A native Vermonter with 20 years of experience in family care is making the Chelsea Health Center his workplace and town of Washington his home. Dr Brian Sargent has returned to Vermont and Gifford Medical Center after a career in the US Navy that spanned 32 years. Born in Northfield, Sargent grew up in Bradford and Underhill. He spent time at Gifford in 1984 as part of his student rotations with family physician Dr Ken Borie. He is taking care of pediatrics to geriatrics, and wellness and preventative medicine are among his interests.

John McSoley and Peter McCoy have announced that Tom Stretton has been admitted as a partner to McSoley McCoy & Co effective January 1, 2009. Stretton joined McSoley, McCoy & Co in 2000 and specializes in audits of businesses, non-profit organizations and retirement plans.

The Vermont Agency, a comprehensive financial services firm, has hired the following associates in the second half of 2008: Leslie Armstrong, Robert Bisson, Ross Burke, Liz Kenerson, Louise Kowalewitz, Henry Laidlaw, Gosia Mazurkiewicz, Todd Mugford, Uday Smith, Tyler Spiegel, and Tyler Wood. These associates are also agents for National Life Insurance Company. Through its association with National Life, The Vermont Agency traces it roots back to 1850. It has offices throughout Northern New England and upstate New York.

Susan Biggs joins Southern Vermont College (SVC) as the new director of communications. Biggs has worked in the communications field for over 25 years in the education, non-profit and the business sectors. Most recently, she served as director of corporate communications at Applejack Art Partners. She has also worked as director of programming for Hildene, the Lincoln family home, as communications associate at the Vermont Community Foundation and as director of public relations for the Maple Street School in Manchester.

Geoffrey R Hesslink, SVP for Merchants Bank has announced the appointment of William “Bill” Kidder, as commercial loan officer. Kidder will be based in the White River Junction office, working alongside Ed Childs and Vicki Olsen. Prior to joining Merchants Bank, he was employed with RBS Citizens, NA as a vice president in the corporate banking group. Kidder was with TD Banknorth, NA (f/k/a Banknorth, NA and First Vermont Bank) from February 1987 to June 2005, joining the bank as a commercial loan officer trainee and at the time of his departure, he was a VP and commercial banking officer.

SymQuest Group, Inc, has announced the appointment of Todd Chandler to account executive for the Rutland and Glens Falls, NY territories. Chandler has more than 20 years of experience as a former employee of Canon USA. Symquest is an affordable and accessible network infrastructure and document solutions technology services company focusing on highly-customized and accessible customer service, innovative document solution programs, and the crafting of high-availability infrastructure solutions.

Merchants Bank has announced the appointment of Lisa JL Hart to the position of branch president for Merchants’ East Thetford office. Hart has served as branch president for the Groton office of the bank since November 2006. She will assume her new responsibilities in East Thetford in January. She will lead a team that includes: Patricia Blake, Susan Illsley, Michael Dana and Rhonda Hay. Hart has more than 10 years of banking experience.