Samuel Grandfield, 18, of Waterbury and Ella Byers, 12, of Shelburne today were named Vermont's top two youth volunteers of 2018 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. As State Honorees, Samuel and Ella each will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in late April to Washington, DC, where they will join the top two honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events.

The Vermont Dairy Industry Association awarded its prestigious John C Finley Memorial Award to Joe Tisbert, President of Vermont Farm Bureau at their annual dairy banquet at the Vermont Farm Show on February 1, 2018. The John C Finley award is bestowed annually to that person whose character, dedication to Vermont agriculture and education, and accomplishments most closely resemble those goals, ideals, and achievements that were so important to John Finley, former Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture.

Lorna Mattern, Executive Director of United Counseling Service (UCS), is pleased to announce the appointments of Amy Fela as Director of Operations and John “JD” Hebert as Director of Facilities and Safety. Fela joined UCS in 1999 and her most recent role was as Executive Assistant. She will serve in the newly created position of Director of Operations. “In her new role as Director of Operations, Amy will work to enhance the internal organizational processes and infrastructure while ensuring the organizational effectiveness in implementing our strategic goals,” says Mattern.

Deb Markowitz, who led Vermont’s top environmental agency, has joined the Gund Institute for Environment at UVM as Director of Policy Outreach. Markowitz’s distinguished public service career spans nearly 20 years as Secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources (2011-2016) and Vermont Secretary of State (1999-2011). She is currently a Gund Affiliate and visiting professor at UVM’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR).