In short: hires, accolades, promotions and company news

New hires

Winxnet, an IT service provider in Portland, recently hired Lori Cunningham as an inside sales representative. Previously, Cunningham was a personal banker for Gorham Savings Bank.

Michelle Raber State Farm Insurance Agency in Scarborough recently hired Angela Duran as an account representative. Duran most recently worked for AAA in Portland.

Dresser and Associates, a provider of human resource information system software headquartered in Scarborough, recently hired Danielle Pouliot as an account executive.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine recently hired Perri Powell to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer for the next year. Powell will work in several schools in Cumberland County, serving English language learners through mentoring, school skills support and community engagement.

Meridian 361 International Law Group PLLC, a Portland boutique international law firm, recently added Juan Pablo Rodriguez as a principal in the firm. Rodriguez is a Venezuelan lawyer and heads the firm's Latin America practice from its office in Venezuela.

Baker Newman Noyes, an accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Portland, recently announced five new hires: Adam Aucoin was hired in the tax department while Nora Antonio, Jacob Day, Brooke Freeman and Eric Leveille were hired in the audit department.

Rinck Advertising in Auburn recently hired Kelley Guite as administrative assistant. Guite was previously with the Brunswick campus of Southern New Hampshire University.

Largay Law Offices PA in Bangor recently hired Hunter Umphrey. Previously, Umphrey worked as an intern for Christopher Almy, the district attorney for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

KPI Direct, a direct marketing and brand management agency in Portland, recently hired Aaron Baker and Vince Dargush. Baker, previously with Integrated Media Solutions, joined the marketing and media strategy team as integrated media manager. Dargush, previously at LiveOps, is the manager of consumer sales.

Prime Ford/Mazda in Saco recently hired David Dyer as a sales and leasing consultant. Prime Toyota in Saco recently hired James Cline as a sales and leasing consultant.

Community Credit Union in Lewiston and Auburn recently hired Lisa Parker as a member representative in its Lewiston branch.

Yarmouth Boat Yard, operating from the Kennebunkport Marina, recently hired Matthew Camp in sales. Camp also operates MMC Consulting LLC, a company that works with boatbuilders, boatyards and marinas across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean to provide education to comply with environmental requirements.

Camden National Bank recently hired Nathan Cotnoir and Dean Waterman as vice president, commercial banking officers. Cotnoir, previously with The Bank of Maine, will manage commercial banking relationships throughout the Augusta, Gardiner and Waterville markets. Waterman, previously with KeyBank in Lewiston, will be based in the bank's newly acquired Auburn branch and will manage commercial banking relationships throughout the Lewiston-Auburn market.

The Progress Center, a Norway-based agency that serves people with disabilities, recently announced two new hires. Mark Ferguson was hired as manager of children services and Sandra Shorey was hired as the director of residential services.

Androscoggin Bank recently hired Deborah Dunlap Avasthi as assistant vice president, professional services officer. Avasthi, previously the vice president of surety for Willis of Northern New England, will be based at the bank's main office in Lewiston.

Burns & McDonnell, an engineering, architecture and consulting firm in New Gloucester, recently hired Tushar Meshram as risk and change manager in the project controls department.

Bates College in Lewiston recently hired six new tenure-track members of the faculty: Ali Humayun Akhtar, religious studies and classical and medieval studies; Rachel Boggia, dance; Jason Castro, psychology and neuroscience; Raluca Cernahoschi and Jakub Kazecki, German; and Paul Shea, economics.

Thayer Corp. in Auburn recently hired Nicole Mailhot as project coordinator. Mailhot is responsible for management and completion of marketing, operations and administrative projects.

Auburn Manufacturing Inc., a high-performance textile company in Mechanic Falls, recently hired Garrett VanAtta as vice president of innovation engineering. VanAtta, most recently the president of SPX Communications Technology, will lead initiatives to improve product quality, process efficiencies and the development of new products and services.

Health Affiliates Maine, a provider of outpatient counseling and case management services in Auburn, recently hired Kevin Kavookjian as medical director. Kavookjian, currently on staff at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, was most recently the chief of psychiatry at Southern Maine Medical Center.

The Telling Room, a nonprofit writing center in Portland, recently hired Hakim Kodi to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer for an eight-month position. Kodi will work in the southern Maine community and serve English language learners through mentoring, school skills support and community engagement.

