Merritt & Merritt is pleased to announce that H. Kenneth Merritt, Jr. has been listed in this year’s Chambers USA. Chambers writes: Kenneth Merritt leads the transactional corporate practice at Merritt & Merritt. He is knowledgeable about the formation and governance of a range of businesses and financial institutions, and also regularly handles securities transactions. “He's good at entrepreneur work,” say sources, explaining: “He's very good if you are a company trying to raise money.”

The Vermont Retail & Grocers Association (VRGA) is proud to announce their 2018 scholarship recipients. Over thirty applicants applied for ten scholarships, seven of which are based on financial need and merit and three of which are based on merit alone. Applicants must be affiliated with a VRGA member in Vermont and be a graduating high school senior planning to attend an accredited two or four year postsecondary school.

The 2018 merit winners are:

Emily Gervais

Employer: Boston Post Dairy, Enosburg Falls

In an environment that proves ever more challenging to recruit previously trained, experienced assemblers, technicians and machine operators, Mack Molding has developed an internal core competency training program to help the Company keep pace with the increasingly technical needs of its customers. Launched in 2016, the Mack U program looks within Mack’s own team for excellence, tapping into the expertise of veteran Mack employees to develop courses on topics like customer communication, electrostatic discharge and wiring assemblies.

Mack Molding, which is experiencing the most significant increase in customer activity in the past decade, has announced additions to its Vermont and South Carolina teams as the Company looks to drive continued growth across the organization. “Our customers rely on us to stay ahead of industry trends and market changes,” said Mack Molding President Jeff Somple. “We do that by investing in new technology, advancing our existing team’s skills through training and by attracting top talent to bring new perspectives and capabilities to our organization.

Mack Molding, a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services, announced today additions to its senior staff with the appointments of Jessica Fredette as director of human resources and Joe Prandini as director of information technology. Both Fredette and Prandini have responsibilities for the Northern Division, reporting directly to President Jeff Somple.

Joe brings over 7 years of development and client service experience to Stride. With a degree from Champlain College, and extensive knowledge in web development, search engine optimization, analytics, and programming, he brings additional depth to the digital capabilities at Stride.

Stride Creative Group develops branding, design, and marketing solutions for businesses and organizations throughout Vermont and beyond.

Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) has announced Executive Director Lyle Jepson will be stepping down from his role leading the organization to assume a position at Vermont Technical College – and Tyler Richardson has been appointed interim executive director of REDC.

Jepson has served in dual roles as executive director of REDC and dean of entrepreneurial programs for Castleton University since December 2015. Starting in June, Jepson will take over as the director of the Career & Technical Teacher Education Program for Vermont Tech.

Channel 17/Town Meeting Television is pleased to announce that Dan Logan has been named Production/Channel Coordinator. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, Dan is a dual citizen who recently moved to Burlington to join the Channel 17 team. He has a background in television writing and producing, and spent the past eight years working in sports and reality and lifestyle TV and creating corporate videos, branded content, and commercials in Toronto.

Vermont Tech’s Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) is proud to announce two recent hires to their staff. Lyle Jepson of Rutland has joined CEWD as the Director of the Vermont Career and Technical Teacher Education Program. Prior to joining Vermont Tech, Lyle was the Dean of Entrepreneurial Programs at Castleton University, which involved opening a Castleton Downtown Office in Rutland and overseeing activities for the Castleton Center for Schools.