Movers & Shakers: New hires, promotions, honors, new businesses [Gazette, The (CO)]

- Marketing and insights agency Vladimir Jones announced the addition of several new associates. Tracy Naranjo is a new assistant media planner/buyer; she previously served as media coordinator for Graham Advertising and content analyst expert witness for Lexis Nexis. Kyle Broughton, who also comes aboard as a media planner/ buyer, had worked for Auto-Owners Insurance as branch claim representative and associate claim adjuster. Chris Powell has joined Vladimir Jones as interactive art director; he was previously art director at Hill Aevium and art director and partner at Aevium Interactive. Alan Rhatigan now serves as interactive art director/ developer; he had been an interactive digital artist for Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Starz Entertainment. Patrick Dohan has become a producer and new business specialist at Vladmir Jones; he co- founded and composed music for Nu-Pro Media Group and was a producer for Definite Productions. Warren Epstein, previously arts and culture editor at The Gazette, has joined Vladimir as the agency voice. Chelsea Herring will start this month as an insights planner. She previously had been strategic insights research manager for the CSK Group and a market research project manager at Evolve Research. Jessica Hunt joins Vladimir Jones as media planning supervisor; she previously worked at CPB & Integer.

- The Colorado Technology Association announced that Christian Dwyer, Mike Jones and David Roberts were named to its board of directors at the recent 2012 board meeting. Dwyer is general manager of MapQuest, responsible for overall strategy and direction of the company; he previously served as MapQuest's vice president of operations. Jones is CEO of Arrow Holdings and previously was CEO of datAvail. Roberts leads Reed Group's software business.

- Select Specialty Hospital-Colorado Springs is one of 14 national winners of Select Medical'sHospital of Excellence Award. In recognition of the hospital's outstanding patient care, Select Specialty Hospital-Colorado Springs was honored before the leaders of all 111 specialty hospitals in Select Medical's network at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The hospital, a 30-bed facility located within St. Francis Medical Center at 6001 E. Woodmen Road, provides extended acute care hospitalization to promote healing and recovery from critical and complex medical and surgical conditions.

- Franchisor ERA Real Estate recognized ERA Shields Real Estate in Colorado Springs as the 2011 Circle of Light for Community Leadership Award winner for consistent commitment to both business and charity. The national award was presented at the ERA 2012 International Business Conference in New Orleans. ERA Shields Real Estate owners Bill and Carol Hurt and director of marketing Eric Estrada accepted the award on behalf of the company of more than 75 sales associates and staff.

- Olive Real Estate Group announced that Stanton L. Kensinger has joined Olive as a broker assistant. Kensinger, a Colorado Springs native, brings his expertise from his association with a commercial restoration company. He is a graduate of Hobart College in upstate New York and has served on boards of numerous local organizations including Apartments Association of Southern Colorado and Community Association Institute.

- Aventa Credit Union in Colorado Springs was recently honored with two Diamond Awards, which recognizes outstanding marketing achievements in the credit union industry. The awards were presented by the Credit Union National Association Marketing and Business Development Council, a national network comprised of nearly 1,000 credit union marketing and business development professionals. Aventa won its two awards for its countertop mortgage displays designed by marketing director Toby Hayes and his "Plain Vanilla Visa" campaign launched last spring.

MARCH 25

- Kirkpatrick Bank announced the addition of three positions in the Colorado Springs office. Ann Fuller was named assistant vice president, lending assistant. Fuller, the 2011 winner of the Woman of Influence Award, has a banking career spanning more than 20 years and holds a degree in business from the University of Northern Colorado. Maria Miller was named treasury management specialist. Miller has 17 years of banking experience and is completing a degree in accounting;. Susan Etherton was named mortgage loan operations processor; she has been a mortgage professional for more than 18 years.

- Catamount Institute announced the appointment of Ken Brickman as the organization's Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network program manager.

- David M. Neville has joined the law firm of Kraemer Kendall Benson Rupp Deen, LLC. Neville practices primarily in the areas of commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, business formation and finance and commercial lending. He was previously an attorney in the Colorado Springs office of an international firm and in the Chicago office of a national firm. Before entering the legal profession he was an officer in the U.S. Navy.

- Duro-Last Roofing honored Mark Barnes Sr., president of Colorado Commercial Roofing, during Duro-Last's National Sales Seminar in Clearwater Beach, Fla. In recognition of outstanding achievement in quality workmanship, customer satisfaction and 2011 sales excellence, Duro-Last welcomed Colorado Commercial Roofing to the Century Club. Colorado Springs-based Colorado Commercial Roofing is an authorized Duro-Last contractor.

