The Executive Director of United Way of Chittenden County recently announced the appointment of Susan Pelkey Smith of Shelburne to the position of Director of Finance and Operations for the organization. Having most recently spent five years as a supervisor in the small business department at the Burlington-based CPA firm, Gallagher, Flynn and Company, Pelkey Smith comes to United Way with a strong background in financial management and accounting, both in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

State Senator Phil Scott today announced his appointment of noted former KPMG Executive, CPA, Glen Wright, as his Finance Chair for Scott's campaign for Vermont Lieutenant Governor.

"It is my distinct honor to announce today that Glen Wright has agreed to serve as my Campaign Finance Chair," said Phil Scott. "Glen is a respected business and community leader, and that he has agreed to give his support to my candidacy means a great deal to me."

Sean will oversee the planning, organization and management of all programs and activities at the Graduate School as it continues to fulfill its vision to offer responsive, innovative professional studies of the highest standard in the areas of management, technology, and teaching. "Part of why I'm excited to be joining the Marlboro College Graduate School is that I think the work they're doing models a globally informed, locally grounded approach that is deeply needed," says Conley.

Rory Fitzgerald of Barre, Vt., and Jayden Choquette of Milton, Vt., reached semi-finalist status as candidates for Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships. They partnered for the competition with Brendan O’Leary and Nathaniel Beliveau, along with 274 pairs of competing actors. Rory and Jayden and their acting partners were amongst the only 36 pairs that made it to the semifinalist round. They were coached for the acting competition by SMC associate professor of theater Cathy Hurst.

Saint Michael’s students and faculty continued the college’s historic commitment to theater by participating again in the week-long American College Theater Festival, and they came away with awards in three categories.

Eighteen students and two faculty members participated in the Region 1, Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF1) at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, Jan. 26 through Jan. 31. They attended workshops, seminars, and productions, and participated in scholarship auditions, design competitions and more.

At the Champlain Housing Trust’s 25th Annual Meeting, three volunteers were recognized for their work on behalf of the organization’s efforts to provide secure and affordable housing, and members of the Trust elected six to serve on the Board of Directors.

The Burlington law firm of Paul Frank + Collins P.C. announced that shareholderJohn T. Sartore has been recognized nationally as one of America’s top business litigation attorneys in the 2010 Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition. This Edition features the top five percent of attorneys nationwide based on peer nominations and independent research of the candidate.

William D. Whitsell, FLMI, ACS, has recently been appointed Vice President, New Business Acquisition for National Life Group. In this role, Whitsell will be responsible for the New Business, Underwriting, and Agent Contracting functions in the Protection Division and will join the Protection Division's leadership team.

Hanover, NH: Ledyard National Bank is proud to announce that Kathy Underwood, President and CEO, was named one of New Hampshire’s Outstanding Women in Business for 2010. The annual award, given by New Hampshire Business Review, celebrates the success and achievements of women in our state’s business community, and is open to women from all walks of life and professions. The newspaper selects six women each year to receive the award.

Badger and Associates, Inc., a locally owned and operated full service architecture firm, is pleased to announce that firm associate Gregory B. Boshart has successfully passed all parts of the architectural licensing exam and has been duly licensed to practice architecture by the State of Vermont. Although there are varying ways to become a licensed architect in Vermont, for Greg this is the culmination of 5 years of college at Syracuse University, 5 years of apprenticeship, and 12 months of studying and test taking.