Kinney Pike Insurance, a leading independent insurance agency in Northern New England, announced its top producers for 2015, recognized for producing the most new business in both personal and commercial insurance lines of business. Nicole Cattabriga has been honored as the winner of the 2015 Barwood Sales Achievement Award for personal lines insurance. Adam Osha has been honored with the 2015 Dorsey Award, given to the commercial insurance Account Executive producing the top sales.

The 2016 Vermont Lake Monsters coaching staff will have a familiar look as manager Aaron Nieckula and pitching coach Carlos Chavez return for a second straight season, while 2013 hitting coach Lloyd Turner returns to Vermont after two years with Single-A Beloit. The announcement was made by the Oakland Athletics today with the release of their entire Minor League coaching assignments.

Ledyard National Bank has announced the promotion of Alison Bruce to Senior Vice President. Alison is a long-term Ledyard employee who celebrated her 16th anniversary with the bank this past year. This new title is an acknowledgement of how her role has expanded as Compliance and BSA Officer, Information Security Officer, CRA Officer, Privacy Officer, and Security Officer.

The Fleischer Jacobs Group has announced the hiring of Christine Oliver as Senior Director for its benefits business.

The Vermont Arts Council and Department of Buildings and General Services will honor the artists whose work enlivens the new Human Services Building in Waterbury. Sculptor Gordon Auchincloss and painter Sarah-Lee Terrat will talk about their work commissioned as part of the Art in State Buildings program. In addition, Sen. Michael Sirotkin will unveil paintings by Katharine Montstream commissioned to memorialize the late Sen. Sally Fox. A reception follows.

WHEN: Friday, January 29, 4:30 p.m.

Shacksbury Cider nabbed a prestigious 2016 Good Food Award this month, marking the second year in a row the Shoreham-based cider makers rank among the best food crafters in the country. The cidery’s Lost & Found cider, made from foraged apples harvested in Vermont, is a 2016 winner. Shacksbury’s Farmhouse blend also ranked among the finalists.

The Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department welcomes Candice Holbrook as the new Recreation Program Manager. Candice is a National Recreation & Parks Association Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP). She held the position of Recreation Program Manager for the Oregon, Illinois Park District for the past four years. She is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration. Candice also received her Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of North Texas.

Clara Conklin has joined the firm as an associate after graduating from Boston College Law School. During law school, she externed at the Massachusetts Land Court and worked as a student attorney in Boston College’s Civil Litigation Clinic. She continues her civil litigation work at Primmer, primarily serving clients in New Hampshire’s North Country. Clara grew up on a family dairy farm in Haverhill, New Hampshire and remains passionate about agriculture and maintaining the vitality of the North Country communities.

A Vermont company was named a finalist for the 2016 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge. InnovateHER is a national competition highlighting products and services created to benefit women.

Mamava and nine other woman-owned businesses throughout the country will pitch their products and ideas to a panel of expert judges in Washington, D.C. March 16 and 17. The 10 finalists will compete for prizes totaling $70,000 provided by Microsoft.