Don Saracen, president and founder of Saracen Sales & Communications, was recently named chapter member of the year by the New England chapter of the National Speakers Association. Saracen is president-elect of the association, and works as a sales and ctommunications expert, speaking, training and consulting with businesses and organizations looking to improve their sales, communication and business-development efforts. He is a Providence Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, and holds the Advanced Communicator Gold designation from Toastmasters International. Saracen majored in communication studies at Emerson College. more

What do you do if your cellphone rings while at a business dinner? more

Four-fifths of the 102 major metropolitan areas in the United States, including the Providence metro area, still have fewer private-sector jobs than they did in 2007 before the recession hit. more

Keith Briggs has been named project manager at Davitt Design Build Inc., where he will be responsible for overseeing the new construction and renovation of high-end, residential properties throughout Rhode Island. more

Thea R. Becker has been named vice president, internal audit at The Washington Trust Co. more

Monika Nair has been named marketing coordinator and executive assistant to the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association. more

Martin Lyons has been named executive chef at XO Café. more

Michael Lester has been appointed to the board of directors of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association. more

Jim DiMarino, president of the Rhode Island PGA and the 2011 New England PGA Golf Professional of the Year, has been named director of golf and head golf professional at The Carnegie Abbey Club. more

Kristin Fraser has been re-elected treasurer of the board of Junior Achievement Rhode Island. more