This week Vermont Democratic Party Executive Director Julia Barnes announced the hiring of two new staffers. The VDP has hired Nick Charyk as Political Director and Ryan Emerson as Party Outreach and Communications Director. During the 2012 cycle, Charyk headed the Vermont Democratic House Campaign Committee and Emerson managed State Treasurer Beth Pearce’s successful campaign.

Frank + Collins is pleased to announce that Kerin E. Stackpole, SPHR of Shelburne has become a shareholder and director of the firm.

Marissa Strayer-Benton has been appointed development director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the orchestra staff she served as director of recruitment and program support for Mobius, The Mentoring Movement and as assistant inn director at Shelburne Farms.

Strayer-Benton holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Champlain College and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Marlboro College. She also participated in the Mercy Connections Women’s Small Business Program, “Start Up.”

Charlotte Porcelli admits she has “big shoes to fill” as Lyndon State College’s new Director of Conferences and Events. The Pennsylvania native takes the helm from Donna Wheeler. Wheeler is retiring after 33 years in a variety of positions at LSC, 24 of those managing conferences and events.

Paul Frank + Collins is pleased to announce that attorney David M. Pocius has received an AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Kids VT, Vermont’s free monthly parenting magazine, has hired a new managing editor — Carolyn Fox, formerly the calendar editor for Seven Days. Carolyn joined the Seven Days team in April of 2009, after graduating from Champlain College with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. During her time at the independent newsweekly, she managed the statewide event listings, both in print and online, and wrote a regular column about the week’s happenings. Carolyn has also helped shape What’s Good, Seven Days’ annual college guide to Burlington; she edited the 2012 edition.

In the spirit of sampling all that the region offers, Vermont Public Television will launch “Out & About,” a magazine-style program celebrating life in Vermont and beyond. The program will premiere Monday, Jan. 7, at 9 p.m. with the first of four weekly episodes. Rebroadcasts are scheduled for Tuesdays at 7 p.m., and it will also be posted on vpt.org.

Hosts Chris McClure of Buel’s Gore and Anya Huneke of Charlotte will introduce stories and sometimes take part in them. Both are independent producers who have done work for VPT.