Grace Cottage Hospital announced today changes to its Board of Trustees. After 23 years of service, Deborah Boyle has decided to retire from the Grace Cottage Hospital Board of Trustees. During that time, Boyle served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Chair of the Financing and Audit Committee as well as many other capacities promoting the mission and viability of Grace Cottage Hospital. “On behalf of Grace Cottage Hospital, we thank Deb for her outstanding service and long commitment to Grace Cottage Hospital,” stated Roger Allbee, Grace Cottage Hospital CEO.

Catherine Gemmiti has joined College of St. Joseph as founding program director for its planned Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Studies (MMScPAS) Program. Upon accreditation, CSJ will offer the first PA program in Vermont in 2016.

Reynolds and Son, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronald A Morin to the position of VMI Manager. Ron has been instrumental in the success of Reynolds’ Vendor Managed Inventory Systems in his sales territory and will bring his expertise to accounts throughout Vermont and surrounding counties and Canada. Ron will maintain a reduced sales territory as he transitions to this new role beginning in January 2015. This new position reinforces a strategic focus by Reynolds and Son.

The Vermont Arts Council has secured Jennifer Williams (née Butson) to work with the Council’s outreach team to develop and manage public relations for the launch of Vermont Arts 2015, a year-long celebration highlighting the breadth of arts and arts events in Vermont in 2015. The campaign includes press visits and targeted press releases followed by integrated social media on Twitter and Instagram.

The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center elected two new trustees at their annual Board of Trustees Meeting. Tom Golonka is currently a managing partner with the investment firm of Silverlake Wealth Management in Williston and Montpelier. He is also a Montpelier City Councilor. Sarah L. Field is the majority shareholder, co-founder and President of the law firm of Field & Field, P.C. located on North Main Street in Barre. Sarah also serves as a member and secretary of the board of Barre Area Development, Inc.

Cigna (NYSE: CI) has named Mark Butler as president and general manager for its New England market. Most recently he served as the market’s senior vice president of sales since 2006. He will be based in Boston and replaces Don Curry, who is retiring after leading the market since 2002.

Initially, Butler will lead Cigna's business in all six New England states. However, the company plans to carve out Connecticut as a separate market. An active search for a Connecticut president and general manager is now underway.

On Thursday, December 18, The Society of Saint Edmund and Saint Michael’s College celebrated the ordination to the priesthood of Lino Alejandro Oropeza, SSE, to be conferred by the Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg, N.Y., in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel on campus.

Jim Merriam announced that Liz Gamache will succeed him as Director of Efficiency Vermont beginning January 19, 2015. Efficiency Vermont is a nationally acclaimed statewide energy efficiency utility, which currently helps meet more than 13% of Vermont’s electric supply needs, and has helped reduce heating costs in more than 4,500 homes since 2008.

With a fan base that has expanded all the way from VT to NYC and LA, where her career has taken off, Myra Flynn hasn’t forgotten her Vermont roots. She will be at home in VT this holiday season where Shelburne Vineyard will welcome her back for a post-holiday house concert beginning at 6 PM Saturday, December 27. Join them for an intimate evening featuring her unique and personal blend of soulful songwriting and ageless covers.