BEDFORD — Peter Labombarde, of Bedford, has been named director of Estate and Gift Planning for the American Cancer Society.

As director in the society's Planned Giving Business Unit, Labombarde helps clients understand how they can use planned giving to contribute to the fight against cancer. He also demonstrates how bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts and other planned giving methods can provide substantial income tax and estate tax benefits.

From the society's office in Bedford, Labombarde covers New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Before joining the Planned Giving Business Unit, he was a senior wealth management officer for People's United Bank in Manchester.

New NH president for Meridian Health Plan

MANCHESTER — Meridian Health Plan has tapped long-time New Hampshire resident and physician Dr. Mohamed Ally to lead its New Hampshire operations opening in 2013.

Joining Ally is Andrew McClure, director of quality Improvement. McClure has worked in health care quality improvement for 15 years, including health plans and 13 New Hampshire critical access hospitals.

Meridian Health Plan is a physician-owned, physician-operated health plan with extensive Medicaid experience in its subsidiary operations in Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. Meridian's affiliates include Medicaid and Medicare health plans and MeridianRx, a Pharmacy Benefit Management company. Meridian Health Plan serves more than 300,000 Medicaid members.

For more information, visit www.mhplan.com.

Delta Dental names public relations firm

MANCHESTER — Northeast Delta Dental recently selected Eisenberg, Vital & Ryze Advertising to manage public relations and marketing communications projects. EVR Advertising developed and managed a public relations and promotional plan for the Northeast Delta Dental International golf tournament, which took place at Beaver Meadow Country Club from July 20-22.

Bank of NH workers name top colleagues

LACONIA — Each year, Bank of New Hampshire employees nominate two of their co-workers for the special distinction of Quality Service Professionals of the Year. This year's winners were Rick Taft, senior desktop support specialist, and Michele Thomas, bank services representative.

Taft began his career with Bank of New Hampshire in 2010. He is always respectful to fellow employees and goes out of his way to provide solutions to meet their needs

Thomas began her career with Bank of New Hampshire in 1999 and has been nominated for this award five times over the past several years. She is dedicated to the bank and is committed to fostering positive peer relationships and steadfast in her focus on building strong customer relationships.

Bellwether Community Champion award given

Theresa Dolloff was recently honored as the recipient of the Bellwether Community Champion award, presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their community.

Dolloff, of Manchester, a retired design and marketing professional, has put her industry experience to good use for Families in Transition.

On Aug. 17, Dolloff threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a New Hampshire Fisher Cats game and was celebrated during an on-field pregame presentation.

Cityside Management adds real estate veteran

MANCHESTER — Cityside Management Corp. had added veteran real estate and mortgage services expert Mandy Zied to its executive team.

As vice president of client services, Zied will work closely with business development and field services teams to assure smooth and efficient orientation of new clients to Cityside Management. Her responsibilities also include maintaining real estate preservation, management and marketing services to all Cityside clients as the firm expands into multiple markets throughout the country.

Cityside Management Corp. based in Manchester, is a national high volume real estate management company. It was founded in 1998 and has grown quickly to more than 300 employees with six offices throughout the country managing more than 15,000 properties in 37 states.

Portsmouth man joins Nathan Wechsler

CONCORD — Nathan Wechsler & Co., P.A., certified public accountants, has named James Mitkonis an associate with the firm.

Mr. Mitkonis earned his bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in marketing in 2004 and a master of science in accounting in 2012 from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire. Before joining Nathan Wechsler in 2012, he was the marketing manager for Nova Technology Corp. at Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth. Mr. Mitkonis, who lives in Portsmouth, is attaining his CPA certification.

Pembroke woman joins Baldwin & Callen

CONCORD — Amy Manzelli of Pembroke has joined the lawfirm of Baldwin and Callen.

She joins Jed Callen of New Boston and Carolyn Baldwin of Gilmanton at the firm's office in Concord, where she will focus on environmental, land use and zoning law.

Ms. Manzelli brings to the firm a wide range of experience and an enthusiastic dedication to her practice. Prior to joining Baldwin & Callen, she worked for over six years at Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC, one of New Hampshire's largest law firms. Ms. Manzelli serves as a commissioner on Gov. John Lynch's Water Sustainability Council and sits on the Board of Directors of NOFA-NH, the state chapter of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association. She holds an advanced degree in environmental law and a juris doctor from Vermont Law School and is a distinguished alumna of the University of New Hampshire, where she earned her bachelor's degree in environmental conservation. Super Lawyers magazine has named her a Rising Star for the past three years.

Baldwin & Callen, PLLC focuses primarily on environmental and land use law. Its lawyers advise clients regarding protection and conservation of their land, and have successfully advocated for clients in matters related to hazardous spills and contamination, toxic torts, timber trespass, boundary disputes, and more.