Gareth W. Blackwell Jr., president of Blackwell Insurance Agency in Corinth, has been named 2007 president of the Maine Insurance Agents Association. Blackwell was born and raised in Corinth and is a 1978 graduate of Central High School. He graduated in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. Blackwell earned a master’s degree in business from Husson College in 1993. He joined the family agency founded by his father in 1982. Blackwell is a member of the United Baptist Church in Bradford, a life member of the Corinth Volunteer Fire Department, and president of the board of trustees at the Atkins Memorial Library in Corinth. He and his wife of 23 years, Lanette, and their three children, Lindsey, Emily and Craig, reside in Corinth.

Peter Vigue, president and CEO of The Cianbro Cos., has been named the 2007 Humanitarian of the Year by Spurwink, a network of professionals providing mental health, educational and residential services for children, adolescents and adults. Vigue will be recognized at a Spurwink fundraiser gala in November. Cianbro is one of the East Coast’s largest civil and heavy industrial construction and construction services companies.

Ralph L. Allen of Allenfarm Fence Co. Inc. in Bangor has earned the certified fence professional designation from the American Fence Association after successfully completing the certification exam during the association’s recent annual convention and trade exhibit in Orlando, Fla. The certification program assures consumers that their fence contractors are knowledgeable about the latest federal regulations, industrywide standards and best practices.