- Colorado Technical University announced that Michelle Laughlin is the new vice president of academic affairs for the Colorado Springs campus. Laughlin will be responsible for leading a variety of university-wide initiatives, including recruitment, student retention and faculty development, as well as supporting CTU's academic improvement and overall institutional effectiveness. She previously was an adjunct professor for CTU in Sioux Falls, S.D., where she taught marketing and business.

- Toronto-based Ortsbo, a tech company that provides real-time translation for more than 50 languages, announced that Patrick Bultema has moved from interim president to president. Before joining Ortsbo, Bultema was the CEO of Colorado Springs-based CodeBaby as well as a venture partner with vSpring Capital, CEO of XAware and CEO of FrontRange Solutions. Bill Auvil is joining Ortsbo as vice president of customer operations; he comes to Ortsbo from FrontRange Solutions, where he was vice president of global support services. Auvil has extensive experience in technical support, customer services, client relations, marketing and sales.

- Murphy Company, a nationally ranked mechanical contractor, has moved its Colorado Springs office to 1593 Paonia St. The expanded facilities include a large fabrication shop and warehouse. Murphy Company has a corporate office in St. Louis and a regional office in Denver. It's had a presence in Colorado Springs for three years.

- Lipper, a Thomson Reuters company, has recognized The Drexler Group of Wells Fargo Advisors as a Best Money Manager for its management of three portfolios with four quarters and 12 quarters of top money manager performance. The portfolios were recognized on the Lipper MarketPlace Top Performers Best Money Managers list and include Total Return Portfolio, Income Portfolio and Long Term Growth Portfolio for U.S. Tactical Asset Allocation and U.S. Balanced/Multi-Asset(All Styles). The Drexler Group, 102 S. Tejon St., Suite 1000, is a wealth management practice focused on disciplined risk management.

- The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America announced that Denver-based Wealth Strategies Group won the company's President's Cup, which Guardian presents annually to the top-performing agency within its network of more than 80 national general agencies. The President's Cup recognizes excellence in sales, recruiting, and the development of talented financial representatives. Wealth Strategies Group, which has an offfice in Colorado Springs, earned the top award by increasing its 2011 life insurance premium by 13 percent and adding 16 new financial representatives to its ranks.

- Kevin Brumfiel is opening Freedom Insurance, an independent insurance agency, at the Carefree Village Shopping Center, 4765 N Carefree Circle. A grand opening is planned for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 7, that will include refreshments and the giveaway of a 32-inch flat-screen TV.

WEEK OF MARCH 18

- Access/Information in Denver announced the addition of Angela Kangiser to the firm. Kangiser was previously the owner of Online Business Research in Colorado Springs. Access/Information is one of the oldest information professional firms in the country.

- Goodwill Staffing recruiter Heidi Vollstedt has earned her Certified Staffing Professional designation from the American Staffing Association. CSP credentialing includes the completion of an in-depth study course and a comprehensive exam on labor and employment law principles and ethical practices associated with the staffing industry. Goodwill Staffing is a full-service employment agency offering staff search, screening, placement and support services on behalf of top employers.

- Steve Petrohoy is the new president of Paper Hive, a supplier and distributor of premium paper. Paper Hive serves Colorado Springs and southern Colorado.

- Peter Castle has joined Peak Vista Community Health Centers as manager of business development and partnerships. Castle is the former programs director for the Colorado Business Group on Health. He has been in the nonprofit field for more than six years and is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Santa Clara University School of Law and the Coro Center for Civic Leadership.

- Mark Penchoff has joined Furnace World as a home comfort professional. Penchoff is a 30-year veteran of the heating and air conditioning industry and holds a degree in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, technology and design.

- Colorado Springs Allstate agent Cally O'Donnell has been awarded Allstate's Agency Achievement Award for agency performance for finishing as one of the top three agencies in Allstate'sWest Central Region. The Agency Achievement Award is among the highest honors for an agency owner in the Allstate awards program. The Cally O'Donnell Allstate Agency is at 3993 N. Academy Blvd.

- Commercial Cleaning Technicians, a locally owned and managed full-service janitorial company, announced the merger/acquisition of Southern Colorado Cleaning Systems and its current accounts. With the merger, CCT welcomes the return of account manager Linda Bassett. Primarily serving Colorado Springs, CCT also operates in Woodland Park, Canon City and Pueblo.

