In short: new hires, promotions, accolades

New hires

People's United Bank recently hired Ryan Driscoll as vice president and wealth management adviser and Erin Lally as vice president and commercial relationship manager. Most recently, Driscoll was a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch where he earned his Series 7 and 66 security licenses. Lally has spent seven years in the industry as an analyst and account manager.

The First N.A., a division of The First Bancorp, recently hired Jake Miller as vice president and branch manager and Alicia Costa as assistant branch manager at its new Rockland location. Miller and Costa were both previously with the Bank of America. The bank also hired Viktorie Mathiau and Lacey Wilshire, customer service representatives; Phoebe Carlson, vault teller; and Doria Morrison, teller.

Maine Community Health Options, a not-for-profit, co-op health plan that will provide health insurance to individuals and small businesses beginning January 2014, recently hired Joyce McPhetres and William Schulz. McPhetres, previously the vice president of human resources and organizational development at Central Maine Healthcare in Lewiston, is the firm's chief human resources officer. Schulz, who was previously the state director of Residential Resources of Maine, is the director of provider network operations.

Winxnet, a Portland-based IT service provider, recently hired Steve Bedell as a technical support specialist and Craig Bossie as application developer. Bedell was previously a systems engineer for a municipal technology department. Bossie has more than 13 years of experience in software engineering and application development.

Salmon Falls Architecture in Biddeford recently added two new staff members. Doug Cogger, who has had his work featured in Downeast Magazine, Inspired Home and Maine Home + Design, was hired as an architectural designer. Kristi Kenney, a LEED AP BC+D certified professional, was hired as a registered architect.

Computer Solutions LLC in Rockland recently hired Enrique Piñero as a senior technician.

St.Germain Collins, an environmental consulting and engineering firm in Westbrook, recently hired Christina Perry as an environmental health and safety specialist. Perry has more than six years of experience in the fields of environmental and occupational health and safety.

Baird, a wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm in Portland, recently hired Baron Becker as vice president, financial adviser. Previously, Becker was a vice president and financial adviser for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

The Maine Academy of Modern Music recently hired Katie Gilchrest as an instructor. Gilchrest will lead a group guitar class.

Catholic Charities Maine recently hired Daniel Bazemore as CFO. Bazemore, previously with Interim Healthcare, has been a member of state home care and hospice associations in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire and served on their finance committees.

Tilson, an IT and telecom services company in Portland, recently hired Tom Woods and Eben Perkins. Woods, who previously managed Community WISP in Waltham, Mass., was hired in the company's telecom group. Perkins, formerly a project analyst at Energy Market Innovations in Seattle, was hired as a senior consultant and project analyst in the firm's telecom group.

The Landing School, a post-secondary institution for marine industry professionals, recently hired Derek Wright as a yacht design instructor. Wright, an alumnus of the school, has more than eight years of yacht design experience.

ecomaine, a nonprofit recycling and waste-to-energy organization in Portland, recently hired Lissa Bittermann as business development manager. Bittermann has experience in sales, recruitment for bio-pharmaceuticals and operations.

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce recently hired Douglas Porter as executive director. Porter was previously executive director of the York chamber and involved with the Gateway to Maine chamber which represented Kittery, Eliot and South Berwick.

Bernstein Shur, a law firm in Portland, recently hired Janani Natarajamurthi as an associate. Natarajamurthi, who joined the firm's business law practice group, was previously an associate with Pabian & Russell LLC in Boston.

Albin, Randall & Bennett, a CPA firm in Portland, recently hired Michael Niles as a director. Niles, who previously operated his own CPA firm, is primarily a tax accountant and serves the automotive, manufacturing and construction industries with tax planning strategies.

Promotions

Maine Technology Institute in Brunswick recently promoted Leslie Hunter to marketing and communications manager. Hunter was previously the institute's office manager.

Mary Jane Krebs was recently promoted to executive vice president and COO of Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook. Krebs is also currently CEO of Community Counseling Center, a mental health agency with locations in Portland and Brunswick.

Appointments

Nick Mills, a professor of journalism at Boston University's College of Communication and an award-winning broadcast journalist, was recently elected president of the board of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting.

