In short from Nov. 2, 2009 | A roundup of new hires, promotions, accolades and appointments from Maine's business community

New Hires

Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution recently hired Julie Bresette as assistant branch manager at the bank’s Scarborough location. Previously, Bresette was a client services manager at KeyBank in Saco.

Emerge Maine, a Portland-based nonprofit dedicated to training Democratic women leaders, recently hired Katie Mae Simpson as its new executive director.

The USDA Rural Development office in Bangor recently hired Virginia Manuel as state director. Previously, Manuel was founder of Manuel and Associates in Bangor.

Pierce Atwood, a law firm in Portland, recently hired Joshua Dunlap as an associate in the firm’s litigation practice group after he completed a summer associate program at the firm.

Portland-based Drake Inglesi Milardo Inc., a human resources consulting firm serving clients throughout northern New England, recently hired Janet Allen as vice president.

Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring easy-to-prepare food products headquartered in Alexandria, Minn., recently hired Cathy Dodge of Windham as an independent consultant.

Lovejoy Health Center in Albion recently hired Yueer Ren as a family nurse practitioner. Ren is a recent graduate of the family nurse practitioner program at the University of Southern Maine.

Pen Bay Healthcare in Rockport recently hired Andrew Stinson as the pastoral care coordinator.

The Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta recently hired Abderrahim Khomani as a medical oncologist/hematologist. Previously, Khomani completed a clinical fellowship in hematology/oncology at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga.

ANGEL Secure Networks, a software research and development firm in Orono, recently hired Ralph Whedon as director of accounting. 

Systems Engineering, an IT provider in Portland, recently hired Todd Molloy as director of sales and marketing. Previously, Molloy was a manager at Wright Express Corp. in South Portland.

The Allen Agency, an insurance provider in Camden, recently hired Ben Williams as a personal lines insurance producer.

Garrand, a marketing and communications firm in Portland, recently hired Lola Sizemore as an assistant art director. 

Walch Education, a Portland-based developer and publisher of educational materials, recently hired Rorye Jordon as regional partnership manager.

Nobleboro-based Kieve-Wavus Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the aspirations of young people through summer camp programs, recently hired Jean Haeger as director of the Leadership School in Damariscotta Lake. Previously, Haeger was a coach at the Great Schools Partnership in Portland.

Portland-based Crossroads for Women, a substance abuse and mental health treatment center for women, recently hired Shannon Trainor as clinical director for the agency’s outpatient and residential programs and Shelley Walker Rosen as an outpatient clinician.

The Maine State Prison in Warren recently hired Patricia Barnhart as its new warden. Previously, Barnhart was acting warden of the Michigan Department of Corrections’ Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer, Mich.

Gifford’s Ice Cream in Skowhegan recently hired Charles Price as chief operating officer. Previously, Price was president of Galliker Dairy Co. in Johnstown, Pa.

Berry, Dunn, McNeil and Parker, an accounting firm in Portland, recently hired David Robertson as a staff accountant. Previously, Robertson worked at Ernst and Young in Charlotte, N.C.

Gould Academy in Bethel recently hired Nancy White as the new senior advancement officer. Previously, White co-owned and managed the Sudbury Inn in Bethel.

Pen Bay Orthopedics in Rockport recently hired Douglas Macmichael, a general orthopedic surgeon, to the hospital’s active medical staff.

Promotions

Charter Oak Capital Management, a registered investment advisory firm in Portland, recently promoted Todd Cesca to director of client services.

MEMIC, a workers’ compensation insurance company in Portland, recently promoted Catherine Lamson to senior vice president for human resources and administration and chief administrative officer. Previously, Lamson was vice president for human resources and administration.

Camden National Bank recently promoted Sarah Tolman to market manager, assistant vice president at its Rockland branch. Previously, Tolman served as the Camden Square branch manager.

KeyBank recently promoted Jodi Parker to branch manager at its Gardiner branch.

Portland-based Diversified Business Communications, which organizes trade events and publishes magazines and online resources, recently hired Mary Larkin as the new publisher of seafood business.

