In Short from May 18, 2009 | A roundup of new hires, promotions, accolades and appointments from Maine's business community

New Hires

The Portland Harbor Hotel in Portland recently hired Earl Anthony Morse as executive chef for its restaurant, Eve’s at the Garden. Previously, Morse was chef de cuisine at the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport.

The Falmouth Country Club in Falmouth recently hired the following to its clubhouse team: Jared Laflin; Alex Tumidajski; Brenda Wills and Jim Fairbanks. Previously, Laflin was a food and beverage manager at The Regency Hotel in Portland, Tumidajski was head chef at the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Fairbanks was a golf professional at Nonesuch Golf Club in Scarborough and Wills was general manager at Arrowhead Country Club in Rapid City, S.D.

Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Auburn recently hired Cheryl-Ann Jalbert as manager of organizational development and human resources, Christine Force as director of development and Melody Dowell as public relations coordinator. Previously, Jalbert was a member of the distribution leadership team at Hannaford Bros. Co. in Scarborough, Force was director of membership and corporate development at the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Dowell was a communications specialist for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix, Ariz.

Fireside Inn and Suites in Auburn recently hired Theresa Hyatt as chef. Hyatt will manage Danny Boy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant and the inn’s banquet facilities. Hyatt received her executive pastry chef certification from the American Culinary Federation.

Drummond Woodsum, a general practice law firm in Portland, recently hired Joanna Brown Tourangeau. Previously, Tourangeau practiced environmental law at Pierce Atwood in Portland.

Personal Estate Manager Inc., a provider of an interactive online safety deposit box, recently hired James McMahon as the Maine regional director.

Kennebunk Savings Bank in Kennebunk recently hired Michelle Nappi as bank vice president and residential production manager. Previously, Nappi was an inside mortgage specialist at TD Banknorth.

U.S. Cellular in Portland recently hired Keith Eames as agent account executive in the company’s Portland and southern Maine markets.

Simple Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring easy-to-prepare gourmet products headquartered in Alexandria, Minn., recently hired Angela Tripp of Windham as a regional independent consultant.

Berry Dunn McNeil and Parker, an accounting and management consulting firm in Portland, recently hired Judy Higgins as a consultant. Previously, Higgins was an associate chief information officer with the Vermont Agency of Human Services.

Portland-based Crossroads for Women, a substance abuse treatment service for women, recently hired the following outpatient clinicians at its new satellite office, Kennebunk Counseling Center: Rachael O’Donnell, also a clinician at Southern Maine Medical Center’s ambulatory behavioral health unit in Biddeford; Ashley Weymouth, formerly a clinical social worker at Maine Medical Center in Portland; and Kathleen Hebden, a program manager at Sweetser in Portland. Crossroads for Women also hired Lisa Washart as Kennebunk Counseling Center’s office manager.

Camden National Bank in Camden recently hired Gregory Sirois as vice president and midcoast retail regional manager. Previously, Sirois worked as a manager at Bank of America.

Maine Street Solutions, a public affairs and consulting service of Portland-based law firm Verrill Dana, recently hired Dana Stanley as director of market research and new media.  Previously, Stanley worked for Internet research company Greenfield Online.

Promotions

Patriot Insurance Co. in Yarmouth recently promoted Rachel Bannister to personal lines marketing manager and Melissa Pineau to personal lines underwriter. Previously, Bannister was a property casualty underwriter and Pineau was an associate underwriter.

Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook recently promoted the following to its executive team: Steve Batista to controller; Joyce Cotton to associate chief of clinical and nursing services; Mark Fulton to associate medical director; Jennifer Hunt-MacLearn to director of professional development and performance excellence, and risk manager; John Orlowski to chief human resources officer; Chris Simons to director of health information management and utilization management and privacy officer; and Aria Tuki to director of development and communications.

Portland-based Crossroads for Women, a substance abuse treatment service for women, recently promoted the following: Susan Lovely to team leader at Crossroads for Women’s halfway house in Portland; Teresa Bendokas to manager of client services; and Marianne Donahue to outpatient clinical team leader at Crossroads for Women’s Portland outpatient office. Previously, Lovely was a senior counselor, Bendokas was a senior intake coordinator and Donahue was an outpatient/intensive outpatient clinician.

Thompson-Hamel, a financial services firm in Presque Isle, recently named Brian Hamel as managing partner of the firm. 

Demont and Associates Inc., a fundraising consulting firm in Portland, recently promoted Aric Walton to director of operations. Previously, Walton was a campaign office manager for capital campaigns.

Camden National Corp., parent company of Camden National Bank, recently promoted Carolyn Crosby to vice president, director of human resources and stakeholder development. Previously, Crosby was vice president, human resources manager.

Portland-based Maine Bank and Trust recently promoted the following: Ann Marie Swenson to vice president, small business lending; Erika McGilley to vice president, small business lending; Dana Fields to market manager of the Brunswick branch; Darryl Wright to market manager of the Windham Branch; Janet Butland to market manager of the Sanford branch; Terry Alexander to vice president and northern region manager; Victor Pizzuto to vice president and southern region manager; and Michèle Gasco, vice president and branch administration officer, to customer experience manager for all 13 branches.

