People in the news

Andrea McGill-O’Rourke calls it “serendipitous.”

She was helping her son search for a job as a social worker when she happened upon Gifford Medical Center’s Web site, www.giffordmed.org. The hospital was hiring not for a social worker but for a vice president of operations.

“Wait, that’s my job,” McGill-O’Rourke remembers saying.

The board of directors of Opportunities Credit Union has named Cheryl Fatnassi as the CEO and President. Fatnassi has over 29 years working in financial services. She was the former Senior Vice President for IT Systems at Banknorth and had previously managed all aspects of technology and retail banking, CRA and compliance.

(Burlington) Burlington attorney Robert D. Rachlin, senior director of the law firm Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC, celebrated his 50th anniversary this month with the law firm that bears his name. He was honored at the firm’s annual holiday dinner, held at the Stoweflake Resort and Conference Center.

Jarrett Law Office, PLC is pleased to announce that Glenn A. Jarrett, Esq., the principal of the firm, was a presenter at the 2009 New England Regional Meeting of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). The presentation, “Special needs trusts and the social security administration”.

Darn Tough Vermont, manufacturer of premium all weather performance socks, has named Mark Comcowich Director of Specialty Channel Manager.

Mark Wallace, Director of Business Development with TPW Management has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Mark has lived in Dover, Vermont since 1988. In 1990, he started Wallace Properties, Inc. and acted as the President and CEO, built the company to one of the largest property management companies in southern Vermont.

Professor Philip Parisi, a member of the Lyndon State College Visual Arts Department, completed his doctorate at Capella University in November. His area of study was Education with a focus on Instructional Design for Online Learning.

FairPoint Communications, Inc. today announced Beth Fastiggi has been promoted to the position of vice president of government relations - Vermont. She will be responsible for FairPoint’s relationship with Vermont government officials and will serve as the point of contact for Vermont legislative representatives and staff and state agencies.

Larry Sudbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of SymQuest Group, Inc. announced today that Paul Nightingale, Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO), has received his Cisco Sales Expert Certification.

Larry Sudbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of SymQuest® Group, Inc., is pleased to announce today that Justin M. Sheehy has been hired as an Account Executive to work in the Rutland region.

Union Bank is pleased to announce the addition of two new employees; Judy R. Smith as Commercial and Residential Lender, and James French as Network Administrator.

At their September 2009 meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, the International Association of Professional Brochure Distributors (IAPBD) elected a new president: Bill Orleans, owner of PP&D Brochure Distribution of Burlington, Vermont.