Recognition

Amy Alward has been named one of Allstate’s 2016 Best in Company for agencies her size. Alward has two locations in the Portland area and is a devoted volunteer for the Cancer Community Center. In 2015, Alward earned a $1,000 grant for the Cancer Community Center through Allstate’s Helping Hands in the Community program, and she is has also a member of the board of trustees. Best in Company is the highest honor for an agency owner in the Allstate awards program. The Best in Company distinction is awarded to the four top Allstate agency owners out of more than 10,000 in the country, based on 2015 year-end results in customer satisfaction, business growth and financial services sales.

Joshua Ellis, of Falmouth, an account executive in the business insurance department of Clark Insurance in Portland, has earned the industry designation Certified Insurance Counselor.

Assistant House Majority Leader Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, is being honored by Maine Audubon as a 2016 Environmental Champion for her work on a bipartisan comprehensive solar measure. Gideon played a pivotal role in advancing LD 1649 to create a comprehensive solar policy for the state.

Transitions

Stephen H. Russell, of Baystate Financial in Falmouth, announces that, effective July 5,  Baystate is affiliated with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, known as MassMutual. Russell’s regional Baystate Financial office is located at 75 Leighton Road.

Lawrence A. Wold, president of TD Bank, has retired from The Maine Real Estate & Development Association Board of Directors after 18 years of service. During his tenure on the board, Wold served as president from 2000-2002 and was recognized with MEREDA’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2003. In related news, Paul Peck, attorney at Drummond & Drummond and real estate developer with LWS Development LLC, is the new president of MEREDA.

Hires, promotions, appointments

BerryDunn in Portland has elected a new principal, Todd Desjardins. Desjardins has been with BerryDunn for seven years, specializing in audit, accounting and consulting services to banks and credit unions. He is a certified fraud examiner, and is involved in the firm’s forensic accounting and fraud engagements. In related news, Mike Jurnak has been named the new practice leader of the firm’s Commercial Business Practice Group. As head of the practice, Jurnak will lead a team across a number of industry groups, including manufacturing, high-tech, hospitality, construction and utilities.

RE/MAX Shoreline, a new addition to the Maine and New Hampshire’s real estate franchise, has added Ted Eldredge to the staff at the Portland office.

University Credit Union has hired Stephanie Beck, who will focus on member development through marketing outreach at the Scarborough office.

News from nonprofits

Tedford Housing honored Kay Wilson, Sally Loving, Kelly Bumiller, Dawn Flagg, Tammy Cutchen and Craig McEwen at its annual meeting and awards event June 16 at Bowdoin College. Guest speakers included Greg Payne, of Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, and Frank O’Hara, of Planning Decisions, who talked about the state of housing and homelessness in the Midcoast Maine region. Tedford also recently elected board members and officers and received grant funding. Judy Montgomery, associate librarian of the Bowdoin College Library, returned to the board of directors after a one year hiatus. Seven members of the board renewed their terms, including Andree Appel, Sally Carignan, John Carson, Marcy McGuire, Dot Ollier, Chris Powell and Nonny Soifer. John Carson, pastor of the Elijah Kellog Church, was elected to president of the board; Andree Appel, clinical director of the Oasis Health Network, was elected to vice president; Nonny Soifer, a lawyer in private practice, was re-elected to secretary; Sarah Piper, commercial lender at Bath Savings Institution, was re-elected to treasurer; and Claudia Staberg, consultant and college advisor, was re-elected as an at large representative on the board. Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee granted Tedford Housing $37,500 for the general operations for the provision of case management to all clients throughout the organization. John T. Gorman Foundation awarded $15,000 in funding to Tedford Housing through its annual Direct Services Grant program. The funds will be used for case management services for homeless families and youth. Moser Family Foundation approved a grant for $8,000 to Tedford Housing to support capital improvements to its emergency adult shelter in Brunswick.

CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange, a leading nonprofit international educational and exchange organization based in Portland, has hired Brent Bruggeman as the organization’s chief information officer.

The Garden of Eaten, a social justice initiative of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Scarborough, St. Bartholomew Parish in Cape Elizabeth, and St. John and Holy Cross Parish in South Portland, got off the ground this spring. On a first-come, first-served basis, parishioners signed up for beds to both garden for themselves and also to give a portion to help families served by the South Portland Food Cupboard, which assists an average of 75 families a week. In addition, parishioners work together to tend to one large bed, set aside to benefit those in need at the cupboard.

Branching out

Midcoast Federal Credit Union has opened its fifth branch and new corporate headquarters in Freeport at 186 Lower Main St.