Maine Health Access Foundation, a private health funder in Augusta, recently promoted Catherine Luce to grants manager. Previously, Luce was a grants associate. 

Appointments

Blue Marble Geographics, a developer and provider of geographic software in Gardiner, recently said that Victor Minor, chief technology officer at the company, has been named chair of the Open Geospatial Consortium’s Data Quality Working Group.

John Wright, retired president, owner and chief executive officer of J.A. Wright and Co. in Keene, N.H., was recently appointed as treasurer and a board member of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.   Portland-based Crossroads for Women, a substance abuse treatment service for women, recently appointed the following to its board of directors: Kristy Greco, finance manager at Hydro International in Portland; Emily Semenchuck, senior technical service representative at Waste Management in Rochester, N.H.; Carolyn Delaney, manager of application development at L3 Microdyne Outsourcing in Orono; and Anna Kent, owner of Stone Coast Staging in Portland.

Company News

Kennebec Technologies Inc., formerly Kennebec Tool & Die, finished a $2.5 million, two-year upgrade at its manufacturing facility in Augusta where it produces high-precision components for aerospace, defense, alternative energy, medical, semiconductor and telecommunications industries. The upgrades enable the company to make complex parts quickly and efficiently in one operation.

Town & Country Federal Credit Union in South Portland recently announced the completion of a major renovation at its Scarborough branch. The renovation included replacing its traditional teller lines with free-standing stations that allow employees to interact side-by-side with members.

The Maine Center for Enterprise Development recently received funding from the Maine Technology Institute to develop the Applied Entrepreneurship Program, otherwise known as Top Gun. The program links the state’s most promising growth-oriented technology entrepreneurs with seasoned business professionals and other resources needed to accelerate business growth.

WoodenBoat Publications in Brooklin recently selected the Verso Paper Corp. mill in Jay to provide paper for its two publications, WoodenBoat magazine and Professional BoatBuilder magazine.

The University of Maine’s College of Engineering and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Orono have teamed up to offer a formal dual-degree program in which students can graduate in five years with degrees from each college.

The New Mainers Workforce Partnership in Lewiston recently held its second graduation at Lewiston Public Library. Candidates for the program were English language learners with basic speaking skills but limited reading and writing skills.

Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce in Rockland recently announced the following businesses have joined the chamber: Adventure Advertising Inc. in Rockport; AspenCross Financial Group in Rockland; Boston Financial Data Services in Rockland; Hollywood Custom Rides in Brewer; Kathy’s Hallmark in Rockland; Lilienthal Rental in Thomaston; Riley School Inc. in Glen Cove; Mini Me Baby Gear and Crib Rentals in Warren; The Mount Battie Motel in Lincolnville; North Atlantic Painting Co. Inc. in Camden; Trackside Station in Rockland; and Vacation Cottages in Blue Hill.

Perry and Melinda Williams recently announced the creation of the Maine Lakefront Club in Falmouth, a new private residence club in the Sebago Lakes Region. Maine Lakefront Club comprises a collection of existing, estate-style homes with an average price of $1.5 million.

Portland-based mCaddie Inc., a creator of social networking software for golfers and a client of the Maine Center for Enterprise Development, was recently awarded a Maine Technology Institute development award of $235,540 to develop its technology and bring its product to the marketplace. The award is contingent upon mCaddie raising $325,768 of private funding or an in-kind match.

Unitil, a provider of electric and gas distribution in Portland, recently announced that the Maine Public Utilities Commission approved a decrease in the cost of gas factor rates for its natural gas customers. The residential cost of gas factor rate will decrease 40.5% from $1.2857 per ccf to $0.7649 per ccf.

Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland recently completed a three-day reaccreditation process conducted by the American Correctional Association that involved three independent auditors reviewing approximately 450 life safety, security, treatment and medical standards. The auditor assessed the facility’s compliance and performance in these areas over the last three years.

Thomas College in Waterville recently added the latest high-speed wireless network access to its campus library. The technology helps the school provide reliable wireless service to students, faculty and staff.

Attorney Gretchen Jones, a shareholder and director at Auburn-based law firm Skelton Taintor and Abbott, was recently a presenter at the Maine Association of Community Banks 33rd Expo, held in Portland.

Nonprofit service providers Maine Community Foundation and Common Good Ventures recently selected three new partners for their Nonprofit Effectiveness Program: College for ME-Androscoggin, Literacy Volunteers of Maine and Broadreach Family Services.

Bangor Savings Bank of Bangor recently renewed its NYCE Network participation. NYCE has been the bank’s exclusive provider of PIN debit and ATM card access since 2003.

Smitty’s Cinema in Sanford was recently featured in the Wells-based York County Community College digital media production of “LIFE.exe,” an animated short film showcasing the work of senior animation and multimedia students.

The Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resources has begun the search to find companies that will make the 2009 “Best Places to Work in Maine” list. The program, endorsed by Best Companies Group, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Employment Times and Mainebiz, recognizes companies that have established and fostered outstanding workplace environments.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a nonprofit health plan headquartered in Wellesley, Mass., recently awarded grants to the Maine Medical Center Physician Hospital Organization in Portland, Quality Counts in Scarborough and St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston through its Quality Grants Program.

