Benchmark Assisted Living has appointed Stephanie Handelson as Chief Operating Officer. Handelson will hold primary responsibility for all daily operations at the 44 senior living communities Benchmark operates in six states, including The Arbors at Shelburne in Shelburne.

Vermont author and environmentalist Bill McKibben will be presented with the second annual Marc vanderHeyden Service to Vermont Award given by Vermont Campus Compact (VCC) Board of Directors, on Wednesday, April 1 at the University of Vermont Davis Center.

Each June, REALTORR Magazine features 30 rising young stars in the real estate industry. This year, Adam Hergenrother of RE/MAX North Professionals in Colchester, is among the 50 finalists for this prestigious recognition. The top 30 real estate practitioners will land a spot in REALTORR magazine's annual "30 Under 30" feature. The cover feature, which runs in June, highlights up-and-coming real estate professionals who are already making their mark with smart business practices, community leadership, and industry innovation.

Academy Headmaster Tom Lovett has announced that Jeffrey S. Burroughs, a former Vermont resident now serving as Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Hyde School in Bath, Maine, has been selected as St. Johnsbury Academy’s new Assistant Headmaster for Academics, effective July 1. Burroughs will replace Judith Kelley, who will be leaving the post at the end of this school year to take a sabbatical year.

Barbara E. Richardson of Burlington wrote an original ‘must know information’ contribution that has been published in the newly released book THE ULTIMATE GARDENER: The Best Experts’ Advice for Cultivating a Magnificent Garden with Photos and Stories, the latest book by NY Times best selling publishers Health Communications Inc.

Daniel M. Boardman, CLU, CFP®, of Hickok and Boardman Retirement Solutions, an Independent Registered Investment Advisor in Burlington, was elected Chair of the Million Dollar Round Table’s (MDRT) 2009–2010 Boomertirement Committee. Boardman is a local business and community leader and a 16-year member of MDRT, The Premier Association of Financial Professionals.

Gregory Farnum, the founder and president of Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc. (VITL), one of the country’s leading health information exchanges, will leave the company on June 30 to be a consultant for state and local health information technology initiatives. Joshua Slen, the former director of Vermont’s Medicaid program and now a senior consultant with Bailit Health Purchasing, has been named interim CEO.

Local Motion, now in its tenth year of advocating for bicycle, pedestrian, running and XC ski initiatives, announces new additions to its board of directors and staff.

KeyBank announced recently that John Bock and Michael Williams have joined Key Private Bank.

John Bock is a Fiduciary Advisor, providing investment management and trust resources to individuals, families and organizations. He has more than 14 years of experience in the wealth management business. Prior to joining Key, he formed and was president of an independent trust company. In addition to a BA, Bock holds a JD from the Franklin Pierce Law Center, is an Honors Graduate of the Cannon Trust School, and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA).

KeyBank announced recently that Peter Nolasco has been named Mortgage Advisor. In his new position, Nolasco is responsible for residential mortgages. He is based in Key’s Essex Junction branch at 40 Pearl Street, and serves clients locally and across the country.