Larry Sudbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of SymQuest® Group, announced that Jon Pratt, Field Support Engineer, has recently achieved designation as a VMware Certified Professional (VCP). Pratt now holds all three primary VMware certifications for both Sales and Technical tracks.

The VCP certification recognizes skill in installation, deployment, configuration and management of vSphere hosts and guest operating systems. Requirements include attendance at a four-day course and intensive self-study prior to successful completion of a comprehensive final exam.

Larry Sudbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of SymQuest® Group, announced the award of VMware Technical Sales Professional (VTSP) certification to Jason Hoyt, Sentinel Solutions Engineer.

Rene Paquette was recently voted 2010 Employee of the Year at Otter Creek Awnings, Sunrooms & Custom Closets of Williston, Vermont. Rene Paquette, a resident of the town of Addison, joined Otter Creek in the early days of the company in 1981 as a fabricator/installer. Since that time Rene Paquette also served as Director of Sales and Production Manager, and was promoted to his current post as company Vice President in charge of Operations.

The Lamoille Valley Chamber of Commerce named Garret Hirchak of Manufacturing Solutions Inc "Community Business Leader of the Year" - an honor recognizing business persons who are active in their communities, demonstrate dedication to employees and co workers and are leaders in their fields.

Brendan Kinney has been named Vice President for Development and Marketing for Vermont Public Radio. Kinney will oversee all of VPR's fundraising efforts, including major and planned giving, membership, underwriting, foundation grants, and capital campaigns. He'll also be responsible for crafting a strategy to reach new listeners. Kinney joined VPR last month.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed former Vermont Assistant Attorney General Julie Brill for a vacancy on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Brill served for more than 20 years as Vermont’s Assistant Attorney General for Consumer Protection and Antitrust, from 1988 to 2009. Since February 2009 she had been the Senior Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Consumer Protection and Antitrust for the North Carolina Department of Justice.