The 23 members of the Vermont Leadership Institute Class of 2024 celebrated their completion of the nine-month professional-development program at a June graduation ceremony at Basin Harbor in Vergennes. Tracy Zschau, president and CEO of the Vermont Land Trust, delivered the keynote address at the event.
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Heather Simons, the first woman to lead the Vermont Police Academy, has announced she will step down from her position on June 7. Simons was appointed executive director of the academy in 2021 after leading the Vermont Correctional Academy for nine years.
The Vermont State Police has announced the promotion of Sgt. Thomas Howard to lieutenant and station commander at the Berlin Barracks, which provides police coverage throughout Washington County and portions of Orange County. Howard was appointed to the position in an acting capacity earlier this year.
Dan Lerner, associate director and chair of University of Vermont Extension, has been named executive director of the Windham Foundation, effective mid-June. He will succeed Bob Donald, who will retire this summer after 14 years as CEO and chief financial officer.
D. Slayton Avery and Thea Lewis have been named winners of the 2024 Vermont Writers' Prize, sponsored by Green Mountain Power and Vermont Magazine. Avery won in the poetry category for her poem "At the Fair," and Lewis won in the prose category for her short story "Farm Boy."
Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital has announced the promotion of Chief Nursing Officer Olivia Sweetnam to CEO, effective July 1. She will succeed Doug DiVello, who announced his plans last December to retire when a replacement was hired.
The Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame will induct five new members later this summer at the Champlain Valley Fair.
The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. has appointed Meghan Metzler as vice president and chief financial officer and promoted Kirstin Boehm to senior director of outreach, research and development.
The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in St. Johnsbury has hired Megan Duncan as its first female meteorologist and newest contributor to its "Eye on the Sky" program that airs seven days a week on Vermont Public. She will succeed Steve Maleski, who is retiring this summer.
Allison Marino, a professional violinist and teacher, and manager of the Northwest Farmers Market in St. Albans, has joined Hyperbaric Vermont as outreach and fundraising associate. She succeeds Managing Director Kathryn Blume, who is leaving the organization to pursue graduate studies in clinical mental health counseling.
Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, soon to be Hotel Champlain, has appointed Kevin Sprouse as executive chef and Marina Cook as general manager at the Original Skiff Fish + Oyster restaurant, which will operate inside the hotel beginning this summer.
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor has honored acute care nurse Ruth Doiron as May Employee of the Month. The award recognizes employees who consistently exceed expectations, with reliability and daily dedication to their work.