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

Pamela Bibeault was recently named president of Triad Health Care LLC, where she provides clinical and administrative health care consulting services to skilled nursing facilities in southern New England. Along with her team, Bibeault works to assist these facilities in achieving optimal outcomes and compliance with state, federal and joint commission regulations. She holds related certifications in addition to a B.S. in nursing from Rhode Island College and an M.S. in health-services administration from Salve Regina University. Bibeault is a member of several organizations, including the American College of Health Care Administrators, the Rhode Island Health Care Association and Rhode Island Generations. more

Yadira Gilchrest, a senior computer scientist at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, was recently named a winner of Women of Color magazine’s Technology Rising Star award. The award recognizes minority women who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their workplace and communities. Gilchrest currently works in NUWC’s sensors and sonars systems department, where she’s particularly interested in studying the effects of undersea testing on marine species. She holds a B.S. and an M.S. in mathematics from University of Central Florida. more

Kelly Whaley, program manager of Cranston Community Learning Center, was recently selected to serve as an after-school ambassador by the Afterschool Alliance. Whaley is one of 12 ambassadors selected from across the country who will serve a one-year term assisting the alliance in creating additional support for after-school programs. Whaley, who serves 200 students in Cranston’s public schools, holds bachelor’s degrees in public relations and communications, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Rhode Island. more

Brad Read, along with his brother Ken, was recently presented the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association’s inaugural Anchor Award. The award recognizes those who make a significant contribution to Rhode Island and its marine trades. Read is executive director of Sail Newport, a public-access sailing center that creates affordable sailing opportunities and draws regattas to Newport. Read, who was chair of the America’s Cup World Series Host Committee, was a central player in drawing this summer’s America’s Cup event back to Rhode Island waters. more

David Easterbrooks, director of marketing and business development for Pare Corp., was recently named 2012 marketing professional of the year by the Boston chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services. Easterbrooks has worked as a marketing professional at architectural, engineering and construction firms for more than 25 years. As a member of SMPS Boston, he has served as an educational speaker, committee member, president, vice president, treasurer and director of education. He is a certified professional services marketer and holds a B.A. in English from Rutgers University. more

Stephen O’Donnell is the chairman and CEO of desktop virtualization services provider GreenBytes Inc. O’Donnell, named chairman of the board in July 2012, took over GreenBytes’ corner office at the end of last November. more

Mary Heath, a career sponsorship and events professional, was recently promoted to chief marketing officer of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. Heath previously served as the senior director of sales and partnership marketing for the hall of fame, securing long-term partnerships with companies such as Rolex, Kia Motors and Alex and Ani. She is a former vice president of IMG’s tennis division and has served as an ATP World Tour and Women’s Tennis Association tournament director. For more than a decade, Heath was the co-owner of Perennial events. Heath holds a B.A. in English from Denison University and is also an adjunct professor of sports marketing at Salve Regina University. more

Jo-Ann Schofield, president and chief operating officer of the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership, was recently appointed to a national advisory panel for mentoring. As a member of The Mentoring Partnership Advisory Council, Schofield and her colleagues from around the nation will focus on topics in the areas of quality-based mentoring, resource development, public awareness, public policy and research. Schofield, who recently earned a certificate of nonprofit studies from Rhode Island College, describes herself as a lifelong learner. She has been mentoring a child for three years who is currently in fourth grade. more

Rev. Eugene Dyszlewski, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, was recently installed as minister of social justice at First Unitarian Church of Providence. Dyszlewski, an advocate of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights, is the chair of the Rhode Island Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality and has served on the board of directors of Marriage Equality Rhode Island. He is also the founding coordinator of East Bay PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and is the recipient of the Rhode Island Pride Committee’s 2008 Pyramid of Pride Award for outstanding contribution to the GLBT community. more