution recently announced the following promotions: Todd Rodriguez to assistant vice president and core operations manager at the Saco branch; Eric Doyon to assistant vice president and commercial credit officer at the Biddeford branch; Andrew Grantham to core operations specialist at the Saco branch; Shawn Walton to customer service officer at the Saco office; and Morgan Buser to credit analyst at the Biddeford branch. Previously, Rodriguez served as a computer operations manager, Doyon served as a credit officer, Grantham served as a seasonal teller, Walton served as a teller and Buser served as an assistant credit analyst.

Biddeford Savings Bank in Biddeford recently promoted Elizabeth Boudreau to marketing officer. Previously, Boudreau served as vice president and auditor.

The Gelato Fiasco, a Brunswick-based retail and wholesale seller of artisanal gelato and sorbetto products, recently promoted Alex Greenlee to assistant general manager. Previously, Greenlee was production assistant.

Portland-based Walch Education, an academic publisher, recently promoted Heather Marceau from digital color operator to print production account relationship manager. 

KeyBank in Brunswick recently promoted Joseph Lonski to investment sales specialist for Key Private Bank in Maine. Previously, Lonski was as an investment and trust consultant for Key Private Bank.

The University of New England in Biddeford recently promoted Trisha Mason to director of the Center for International Education. Previously, Mason was director of international programs and continuing education in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New England.

Appointments

The United Way of York County recently appointed the following to its board of directors: Paul Wainman to chair; Tim O’Brien to vice chair; Kathy Verrill to secretary; David Hines to treasurer and George Lambert to ethics officer.

Mark Bancroft, chief executive officer of Bancroft Contracting Corp. in South Paris, was recently elected president of the Associated General Contractors of Maine.

HealthReach Community Health Centers in Waterville recently appointed the following to its board of directors: Marcus Rowe, Andrew Morse, Terry Drummond, Marci Alexander and Krista Perry.

Gov. John Baldacci recently appointed Diane Doyle to the Maine Turnpike Authority and Donald Marean to the Land for Maine’s Future boards.

Spotlight

The Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership, in collaboration with Manufacturing Extension Partnerships in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, recently created a pilot program to integrate government conservation guidelines into its training programs. The Manufacturing Extension Partnerships will evaluate the terms and measures of the “Environmental Protection Agency’s Lean and Energy Toolkit” by working directly with regional manufacturers.

“These … tactical training tools will assist manufacturing as part of long-term national or regional strategies to increase manufacturing competitiveness through lean production, energy efficiency and environmental stewardship,” said Rosemary Presnar, operations manager for MMEP, according to a press release.  

The national Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a network of manufacturing extension centers that provide business and technical assistance to smaller manufacturers in all 50 states.

Company News

Mark A. Truman Site Evaluations in Kennebunk has formed a new company, Maine Site Evaluations LLC, and is now able to offer septic bio-remediation services featuring the White Knight Leach Field Recovery System.

Law firm Preti Flaherty in Portland recently announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a design patent to the firm’s client, Pleasant River Lumber Co. of Dover-Foxcroft. The patent was issued for a design of a United States flag imprinted on a piece of lumber.

KICTeam, a developer and manufacturer of cleaning cards in Auburn, recently released a currency counter cleaning card utilizing Waffletechnology. The advanced design employs cleaning card “waffles” to clean the note recognition lenses within the machines.

The York County Community College Expanded Function Dental Assistant certificate program recently graduated its first 12 students. The former certified dental assistants or hygienists received EFDA certification and will now have expanded skills and responsibilities in dental offices.

Biddeford Savings Bank recently announced it is returning close to $120,000 to more than 9,100 customers in varying amounts, based on their relationship with the bank. The rewards are paid on the interest that a customer earns, and also on the interest a customer pays on loans and mortgages.

Shareholders of Camden-based Down East Enterprise Inc. recently announced that they have completed the sale of all interests and assets of Performance Media LLC to Formula Five Media LLC, a wholly-owned company of Anthem Media Group of Kansas City, Mo. The sale includes Speedway Illustrated, the leading magazine for stock-car enthusiasts, its accompanying website and the annual Speedway EXPO consumer show.

Storreytime LLC, a Portland-based supplier of apparel and promotional items to chain stores throughout the United States, was recently awarded the uniform contract for Red Robin International, based in Denver, Colo. Storreytime plans to add Maine employees to handle the increased business.

