Earlier this month, Gretchen Morse, Executive Director of United Way of Chittenden County was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Vermont at their 205th Commencement Ceremony. Morse, UVM Class of ’75, has spent 30 years in public service initiating and implementing policies that improve the health and well being of Vermonters.

Union Bank has announced the promotion of Karyn J. Hale to Vice President, and Carrie R. Locklin to Assistant Treasurer. Hale is a member of the Bank’s Finance Department, Locklin is a member of the Bank’s Audit and Compliance Department.

The Northeast Association of Electric Cooperatives (NEAEC) has honored two people with its annual George D. Aiken Award. The association, whose members include the rural electric cooperatives in the New England states and New York, established the award many years ago in honor of Vermont’s former Governor and Senator, a strong champion throughout his career of rural electrification and strengthening rural economies.

Spherion Corporation, a staffing, recruiting and workforce solutions provider, announced that Ken Ballard, owner of the Company’s South Burlington, Vermont, office, is the recipient of the Franchise Owner of the Year Award for 2009.