Business news

U.S. Cellular promotion

HERMON – U.S. Cellular recently promoted Robin Ball of Hermon to agent manager for Maine.

Her responsibilities will include the overall direction, leadership and strategy setting of more than 40 authorized agent locations in Maine. Working with account executives and owner principals of authorized agent stores, Ball will assist with merchandising, growing U.S. Cellular’s business and driving customer service.

Ball started her career with U.S. Cellular in Maine more than 15 years ago. Most recently, she served as U.S. Cellular’s store manager in Bangor, where she was responsible for increasing overall customer satisfaction and sales for the Bangor Mall and Ellsworth retail stores. She also has been a customer service representative, agent coordinator, outside sales representative, senior retail wireless consultant and sales manager.

“We are excited for Robin to move into her new and challenging position,” said Eric Conlon, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in New England. “Her professional experiences and longevity with U.S. Cellular demonstrate a complete understanding and dedication to customer service and customer satisfaction.”

Ball has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Husson College.

Rural Development

BANGOR – Rural Development State Director Michael W. Aube announced that these people have been hired at USDA Rural Development:

. Vicki Leathers, program support technician, state office, Bangor.

. Amanda Burke, area technician, Bangor area office, serving the counties of Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo.

. John Holden, area specialist, Lewiston area office.

. Susan Scheyder, student trainee loan assistant, Scarborough area office.

Pet care certifications

BANGOR – Three employees at Green Acres Kennel Shop have earned certifications.

. Dog trainer Joel Mahaffey has earned Level I certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, the internationally recognized program for pet dog trainers. He joins more than 1,000 certified trainers in the United States and other countries. The program is the first national certification for dog trainers and uses a standardized dog trainer examination. A graphic designer, Mahaffey has been teaching dog training at Green Acres since 2003.

. Kate McDonald, pet care technician, has earned Level I certification through the American Boarding Kennel Association.

. Tracy Haskell, pet care technician, has earned Level I certification through the American Boarding Kennel Association.

To be certified, a pet care technician must pass an exam on breed recognition, small-animal anatomy and physiology, boarding care, emergency care and first aid, geriatric and degenerative-disease care, contagion disease, parasites, zoonotic diseases, pesticides and customer relations.