Professor Tim Mackin of Burlington, with a PhD in English from Johns Hopkins University, has been named Director of the Saint Michael's College Writing Program, the college announced March 5. Professor Mackin will oversee the Writing Center, which is staffed by a cadre of talented undergraduate writing tutors. He will also supervise the SMC writing proficiency requirement and assessment of the writing program. He will also teach courses in the English and humanities departments at the college.

KSV has hired three new employees and promoted two at its Burlington office.

• Alexandra Tursi is now director of social media. She manages the agency’s social media team and specific social media projects for clients, including the University of Vermont Continuing Education, VSAC and National Grid.

• Bill Stowe is now creative director. Bill continues to serve as an influential member of KSV creative/content team,working with clients such as Sugarbush, Vermont Department of Health, and Acorn.

Vermont Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Reiber will deliver the keynote speech on May 19 at Vermont Law School’s 37th annual commencement.

The public is invited to attend the 10 a.m. event on the South Royalton town green.

Reiber, who graduated Suffolk Law School in 1974, served in private practice in Rutland and as a partner in the law firm Kenlan, Schweibert & Facey from 1986 until his appointment as an Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court in 2003. He was sworn in as Chief Justice in 2004.

Vintage Inspired Lifestyle Marketplace on Flynn Avenue in Burlington is pleased to announce an exhibition in March of work from Vermont artists Jordan Douglas, who creates re-imagined archive photos and Axel Stohlberg who creates assemblage art from found objects. The exhibition opens with a reception on First Friday, March 2nd from 5-8pm, and runs through March, and also features vintage brooches and Art Deco-style crystal jewelry from Linda Douglas.

The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) will honor Vermont College of Fine Arts Board of Trustees Chair Cornelius Hogan at the regional organization's 10th annual New England Higher Education Excellence Awards celebration to be held Friday, March 2, 2012, at theBoston Marriott Long Wharf hotel in Boston. More than 500 people will attend this event, including leaders of education, business and government from across the six New England states.

Alyth Hescock, Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, announces the formation of Prospect Appraisal, LLC, a real estate appraisal and consulting company.

Prospect Appraisal serves the Champlain Valley, specializing in agricultural and commercial property. In addition to real estate appraisal and consulting, Prospect’s services include property tax appeal, conservation easement appraisal, subdivision analysis, site layout and permitting assistance, and cash flow and expense forecasting.

President and CEO Loretta Roby announced expansion efforts are underway in Maine for Caleidoscope Communications, a full service telecommunications solution provider of voice, data and telephone equipment.

Steve E. Luzzi was hired as the Senior Account Manager for the Bangor, Maine office. Formerly the Director of Carrier Services for CMC Technology Group, Mr. Luzzi brings more than 22 years of experience in the field of telecommunications to the position along with a broad client base that stretches as far as Madawaska in the north to Portland in the south.

Yvette Randolph of Green Mountain Travel Planner has announced the launch of Disney Vacation Planners – a travel service specifically geared toward families, couples and multi-generational travelers seeking the perfect Disney experience.

“Disney is a passion for me – I’ve been there more than a dozen times, and each one is magical,” states Randolph. “I am so happy to formalize this aspect of my travel agency to ensure that clients wishing to ensure the perfect Disney experience have a trip that far exceeds their wildest expectations.”

Sheldon Ghetler and William W. Reed, both of Chester have joined the Board of Directors of the non-profit (pending) organization of the Vermont Institute of Contemporary Arts (VTica). Gallery exhibitions, performances and workshops are presented in a renovated building completely redesigned to showcase the contemporary arts.

Garden Arts is proud to announce the newest addition to their fresh market initiative -- market manager, Nicole Henry.

After graduating with a BA in environmental studies from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2006, nicole worked as a farm hand for Both Earth Sky Time Farm and Merck Forest and Farmland Center. She then moved into the managerial role at the Manchester and West River (Londonderry) farmers’ markets in 2008; and in 2009 took on the position of market manager for the Dorset farmers’ market as well.