Justin Wright, who formerly operated his own real estate business, J Wright Realty, has joined the commercial lending team at Peoples Trust Company. Wright has previous experience in the financial advising, customer support management and logistics management in industries as varied as personal finance, software and agriculture.

Consultant, adviser and investor Max Engel of Manchester has joined the board of directors at Vermont Parks Forever, an organization dedicated to enhancing and protecting Vermont's 55 state parks.

Engel is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast who enjoys exploring Vermont state parks. Growing up, he spent 11 summers as a camper and counselor at a summer camp in New England, where he learned to appreciate the simple power of spending time outside.

Gifford Health Care has named Kathleen Bryant as its new school-based nurse practitioner. In this role, she will primarily work with students in health clinics at local elementary and high schools.

Sean O’Rourke, former general manager of Bond & Royal for Sazerac, the third largest spirits company in the world, has been named CEO at BHAKTA Spirits, a portfolio of luxury brands founded by Raj Peter Bhakta.

SVMC Deerfield Valley Campus, part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and Southwestern Vermont Health Care, recently welcomed family nurse practitioner Lisa Moulton. With this appointment, Moulton also rejoins the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Putnam Physicians.