Angela Adams, a Portland-based designer, recently announced the opening of the Angela Adams Design Center in Portland.  

Maine Entertainment, a home theater resource and speaker company in Readfield, recently completed its home theater design center and a makeover of its website, www.maineentertainment.com.

Wright-Pierce, a provider of water, wastewater and infrastructure engineering services in Portland, has been working with cities and towns throughout New England to position itself as a shovel-ready recipient of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds. Wright-Pierce is the design engineer for 17 Maine water and wastewater infrastructure projects being funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including several green project reserve-funded projects.

The University of Maine and Eureka Ranch, a provider of training and consulting for inventing breakthrough ideas for new products or business methods headquartered in Newtown, Ohio, recently partnered to form the Maine Innovation Marketplace, a new resource for entrepreneurs and inventors that helps determine what ideas are worth in actual dollars.

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge in Lincolnville recently announced it is now open for the 2009 season.

Planet Dog, a developer of dog products in Portland, recently launched a recycling program for its best-selling Orbee-Tuff toy collection. Planet Dog also recently formed a partnership in Canada with Natural Pet Distributors in Ontario and in the United Kingdom with Ianick Trading Co.

Pike Industries in Lewiston was recently awarded a $31.5 million contract from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds to rebuild the northbound lanes of I-295 between Brunswick and Gardiner.

Efficiency Maine and the Maine Air National Guard in Bangor recently announced the successful completion of a lighting retrofit project at the Guard’s main hangar, the first in a series of projects that should ultimately save about $80,000 a year in electricity costs.

Portland-based InterSpec Inc., a provider of construction document management solutions and services built on its patented e-SPECS specification management technology, recently released version 4.2 of e-SPECS, with new functionality and building product manufacturer BIM content. 

Spring Harbor Hospital, a free-standing acute psychiatric hospital in Westbrook, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Agatha and Louise, a seller of decorative items and gifts, recently closed its retail store in Portland to focus on operating its Internet businesses, www.agathaandlouise.com and www.aandlhome.com.

Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor recently launched its new blog, www.greenacreskennel.com/blog, to provide educational and entertaining information about dogs and cats and its services and products.

Bangor Hydro Electric Co. in Bangor recently completed the Hancock County Reliability Project. The project improves electrical reliability for customers in lower Hancock County by creating a redundant and higher-capacity connection to the region.

Portland-based Crossroads for Women, a substance abuse treatment service for women, recently announced the opening of its new outpatient satellite office, the Kennebunk Counseling Center in Kennebunk. The center helps women overcome mental health and substance abuse at an outpatient level.

Verso Paper Corp. in Jay recently announced its release of “A Climate of Change: Sustainability Report 2008.”  The report details Verso’s progress to respect a sustainable balance between environmental, social and economic needs.

Aucocisco Galleries, a Portland-based art gallery, recently announced the opening of its new space at 89 Exchange St. in Portland.

Portland engineering firm Stantec recently expanded its aviation division into New Mexico. The firm intends to send airport planning manager Jay Wood, an associate at its Portland office, to manage the company’s new office in Taos, N.M.

Randy Dunham, a CPA financial forensics expert with Kennebunk-based Cummings, Lamont and McNamee, was recently awarded the certified in financial forensics credential by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Kate Meyers-Coyne, president of Brown and Meyers, a provider of outsourcing solutions in Portland, recently became a certified document imaging architect from the Computer Technology Imaging Association.

Accolades

Kristine Schuman, manager of the BRAC Transition Center at Naval Air Station Brunswick, recently received the Special Recognition Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration for her service to Maine’s veterans and families.

The Maine Association of Nonprofits recently honored the following Maine organizations for nonprofit excellence at its annual leadership conference at Colby College in Waterville: Goodwill Industries of Northern New England in Portland, Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center in Bangor and Maine Farmland Trust in Belfast.

Fisher and Phillips, a law firm in Portland, recently said its Labor Letter newsletter is the Burton Award recipient for Best Law Firm Newsletter in 2009 from the Burton Foundation, a nonprofit organization in New York, N.Y., that concentrates on legal writing.

Lynne Richard, an environmental education coordinator at the Portland Water District, recently received the 2009 Outstanding Environmental Educators Award from the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Southern Maine.

Andrea Berlin, chair of the Old Orchard Beach Conservation Commission, was recently awarded the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for 2009 Exemplary Service.

Gov. John Baldacci recently honored Bangor Savings Bank in Bangor with a Governor’s Exemplary Service Award for community service efforts. 

WBRC Architects and Engineers, headquartered in Bangor, was one of nine architectural firms nationwide selected to receive the 2008-2009 IDP Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects’ Intern Development Program Advisory Committee.

W.D. Matthews Machinery Co. in Auburn was recently awarded Toyota Material Handling U.S.A. Inc.’s 2008 President’s Award for excellence in parts, service and equipment sales, customer satisfaction and overall dealership operations.