Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) is pleased to announce Duane Peterson, Founder and Co-President of SunCommon, as the 2015 recipient of the Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business. Named for the late owner of Hemmings Motor News and a founding member of VBSR, the award is given to a VBSR member who best exemplifies Terry Ehrich’s commitment to the environment, workplace, progressive public policy, and community.

Berkshire Bank has recognized 27 employees for their volunteerism in the community, and has named three “top volunteers” through their Volunteer Service X-ellence Awards Program. These annual awards celebrate bank employees who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

Vermont PBS is pleased to recognize Vermont native Raney Aronson-Rath with its first annual Vermont Public Media Ambassador Award, in recognition of Vermonters whose vision and leadership are advancing the role of public media in the digital age.

Wendy O’Brien, a real estate sales professional from Burlington, has joined KW Vermont.

Wendy will be joining Keller Williams as an Individual Agent. Wendy previously worked in office management for an architectural firm and she is thrilled to use those skills in her Real Estate career. Wendy spends her spare time as a therapy pet trainer; she is currently training a puppy as a therapy dog.

NFP-Poulos Insurance announced that Mike Norris from the Rutland office was their top producer for the first quarter 2015.

Michael Norris has been actively engaged in commercial insurance since 2007. He has a strong track record for engineering insurance solutions for complex risks as well as program development. Michael has various insurance designations, holds a B.S. from Johnson State College and has a background in real estate development and production engineering.

After nearly eight years at the helm of the largest community development organization in the region, Merten Bangemann-Johnson is saying goodbye.

Bangemann-Johnson first came to RuralEdge in 2007 as its CEO, offering more than 15 years of experience in local, national, and international housing and community development – experience he used to vastly expand RuralEdge’s scope of services and work.