Dena L. Winslow is the new executive director of the Workforce Investment Act program for Aroostook and Washington counties. WIA is a federally funded program that provides employment and training benefits to eligible employees and employers. Winslow is a native of Aroostook County, having been raised on a dairy and potato farm in Mapleton. She holds a bachelor of science degree in English, speech and theater from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern Maine, and a doctor of philosophy degree in history from the University of Maine in Orono. Her most recent job was Job Corps admissions counselor for the two counties. In her new capacity, she will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the WIA program in the two-county area. She will work closely with Aroostook County commissioner Norman L. Fournier, Washington County commissioner Christopher Gardner and the local Workforce Investment Board, which is chaired by Barry D. McCrum of Mars Hill.

Nancy Scovern, a customer service representative for the Allen Agency, has been recognized by a nationwide insurance industry group for professional leadership and advanced education and training. Scovern, of Northport, has been named a designated certified insurance counselor by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, the nation’s leading continuing education for insurance professionals. Scovern works in the Allen Agency’s Rockland office as part of a three-person team that deals with commercial and business insurance clients. She is a graduate of the University of Maine in Orono and has a master’s degree in business administration from the Simmons School of Management in Boston. The Allen Agency is an employee-owned insurance, employee benefits and financial services company with offices in Camden, Rockland and Saco.