Infinity CU honored for refugee, asylum-seeker program

Infinity Credit Union has taken home an Outstanding Community Partner Award for a program it helped establish last year to help refugees and asylum-seekers secure residences in the city.

Last year the credit union teamed up with ProsperityME to offer individuals loans to pay security deposits for a first apartment. Since launching early last year, the Supporting Immigrant Tenants program has helped 18 individuals, including seven families, pay their deposits. It is financed through a $100,000 fund from ProsperityME, a Portland-based organization that helps immigrants and refugees by offering them courses in financial literacy, career and business development, housing assistance and college scholarships.

“We are honored to be chosen as the Outstanding Community Partner by ProsperityME,” Kandy Moreau, Infinity FCU’s chief lending officer, said of the award handed out May 7 at Ocean Gateway in Portland. “This partnership lets us live our vision of keeping our members a step ahead in life.

SMMC names new dean, VP

Southern Maine Community College has named Dr. Paul Charpentier as its vice president and academic dean following a nationwide search.

Charpentier has worked at SMCC for 24 years as a faculty member and administrator and has served as interim academic dean for nearly two years. He is the college’s chief academic officer, responsible for educational policy and academic programs.

In announcing the appointment, SMCC President Joe Cassidy said Charpentier has a deep institutional knowledge of SMCC and an “unwavering fidelity” to the college.

Charpentier said he looks forward to building upon SMCC’s strong academic foundation.

“I am excited about continuing our mission of transforming lives through education and training,” he said. “We are committed to meeting the changing needs of Maine residents and employers.”

Hires, promotions, appointments

IIS Financial Services, with offices in Augusta and South Portland, announced new hires. Cara Keller is a new registered client service associate and Zach Wielgoszinski was hired as an employer retirement coordinator and education specialist, working with clients in the firm’s retirement plans. Bethany Sharbaugh is the new office administrator and marketing assistant.

PDT Architects, an architectural, interior design and planning firm, announces Michelle Tweedell has joined the firm as finance manager.

David P. Littell of Falmouth joined Bernstein Shur in the law firm’s Energy and Environmental Practice Group.

ecomaine received this year’s President’s Award from the Greater Portland Council of Governments for excellence in regionalizing waste management. 

Ali Barrionuevo joined Maine Preservation as its real estate manager in May.

Two members joined the board at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland: Jason Kern is a real estate broker at Portside Real Estate and Sandra Lipsey is a business coach who has her own business.

The Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants elected a new board of governors and leaders at its May 15 annual meeting, including Micah Davis-Johnson with Vigilant Capital Management and David Stone of BerryDunn in Portland.

Granted

The Iris Network, a Portland-based nonprofit serving people who are blind or vision-impaired, and the United States Association of Blind Athletes have received a $20,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to enable members to participate in the National Fitness Challenge.

Save the date

Coffee By Design is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a daylong event called “Harvest” on Sunday, June 30, at 1 Diamond St. in Portland. Harvest is free and open to the public, and begins at 10 a.m. with a performance by the Burundi Drummers, followed by an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. Coffee tastings, a barista and roaster coffee blending competition, live music and food trucks are part of the day’s plans. For a complete schedule, see https://www.coffeebydesign.com/events.

KellerAltrusa Portland held an installation of officers at Fireside Inn on May 15, when, during the sea-themed ceremony, Anita Chandler, second from right, was inducted as the “captain” for another term.Sarah Alexander, Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association executive director, at left, with Drew Dumsch, president and CEO of The Ecology School and Bonnie Rukin of Slow Money Maine at a MOFGA Welcome Party in Portland on May 30. KernStoneCharpentier