University of Maine at Farmington recently announced that Craig Larrabee has been appointed as the co-chair of the committee to oversee the upcoming yearlong celebration of the university's 150th anniversary. Larrabee is the president and CEO of Jobs for Maine's Graduates.

Company news

HomeHealth Visiting Nurses, a nonprofit home health care agency in Saco, was recently named to the top 25% of the 2012 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. Over 10,000 home health agencies were ranked by an analysis of performance measures including quality of care, demonstrated improvement and patient satisfaction.

SIS, headquartered in Sanford, recently announced it will open a new full-service branch in Portsmouth, N.H., in January. The branch will be the bank's first facility outside Maine.

Blue Marble Geographics, a mapping software company in Hallowell, recently released a GIGS Gold Compliant version of the GeoCalc software developer toolkit, version 6.6, based on the guidelines recently released by the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers Geomatics Committee requirements.

Penobscot Community Health Care announced that the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation recently awarded the organization $10,000 to support the addition of an oral sedation suite at its dental center in Bangor. The suite, built to treat nonambulatory and special needs patients, is scheduled to be open for patients in early 2013.

L.L.Bean recently made a $150,000 commitment to relief efforts for children and families severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Funds were donated to Save the Children, an organization that provides families with food, supplies and medical care and helps communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs.

Tube Hollows International, a seamless precision tubing manufacturer, recently relocated its headquarters from Fryeburg to Windham. The new facility is located at 39 Enterprise Drive, Suite 2.

FIDES, a collection and reporting service for anesthesiology groups in South Portland, was recently listed as a Patient Safety Organization by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, on behalf of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Central Maine Power Co., a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, recently performed its autumn inspections of its transmission lines by helicopter. The twice-yearly flights are part of the utility's annual inspection program to ensure delivery of power to homes and businesses.

Perry Newman, founder and principal of Atlantica Group LLC, an international business and policy development firm in South Portland, spoke to university and business gatherings in Maine, St. Louis and Moncton, New Brunswick, about globalization and trade.

Skowhegan Savings recently broke ground on a new branch located along Civic Center Drive (Route 27) in Augusta.

James W. Sewall Co., a consulting organization specializing in energy, infrastructure and natural resources in Old Town, recently contracted with Woolpert Inc., to deliver geospatial products and services under the Maine GeoLibrary Orthoimagery Program. The program is a five-year initiative to collect and provide online delivery of new orthoimagery for the entire state.

AlliedCook Construction, a construction management firm in Scarborough, recently began work on Avita of Stroudwater, a memory care center located in Westbrook. Scarborough-based Gawron Turgeon Architects designed the 45,000-square-foot facility for patients with Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss.

The Maine Sports Commission recently launched a website to showcase and market Maine as a premier sports destination. The site at www.mainesportscommission.com offers interactive resources, information and tools for planners and visitors.

Onpoint Health Data, a health care data and analytics organization in Portland, has begun developing an all-payer claims database system for the state of Rhode Island to help the state meet demands of the Affordable Care Act. The system will be used to better understand how health care is used and delivered, and to ensure transparency of information regarding access, quality, utilization, efficiency and cost.

The Finance Authority of Maine recently named Camden National Bank its 2012 Financial Institution of the Year. Over the past two years, the bank has partnered with FAME on 97 loans totaling over $27.8 million, which created 189 new jobs and saved 921.

The Portland Public Schools recently hired Oak Point Associates, an architectural and engineering firm in Biddeford, to help plan for replacing Hall Elementary School and renovating or expanding four other elementary schools. The firm will create preliminary site plans, construction schedules and estimated costs for projects at Hall, Presumpscot, Lyseth, Reiche and Longfellow elementary schools.

Dr. Alice Haines recently opened a medical micro-practice at 60 Pine St., in Lewiston. The 180-square-foot micro-practice provides affordable family health care services, women's wellness programs, preventive physicals, minor injury assistance and more.

Portland Public Schools recently received a $100,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to support and expand its farm-to-school programs. The grant will be used to increase student consumption of local food and increase public awareness and community engagement.

