People in the news

Chroma, a global manufacturer of optical filters based in Bellows Falls, has presented its 2025 Anne Heidenthal Prize for Fluorescence Research to Leeat Keren, assistant professor of molecular cell biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Michelle N. Farkas, shareholder at Gravel & Shea law firm in Burlington, has been recognized as a Best-in-State Lawyer for Vermont by Forbes magazine. She was honored for her dedication, leadership and peer-recognized excellence in commercial real estate law.

Joshua Conn, former controller at Piller Blowers and Compressors in Schenectady, New York, has rejoined the Bank of Bennington as assistant vice president and controller. Conn began his banking career at the Bank of Bennington in 2014 in a customer-service role while pursuing his master's degree in accounting at The College of Saint Rose.

The Brattleboro Development Credit Corp. has become a liaison partner in the newly funded Science and Technology Research Initiative for the Southern Vermont Economy, a transformative program that brings together educational institutions, businesses, advocacy groups, economic developers and local governments to create a more inclusive and transfo

Leadership Champlain, the flagship leadership-development program of the Lake Champlain Chamber, has elected Jess Lukas as chair and Michele Karode as vice chair of its advisory board.

The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, a nonprofit organization that educates the public on logging and associated trucking issues throughout the region, has hired Maggie Rideout as its new certification coordinator.

Community National Bank has announced that Julie Marquis has returned to its main branch in Derby as office manager after serving in a similar position at the Troy office.

Kathleen Lynch, a surgical nurse and senior staff nurse at University of Vermont Medical Center, has been named Vermont Mother of the Year by American Mothers, a nonprofit organization that works to educate, inspire and recognize mothers.

NPI Technology Management, an integrated information technology services company in South Burlington, has hired Ken White as a security administrator.

Passumpsic Bank has appointed Renee Powers as branch manager of its Lyndonville and Island Pond offices. A bank employee since 2005, Powers previously served as assistant vice president and branch manager at Passumpsic's Littleton and Whitefield locations.

Manchester Business Association has appointed Valeria Ryan, a veteran of Vermont's hospitality, nonprofit, corporate and resort sectors, as its new events manager.

Burke Mountain Resort has hired hotel industry veteran Dennis Barquinero as general manager of the Burke Mountain Hotel.