People in the news

May Hanlon, former deputy director of direct marketing at the Democratic National Committee, has been appointed executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party. She succeeds Jim Dandeneau, who recently stepped down after serving over two years in the role.

Charlie Johnston, dam group manager at DuBois & King in Randolph, has been named 2025 Young Engineer of the Year by the Vermont Society of Professional Engineers. He accepted the honor at the Engineers Week Banquet in South Burlington in late March.

Neagley & Chase Construction Co., one of northern New England's leading commercial construction firms, has promoted Project Engineer Phil Eseppi to assistant project manager.

Charlie Phippen, former CEO at Water Tower Research in Wilton, Connecticut, has been named CEO at Resource Systems Group, a leader in data-driven research, analytics and modeling based in White River Junction. He succeeds Tim Young, who had served as interim CEO since May 2024.

Kaj Samsom, former chief auditor at National Life Group, has been named commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. He has more than 14 years of experience in state government, including various positions at DFR.

Samsom, a certified public accountant, holds a bachelor's degree and Master of Public Administration from the University of Vermont.

Kali Ali, a student at Burlington High School and member of the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, has been named 2025 Vermont state Youth of the Year — the highest honor athat can be bestowed on a member of a Boys & Girls Club in Vermont. Ali will advance to the Northeast Regional Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year competition in New York City on June 17.

The Lake Champlain Chamber has presented Sophie Owen Jankowski, director of operations and technology at the commercial real estate agency Redstone, with its 2025 Emerging Leader Award for her “exceptional professional achievements and outstanding community leadership.” The presentation was made at the chamber's 114th annual gala April 10 at Hula in Burlington.

Shayne Foley, co-founder and content creator at The PA Blueprint and a former adjunct professor at University of New England, has joined Gifford Health Care’s family practice in Berlin as a physician assistant.

Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, the statewide, nonprofit business association with a mission to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact, has named Chelsea Bardot Lewis as its next executive director, effective June 1. She will succeed Roxanne Vought, who will depart May 30 after 10 years with the organization.

National Life Group has named Francis Radnoti, FSA, MAAA, as Vice President & Head of Life Product Design, Development and Pricing, as of March 24.

Reginald Beliveau, former emergency management director and village manager for the town of Swanton, has be appointed to the Vermont Electric Power Co. Board of Directors, representing Vermont's public power utilities. He succeeds Steve Kaminski, who began his service on the VELCO board in 2013.

Nancy Shuttleworth, area business adviser for Rutland and Bennington counties at the Vermont Small Business Development Center, has been named the organization’s State Star for 2025.