Special Olympics Vermont recently elected Lois Nial and Nicole Andreson to its Board of Directors and appointed two new officers. Nial is the Director of Finance at Shelburne Museum. Andreson is an attorney at Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew. Jeff LaBonte of Hickok and Boardman Insurance was appointed to Board Chair and Timothy Lewis of the University of Vermont is now Secretary. Special Olympics Vermont is celebrating 40 years of creating opportunities to change perceptions and understanding of people with intellectual disabilities through sports.

The Humane Society of Chittenden County honored eight local residents for their tireless support of -- and unwavering dedication to -- the prevention of animal suffering in our community. The Awards, presented at the 2010 Annual Celebration, recognize the 2010 individual contributions for the Youth Volunteer of the Year, Adult Volunteer of the Year, the Alice Van Buren Foster Parent of the Year, Community Partner Award, the Veterinary Partner Award, the Staff Member of the Year, the Staff 5-Year Continual Service Award and the coveted June Davis Award.

Each year, the Queen City Police Foundation recognizes an individual who works closely with the Burlington Police Department and who contributes significantly to the overall well being of the greater Burlington community, by presenting the Antonio B. Pomerleau Medal of Honor Award. The 2011 recipient of the Medal of Honor is Gail Shampnois, Director of Student and Community Relations at the University of Vermont.

Susan O’Rourke has joined Stowe Realty as a Sales Associate at the 254 Mountain Road Office. The announcement was made by John Biondolillo, President, Stowe Realty & BCK Real Estate Company.

Ms. O’Rourke will be responsible helping buyers and sellers of residential property in central Vermont. Susan brings with her over 16 years of real estate experience.

Gifford Medical Center has welcomed a new radiology group bringing increased services to the Randolph hospital.

Drs. John McIntyre and Scott Smith of Catamount Radiology joined Gifford in April as the hospital’s new radiologists.

A graduate of Wesleyan University in Connecticut and then the University of Vermont College of Medicine, Dr. McIntyre comes to Gifford from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

He brings 15 years of experience, including teaching appointments in Vermont and California as well as significant clinical experience on both coasts.

The board of directors of First Night Burlington, Inc. announced that Jennifer Crowell has been appointed Executive Director. Crowell, most recently, was the Booking and Production Specialist for First Night Burlington, Festival Coordinator for Champlain Valley Folk Festival, and an Entertainment consultant.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as Legislator of the Year for 2010-2011. Senator Leahy received the award as part of the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.