GB Shelter Mortgage is proud to announce and welcome Janet Knutsen as its new Senior Loan Officer. Janet brings with her over 32 years of mortgage banking experience from processing, underwriting, closing, originating and management. She comes from People’s United Bank, where she has been part of the Mortgage Sales staff for the past 23 years. Janet has earned the designation of Certified Mortgage Professional from Vermont Mortgage Bankers Association. She is also an affiliate member of the Northern Vermont Board of Realtors.

Janet resides in St. Albans with her husband Roy.

William (Bill) H. Bannerman and Jeremiah (Jerry) Tarr were honored recently at the New England Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (NEAHP) with the Distinguished Service to Philanthropy Award. The NEAHP Award was founded in 1978 to recognize extraordinary philanthropists and volunteers in philanthropy who have made significant contributions to a New England health care organization. Over 300 health care organizations in New England are members of NEAHP.

The HBRA is pleased to announce the hiring of Josie Palmer Leavitt as its new Executive Officer. Todd Leach, Leach Construction of Vermont and current President of the HBRA said, "We are thrilled to welcome Josie to the HBRA, and excited to bring on board someone of her caliber, expertise and commitment. Having served on our board of directors, Josie understands the needs of our members, and the housing industry. Her background in business, marketing, management, land development, sales and real estate makes her the perfect fit to dynamically lead our Association."

Dr. Megan Carman recently joined the inpatient psychiatry staff at Central Vermont Medical Center.

CENTURY 21 Jack Associates is pleased to announce that Lisa Meyer, Broker and Manager of the Waterbury branch office, has earned the CENTURY 21 Masters Emerald Award for 2011 in addition to the CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award for the second year in a row.

The mission that Williston 8th grader Tommy Watson started when he saw only one person begin CPR on a man who collapsed at a sporting event last fall continues strong. On Thursday, March 8, Tommy trained more than 30 continuing education professionals at the University of Vermont. Among them was the 200th person he trained.

“I originally set a goal of training 100 people,” Tommy said. “I hit that on Feb. 1 when I trained Lt. Gov. Phil Scott. I’ll keep going now – I have more trainings planned.”