Gannett Co. Inc., owner of WCSH 6 in Portland and WLBZ 2 in Bangor, recently promoted Brian Cliffe to general sales manager. Previously, Cliffe was regional sales manager.

Houlton-based Katahdin Trust Co. recently promoted Tori Barber to branch manager and retail services officer at the bank’s Mars Hill branch.

Portland-based Crossroads for Women, a substance abuse and mental health treatment center for women, recently promoted Lisa Wishart to community relations coordinator. Previously, Wishart was office manager at Crossroads for Women’s Kennebunk counseling center.

Appointments

Bobbi Cribby, director of clinical practice at Bridgton Hospital, was recently named president-elect for 2009-2010 for the Organization of Maine Nurse Executives.

Adam Lee, president of Lee Auto Mall headquartered in Westbrook, was recently appointed to the board of the Energy and Carbon Savings Trust by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

IndustrialParkOnline.com Inc., a virtual resource park of communications and technology companies headquartered in Windham, recently appointed Bruce Harlow, president of Flue Gas Solutions in Raymond, to its board of directors.

Spotlight

Portland-based Putney Inc., a pharmaceutical company that develops generic drugs for pets, has recently underwritten a series of online continuing education courses that outline how generic drugs help veterinary practices deliver high-quality medical care during challenging economic times.

Putney is sponsoring this resource, available at no charge to veterinary practitioners, to help the veterinary community combat the current economy’s effect on animal care, according to a press release from the company.

The three-part program, which focuses on the safety, efficacy and value of generic drug options, was reviewed and approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards Registry of Approved Continuing Education.

Company News

KICTeam, a developer and manufacturer of cleaning cards headquartered in Auburn, recently announced its successful expansion in both Europe and Asia. KIC Products UK, which operated as an independent exclusive European distributor, is now KICTeam Europe Limited and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KICTeam Inc. KICTeam Asian/Pacific also has plans to establish offices in key locations.

Organizers of the Juice Conference recently received an anonymous donation of $30,000 to be invested into innovative Maine businesses on behalf of Midcoast Magnet. The Juice 2.0 “Building Maine’s Innovation Networks” conference will take place on Nov. 13 and 14 in Camden.

Northeast Bancorp in Lewiston, the parent company of Northeast Bank, recently announced $496,000 in net income for the quarter ending Sept. 30, 2009, an increase of 619% compared to the $69,000 in net income earned during the same period last year.

Blue Marble Geographics, a developer of geographic software products in Gardiner, recently announced the release of Desktop 2.1 with Geographic Calculator 7.4. This release introduces full support of horizontal time-dependent positioning reference frames and coordinate reference systems in Calculator along with enhanced support for Alberta Township Systems.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Orono and Maine Sea Grant recently launched of Maine Climate News at www.extension.umaine.edu/maineclimatenews. Produced in partnership with Maine state climatologist George Jacobson, the site is intended to be a portal to local climate change science and research at the University of Maine and beyond, as well as a resource for news and climate-related activities throughout the state.

Pinnacle Development Group, an IT company with offices in Waterville, recently launched a new web site for Tecwind, www.tecwind.com, a wind turbine company located in Lewiston. The website allows Tecwind customers to find details on different turbine models. 

EOS Solar recently celebrated the grand opening of its solar heating equipment manufacturing facility in Rockland. EOS was also recently awarded a grant from the Maine Technology Institute to pursue a patent for its solar thermal pump station design. Bangor-based Webster Atlantic, publisher of the Bangor Metro magazine and Real Maine Weddings, recently announced its production of MaineAhead, a new four-color magazine aimed at Maine’s decision-makers in business, government and the nonprofit sector.

The Genesis Community Loan Fund in Damariscotta, which provides technical assistance and flexible financing to Maine communities, recently received a $1 million award from the CDFI Program of the U.S. Treasury to increase the amount of long-term and gap financing it can provide for affordable housing projects and community facilities.

