Awards

Jeff Emery and Joseph E. Payne recently received Environmental Merit Awards from the Environmental Protection Agency. The merit awards recognize valuable contributions to environmental awareness and problem solving. Emery received the Lifetime Achievement Environmental Merit Award for his work with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. During his tenure there he was known for his professionalism as an environmental scientist and as a leader in collaboration with the EPA, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, the National Park Service, Canadian provinces, Maine Indian Tribes and other states. Payne also recieved a Lifetime Achievement Environmental Merit Award for his advocacy for clean water. In 1991 he was hired as the first employee of Friends of Casco Bay as the Casco Baykeeper. His science-based, collaborative approach to resolving threats to the bay’s environmental health continues to be effective. He has spearheaded numerous conservation campaigns that benefit the bay and the entire Maine coastline.

Susan Nason of Clark Insurance was recently named the 2012 Insurance Professional of the Year by the Insurance Professionals of Greater Portland. The award recognizes her as a champion of insurance education and her mentoring of young people entering the profession. This is the third time she has recieved this award; she was named Maine Insurance Professional of the Year in 2009.

Gail Wartell recently received the University of Southern Maine’s 2012 Distinguished Classified Staff Award, which recognizes distinguished achievement and service to the university by a member of the classified staff with five or more years of service to USM. Wartell is an administrative assistant in the conferences department and was given the award for her outstanding administrative skills and her ability to adapt to changing environments.

Casey Webster was the recipient of the University of Southern Maine’s 2012 Emerging Classified Staff Award, which recognizes outstanding promise for continued excellence and achievement for those with less than five years of service to the university. Webster joined the staff in 2009 and works as an administrative assistant in the office of research, integrity and outreach. She was recognized for this award because of her outstanding leadership skills, friendly demeanor and penchant for finding innovative and creative solutions to problems.

Maine Initiatives, a foundation that funds social change organizations, recently provided a $5,000 donor-advised grant to support Community Financial Literacy.

The National Watercolor Society recently awarded Evelyn Dunphy first prize, worth $1,000, for her painting “All that Remains.” Ninety paintings were chosen by juror Glen Knowles Jr. from several hundred submissions from the U.S. and world. The paintings exemplify the best of watermedia painting.

Catholic Charities of Maine was recently awarded a $3,600 grant by Northeast Delta Dental Foundation. The grant will benefit the Jessie Albert Dental & Orthodontic Center in Bath which will use the fund to purchase vital dental equipment.

Jenny L. Nelson, director of the Sullivan Recreation and Fitness Complex, was recently presented with the 2012 Distinguished Professional Staff Award recognizing distinguished career achievement and service to the University by a member of the administration with five or more years of service to USM.

New Hires

Soft Trac LLC, a consulting firm specializing in nonprofit and governmental technology, recently hired Jeron Comeau as nonprofit consultant. She brings with her more than 15 years of professional experinece within the nonprofit community.

R.M. Davis Inc., a wealth management company, recently hired Vince Damasco and Kevin M. Hunt. Damasco was hired as a vice president of research. Prior to joining the company he was an equity research analyst at The Colony Group and an assistant vice president at Sentinel Asset Management. Hunt was also hired as a vice president of research. He previously worked at Thomas Weisel partners, Hapolim Securities and Aurgia USA and was a research associate in the consumer sector.

Effective August 1, Fr. Daniel Greenleaf will become pastor of Parish of the Holy Eucharist in Falmouth. He will succeed Monsignor Joseph Ford who is retiring. For the past three years Greenleaf has been serving at Theological College, Washington, D.C. as part of the formation faculty.

Putney Inc. recently hired Ted Smith, Jean Murphy, Colby Therriault, Jessica Ingram, Jennifer Albert, Jessica Morton and Eileen Nugent. Smith was hired as a customer service lead and will be responsible for inbound and outbound customer-facing service activities; he has over 14 years of experience. Murphy and Therriault have joined Putney Inc. as inside sales representatives, providing product information and sales support to companion animal veterinary clinics. Ingram has been hired as an accountant and will be responsible for financial activities and reports. Office operations will be handled by Albert, Morton and Nugent.

New Practice

Valerie Jones, licensed master social worker, recently opened Continuing Journeys, a consulting and education practice specializing in grief, loss and life transitions. Continuing Journeys is located at 3 Fundy Road in Falmouth.

Designations

Mary Labrecque and Tom Saxby of Clark Insurance recently earned their Accredited Adviser of Insurance designation from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters. The examination tests proficiency in multiple lines of insurance as well as agency operations and sales management.

Pierce Atwood LLP was recently named to the National Law Journal’s “Midsize Hot List.” This is the third consecutive year for the designation. The 2012 Midsize Hot List ranks the 20 firms across the country that are “good at what they do, but they’re also good at how they do it.” The designation is given annually to firms with 51 to 150 lawyers who have demonstrated creative strategies to stay competitive.

Giving Strong Inc., a global consultancy providing corporate social responsibility and strategic philanthropy, recently joined Maine Businesses for Sustainability, a network of Maine businesses expanding their bottom line through sustainable business practice and triple bottom line values.

Copy the Story Link