The Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) and the Rutland Farm and Food Link (RAFFL) have been selected to host AmeriCorps VISTA positions. For the next year, Monika Ganguly-Kiefner, a recent graduate of Green Mountain College in Poultney, will be working for RRPC and Jenn Simons, who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2012, will join the RAFFL staff. Both women graduated with 4.0 GPAs and were in their schools’ honor programs.

Twincraft Skincare Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Holson as its new Director of Marketing. Holson brings a broad array of product and service marketing successes to the company.

Secretary of State Jim Condos was elected by his peers to serve on the Executive Board for the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) as Secretary. Secretary Condos served as the Eastern Region Vice-President from 2013-2014.

Sueann Van Buren has joined Blazing Design, Inc. of Essex Junction, Vermont as VP Sales & Marketing. Previously Director of Business Development for Twincraft Skincare in Winooski, Vermont, Van Buren brings over 25 years of Sales, Marketing and Client Service expertise to Blazing Design. “I am so happy to have Sueann join Blazing Design. Her energy is contagious and experience in Sales and Service is exactly what we need to continue to grow both our Design and Service divisions of the business.” said Michael Van Buren, President of Blazing Design. Blazing Design, Inc.

Susan L. Donegan, commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) today announced the appointment of Kaj Samsom as deputy commissioner of the Insurance Division.

KSV, the Vermont-based marketing firm, is pleased to welcome seasoned marketing executive Rob Niccolai to lead as the company’s new client group director.

A 26-year marketing veteran, Niccolai’s experience is rooted in branding and strategic development across energy and sustainable industries. Leading account teams for agencies including the Shelton Group, Osborn & Barr and UPBrand, he helped guide companies to change consumers’ behavior with energy and inspire a deep awareness around the importance of energy efficiency.

Three Vermont Tech students received third place in the 2014 ASHRAE Student Design Competition. The team includes recent graduates Constantin Condrat and Tyler Gendron, as well as current senior Stephen Wichmann, who are all part of the bachelor degree program in Architectural Engineering Technology at Vermont Tech. The students submitted their senior project in the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) HVAC Design Calculations category competition in May 2014.

The captive employee benefits market is in the midst of tremendous change. Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC, a leading firm representing more than 200 captives and alternative risk facilities in Vermont and other U.S. domiciles, is providing legal consulting services to clients seeking innovative captive solutions for controlling the cost of health insurance and navigating the realities of Health Care Reform.

Sugarbush Resort has announced several changes to its senior management team.

Candice White, who has served as Vice President of Marketing for the past six years, is stepping into a newly-created role as Vice President of Communications and Brand Management. White will continue to be responsible for the Sugarbush brand, will oversee all resort communications and press relations, and will continue to oversee guest services. She will also work to develop several strategic partnerships for the Resort.

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) announced today that Thomas D'Ambra, Ph.D., co-founder of Albany Molecular Research Inc. has been appointed to the College's Board of Trustees.

Dr. D'Ambra co-founded Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI) in 1991 and served as the company's President and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement in 2013. He is currently Chairman of the Board at AMRI.