Jeffrey A. Butler, broker-owner of Butler Realty Group, is the recipient of the 2012 National Commercial Award from the National Association of Realtors. The award, which honors outstanding achievement in the commercial realty industry, recognized Butler for his “deep contribution to the industry, which displays the strength of [the association’s] commercial members.” Butler, a graduate of Tollgate High School, serves as treasurer of both the Rhode Island Commercial and Appraisal Board of Realtors and the Rhode Island Statewide MLS. He is active with several other professional associations and has been a member of the Realtors association since 1977. more

Michael Baduira has been named a retirement plan adviser with Cornerstone Retirement Plan Administrators. more

Cheryl A. Dugas Ethier recently received the certified divorce-financial-analyst designation by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts. Ethier is a financial planner at SK Wealth Management LLC and has a master’s of professional accountancy degree from Rhode Island College. In addition, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant University and has several other professional certifications. more

Cari P. Orsi LEED AP-project engineer for Pare Corp., was recently named 2012 Young Engineer of the Year by the Rhode Island Society of Professional Engineers for her achievements in education, employment and professional and public-service activities. Since joining Pare in 2004, Orsi has received her master’s degree in engineering and construction-project management, become a LEED-accredited professional and served as a board member and the first female president of the Providence Engineering Society. more

Robert P. Brooks, shareholder at Adler Pollock and Sheehan PC, was recently named one of the top 20 most powerful labor attorneys in the nation by Lawdragon Magazine and Human Resource Executive. Candidates for this list usually have impressive recommendations, a list of noteworthy accomplishments and have practiced for more than 20 years. Brooks has represented employers in employment-discrimination matters and a variety of labor arbitration and administrative proceedings. The current chairman of the firm’s labor and employment practice group and a member of its executive and diversity committees, Brooks holds a B.A. from Rhode Island College and a J.D. from Suffolk University. more

The Employers Association, a former Rhode Island-based professional organization, has merged with the Employers Association of the NorthEast, based in Agawam, Mass. more

Although all industries and individuals have benefitted greatly from the availability of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), perhaps no industry has benefited more than the construction industry. The reasons to use ADR are compelling. more

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

PROVIDENCE – Residential and commercial ventilation maker Nortek Inc. is combining the product and marketing strengths of its Gefen, TVOne and Magenta Research bands into ProAV Group in the Nortek Technology Solutions segment. more

The revitalization of the Broad Street and Elmwood Avenue neighborhoods in South Providence and Main Street in Woonsocket are ambitious goals, requiring study and a multidisciplinary approach. Thankfully, Arnold Robinson has a plan. more