One Longfellow Square, the nonprofit live-music venue, reported a new executive director, Kippy Rudy, has been hired.
A resident of Bath, Kippy was selected after a thorough national search conducted this summer, according to One Longfellow's board of directors. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit arts management in Maine, the venue noted.
Kippy has held key positions at several major Portland arts institutions including general manager at PORTopera, marketing and development director at Portland Stage, and director of corporate and foundation relations at the Portland Museum of Art.
A special evening to welcome Rudy with a free concert is planned at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
"We're very pleased to welcome Kippy as our new ED," said Board President Jonathan Cooper.  "She possesses a proven track record in fundraising and arts management, as well as a broad understanding of the importance of the role of art and music in the everyday lives of all Mainers. All of us here at OLS are excited about the energy Kippy brings and look forward to working together during this new stage in our development."

Deputy Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette's nomination for Commissioner of Labor was approved by the Legislature's Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Tuesday, Maine Gov. Paul LePage reported.
In a 10-0 vote, LCRED decided in favor of recommending her to the Maine Senate for confirmation. Paquette will now go before the Maine Senate for hearing and confirmation vote on Thursday, Sept. 6. If confirmed by the Senate, she will serve as the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. Paquette has served as Deputy Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor since July 2011.
"I am pleased LCRED has approved Deputy Commissioner Paquette. Her knowledge of the Department of Labor, experience with employment issues, and dedication to Maine's workforce make her a fitting candidate for this position. I wish her well in the final steps of the confirmation process," said LePage.
Paquette began her testimony by recalling her Maine ancestors and considering what their advice would be to her as commissioner, "What would these and others say to me as I take on this job in these difficult times? Well, I believe they would tell me...to work hard, listen to all sides, be honest, trust your gut and don't make it about you...make it about the citizens of Maine. And that's exactly what I intend to do."
Paquette has worked as deputy commissioner since July 2011 when Commissioner Robert Winglass announced his resignation.
The Maine Department of Labor administers Maine's unemployment insurance system, is responsible for ensuring the safety of public employees and provides workforce development leadership and vocational rehabilitation services throughout the state.

Dr. Krista Meinersmann of Portland, director of the University of Southern Maine School of Nursing, has been chosen as one of 37 leaders in nursing education to participate in the inaugural class of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing-Wharton Executive Leadership Program, USM reported.
The four-day program, held at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, was the first of its kind to focus exclusively on the needs of the leadership of nursing programs. USM was the only northern New England program represented, which brought together nursing deans and senior faculty leaders from across the country.
"AACN is pleased to welcome our first class of nursing leaders who represent a broad, geographically diverse mix of educational programs, including large academic health centers, public and private institutions, and small specialized schools of nursing," said AACN President Jane Kirschling. "Fortified with a new layer of leadership expertise, those completing the program will be well-prepared to make a lasting impact on how nurses are educated and how they practice."