The USDA Rural Development agency recently awarded the following 11 Maine businesses and organizations a total of $291,534 from its Renewable Energy for America Program: Royal Street Wash in Winthrop received $7,916; United Fitness in Winthrop received $23,158; Village Farm in Freedom received $14,347; A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm in Sumner received $7,327; America’s Wood Co. in Washington received $12,500; AMJOSA Enterprises Inc. in Brooks received $49,940; Haulk’s Maple in Madison received $7,370; Hilltop Boilers in Newfield received $4,250; Longfellow’s Greenhouses in Manchester received $15,101; Meadowmere Motel in Ogunquit received $49,625; and the Maine Public Utilities Commission in Augusta received $100,000.

The Maine Development Foundation, through its Maine Downtown Center program, recently received a $100,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation’s Environmental Funders Network to launch Green Downtowns!, a project designed to strengthen its existing downtown revitalization programs in an environmentally sustainable manner.  

U.S. Cellular recently built a new tower in Phippsburg to improve coverage and network capacity in the town of Phippsburg and along Route 209.

Kennebec Savings Bank recently announced it has received a five-star rating from BauerFinancial, an independent bank rating firm. The rating was based on the bank’s second quarter performance for 2009.

Sustain, a fundraising management software company in Scarborough, recently partnered with William Stockwell, a Maine fundraising consultant.

Quantrix, a software developer in Portland, recently announced the release of its DataPush, an integration tool that allows organizations to implement distributed budgeting and planning solutions for increased flexibility and improved collaboration. DataPush is an add-on product to its business modeling and analytics solution, Quantrix Modeler. 

JobsInME in Westbrook recently announced the addition of a new suite of services powered by HRSentry, a Vermont-based company. The JobsInME Human Resources Center enables employers to locate human resource forms, policies and procedures, and link to federal and state laws and regulations.

BEK Inc., a computer services company in Brunswick, recently moved its offices to 9 Industrial Parkway.

The Portland Symphony Orchestra achieved a balanced budget for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2009, bolstered by record attendance. Preliminary audit results, excluding one-time initiatives, show operating revenues of $2,806,000 and expenses of $2,799,000.

Affinity of Maine in Portland, an off-line matchmaking service, recently announced its new pay-per-match program.

The Maine Health Information Center in Manchester recently changed its name to Onpoint Health Data. Onpoint Health Data also changed the name of its claims database product, known by clients as the National Claims Data Management System, to Onpoint Claims Data Manager.

Spec Air Specialty Gases in Auburn, a division of Maine Oxy, was recently awarded continued accreditation under the ISO 17025:2005 quality standards by Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation Inc. ISO 17025:2005 is a laboratory quality accreditation recognized worldwide as the standard for excellence in laboratory testing and calibration processes.

The World Affairs Council of Maine recently announced a new partnership with the University of New England in Biddeford. The relationship is part of a larger effort by the university to broaden global opportunities for its students, and the new partnership will enhance the World Affairs Council’s mission to offer educational programming about international topics.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension recently received $450,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a potato integrated pest management program.

Portland-based Front Burner PR recently completed two health care reform-related media strategy and national ad buy campaigns for the American College of Emergency Physicians in Texas, and the Fairfax, Va.-based American Society for Radiation Oncology.  

The Maine Community College System board of trustees recently approved Bangor-based Eastern Maine Community College’s new program proposal for digital graphic design. The program will offer an associate degree in applied science as well as a one-year certificate program.

Sunday River ski resort in Newry recently announced its new $2,900 mega pass, which includes unlimited skiing and riding at Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon Mountain, as well as unlimited use of Sunday River’s tubing park and other benefits.

HealthReach Community Health Centers recently raised over $12,600 to assist community health centers, United Way and MaineShare.

AlliedCook Construction in Scarborough recently broke ground on a new residence hall at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.

Lewiston-based Absolute Marketing and Design recently launched two websites to allow businesses to search through tens of thousands of logoed promotional products. The websites are centrally located at www.logoedpromotionalproducts.com.

The Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Auburn recently announced the launch of its Feeding Maine Youth program to address childhood hunger and food insecurity throughout the state.

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce recently announced the commencement of its “Back to Business” membership drive to increase awareness of chamber benefits and to recruit new members.  

Lockard’s Collision Center in Portland recently moved its offices to 238 Riverside St.

Oakhurst Dairy in Portland recently announced three new projects in support of its continuing commitment to a healthier environment and New England communities. Oakhurst purchased a hybrid delivery truck, introduced a program to equip 25 of its large semi-trucks with drag-reducing “skirts” and installed solar panels on its facility in Waterville.

Add Verb Productions, a Portland-based nonprofit that uses live theatre for health and wellness education, recently announced its newest program, Major Medical Breakthrough.

Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pub in Portland recently crafted a new beer, Gritty’s Dempsey Challenge Courage Ale, and donated $1 from every pint sold to the Patrick Dempsey Cancer Center for Hope and Healing.

PlumChoice, a remote technical service and support industry headquartered in Billerica, Mass., has opened a facility in Scarborough. PlumChoice’s Scarborough Center of Excellence will provide regional support and training for PlumChoice technicians. 

Berry, Dunn, McNeil and Parker, an accounting firm in Portland, recently announced that employee Michel Caouette has been named a certified construction industry financial professional from the Institute of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals.

Accolades

The Associated General Contractors of Maine recently awarded James Langford of Langford and Low Construction in Portland the Major Achievements in Construction award.

Barbara Asali of Portland recently received top honors from Wood Dale, Ill.-based lia sophia, an in-home demonstration jewelry retailer, for its Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers for her outstanding sales accomplishments and professionalism.

The Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau recently announced that the Oct. 12 issue of People magazine listed Harvest on the Harbor as one of the “Great Ideas” for fall food festivals. 

Gifford’s Ice Cream in Skowhegan recently earned a perfect score and the title of “World’s Best Chocolate Ice Cream” in the World Dairy Expo 2009 contest held in Madison, Wisc.

Cory Hutchinson, vice president of waterpark operations and development at Funtown Splashtown in Saco, recently received the Patriotic Employer award from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

The National Association of Insurance Women Maine Council recently recognized Allison Green of Peerless Insurance Co. in Portland as the Rookie of the Year, Sarah Bailey of Acadia Insurance Co. in Westbrook with the American Association of Managing General Agents award and Susan Nason of Clark Insurance in Portland as the Insurance Professional of the Year.

Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport recently awarded Brian King, a peri-operative support partner in the surgical services department, with the Employee of the Year award.

The Maine Development Foundation and its higher education promotion initiative, the Maine Employers’ Initiative, recently recognized the following employers for their efforts in supporting employee higher education: Bath Iron Works; Coastal Enterprises Inc. in Wiscasset; Disability RMS in Westbrook; FISC Solutions in Lewiston; Lebel and Harriman in Falmouth; Maine Bank and Trust in Portland; the Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation in Portland; the Maine Compact for Higher Education in Augusta; Massabesic Adult Education in Waterboro; Oakhurst Dairy in Portland; the Northern New England Housing Investment Fund in Portland; Pratt and Whitney in North Berwick; Saco and Biddeford Savings in Saco; Sanford Adult Education; the town of Wells; and Unum in Portland.

Amy Cotton, director of Rosscare, a member of the Eastern Maine Healthcare System in Bangor, was recently selected to receive the first Geriatric Nursing Leadership award from the Honor Society of Nursing.

Garrand, a Portland-based marketing and communications firm, was recently named the Best Place to Work in Maine for 2009 in the small/medium business category by the Society for Human Resources Management Maine State Council. Unum, an insurance company in Portland, was named the Best Place to Work in Maine for 2009 in the large business category.

The Maine Merchants Association recently chose Bar Harbor-based Acadia Corp., which operates the Jordan Pond House Restaurant and retail shops at Jordan Pond House, as its 2009 Merchant of the Year.