Verso Paper Corp.'s Androscoggin Mill employees recently presented a check to the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area in the amount of $138,308 from the company's fundraising drive. The campaign, the most successful in company history, increased its donation by approximately $20,000 over 2011. The company's Bucksport Mill employees pledged $53,294 to the United Way of Penobscot Valley.

About Face Studio Salon recently relocated to 5 Shapleigh Road, Suite 104 in Dan's Crossing in Kittery. The salon was previously located in Eliot.

BerryDunn, a CPA and management consulting firm in Portland, recently created a state and local tax law group to provide businesses information to navigate laws. The practice helps clients with issues such as the sale of their companies, hiring employees in other states and growing their businesses.

Efficiency Maine recently recognized customers and business partners at its annual awards ceremony and symposium. Qualified Partner Awards were presented to the following companies: Largest Lighting Project, Ameresco; Largest Mechanical Project, Woodard & Curran; Contractor of the Year, Mechanical Services Inc.; Supplier of the Year, CED Gilman Electrical Supply; Qualified Partner of the Year, Energy Management Collaborative; Customer of the Year, East Brown Cow; Retailer of the Year, Walmart; Participating Energy Advisor of the Year, The Breathable Home; and Philip C. Hastings Award, Timothy Vrabel.

Mid Coast Hospital recently implemented a recycling program that will reduce the amount of plastic disposed of at its Brunswick facility. The program will serve as a model for other hospitals looking to reduce costs while caring for the environment.

People's United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People's United Bank, recently announced it awarded $28,500 in grants to nonprofit organizations for the fourth quarter of 2012. Organizations that received funding were: Good Shepherd Food-Bank, Auburn; Eastern Maine Development Corp., Bangor; Four Directions Development Corp., Orono; Cultivating Community, Portland; Learning Works, Portland; Maine Boys to Men, Portland; and York County Community Action Corp., Sanford.

TD Bank and the Arbor Day Foundation recently launched TD Green Streets, a new grant program that will offer $20,000 grants in support of innovative urban forestry initiatives in 10 underserved communities. Funding will support the purchase of trees, tree planting and maintenance and educational activities.

Avesta Housing, its partners and members of the Kennebunk community recently celebrated the grand opening of Park Street School, a new affordable community for seniors located in the historic school building. The school was rehabilitated and 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments for people 62 and older or disabled were built.

Skowhegan Savings recently announced a gift of $25,000 to support MaineGeneral Medical Center's New Regional Hospital Campaign. The funds, which will be invested in the Thayer Comprehensive Outpatient Center over a five-year period, were pledged as part of a challenge campaign.

Maine Technology Institute recently announced it will begin holding monthly office days on the first Tuesday of every month at the offices of Hall Internet Marketing, 30 Danforth St., in Portland. MTI staff will be available to meet one-on-one with businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers who are interested in bringing their technologies to market.

Accolades

Pika Energy LLC, a manufacturer of home wind turbines and wind-solar hybrid systems in Gorham, was recently the runnerup in the Renewable Energy category at the 2012 Cleantech Open Global Forum held in San Jose, Calif. The company was one of four representing the Northeast region at the national event.

Verrill Dana, a Portland law firm, recently announced that eight of its attorneys were recognized as Katahdin Counsel by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Seth Coburn, Benjamin Ford, Katie Gray, Nathaniel Hull, Riikka Morrill, Misti Munster, Andreea Sabin and Timothy Shannon were honored for completing 50 or more hours of pro bono work in the previous calendar year.

Broadreach Public Relations in Portland recently received four Golden Arrow Awards from the Maine Public Relations Council for its work in public relations and strategic communications. The firm collected silver awards in the following categories: Technology, Cornerstone Financial Planning website (in partnership with iBec Creative); Media Relations, Ashley Lauren Kerr media plan; Citizenship, Maine Center for Creativity's visibility plan (in partnership with Pennisi & Lamare); and Communications Campaign, Mercy Hospital visibility campaign.

