Recognition

Coast Waldorf School in Freeport was presented with a plaque by Efficiency Maine March 30, designating their new net-zero high school as a certified Maine Advanced Building. In addition, the school recently received certification from Passive House Institute of United States, which is the highest voluntary energy efficiency standard in the world.

Intermed and Mercy Health System, both based in Portland, were the only two physician groups in Maine named to Harvard Pilgrim Health Care’s annual Physician Group Honor Roll. The Honor Roll highlights exceptional results in the approach to disease prevention and the treatment of acute and chronic illness.

Hires, promotions, appointments

Friends of the Eastern Promenade announced March 19 that its board of directors hired former Maine television journalist Patsy Wiggins as its new executive director. Brandon Mazer, who has been a volunteer board member of FoEP for nearly two years, became president of the organization in October.

Michael J. Neff of South Portland has been appointed to senior vice president, senior wealth advisor at People’s United Bank. In this role, he will be responsible for business development throughout the state of Maine.

Alice Alexander has been hired as operations manager for the Portland Chamber Music Festival. A seasoned professional with 17 years of experience managing arts programs, nonprofit organizations and small businesses, Alexander attended the University of Southern Maine School of Music and resides in Falmouth.

Jonathan W. Brogan, a member of Portland-based law firm Norman Hanson DeTroy has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America.

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty announced that Elizabeth Banwell of South Portland has joined its Greater Portland office as a vice president.

Lauren Vorwald has joined Scott Simons Architects as an architectural designer. A graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology with a master’s in architecture, Vorwald is a resident of South Portland.

STARC Systems Inc., a Brunswick-based manufacturer and seller of temporary wall containment systems that protect people from construction renovations, has doubled its workforce in the last year. Among those hires were Carolyn Faulkner, of Brunswick, who is the new vice president of finance and treasurer; Rik Glover, of Portland, who is the vice president of manufacturing; and Luke Middleton, of Topsham, who has been promoted to Mountain-Pacific Regional Sales Representative. 

Portside Real Estate Group recently announced that a top-producing team from a competing agency, The Turnbull Team, recently joined Portside’s Falmouth office as Portside continues to strengthen its presence throughout southern Maine. The Turnbull Team includes Cari Turnbull, Barb Deschenes and Tiffany Morra, and is currently ranked as one of the top producing teams in Maine, selling over $21 million of real estate in 2017. The firm also hired several new agents, including Brent Sawyer and Lisa Guerette, of Brunswick, who joined Portside’s Yarmouth office. Christine Mullen, of Freeport, Nichole Cullen, of Cumberland, Mike Caiazzo, of Cumberland, and Courtney Babbidge, of Portland, joined Portside’s Falmouth office. 

Giving Back

Summit Natural Gas of Maine has launched its annual charitable giving program, during which the Yarmouth company donates thousands of dollars to organizations that focus on wellness, economic, educational and cultural initiatives in the communities the company serves. The application process closes April 13; for more information go to https://bit.ly/2GeXShT.

New Ventures

Mercy Hospital announced that Chest Medicine Associates, a specialty physician group located in South Portland, has begun providing inpatient pulmonology and critical care services at Mercy’s State Street and Fore River hospitals. CMA is the leading provider of these services in the greater Portland area.

Jeff Grinnell and Michael Haven of Scarborough Fire Rescue were among 18 Maine firefighters who graduated March 17 from the Maine Fire Service Institute Officer Training Academy to prepare them for leadership roles at fire departments across the state. 

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Sen. Cathy Breen and Rep. Teresa Pierce, center, Democrats from Falmouth, welcomed officials from the Falmouth Tercentennial Planning Committee to both chambers of the Maine Legislature in Augusta on March 6 to present them with a legislative sentiment recognizing the town’s 300th Anniversary.

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