Davidson-Peterson Associates, a division of the marketing research firm Digital Research Inc. in Kennebunk, has been selected to measure the economic impact of Red Sox and Minnesota Twins spring training to the Ft. Myers/Lee County, Fla., area. Davidson-Peterson Associates also conducts visitor profiling and economic impact research for the Lee County, Fla., area.

The Jackson Laboratory, a nonprofit biomedical research institution based in Bar Harbor, recently introduced the first “do-it-yourself” Sperm Cryopreservation Kit for mice. Using the kit, researchers can cost-effectively cryopreserve novel mouse strains in their own laboratories.

U.S. Cellular recently completed construction of an additional cell site in Gloucester Hill. The site will increase U.S. Cellular’s coverage and network capacity around the town of New Gloucester and northeastern Gray, as well as along I-95 and routes 26, 202 and 231.

Barbara Lauze, owner of The Basket Case gift-basket company in Lewiston, recently took over The Perfect Basket company in Turner from former owner Celeste Yakawonis.

WMTW-TV in Portland recently announced that Portland-based Oakhurst Dairy has become a supporter of the Keep Maine Strong initiative, a statewide program that encourages consumers to spend local dollars in the state of Maine.

The Maine Community Foundation, with offices in Ellsworth, Portland and Augusta, recently announced the launch of the Belvedere Fund for Historic Preservation. The fund will support the preservation of historic buildings that serve as civic, cultural or economic hubs in rural communities, with a special focus on Down East Maine. 

The Moseley Group, a food and beverage industry consulting firm in Franklin, Mass., was recently chosen by Gov. John Baldacci’s Task Force on the Economic Sustainability of Maine’s Lobster Industry to help strengthen and improve the state’s leading fishery.

Heartwood College of Art in Kennebunk was recently granted a license by the state of Maine to offer a low-residency masters of fine arts degree. Masters classes will take place this summer at the college and the formal program will commence in fall of 2009.

ASAP Medical Clinic in South Portland recently launched a program to treat non-emergency work injuries at a cost savings to businesses and corporations. The Occupational Injury Program is designed to treat minor work injuries such as sprains, strains, burns and lacerations that do not require an emergency department visit.

Bonci Design LLC, a graphic design and marketing firm in Kittery Point, recently completed its 10th year in business and launched a new website, www.bonci.com. 

HomeHealth Visiting Nurses, a provider of home health care in Saco, recently received a $12,000 home health grant from the United Way of York County to support charity care for home health and community care patients.

The American Hospital Association recently recognized Kathleen Kuritz of St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston as a Certified Administrator of Volunteer Services under the auspices of its revised national exam.

Norton Insurance Agency, an insurance provider in Cumberland Foreside, recently announced that Cumberland resident Rick Doane and Portland resident Scott Stacey have become minority owners in Norton Insurance Agency.

Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice in Rockland has been chosen to participate in a national study to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation in a variety of settings. The research study is being conducted by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Nine Skowhegan Savings Bank employees recently completed an eight-week in-house Integrity Customer Service Training Program.

Edmonton, Canada-based Stantec, a planning, engineering and architecture consultant with offices in Portland, Scarborough and Topsham, posted a 41.6% increase in gross revenue to $1.1 billion USD and a 36% increase in net revenue to $876 million USD for the end of fiscal year 2008.

Johnny Robinson, former owner of Finch’s Restaurant in Falmouth, recently announced the opening of his restaurant Johnny’s Bistro and Bar in Falmouth.

Gifford’s Ice Cream in Skowhegan recently began selling a larger 64 oz. carton at the price of its 56 oz. carton.

College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor recently began operating its wood pellet boiler, the first of its kind in the United States, in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The boiler provides all the heat and hot water for three new student residences and a converted summer cottage that is now the campus center.

Medical transcription service company Brown and Meyers in Portland recently hired Thomas Hillman Design in South Portland to assemble a “virtual agency” to execute an integrated sales and marketing plan.

The Minnesota Department of Health recently selected the Maine Health Information Center in Manchester to develop a statewide comprehensive claims database, a key component of Minnesota’s new healthcare reform initiative.

Environments at Work, a Haworth office furniture dealer in Portland, recently announced the completion of a new interior office environment for Strategic Media, a direct response radio advertising firm in Portland.