Norton Insurance Agency in Cumberland Foreside recently hired Roberta Cote as premier client practice manager. Cote was previously a vice president at USI Insurance Services.

The Goodwin Motor Group in Scarborough recently hired Michael White as general manager of its Land Rover and Jaguar stores. White brings more than 25 years of experience to the position.

Skelton, Taintor & Abbott, a law firm in Auburn, recently hired Thomas Faiella as an associate attorney. Faiella received his law degree from the Boston University School of Law in 2012.

University Credit Union, headquartered in Orono, recently hired Stacey Young as branch manager of its Bangor location. Young was previously an assistant vice president/branch manager with Bangor Savings Bank.

Promotions

CBRE|The Boulos Co. recently announced several promotions. Amy Booth, Paul Ureneck, Rick Donald, Kim Farrar and Jennifer McGowan were all promoted to partner in the firm's property management division while Christopher Paszyc, Joseph Porta and Jessica Estes were promoted to partner in the brokerage division.

TD Bank recently promoted Dave Glidden to regional president for northern New England and upstate New York. Glidden was previously the bank's market president for Boston metro south and Rhode Island.

Camden National Bank recently promoted Robert McKay to senior vice president, program manager for Camden Financial Consultants. McKay has managed the brokerage program since 2008.

Goold Health Services, a health care management company focusing on Medicaid services located in Augusta, recently promoted Miklos Van Halen to senior director of product engineering and Christopher Siegel to director of technology.

Computer Solutions in Rockland recently promoted Jill Robinson to customer manager. Robinson was previously a junior computer technician.

Katahdin Trust Co. recently promoted Diane Green to vice president and Billi Blanchard to the officer position of trainer. Green will continue her responsibilities as manager and retail services officer at the Presque Isle office. Blanchard will be responsible for the development, coordination and facilitation of training for new and existing employees.

Appointments

The Community Development Society recently appointed Anthony Gauvin, associate professor of electronic commerce at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, to a position on its editorial board. Gauvin's appointment reflects his academic expertise in the field of rural economic development.

Franklin Community Health Network recently appointed Jennifer McCormack as the director of Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County. McCormack, who had been serving as interim director since June, is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the nonprofit's operations. The Network also announced that Dr. David Dixon, Clinton Boothby and Leslie Gatchell were recently appointed to its board of directors.

Baker Newman Noyes, an accounting and consulting firm in Portland, recently announced Ellie Baker was elected managing principal. Baker, the firm's co-founder, has previously served as vice chairman, managing principal and principal at the firm.

Company news

Simmons Ardell, a South Portland-based communication design firm, has been engaged by the University of Maine School of Law to provide branding and design services.

Bernstein Shur, a law firm in Portland, recently launched a data security team. The team is made up of six attorneys who provide clients with legal and technical support before and after a data security breach.

Back in Motion Physical Therapy will open a third location at 1041 Brighton Ave. in Portland.

Perrt, Fitts, Boulette & Fitton, an accounting firm headquartered in Oakland, recently opened a new office at 259 Front St. in Bath.

Frosty's Donuts recently opened a third Maine location at 740 Broadway, Suite 500, in South Portland.

Blue Marble Geographics, a mapping software company, recently exhibited its products at the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Symposium in Orlando, Fla., and the INTERGEO Conference and Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany. The company also recently acquired commercial property and relocated from Gardiner to 77 Water St. in Hallowell.

Actuarial Designs & Solutions Inc. in Scarborough announced that Tony Ornatek and Christopher Whitney were recently awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies. Ornatek, principal and executive vice president, is an actuary specializing in the design and administration of qualified and non-qualified retirement focused plans and ESOPs. Whitney, vice president and director of marketing, specializes in 401(k) plan design and sales.

Portland Buy Local recently announced the winners of the fifth annual Indie Biz Awards. The awards recognize leaders among Portland's independent businesses and community organizations. The 2012 winners were: Soul of Portland, Micucci Grocery Co. Inc.; Flavor of Portland, Rosemont Market and Bakery; Portland's Best Kept Secret, The Honey Exchange; Environmental Hero, Portland Trails; Community Hero, Planet Dog; Out of Sight, Not out of Mind, Close Buy Catalog; Artistic Leader, SPACE Gallery; Global Hero, Portland Museum of Art; Best New Business, The Holy Donut; and Portland Icon, Longfellow Books.

