Larry Sudbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of SymQuest® Group, announced that John Guthrie, Field Support Engineer, has successfully completed the Hewlett Packard (HP) Authorized Platform Specialist (APS) certification process. This certification is required for SymQuest to maintain its status as an HP Authorized Service Provider (APS). As an HP APS, SymQuest can perform warranty work for HP servers that other service providers without certification cannot offer.

Marlboro College Graduate School introduced Kate Jellema as the new director of Program in Nonprofit Management, and announced that the Fall 2010 version of the program will be offered in both Burlington and Norwich, Vermont, starting on October 8. Jellema takes the mantle of program director just as Marlboro College assumes sole responsibility for the Program in Nonprofit Management Certification. For the previous two years, the program was offered in conjunction with first Woodbury and then Champlain College.

When John Crabbe began what is today one of the most successful event rental businesses in Vermont, he looked to a national business leader for his inspiration. One quote in particular from Lee Iacocca resonated with Crabbe, “people do business with people, not businesses.” Crabbe knew early in his career that he wanted to personalize the service that he gave his customers and to also become a significant contributor to his community.

White + Burke Real Estate Investment Advisors, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Ashley Higgins to the company in the position of Research Analyst. Ashley will support the work of the firm’s senior team of consultants on clients’ commercial real estate projects, being responsible for project research, helping prepare permit applications and creating project support materials. A native Vermonter, Ashley recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Salve Regina University and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Management.

The Vermont Natural Resources Council has hired Nina Otter of Montpelier to join the staff.

Nina will serve as Membership Coordinator, a new position at VNRC. Her primary responsibility will be managing VNRC’s database of members and activists and helping get the word out about VNRC’s work in its sustainable communities, forestry, energy and water programs. She will be working closely with VNRC’s development and outreach staff to increase VNRC’s membership and to connect more people – especially younger Vermonters – with VNRC’s work.

Jennifer Lawson, a middle school language arts and social studies teacher at Vergennes Union High School in Vergennes, was named by the State Board of Education as the 2011 Vermont Teacher of the Year at a ceremony held today at the school.

Also honored were:

• Alternate Kathy Bennett, a high school French teacher at Enosburg Falls Middle and High School in Enosburg Falls.

• Finalist Maria Dana Dezotell, a high school science teacher at Missisquoi Valley Union High School in Swanton.