Mark Freel, a litigation partner in Edwards Wildman’s Providence office, was recently named a recipient of the William G. McLoughlin First Amendment Award, which will be presented by the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union in November. The award is named for a former chair of the Rhode Island ACLU who was also a historian and faculty member at Brown University. Freel holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of New Hampshire, and received his law degree from the University of Connecticut. more

Nancy Mullen was recently honored as Education in Action’s 2012 Educator in Action for her support of the organization’s Exchange City Program. Exchange City is an experiential-learning program that offers students a basic understanding of government, economics, financial literacy and workforce skills. Mullen, who began teaching in the 1970s, most recently served as principal of Matthew J. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, where she worked to turn the once-struggling school around. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in English and education from the University of Rhode Island, in addition to a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Boston University. 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

Ann Sutherland-Auclair of Auclair & Auclair, a wealth-management firm, was recently named a 2013 Five Star Wealth Manager by Rhode Island Monthly. Sutherland-Auclair was honored for overall client satisfaction on the magazine’s list of Five Star Wealth Managers, which takes into account client evaluations and reviews by peers, regulatory-compliance boards and a Blue Ribbon panel. She holds various insurance licenses, industry certifications and an M.A. in counseling psychology from Assumption College. more

Edward Markward, a conductor and professor of music at Rhode Island College, recently began his 40th year as the leader of the Rhode Island College Symphony Orchestra. Markward, who also serves as co-director of the RIC Opera Workshop and music director of the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra, has been praised as a champion of contemporary music. He holds a B.M.E. and M.M. from Drake University in addition to a DMA from the University of Michigan. more

Patricia K. Rocha, a shareholder at Adler Pollock and Sheehan P.C., was recently named 2012 commercial litigator of the year by Finance Monthly Magazine. Now in its third year, the Finance Monthly Law Awards recognize law firms and legal professionals who have outperformed their peers through dedication to client service and work undertaken. At her firm, Rocha serves as chair of the litigation group. She is a co-author of a national text on trial advocacy and has also written articles and lectured on various aspects of the law. Rocha holds a J.D. from Boston College. more

Monica Restrepo, a certified nursing assistant, was recently awarded the Imogene Higbie Service Award – Bronze Level for her service and dedication to the residents of St. Clare Home in Newport. The award is presented by Rhode Island Generations to an outstanding direct-care worker in the nursing home industry. Restrepo, who became a CNA while living in a shelter through a program offered by the Women’s Resource Center, is a graduate of Central Falls High School. She has worked at St. Clare for 15 years. more

Bob Kunz, corporate safety director at Dimeo Construction Co.’s Providence office, was recently named the 2012 Construction Safety Professional of the Year by the Associated General Contractors of Connecticut. The award honors a leading individual from the commercial construction industry who has demonstrated skills, integrity and responsibility in his or her career. Kunz was presented the award during AGC’s eighth annual Industry Recognition Awards Dinner in October. He has been employed with Dimeo since 2007 and has worked as a safety professional since 1992. more

Bill Reed, a chair with Vistage International, was one of five CEOs and peer-group facilitators who recently participated in a forum on the benefits of peer groups. Held in late September at Babson College, “The Power of Peer Groups to Support Growth and Change,” offered attendees an overview of the benefits of peer groups. Reed has been a chair with Vistage for several years and also serves as a partner at School Street Capital Group. He is a former CEO and currently chair’s Vistage’s CEO Peer Advisory Board and a Vistage Key Executive Group, which are comprised of leaders from enterprises in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. more

Patricia K. Rocha, a shareholder at Adler Pollock and Sheehan P.C., was recently named 2012 commercial litigator of the year by Finance Monthly Magazine. Now in its third year, the Finance Monthly Law Awards recognize law firms and legal professionals who have outperformed their peers through dedication to client service and work undertaken. At her firm, Rocha serves as chair of the litigation group. She is a co-author of a national text on trial advocacy and has also written articles and lectured on various aspects of the law. Rocha holds a J.D. from Boston College. more