Maine USDA Rural Development recently introduced a new website design. The redesign was implemented to allow visitors to navigate more easily through its pages and locate information on programs, news, staff and other items.

Maine Women's Network recently announced its elected 2012-2013 officers and board members: president, Vicki Worden, Worden Associates Inc.; vice president, Karen Ruggiero, Judith Grossman Decorating; second vice president, Catherine Cleale, Merrill Lynch; secretary, Jennifer Gaylord, American Red Cross; and treasurer, Fran Vicario, Accounting Solutions. Additional board members include: Amanda Austin, 2A Architects LLC; Luanne Cameron, Luanne Cameron State Farm; Judy Crosby, The DaVinci Experience; Betty Gensel, Women's Business Center at CEI; Molly Gray, Dream Local Digital; Nancy Kennedy, Kieve-Wavus Education Inc.; Marianne Russo, Nellie's Teas & Gifts; and Brenda Smith, TD Bank NA.

Wright-Ryan, a construction firm in Portland, recently announced that site assistant Carlene Fassett was awarded the Construction Planning and Management Constructor's Scholarship by the Associated General Contractors of Maine. Fassett is pursuing her bachelor's degree in construction management at the University of Southern Maine.

Scottrade recently announced that it will be relocating its Portland branch office in November. The new office will be in the Western Avenue Crossing shopping center located at 85 Western Ave.

R.H. Foster, an energy company headquartered in Hampden, was recently selected by Blackstone Accelerates Growth program to receive specialized business mentoring services and to serve as the charter clients of two new regional innovation hubs in Portland and Bangor.

Birthday Coups, a Portland-based tech business, recently launched its birthday coupon service for businesses. The company provides businesses with a free or inexpensive way to send customers a birthday e-coupon that is hassle free for the business and the customer.

Maine Philanthropy Center recently announced that President Janet Henry will be stepping down at the end of June 2013. Henry has a long history with the organization dating back to its inception in 1995 when she helped form the board and hired the organization's founding director.

Gifford's Ice Cream, headquartered in Skowhegan, was recently named the 2012 Ice Cream Grand Champion for its vanilla bean flavor at the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Contest. Ice creams from across the country were judged in various categories.

You Dirty Dog, a self-service dog wash operation, recently opened at 85 Western Ave. in South Portland.

Rudman Winchell attorney and partner Anne-Marie Storey was recently selected to join the Bangor YMCA's board of directors.

The Society for Human Resource Management recently announced its Best Places to Work in Maine winners at the Maine State Council's awards and recognition dinner held in Lewiston. Cintas Corp. of Westbrook was ranked No. 1 in the large company category followed by Consigli Construction Co. Inc., Portland; Edward Jones, Eliot; Bangor Savings Bank, Bangor; and Unum, Portland. PeoplesChoice Credit Union, located in Saco, was listed No. 1 in the small/medium category followed by Turner Barker Insurance, Portland; Biddeford Savings Bank, Biddeford; Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, Hampden; and Hall Internet Marketing, Portland.

Administration, medical staff, and educators from Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital in Oslo, Norway, recently visited Mid Coast Hospital to research the role of the nurse practitioner in health care and how it contributes to the delivery of high quality and cost effective care. Currently, the role of nurse practitioner is not part of the health care system in Norway and the representatives were seeking input into the potential of establishing such a program.

The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation recently contributed $15,000 to Avesta Housing to further the work of its new Home Ownership Center. The grant, to be awarded over two years, is part of the foundation's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Maine citizens through community investment.

Central Maine Power Co., a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, recently completed a project to increase capacity and improve reliability of the electric grid in the Saco Bay region. Work on the $30 million Saco Bay Reinforcement Project began in the fall of 2011 following a five-year review by state and local authorities. The company also recently began a $3 million project to replace three miles of electric transmission cables beneath the streets of downtown Portland.

Geoffrey Warner Studio in Stonington recently expanded its Owl Furniture line with the addition of the Owl Perch Stool and the Owl Bar Stool. The products were created in response to customers requesting taller stools for kitchens, offices and family craft areas.

