Iris Network welcomes new executive director

The Iris Network has selected David Barnwell as the organization’s new president/executive director, effective Feb. 5. 

“His experience in the blindness industry, credentials, leadership and advocacy style are a great match for what our community-benefit organization needs to expand and be the premier provider of training and services to those we serve,” Iris Network’s chairman of the board, David Joyce, said.

Barnwell served as the president of A Brighter Path Foundation at Industries for the Blind, based in North Carolina. He is the immediate past chairman of the board of Miracles in Sight, which is an international program for corneal transplants that also supports women’s empowerment in India. In addition, Barnwell is a member of Missionaries for Blind Children and the National Association for Employment of People who are Blind, along with being a governor-appointed chairman of the North Carolina Commission for the Blind. He grew up in Tennessee, with a grandmother living not far from Helen Keller’s childhood home in Alabama. He chose his career when challenged to “use his powers for good.”

Governor taps No. Yarmouth man to lead MSHA 

A North Yarmouth man has been nominated by the governor to the post of director of Maine State Housing Authority.

Gov. Paul R. LePage announced Feb. 1 the nomination of George Gervais as director of MSHA. In addition, he nominated John Gallagher of Westbrook to serve on the MSHA Board of Directors.

“George will bring strong management skills to the position from his current position as DECD Commissioner, and John, as the immediate past director, will be an important asset to the board during this transition,” LePage said.

Prior to serving as commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Gervais served as assistant commissioner, development program manager and business development specialist at DECD since 2008. 

Hires, promotions, appointments

Gelato Fiasco announced two new managers have been hired at its Flavor Foundry and Maine office in Brunswick: Jonathan Davis of Bath, the supply chain administrator, was previously employed as the town administrator for the town of West Bath. Jonathan T. Dyer is the new quality assurance and quality control supervisor.

Aaron McMorrow has become a partner at Kilbride & Harris Insurance Services, LLC, a South Portland-based insurance brokerage firm that specializes in professional liability, employee benefits and business insurance.

Fr. Paul R. Marquis has been appointed as a hospital chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Portland. Fr. Marquis will also assist as a parochial vicar at the Parish of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Martyrs of North America Church, Falmouth; Sacred Heart Church, Yarmouth; St. Gregory Church, Gray; St. Jude Church, Freeport).

Town & Country Federal Credit Union announced Gary Rose of Scarborough has joined the organization as vice president of Learning & Development.

Easterseals Maine has appointed Joe Reagan as senior director of Development for the Veterans Count Maine Program. Based in Portland, and an Army veteran, Reagan assumes the role after serving as the vice chairman of Veterans Count Maine. 

Verrill Dana has announced that six of the firm’s attorneys have been elected to partner: Tawny Alvarez, Emily Chi Fogler, Benjamin Ford, Nate Hull, Misti Munster and Taylor Neff.

Sevee & Maher Engineers, a civil and environmental engineering consulting firm based in Cumberland, announced Travis Eckhoff has joined the company as a civil engineer.

Mid Coast Medical Group–Neurology and Mid Coast Hospital welcome Christian Dinsmore, MD, to the medical staff. Board certified in neurology, Dinsmore completed his medical degree and internal medicine internship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, followed by neurology residency at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Save the date

“Tax Readiness for the Self-Employed” will be offered by New Ventures Maine from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, March 1, at University College Bath Brunswick, 12 Sewall St. at Brunswick Landing. Learn how to organize financial records, understand tax responsibilities, become familiar with tax forms, and file taxes with confidence. Register at http://bit.ly/2GIixf0.

Rocky’s Ace Hardware recently donated $6,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. .Benjamin Townsend, manager of Rocky’s Ace Hardware in Bath, presents a check to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The funds were raised on Community Day at the store.

Midge Vreeland Public Service Award winner Laura Davis and Rising Star Award Winner Veronica Dubois with the Rinck Advertising team, three of the 22 awards given out at the Maine Public Relations Council Annual Golden Arrow Awards ceremony in Brunswick in mid-January.

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