Norwich has named Air Force Colonel Andrew Hird as dean of the College of National Services, which oversees Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs at Norwich through the departments of Army Military Science, Aerospace Studies and Naval Science. Hird is Commander of AFROTC Detachment 867, Northfield, Vt, where he leads and manages the administration of the Air Force officer training program at Norwich University.

Senior Warden Rich Watkin, PhD, of Wilmington is Vermont's State Game Warden of the Year. Watkin received the award in recognition of his excellent service from Governor Phil Scott on May 24 in Montpelier. Lt Greg Eckhardt, Watkin’s supervisor, praised him for his exemplary attitude and dedication to the job. “Rich is knowledgeable in all aspects of the job,” said Eckhardt. “He understands the intricacies of fish and wildlife law and has an excellent working knowledge of the wildlife and habitats common to his patrol district.”

Kim Royar, wildlife biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife and resident of Wallingford, was awarded the 2017 Canute Dalmasse Award by Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore in recognition of her outstanding contributions to conservation. The Canute Dalmasse Award is given annually to an agency employee who demonstrates an exceptional dedication to natural resources, the protection of public health, the people of Vermont, and to her co-workers.

Amber Pacheco recently joined Inntopia as Product Owner and will work mainly from the Burlington office. She’s been in product development for many years, most recently at SmashFly, but also at TripAdvisor on the Vacation Rentals team, Monster on the Employer team, and BrassRing (now IBM). She has served as product owner and product manager for SAAS products, consumer and eCommerce websites, for desktop, mobile web, and native apps. “I’m excited to join this industry-leading company during its phase of rapid growth.