University of Vermont’s equestrian team captain Madison McKay was awarded sixth place in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Cacchione Cup, May 2-5. Collegiate riders nationwide gathered in Harrisburg, Pa., to represent their colleges at the 40th Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championship. McKay, a graduating senior from Melville, N.Y., represented the Catamounts in the prestigious Cacchione Cup. The competition consists of the top 37 riders across the IHSA, representing the top 10 percent of collegiate riders.

David Silverman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexandra MacLean to the Bank’s St. Johnsbury Advisory Board. MacLean is the founder of a strategic communications business, ASM Strategies. She is the Program Manager for the Northeast Kingdom Economic Development Initiative, a $600 million program designed to bring economic opportunities for Vermonters in northern Vermont.

NAPA of Barre, locally owned by Northfield, VT-based D’Amico Ventures LLC, announced the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for its recently re-located Barre location. Hosted in conjunction with the Barre Area Development Corporation (BADC), the ribbon cutting marked the ceremonial opening of the NAPA of Barre, located at 44 South Main Street.

The Vermont Department of Labor has announced the promotion of Wendy Morse to the Regional Manager position for the Department’s offices in Bennington and Rutland. Ms. Morse has worked for the Department of Labor since 2002. Prior to accepting the position, Ms. Morse served as a Career Development Facilitator III, and in recent months as the interim manager while the position was under recruitment through the state’s system.

Congressman Peter Welch has announced the winner of the 32nd Annual Congressional Art Competition at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier. Brigheil Lalor of Manchester Center and Burr and Burton Academy, took the honors for her painting “Possibilities.”

The Association for Institutional Research has named John F. Ryan, UVM’s director of institutional research, editor of New Directions for Institutional Research (NDIR). The selection was made by a committee of association members, who cited Ryan’s professional experience, record of scholarship, and broad perspective on a range of issues in institutional research and assessment as the reasons he was selected.