-RE/MAX Properties recently hosted a celebration breakfast at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame for its Realtors, assistants and staff. Highlights included: 20-Year Anniversary with RE/MAX Properties: Stephenie Leak, Bob Malone and Arlyene Reynolds; Broker's Cups: Amy Lassen and Lynda Pollmiller; Employee of the Year: Jody Romney; Above the Crowd: Anita Frost; Community Service Award: Treasure Davis; Intern of the Year: Brett Predmore; Client Service Award: Lani Manning; Unlicensed Assistant of the Year: Karen Harvey; Peer Coach of the Year: Debbie Gries; MVP of the Year: Bruce Simon; Commercial Broker Associate of the Year: Jerry Trent; Top Teams: Wheaton Team and Clement Team; and Top Lone Star: Vicki Westapher.

- RE/MAX Properties has moved its Monument office to 1761 Lake Woodmoor Drive, on the east side of Interstate 25 at Colorado Highway 105 and Woodmoor Drive. RE/MAX Properties is a member of the Tri-Lakes Chamber and a supporter of Tri-Lakes Cares.

- For the 17th consecutive year, The Paradies Shops, which operates more than 550 stores in more than 75 airports and hotels across the U.S. and Canada, including three shops at the Colorado Springs Airport, took top honors at the Airport Revenue News Conference in Orlando, Fla.The Paradies Shops received three awards: Best Overall Retailer, Concessionaire with the Highest Regard for Customer Service and Best Specialty Operator - Brooks Brothers.

WEEK OF MARCH 11

- Theresa Lynn Sidebotham has launched her own law firm, Telios Law PLLC (www.telioslaw.com). Sidebotham previously worked at Rothgerber, Johnson and Lyons LLP; she graduated from Denver University'sSturm College of Law in 2005. The new firm serves businesses, individuals, ministries, and churches by representing them in litigation and alternatives to litigation, and also serves families that have children with disabilities or special education needs.

- RE/MAX Properties honored Jean and John Wheaton (The Wheaton Team) for their client service and successful residential real estate sales in Colorado Springs and northern El Paso County. At the recent company celebration, their awards included the Gold QSC Award for outstanding customer satisfaction; the No. 2 team in RE/MAX Properties for sales performance; the RE/MAX LLC Chairman's Club Award; and the RE/MAX LLC Regional Mountain States Award, seventh place, paid commissions for a team.

- Matt Trevor has been named manager of communications for USA Hockey. Trevor has worked within the University of Michigan's athletic communications department since 2006. He earned the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Sports Information Director of the Year award in 2008.

- Carolyn Coulter, information technology and virtual services officer for the Pikes Peak Library District, has been honored in Library Journal's Movers & Shakers issue, which recognized 53 outstanding professionals committed to providing excellent service to meet the needs of the people they serve. The 2012 Movers & Shakers were selected by the editors of Library Journal, the profession's leading trade magazine. Coulter has served as PPLD's ITVS officer since 2005. Before that, she was chief technology officer at the Boston Public Library. In 2010 and early 2011, PPLD implemented several initiatives championed by Coulter, including installing its first Library Express kiosk location at First & Main Town Center, moving to a DRUPL-based website and launching its mobile app. Coulter has been a proponent of eServices, and this year the Pikes Peak Library District began music downloads, increased streaming video from its website and grew its eBook collection.

- Dr. Jeffery McCutcheon, who works at Peak Vista's Women's Health Center in Colorado Springs, was awarded the University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Harvey Cohen Volunteer Faculty Teacher of the Year Award. McCutcheon was chosen from more than 140 volunteer clinical faculty to receive the award.

- Griffis/Blessing announced the promotion of Kelly Baines to the position of assistant portfolio manager. In her new role, Baines will be responsible for assisting Senior Vice President Pat Stanforth in the day-to-day operations at sites. Her duties will also include software reporting and maintenance. Baines is a certified trainer for OneSite Leasing and Rents and leads quarterly trainings for new employees. She will finish her bachelor's degree in accounting at Regis University in 2013.

- ANB Bank announced that Bill Berenz, regional president, was a recipient of a "Bankers of Distinction" award from the Colorado Bankers Association at its recent legislative luncheon. The award recognizes the importance of the community banking spirit, and dedication and support of activities vital to the health of local institutions and people in the community. Berenz participates in numerous local organizations, including the Pikes Peak Regional Development Corp., Colorado Springs Sports Corp., the Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation Board of Trustees and Silver Key Senior Services. Before becoming regional president at ANB, he headed the bank's private banking and cash management divisions as executive vice president. He joined ANB Bank in 1989.