Northfield Savings Bank has announced the hiring of Colin Branon and Dijana Downing as vice presidents of commercial banking, and Kate Whitney as vice president of government banking.

Branon, based at the bank’s Taft Corners office in Williston, brings over 20 years of banking expertise to his new role. He is responsible for cultivating new commercial deposit and lending relationships in Chittenden County, as well as managing and nurturing his existing portfolio.

The University of Vermont Board of Trustees elected Cynthia Barnhart (pictured) as chair and welcomed four new members following a special meeting on March 3. Barnhart succeeds Ron Lumbra, who served as chair since 2020 and will remain a member of the board.

Passumpsic Financial Advisors employees Robert Thompson, assistant vice president and financial consultant, and Daphne Bullock, operations manager, have earned new professional designations.