Skelton, Taintor & Abbott, a law firm in Auburn, recently received a Tier 1 and Tier 2 metropolitan ranking in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers Best Law Firms rankings. The firm also had four of its lawyers named to the New England Super Lawyers 2013 list: Jill Checkoway, estate planning and probate; Bryan Dench, business/corporate; Alan Stone, energy and natural resources; and Stephen Wade, personal injury plaintiff: general. Marc Frenette, insurance coverage, was recognized as a Rising Stars honoree.

Avesta Housing recently awarded the 2012 Mike Yandell Award for extraordinary work in the field of affordable housing to the Maine State Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

MaineGeneral Health was one of 20 organizations nationwide chosen to receive the Advisory Board Employee Engagement Initiative's 2012 Excellence in Engagement Award. The award honors U.S. hospitals and health systems that exhibit extraordinary levels of work force engagement.

Murray, Plumb & Murray, a law firm in Portland, announced that three of its attorneys were recently included in the 2012 New England Super Lawyers list. Thomas Newman and Richard O'Meara were listed as part of the top 5% of outstanding lawyers in New England while Nicole Bradick was selected as a Rising Star.

ecomaine, a nonprofit recycling and waste-to-energy organization in Portland, was recently awarded certification from the Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series 18001 at all three of its facilities: single sort recycling, waste-to-energy, and ashfill/landfill. To retain the international certification, the facilities must continuously pass inspections every six months.

Perkins Thompson, a Portland law firm, recently announced that 11 of its attorneys were included in The Best Lawyers in America list.

The Maine Women's Fund recently announced that Anne Taintor will be the 2013 Tribute to Women in Industry award recipient. The award is given to a woman who is a leader in her field and who has achieved significant accomplishments as a business owner, business executive or nonprofit organizational leader.

The Maine Innkeepers Association recently held its 91st annual meeting and conference and presented annual awards: Innkeeper of the Year, Woody Woodward, Highland Lake Resort in Bridgton; Special Service Award, Vaughn Stinson, CEO of the Maine Tourism Association; Hall of Fame, John "Jack" Gibbons, past owner of Fisherman's Wharf Inn, Argo Cruises and the Boothbay Whale Watch in Boothbay Harbor; Community Service Award, Katy Kelly, Lafayette's Oceanfront Resort in Wells; Allied Member of the Year, John McCarthy, Legacy Properties - Sotheby International Realty.

Down East Books recently announced that Rebecca Harrison Reed won a Silver Moonbeam Award for her illustration of "Only Cows Allowed!" written by Lynn Plourde. The awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the Traverse City Children's Book Festival in November.

The Camden International Film Festival recently was honored as one of 23 film festivals to receive a grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. The $10,000 grant will be used for special programming and to increase filmmaker participation during the 2013 festival.

The Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics recently named Rep. Linda Sanborn Legislator of the Year for 2012. This annual award recognizes Sanborn, who has represented District 130 since 2008, an advocate for children's health.

The Maine Wood Products Association recently presented the Duratherm Corp. of Vassalboro with the 2012 Pine Tree Award. The award is presented each year to a Maine-based wood products manufacturing company that has taken innovative steps to strengthen its business.

Kappa Mapping, a photogrammetric and GIS services firm in Bangor, recently received the Small Projects award in the annual MAPPS Geospatial Products and Services Excellence Awards competition. The winning entry – Mapping Fishing Gear and Lines to Reduce Whale Entanglements – used stereo-photography and photointerpretation to determine the density and location of buoys and lines, as many as four miles out to sea, along Maine's coast.

Earle W. Noyes and Sons Moving Specialists in Portland was recently honored by United Van Lines for professional achievement. The company received Performance Excellence and Customer Choice awards as well as the President's Club Award, $2 million level.

The Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA Campground was recently awarded the 2013 KOA President's and Founder's Awards by Kampgrounds of America Inc. The awards are presented annually to campgrounds that receive the highest scores in customer service from their campers and receive top scores in KOA's annual quality review.

Three Portland businesses were recently honored for expanding the city's economic vitality at the Portland Development Corp. annual awards ceremony. The State Theatre received the Economic Development Achievement Award; EnviroLogix was presented the Business of the Year Award; and the Small Business of the Year Award winner was Rosemont Market and Bakery.