Bath Savings Trust Co. announced that Sean Martin, vice president, recently attained Chartered Financial Analyst designation. The designation is a qualification for finance and investment professionals, in the fields of investment management and financial analysis of stocks, bonds and their derivative assets.

Tide Creative, a software company in Portland, recently launched a mobile software application service for wedding and event venues. VenueApp, an iPhone application, enables wedding venues to establish a custom branded presence in the App Store and on the mobile devices of brides, grooms and guests.

Crossroads, a nonprofit agency offering treatment for addiction and behavioral health with a gender-specific focus, recently dedicated its residential facility in Windham to Darcy Boulton. The facility will now be known as the Boulton Center for Women and Children.

The First Bancorp in Damariscotta recently announced unaudited results for the quarter ended Sept. 30. Net income was $3.2 million, up $217,000 or 7.2% from the same period in 2011, and earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis of $0.31 were up $0.04 or 14.8% from the same period in 2011. The company also announced unaudited results for the nine months ended Sept. 30. Net income was $9.5 million, up $118,000 or 1.3% from the same period in 2011, and earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis of $0.91 were up $0.06 or 7.1% from the same period in 2011.

KeyCorp recently announced third quarter net income from continuing operations attributable to Key common shareholders of $214 million, or $.23 per common share, compared to $221 million, or $.23 per common share for the second quarter of 2012, and $229 million, or $.24 per common share for the third quarter of 2011. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, net income from continuing operations attributable to Key common shareholders was $634 million, or $.67 per common share, compared to $656 million, or $.71 per common share for the same period one year ago.

The USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grant program recently awarded grants worth $28,250 to two Maine organizations: Penquis Community Action Corp. in Bangor will use the grant to assist eight very-low- and low-income households in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Knox and Waldo counties. Western Maine Community Action in Wilton will use the funds to rehabilitate and repair 10 homes in Franklin County.

Accolades

Verrill Dana, a Portland law firm, recently announced that 38 of its attorneys were recognized in the 2012 edition of New England Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. A total of 29 attorneys were included in the Super Lawyers guide while nine made the Rising Stars list.

Peter Taylor, Maine Community Foundation vice president of program development and grantmaking, recently received the Sunrise County Economic Council’s 2012 Partner of the Year Award. Taylor was recognized for helping to initiate and facilitate the creation of jobs and prosperity in Washington County.

Skelton, Taintor & Abbott, a law firm in Auburn, recently announced that six of its lawyers were named to The Best Lawyers in America.

The Maine Merchants Association board of directors recently announced that Kerri Prescott was unanimously selected to receive the 2012 Jim McGregor Government Service Award. The award has been presented annually to a state and local officials of both political parties and is intended to reflect the key word in its name: service.

Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford recently achieved Pathway to Excellence designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, becoming the first community hospital in Maine and one of 93 hospitals in the nation to be awarded this designation.

The American Public Health Association recently presented Mike Belliveau, executive director of Environmental Health Strategy Center, headquartered in Portland, with its first Scientific Research Award at its annual meeting in San Francisco. Belliveau was honored for his contribution to occupational health and safety, for the publication of his research paper “The Drive for a Safer Chemical Policy in the United States,” published in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy.

The J. Putnam Stevens Awards Committee recently named financial adviser Marcus Barresi, founder of Barresi Financial in Presque Isle, as this year’s winner of the J. Putnam Stevens Award. The award honors the person who has rendered outstanding service to the life insurance industry and community in the state of Maine.

Winxnet, a Portland-based IT service provider, was recently named to the Ingram Micro SMB 500. The list was derived from the more than 20,000 service providers that work with Ingram Micro’s U.S. SMB Business Unit.

Camden National Bank recently received an outstanding rating by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency as the result of the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluation. Evaluations are performed every three years in order to ensure that banks meet the credit needs of their entire communities.

Dr. Norm Dinerman, LifeFlight medical director, was recently awarded the Air Medical Physician Association’s Medical Director of the Year at the annual membership meeting in October. This award recognizes a physician who has made outstanding contributions to his or her air medical program.

Maine Commercial Association of Realtors recently named Karen Rich as Maine’s 2012 Broker of the Year. Rich, a broker and vice president at Cardente Real Estate, specializes in the sale and leasing of investment, retail and office properties throughout the state of Maine.