People in the news

Diane McCarthy and Mark Melendy, shareholders at Sheehey Furlong & Behm in Burlington, have earned the distinction of Lawyer of the Year for 2025 by Best Lawyers, a peer-reviewed guide to the legal profession.

Vermont Chamber of Commerce President Amy Spear has earned the IOM credential from the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management. This certification highlights her completion of 96 credit hours in nonprofit management, further enhancing her leadership at the chamber.

Vermont Law and Graduate School has announced the appointment of nationally recognized public policy expert Stephen Pimpare to director of its newly launched Master of Public Policy program. He will also teach various courses on public policy.

Gail Newman, vice president of risk management at Bright Horizons, and Joe Carter (pictured), vice president of business development and UE experience at United Educators, have been reelected to the board of directors of the the Vermont Captive Insurance Association and appointed chair and vice chair, respectively, for the 2024-25 term.

Health Care and Rehabilitation Services, southeastern Vermont’s nonprofit community mental-health agency, has appointed Kristin Reifenrath as director of its Division of Children, Youth and Family Services.

Will Harrison, former financial adviser at Marblestone Wealth, is now a financial adviser at Rock Point Advisors in Burlington. He brings 15 years of investment, retirement, insurance and estate planning experience to his new position.

The Bank of Bennington has promoted Customer Service Representative Niki Rhoades to branch manager of its Rutland office.

“We are thrilled to have Niki step into this leadership position,” said President and CEO Jim Brown. “Her experience and passion for community banking make her the ideal person to lead our Rutland branch.”

Charlie Ansley, former senior associate for contracts at Capital One, has joined Stowe Electric Department as a U.S. Department of Energy Clean Energy Innovator fellow.

Engelberth Construction, a construction manager/general contractor with full-service offices in Colchester, Vermont, and Concord, New Hampshire, has hired Peter Hoekstra as director of business development. He joins Engelberth from Green Environmental in Rockland, Massachusetts, where he also served as director of business development.

Kevin Blum, former associate coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving teams at the University of Hawaii, has joined the Upper Valley Aquatic Center as men's swim coach.

Lorin Holmes, former brand project manager at the advertising services firm Guru, has joined Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman as a realtor.

Matt Musgrave, former director of government affairs at the Associated Contractors of Vermont, has been appointed Vermont regional director of the New Hampshire/Vermont chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors.