Burlington City Arts is pleased to welcome two new staff members to the communication team. Andrew Desforges joined BCA in early March as the Art Director, charged with designing all creative materials related to BCA’s exhibitions, programs and events and articulating BCA's brand through digital and print materials. A native Vermonter, Andrew recently returned to the Northeast after a decade away.

National Life’s Board of Directors has elected Chief Executive Officer Mehran Assadi chairman of the board, effective immediately. Assadi has served as president and CEO of the company since 2009. He will retain those titles as he also assumes the chairmanship. He succeeds Thomas H MacLeay, a former president and CEO who has served as chairman since 2002. MacLeay will remain on the nine-member Board as the lead director.

The unanimous election of Assadi by the Board of Directors followed the annual meeting on May 12, 2017.

The University of Vermont Health Network has named Jerald Novak as the network’s chief people officer, effective, May 1. He most recently led Human Resources for Global Assets at Biogen in Cambridge, MA. The position replaces the former chief human resources officer function.

Lyndon State College Interim President Nolan Atkins will award the Presidential Medal of Distinction to Representative Richard Lawrence in honor of his lifelong service to his community and the State of Vermont. The award, created in 2013 by former Lyndon State College President Joe Bertolino, honors a prominent individual or organization who has contributed significantly to Lyndon State College, the Northeast Kingdom community, and the State of Vermont. The medals will be awarded during Lyndon’s Commencement Ceremony May 14.