Gov. Peter Shumlin has appointed Michael Keane of Bennington to the Vermont Economic Progress Council. He fills the remainder of a term vacated by Mark Young, who stepped down from the board for personal reasons.

Keane is co-founder and managing director of Fundamental Shift and regional managing director of Fiduciary Plan Governance. He will fill the remainder of Young’s term through March 31, 2013, with the possibility of reappointment to subsequent terms.

“Michael Keane brings unique strengths and extensive financial experience to the VEPC Board and he has served his community and the state in many capacities, including the Bennington Economic Development Task Force, Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce, Better Bennington Corporation, and the United Way,” Shumlin said.

Keane is a business owner and has an extensive resume as a management, business and marketing consultant, including firms such as A.T. Kearney, American Management Systems Inc., Andersen Business Consulting and KPMG. He has graduate degrees from Duke University and the University of Oslo, professional certification in education, organizational development and change management, and is an accredited investment fiduciary analyst.



Citizens Bank has named John Decato as its Castleton branch manager. Decato is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the branch, including business development and implementing promotional activities and programs.

Decato joined Citizens Bank in 2005 and most recently held the position of branch manager of the Rutland in-store branch. An active member of the community, Decato is a member of Rotary International and the Vermont Free Masons Blue Lodge. He lives in Rutland with his wife, Sharon, and daughter Carmen.



DuBois & King has hired Lucy Gibson as project manager and engineer and RuthAnne Daniels as a design engineer in the firm’s Randolph office.

Gibson is a licensed professional engineer with more than 24 years experience in transportation planning and design for municipalities and regional commissions. She joins the firm after 11 years as principal of her own firm, Smart Mobility, a national consulting firm that integrated transportation and land use modeling, engineering, and planning. Gibson resides in Norwich.

Daniels is an engineer intern, who holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Vermont. She resides in Northfield.



Brandon Music has named Donna Towle as head chef of the Brandon Music Café. Towle has more than 10 years experience in the food service industry. Towle has held positions in delis and restaurants, including Back To Vermont in Poultney, the Iron Lantern Restaurant in Bomoseen and Castleton Pizza and Deli. Towle has won awards for her chili, which will be featured on the menu at the Music Café, along with her baked goods.