At their annual meeting recently, the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association (VWMA) honored Dave Laforce, owner of Built by Newport, with the 2015 VWMA Woodworker of the Year Award. Family owned since 1963, Built by Newport manufactures the highest quality furniture parts using the latest technology in their facilities, ensuring lasting, durable, and beautifully crafted parts. After two generations and 40 years in the furniture parts business, Built by Newport established itself as a leader in the wood component industry and one of Vermont's finest wood furniture manufacturers.

Todd Warren has accepted the elected position of president of the Home Builders and Remodelers Council of Northern Vermont for 2016 term. Warren is the owner of Otter Creek Awnings and Vermont Custom Closets in Williston.

Warren has been involved with the HBRA for over 15 years and has held several positions.

Ledyard National Bank has announced Nicolaas Bekker as their new Vice President and Norwich branch manager. He brings nearly twenty years of customer service experience to his position, first in the hospitality industry before transitioning to banking. Nico’s dedication to providing excellent customer service matches Ledyard’s unparalleled personalized client service. Nico began his banking career in Fairfield County, Connecticut, after moving to the US in 2003.

Rose Computer Technology Services, Inc. has announced that Nabil Alanbar has been appointed to the position of Service Manager & Level 3 Engineer.

“We are both excited and fortunate to have Nabil join our growing team,” said David Rose, President of Rose CTS. “Nabil brings a vast level of experience managing large and complex enterprise-level networks and systems, ranging from local businesses to Statewide networks and multi-national companies,” Rose expanded.

Kristin Dodge has been promoted to director of development for the Vermont Historical Society. In November 2015, the society hired Kristin as a development officer to support the goal of making Vermont heritage come alive throughout the state.

The Automaster has announced that Liz Costandi has been promoted to the position of business manager for their BMW franchise. Costandi joined The Automaster as a client advisor in early 2015. Costandi succeeds Gerry Barker who had served as the business manager for 23 years.

AllEarth Renewables, the award winning Vermont-based solar tracker manufacturer, has announced the hiring of Dar Gibson to lead its operations and maintenance team.

Gibson, of Williston, Vt., comes to the job with extensive technical and field experience around the world.