New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) has promoted Cindy Reichard to the position of Mortgage Loan Officer. Reichard, who resides in South Burlington, has been with NEFCU for 20 years.

“I’m extremely excited about taking on the challenges of my new position,” Reichard stated. “I enjoy helping borrowers when they are either buying a new home or improving their financial picture by refinancing. Helping them achieve the largest investment they may make provides a strong sense of accomplishment.”

Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA), a national center for graduate education in the arts, announced today the appointment of award-winning screenwriter Brandon Cole to the faculty of its new film school. This innovative film school will welcome its inaugural class in October 2013 on VCFA’s historic Montpelier, Vermont campus.

Experienced orthopedics physician assistant Bradford “Brad” Salzmann has joined Gifford Medical Center’s orthopedics team in Randolph.

Salzmann grew up in primarily Massachusetts and had two careers – first as a carpenter and then as a hospital-based paramedic – before becoming a physician assistant. He also did ski patrol along the way and through his role as a ski patrol director got to know a physician assistant who ran a local clinic. Salzmann was inspired. He decided to pursue the “up and coming” profession.

Mayor Miro Weinberger has announced the members of the Public Investment Team, who will evaluate and prioritize the public improvement project concepts that have been submitted in response to the Waterfront Public Investment Action Plan (PIAP) request for concepts. The team members have deep backgrounds and experience in finance, development, and urban planning.

Robin Pesci, Director of Howard Center’s First Call for Children and Families, has been nominated to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Steering Committee for a three-year term.

Union Institute & University President Roger H. Sublett today announced the appointment of Nelson Soto, Ph.D. as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Soto will provide leadership to assure the quality of the university’s academic programs, advancing the university’s mission of engaging, enlightening and empowering students, and continuing development of enrollment. Dr. Soto replaces Dr. Richard S. Hansen who retired in January 2013 after serving for eight years.

Dr. Alicia Cunningham has announced that she has been named by Concierge Medicine Today as one of the nation's top 16 concierge doctors.

"We feel it is very important to acknowledge and recommend specific practices within the concierge medical and direct primary care marketplace that reflect and represent the care, value and benefits of this industry," says Michael Tetrault, Editor-In-Chief of Concierge Medicine Today. "We look for physicians each year who have made an impact on patients, their community, their state, technology, and more."

Southern Vermont College has announced that it will award the Honorary Degree of Humane Letters to three national leaders at its 86th Commencement on Saturday, May 11. The recipients are: Michael J. Astrue, former Commissioner of Social Security; the Honorable Janice Lachance, Esq, Chief Executive Officer of the Special Libraries Association; and Brigadier General Barrye L. Price, U.S. Army. The announcement was made by SVC President Karen Gross who recently completed a year in Washington, D.C., as a senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Education.

Ledyard National Bank is pleased to announce that Timothy Draper has joined its Hanover, New Hampshire office as a Mortgage Loan Originator. Prior to joining Ledyard, Tim was Branch Manager II at Lake Sunapee Bank for over a year and Personal Banker at Bank of America for nearly three years.

Major Jackson, poet and Richard Dennis Green and Gold Professor of English, has won a Guggenheim Fellowship, one of the most prestigious honors granted to “midcareer” academics and artists who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts. The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation receives between 3,500 and 4,000 applications each year and awards approximately 200 fellowships.