New Hires, Promotions and Appointments

Norman Huynh has been named assistant conductor and community liaison for the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Huynh is the first to hold the newly created position. He will conduct on various concert cycles, most notably on Discovery, Pops, and education and outreach concerts, Huynh lead PSO efforts to broaden community involvement and engagement.

David M. Smith joined Portland-based Robinson Financial Associates, an independent registered investment advisory firm. Smith has become a co-owner of the firm, which has been renamed Robinson Smith Wealth Advisors LLC. He will work as a wealth adviser primarily out of the Portsmouth, N.H., area.

Fluid Imaging Technologies Inc. has hired Chris Crocker, of Portland, as a production technician at the firm’s Yarmouth headquarters. Prior to joining the company, Crocker worked as a land and air defense system instructor at Fort Lee, Va.

The Portland Trails Board of Trustees elected of Andy Abrams as board president. Rob Levin was elected vice president. Susan McClain and Heather Chandler will continue as treasurer and secretary, respectively. Abrams was elected to the Portland Trails Board of Trustees in 2006 and has served as on the executive committee for the past four years, as well as the outreach committee, membership committee, and executive search committee. Abrams is the vice president of information technology at the United Way of Greater Portland. 

Stacey Chenevert has joined Atlantic Regional Federal Credit Union as the Freeport branch manager. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial and insurance industries, including mortgage and consumer lending, and business development. She also has extensive customer service and management experience.

Recognition

Ten in-house television Maine Public Broadcasting Network productions recieved nominations for the 36th annual New England Emmy Awards. Three other programs aired on the network were nominated, for a total of six programs and 12 individuals nominated. Episodes of “Sustainable Maine,” “MPBN’S Maine Arts!” and a “Maine Watch” episode were nominated. Individual craft nominations were awarded to videographer Chad Diamond, director Steve Galvin and producer and writer Suzanne Nance, as well as several non-staff production members. Additionally, Jennifer Rooks, Nick Woodward, Heidi Ann Perkins, Frank Ferrel, Bret Plymale, Mark Austin and Laura Ozment Schenck were all recognized in association with nominated programs.

Good Deeds

Stacey Cantrell, of Portland’s Women’s Wellness Comprehensive Care, travelled to Coya, Peru, in the country’s Sacred Valley, where she served 2,600 people with chiropractic care from April 29 through May 3 at the Clinica Kausay Wasi. Cantrell worked with Dr. Rhea Zimmerman, Dr. Austin Komarek and Dr. Haley Thompson. Clinica Kausay Wasi, run by Sandra and Guido Del Prado, host teams of doctors monthly who provide a variety of services to the people of the Sacred Valley. This was Cantrell’s first time serving at the clinic.

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the annual Campaign for Justice, 14 donors have  come forward with a challenge to match individual donations this year exceeding amounts donated in 2012. Pledging up to $5,000 each, the group has created a potential pool of $70,000 to match donations. The Campaign for Justice brings together well-known and respected lawyers from around the state to raise funds on behalf of the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Legal Services for the Elderly, Maine Equal Justice Partners, Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project and Pine Tree Legal Assistance.

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has awarded grants totaling $14,000 to four area organizations: Portland-based Cultivating Community, the Center for African Heritage in Westbrook, Food and Medicine in Brewer, and My Brother’s Keeper. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development addresses the root causes of poverty in America through the promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through education. Programs receiving grants must be sustainable and focused on creating systemic change. Each November, parishes throughout the Diocese of Portland collect donations for the campaign. Maine organizations are awarded 25 percent of the collections, while the rest is contributed to the national campaign.

Planet Dog’s nonprofit grant making organization made $71,000 in new grants to 16 canine service organizations. The grants will help fund service dog, therapy dog and canine search and rescue programs across the country and support a wide variety of nonprofit programs for children and adults in need.

Expansions

Larkspur Design, which creates ecological gardens and landscapes for residential and commercial properties, opened its new headquarters in Yarmouth. Company services include landscape master plan design, site assessment, garden and small landscape design, garden restoration, complete plant installation and maintenance for coastal, island and inland clients near the Portland area.

Joint Ventures

Maine-based organizations Islandport Press and The Island Institute have created a marketing and fundraising effort that celebrates island life, supports education, and helps promote childhood literacy and the joy of reading. Islandport, an award-winning book publishing company, will donate 10 percent of all sales revenue from “Nic and Nellie,” its new island-based children’s picture book, to The Island Institute’s Maine Island Scholarship Program. Islandport will also donate 10 percent of sales of “The Fish House Door” and “The Scallop Christmas.” Islandport will also help promote the Island Institute and the Scholarship Program through social media and other marketing materials, and will donate copies of the books to appropriate island-based organizations. The Island Institute will highlight the new children’s book and the partnership through both its traditional print and Internet-based communications channels.