New Hires

Casco Systems recently hired Allen Saucier as a senior automation engineer. Saucier brings significant experience in the field of industrial automation and control.

Fluid Imaging Technologies Inc. recently hired Stephen Stuart as its IT systems administrator. Stuart attended the University of Southern Maine where he studied information technology. Prior to joining Fluid Imaging Technologies Inc. he owned Casco Bay Micro, a computer sales and service firm in Freeport.

Corey McGovern was recently hired by iBec Creative as its online marketing assistant. In this role McGovern will provide client support in internet marketing and customer service. He will specialize in marketing services, primarily search engine optimization and social media, and will assist with customer service.

Norton Insurance Agency recently hired Margaret Hutchins as a Commercial Lines Service Representative. Hutchins has more than 10 years of experience in the insurance industry, most recently as an account manager at Cross Insurance.

The United Way of Greater Portland recently hired Carrie Zeisse as senior vice president of operations. She was most recently the director of finance at the United South End Settlements. Sadie Kitchen was hired as an administrative assistant for the organization. She was previously an English teacher at Xingtan College in Qufu, Shandang Province, China.

Appointments

Robert H. Lenox, professor of pharmacology and clinical neurosciences and chair of behavioral health and clinical neurosciences at the UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine, has been appointed to the National Institutes of Health National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse. In this role Lenox will provide advice to the National Institutes of Health director concerning pertinent programs, including reviewing and making recommendations regarding grant applications to support biomedical research and research training activities.

The trustees of the Maine Historical Society recently announced that Stephen Bromage will become the organization’s new executive director effective June1. Bromage has been the assistant director since 2006 and was chosen after a lengthy national search.

Renovations

The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Brunswick recently completed a major renovation. The ultra bright design is part of Marriott’s vision to become the most relevant brand.

Designations

Central Maine Medical Center’s Sam and Jennie Bennet Breast Care Center was recently granted full accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). This accreditation is only awarded to centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance.

Mercy Health System recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval in disease specific certification for one of its programs. This latest award certifies the hospital for spine surgery and means that patients are guaranteed the highest quality of service. It recognizes Mercy’s dedication to continuous compliance with state of the art standards of care.

Rebecca A. Burchill, managing director of life insurance and annuities at Lebel & Harriman LLP recently earned the Chartered Life Underwriter designation.

James Kilbreth recently became the newest shareholder of Drummond Woodsum. Kilbreth is an accomplished litigator and advisor who currently represents 28,000 Maine public employees and public school teachers in a constitutional challenge to cuts in their pension benefits.

Awards

Maine Archives and Museums recently received a $10,000 grant from the Davis Family Foundation for the Maine Cultural Institutions Outreach Project. With the grant the Maine Cultural Institutions Outreach Project will attempt to identify local collecting institutions in all of Maine’s towns, father data on their holdings and institutional needs and connect these keepers of Maine’s local heritage with a larger network of like-minded colleagues.

The Greater Portland Convention & Vistors Bureau recently honored Maine hospitality and tourism professionals at its annual meeting. The following people and businesses received awards: The Ambassador of the Year Award was given to Hillary Cantwell; Member Volunteer of the Year at the Bureau was given to Rauni Kew; The Rose Award in Recognition of Service Excellence was presented to Lisa Kane; Bill Bell was awarded the Phoenix Award; The Maine Red Claws were given the Casco Bay Award; and the Lighthouse Award was given to the Maine Camp Experience.

Kenny Cole and Emily Leonard Trenholm were recently named the 2012 Monhegan Island artists-in-residence by the Monhegan Artists’ Residency Corporation. Cole is a painter and installation artist and Trenholm is a landscape artist.

The University of Southern Maine’s women and gender studies program recently presented its Outstanding Graduate and Friend awards. Laura Fortman was given the Friend Award. Fortman currently serves as the executive director of the Frances Perkins Center, working to promote the legacy of Frances Perkins, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and first woman in the cabinet. Carolyn Cunningham was awarded the Outstanding Graduate award. Cunningham is currently a professor at Gonzaga University and focuses her research on the social impacts of new technologies, with particular focus on gender.

AAA Northern New England recently announced that Moody’s Collision Center of Portland has been awarded the 2011 Maine Auto Body Facility of the Year Award for the third consecutive year. The facility of the year award is presented each spring to one outstanding AAA approved auto body facility in each of the Northern New England States.

Rana O’Connor recently took top honors at the Calico Quilters Quilt Show in Yarmouth. More than 230 show attendees voted, and O’Connor received 74 of those votes to take first place. Barbara Drucker took second place for her quilt “Bunny in the Garden.”

Mergers

The Buckley Group and Anthoine Financial Group recently merged to form BGA Financial. The new company will provide expertise in the areas of employee benefits, employer-sponsored retirement plans, individual insurance planning and investment strategies.