Sara Kermenski of The Richards Group has recently earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. She has worked at The Richards Group since 2011 and is responsible for advising employers with the management of their 401(k) and 403(b) plans, as well as helping their employees prepare for retirement.

Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA) is pleased to announce that it has hired Chris Adams as its new Development and Communications Director. In this role, Adams will be responsible for all SVCOA public relations and fund development efforts, and will also serve on SVCOA’s senior management team.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center's (SVMC) medical staff was recognized at an annual event last month at the Bennington Museum. Paul Donovan, DO (left), of SVMC Orthopedics, was awarded the 2018 Professional Teamwork Award. Donovan joined the SVMC medical staff in 2011. He is known for involving the entire staff in relevant decisions and is highly respected by staff, patients, and families. Donovan has worked throughout the region as a board-certified sports medicine specialist and emergency physician.

Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA) has recognized 22 community volunteers for their substantial contributions to elderly programs in Bennington and Rutland counties. The volunteers, who were lauded at SVCOA’s recent biannual all-staff meeting, received a certificate of appreciation as well as a gift from SVCOA.

A Canandaigua, New York native who volunteered with various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based start-ups to provide sustainability education in Southeast Asia for 13 months following high school will study for free at the nation’s number-one college for sustainability-based education.

A student who is a passionate founder of a Dallas-based student group, The Environmental League, whose mission is to "change everyday behavior in our schools and to show students the beauty we are fighting to preserve," will have all of his tuition, room, board, and fees covered for all four years at the nation’s number-one college for sustainability-based education.

Recently Vermont Mutual Insurance Group held its 191st Annual Meeting at its home office in Montpelier, VT. Over the course of 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group increased its direct written premium by 7% to $464,285,033, grew policyholders’ surplus by more than 10% to $464,866,549 and was recognized as a top insurance company nationally for the ninth consecutive year.

Vermont Custom Closets of Williston announces a new business addition to Vermont Custom Closets. Elizabeth Warren, owner of Vermont Custom Closets with her husband Todd Warren, has launched a new service for the business called Organize My Home. This Professional Organizing Service offers clients the option to have help preparing for an installation by facilitating the sorting/editing and organizing of belongings and also help moving back into a space.