Front Porch Forum’s recently moved into new headquarters on Burlington’s waterfront and added three employees to its growing staff of 14. Since 2006, FPF has been helping neighbors connect and build community by hosting a statewide network of online local forums. More than 140,000 members participate, in a state containing a total of 260,000 households. New Positions: Marketing Manager: Lynn Espey - Lynn Espey is FPF’s new Marketing Manager. Lynn is building awareness of FPF’s social mission across the state.

The Committee for the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the inductees for 2017. Recipients are chosen based on their accomplishments and significant contributions to Vermont agriculture. They are:

• Rupert and Muriel Chamberlin, former dairy farmers and well-known Jersey breeders

• Ray and Pam Allen, applegrowers and agritourism leaders

• Claude Bourbeau, former dairy farmer and leader in dairy issues

Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) State Director Linda Rossi this week announced Business Advisor Laurel Butler as VtSBDC’s 2017 Vermont State Star. “I am pleased to make this announcement, and to recognize Laurel for her many contributions to Vermont start-ups and the positive impact she has made to our organization. Laurel was nominated by her peers and is a highly respected member of the VtSBDC team,” Rossi said.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is proud to announce the graduation of its first resident in the Podiatry Residency Program. At a gathering of health system leadership, fellow residents, and faculty, Michael Banh, DPM, was awarded a certificate of completion on the evening of July 11 at the Mount Anthony Country Club. “I have enjoyed building close professional relationships with fellow residents and faculty members,” said Banh. “And I am grateful for the wide range of general medical and surgical experience I have gained. This was a great start to my medical career.”

Hall Communications Radio Group, a family owned and operated business since 1964, recently announced winners of their annual achievement awards. Employees of their Vermont radio stations were recipients of many of those awards.

Lori Antell of North Hero, VT won the 2016 Advantage Systems Top Performer award and was named a Senior Account Executive for WOKO-WKOL-WJOY

Kate Dubenetsky of Bristol, VT who is an Account Executive for WIZN-WBTZ-WJOY won the “Best Commercial Spec Contest” for the entire Hall Communications Radio Group with an advertisement for ”Good Stuff”.

Maple Capital Management is proud to announce and congratulate the election of Elizabeth Lewis, CFA as Shareholder. Liz has served as a committed Portfolio Manager at Maple Capital for the last five years and is thrilled to keep driving the company towards further growth. In addition to building custom portfolios for a wide variety of individual and institutional clients, Liz also has years of experience in business development, financial planning and is a part of Maple Capital’s Captive Insurance team.

Donald Mathews, MD, has been named chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont (UVM) and chief of the Anesthesiology Health Care Service at The University of Vermont Health Network. Mathews joined UVM in 2010 as associate professor and director of the Anesthesiology Residency Program, and was promoted to full professor in 2013. He succeeds Mazen Maktabi, MD, who served as chair and chief from August 2016.

Dynapower is pleased to announce the addition of Renee Naud to the Executive Management team as the Director of Human Resources and Corporate Counsel. Her focus in leading human resources at Dynapower will be to build upon employee support and engagement. As corporate counsel Naud will provide first level support of legal and contract work and serve as liaison to external legal counsel to Dynapower.