Vermont Tech is pleased to announce that Linda Rossi has accepted the position of State Director of the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC), effective June 1 of this year. Rossi currently serves as the Associate State Director of the VtSBDC and has worked with the organization since 2005. She is succeeding Lenae Quillen-Blume after many years of service to Vermont Tech and the center.

Rob Cunningham has been promoted to the position of director of finance and administration at Vermont Public Television. He heads VPT’s financial operations and administrative functions.

Cunningham joined VPT in 1996 and has served in several capacities, most recently as accountant.

He is a graduate of Champlain College with bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business management.

He lives in North Hero, Vt., where he serves as chair of the North Hero Water Department Board of Commissioners.

Dr. James N. Weinstein, CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock, announced today that Elwood “Skip” Leonard will lead the institution’s philanthropic programs starting in August 2013.

VTDigger has announced that Rick Woods will join the VTDigger team as co-publisher and will organize events and marketing, and support our business sponsorship program. Woods formerly served as a member of the Vermont Journalism Trust board of directors and for many years he was the general manager for Seven Days newspaper in Burlington.

Anne Galloway, founder of VTDigger, will continue to serve as editor and will take on a new role as co-publisher for the organization. She will lead the nonprofit’s contributing subscriber, sustaining subscriber and grant-writing programs.

Vermont Tech is pleased to announce that Dr. Chris Dutton has been appointed the Director for the Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems. Dr. Dutton is an agriculture professor at Vermont Tech who has worked at the college since 2005. The Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems serves the applied and technical research and education needs of industries related to agriculture, food production, waste disposal and energy production in Vermont and New England. The Institute is initially funded by a $3.4 million U.S. Department of Labor grant.

During Commencement Week activities May 9-12 at Saint Michael's College, Joan Wry of Underhill, associate dean of the college and instructor of English, was presented with a 2013 Class Appreciation Award, given to members of the Saint Michael's faculty and staff who have made a significant impact within the class.

In presenting the award, senior class President Nora Moore spoke of how beloved Dean Wry is among students she works with due to her compassion and intelligence. "Though pint-sized, she's a powerhouse of goodness," Moore said. "We love you Dean Wry!"

During Commencement Week activities May 9-12 at Saint Michael's College, Allison Cleary of Hinesburg, an instructor in the Media Studies, Journalism and Digital Arts Department, was presented with a Class of 2013 Appreciation Award, given to members of the Saint Michael's faculty and staff who have made a significant impact within the class.

Michael R. Tuttle, President and CEO of Merchants Bank announced that Geoffrey R. Hesslink was appointed Chief Operating Officer.

"I have had the great pleasure of working with Geoffrey for 20 years and have a deep appreciation for the partnership we have together," noted Mr. Tuttle. "Geoffrey is extremely well qualified for this new position as one of the top bankers in Vermont. We have a shared commitment to the continued success of our company and are excited about what the future holds for Merchants Bank."