Designations

The Independence Association has named Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D – Cumberland County, as Legislator of the Year. This is the first annual award of its type and is awarded to a legislator who advocates on behalf of individuals with intellectual disabilities.  Independence Association, a nonprofit organization, assists adults and children with disabilities in obtaining a full and inclusive life in their chosen community through 25 programs, including 15 residences, day habilitation and in-home supports, case management, an array of employment supports and class offerings in the communities of Brunswick, Harpswell, Freeport, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond and other cities and towns within a 30-mile radius. The award was presented to Gerzofsky at the Independence Association’s annual dinner. 

New Hires

Portland Financial Planning Group, a financial planning firm located in Portland recently welcomed Teri Coviello as Operations Manager. Teri will focus on practice management, specifically the enhancement of office systems. Prior to this position, Teri worked in administrative positions at several local educational institutions. She recently worked at Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, as Manager of Faculty and Custom Programs. Previous to CIEE, Teri spent seven years at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, the last few years as associate director. Teri’s educational background includes a B.S. from Georgetown University in Japanese studies and an M.A. from Seattle University in edult Education and training. She has lived in Maine for the past 13 years and currently lives in South Portland with her husband and daughter.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care recently announced that they’ve hired Richard J. Perry as associate medical director at its Portland office. Perry engages providers and supports organization-wide efforts to drive improvement and innovation in the quality and value of healthcare for Harvard Pilgrim members. Perry has also served on the internal medicine staff at Southern Maine Medical Center since 2000. Prior to this Perry practiced internal medicine in Rhode Island for 17 years where he was a founder and had management roles in Coastal Medical and served on the clinical faculty at Brown University Program in Medicine. Perry serves on the board of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and is an island steward in both KCT and Maine Island Trail Association. 

The West Scarborough United Methodist Church recently announced the appointment of Amy Prosser as its new music director. A 1997 graduate of Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, she earned her bachelor’s in religion and English. For three years, she held an organist/choir director apprenticeship with Brian Webb in Montpelier, Vt. Prosser earned a bachelor’s in music from the University of Vermont, while serving as the junior choir director in a local church for two years. She has performed solo concerts, created and developed junior church choirs, and organized summer music programs for local churches.  

Maine Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette recently announced the appointment of Richard Freund of Portland as the deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. Freund brings to the position 35 years of business experience involved in leadership and management of companies ranging from small businesses to subsidiaries of large corporations. During the past three years, he has served within the Department of Labor as the manager of the York County Career Center in Springvale and as the senior research analyst with the State Workforce Investment Board.

Good Deeds

More than 3,000 participants joined the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s during September and October. Mainers raised about $410,000. The Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter is the only statewide nonprofit agency dedicated solely to individuals and their families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Statewide services include a 24/7 helpline, support groups, educational programs, conferences, care consultation, information and referral, safety services, advocacy, and TrialMatch.

Gary Howard of Cumberland Dental Arts will travel to Retalhuleu, Gutamala in April 2013 with Rotaplast International. He will provide free surgeries on children and young adults with support from Rotary Clubs, generous foundations, corporations, individuals and incredibly committed volunteers from around the world. Repairs are accomplished for cleft lips and palates, burn injuries and other life-altering medical conditions for those who don’t have access to needed medical care nor the funds to pay even if treatment was available.  This will be his fourth mission for Rotaplast International.

New Business

Tide Creative, a new startup software company based in Portland, recently announced the launch of a mobile software application service for wedding and event venues. VenueApp, an iPhone application developed in Maine, enables wedding venues to establish a custom branded presence in the App Store and on the mobile devices of brides, grooms and guests. Users can share branded content online and via mobile-to-mobile social media. This provides a unique opportunity for wedding and event venues to access and interact with millennial clients.

New Location 

Beltone New England recently announced its new state of the art Hearing Health facility in Brunswick. This facility represents offers evaluation and testing technology along with a patient care center, featuring the ability to simulate any listening environment from a café to busy train station. Beltone New England has been servicing the residents of Brunswick for two years. Beltone utilizes advanced technology to produce hearing instruments sold in the United States, Canada and more than 40 countries worldwide.   

Expanding Services

Bernstein Shur, one of northern New England’s largest law firms, announced the launch of its data security team, a team of attorneys who provide clients with legal and technical support before and after a data security breach. The Bernstein Shur Data Security Team, working closely with a network of advisors, offers an initial audit to discuss potential risks and implement appropriate action plans. Before an attack, the data security team creates preventative action plans, assesses internal procedures and assists clients in securing insurance to cover any losses. Should a data security breach occur, the team coordinates with technical experts to assess the cause and scope, drafts required notices, assists in the resolution of adverse civil claims and enforces insurance, indemnity and contractual rights when necessary. The data security team members are: Mike Bosse, Dan Mitchell, Jack Montgomery, Tony Perkins, Asha Echeverria, and Josh Silver. 

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