To reduce its carbon footprint, Head Games Salon in Portland is mixing equipment from Freestyle Systems, a leading green technologies provider in the beauty industry in Shrewsbury, Mass., and organic hair-care products.

The Maine Theater Fund of the Maine Community Foundation in Ellsworth recently awarded $51,000 in grants to 14 professional and community theaters in Maine.

The National Science Foundation awarded Jerome Mullin, founding chair of the University of New England Department of Chemistry in Biddeford, along with several southern Maine collaborators, a $360,000 research grant for collaborative research to increase the number of fluorescent chemical compounds.

Accolades

Music & Moore, a music store in Topsham, was recently featured in a four-page article in the national Music Trades magazine’s February issue. The article discussed how and why the local store is making it in this tight economy.

The Portland Water District was recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association.

Windham-based CrossRate Technology LLC, a deliverer of position, navigation and time applications for sea, land and air, recently announced that its eLGPS 1110, an integrated GPS/eLoran receiver, was awarded honorable mention by the NMMA Innovation Award committee for Consumer Electronics and Software at the Miami International Boat Show in Miami, Fla.

Portland-based Weichert, Realtors — Waterglen Group recently recognized Jim Walsh and David Karl Roberts as its top producers for January. Walsh and Roberts were tied for the highest sales volume of the month.

The Courtyard by Marriott in South Portland recently obtained the State of Maine Environmental Leader Certification for incorporating sustainable business practices.

Associate Professor of History Joseph Hall received Bates College in Lewiston’s 2009 Kroepsch Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Wiscasset-based Coastal Enterprises Inc., a private, nonprofit community development corporation and community development financial institution, recently presented the following awards: The Sustaining Community Award to Steve Rohde, president of Sustainable Forest Futures, a nonprofit subsidiary of the Northern Forest Center in Bethel; The Partnership Award to John Moore, senior vice president of community reinvestment at Bangor Savings Bank; and The Founders’ Award to Steven Weems, executive investment officer at Coastal Enterprises Capital Management in Wiscasset.

DennyMike’s Cue Stuff, a creator of barbecue sauces and rubs in York, recently won five awards at the 18th Annual National Barbecue Association’s Conference and Expo in Austin, Texas.

The Maine Bar Foundation, a nonprofit grantmaking agency, recently honored Kermit Lipez of Maine’s Justice Action Group in Hallowell and Thomas Kelley of Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Portland for their contributions to justice in Maine at the Maine State Bar Association conference in South Portland. Lipez received the President’s Award and Kelley received the Howard H. Dana Jr. Award.

Smith Barney in Portland, a division of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., recently announced that local financial advisors Michael Boyson and Daniel Honan were recognized in Barron’s, a weekly publication for investors, as two of the top 1,000 advisors in the United States.

North Carolina-based FairPoint Communications, a provider of communications services, recently announced that Jane Valik, vice president of support operations in Portland, was presented with the 2008 Chairman’s Award.

Without A Trace Mobile Shredding, a Scarborough-based information destruction company, recently received its industry’s highest AAA certification level from the National Association of Information Destruction.

Lynne Belanger of Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution in Saco is the recipient of the A. William Kany Jr. 2008 Community Service Award, presented annually by the vice president and manager of the bank’s Saco branch.

The Flannery Brothers, a music production company in Bangor, recently won the grand prize in the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest.

Portland-based dog product manufacturer Planet Dog recently won “Best in Show” in the point-of-purchase category in the New Product Showcase at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Fla., for its “branded spinner.”

College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor was recently called “America’s Greenest College” in the March 2009 edition of the magazine Bangor Metro.

Raye’s Mustard Mill in Eastport recently won two awards for its stone ground mustards at the 2009 World-Wide Mustard Competition in Napa Valley, Calif.

Best Lawyers, a peer-review legal publication, recently named Portland-based law firm Verrill Dana attorneys Mark Googins, Charles Oestreicher and Peter Webster “Best Lawyers of the Year.”

Michelle Grondin-Raber of State Farm Insurance in Scarborough was recently given the National Multiline Sales Award for life insurance, fire and auto policies by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Coffee Review, an online coffee review site, recently tested Pownal-based Matt’s Wood Roasted Organic Coffee’s Bird Dog blend as an espresso and awarded it 90 points, making Bird Dog one of the highest-scoring organic espresso blends of the last few years.