People in the news

Former U.S. Secretary of State and retired four-star U.S. Army general Colin L. Powell will observe Veterans Day at Norwich University and deliver the Fall 2014 Todd Lecture Series talk on campus at 7 p.m. in Shapiro Field House.

Both Tuesday, Nov. 11 events are free and open to the public.

Nancy E. LaVarnway of Northfield has been reappointed to the Vermont Commission on Women for a second 4-year term.

Connor Contracting, Inc. was founded in 1989 in St. Albans, Vermont by President Michael Connor who was later joined by his brothers and co-owners of the business, Stephen, John, and Fred Connor. The company is engaged in commercial/industrial construction management, general contracting and development. They now maintain offices in Berlin, Vermont as well as St. Albans, Vermont.

Barrie Silver joins the team of HMC Advertising in the role of Content and Engagement Manager. Silver has a strong career in writing and marketing and brings years of experience developing marketing and public relations strategies to her new position at HMC.

Thanks to Engelberth Construction's employees, subcontractors and business partners, Jamee (age 16), Cole (age 4), Drew (age 5) and Celia (age 6) are going to have their wishes granted. A new deck, sensory equipment, a visit to see the monster truck "Gravedigger" and a swim with dolphins are all planned for these special children living with life threatening illnesses.

Spherion Staffing Services, a local recruiting, staffing and workforce solutions provider backed by the resources of a $2 billion global workforce leader, announced today that Ken Ballard, franchise owner of the South Burlington office, is celebrating a major milestone - 25 years of exceptional service to local employees and clients.

Coldwell Banker Choice Properties of Franklin County announced they will join Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty. Their team of REALTORS will continue to offer premier real estate services to home buyers and sellers in northern Vermont through Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty.

Burak Anderson & Melloni, PLC, has announced that Mary K. Bullis has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Ms. Bullis is a graduate of Saint Michael’s College and the University of Maine School of Law. She previously worked as an assistant district attorney in the Lewiston, Maine District Attorney’s Office and as an assistant public defender in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Registration is now open for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility’s (VBSR) 22nd Annual Fall Conference. The daylong conference will take place Wednesday, November 19, at the Grand Summit Resort at Mount Snow in West Dover, Vermont.

The Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing has announced that Laura Peterson has been named communications director for the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. In this role, Laura will be responsible for leading tourism media and trade relations.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, has named Sonia M. Comstock as Assistant Vice President, Store Manager of the store located at 2 Church St. in Bellows Falls, Vt. She is responsible for new business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel and overseeing the day-to-day operations at the store serving customers throughout the area.

The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) has announced that Kevin W. Geiger, AICP CFM was recently presented with the “Emergency Manager of the Year“ award by the Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC). The award was presented at the 2014 Vermont Emergency Management Conference held at Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee Vermont.