John Hancock Retirement Plan Services, located at 3842 Harlem Road, Suite 400-112, appointed Todd Tevens regional vice president, Upstate New York. Tevens, who for the past eight years was a retirement plan consultant for Principal Financial Group, has more than nine years of retirement plan sales and marketing experience working with area financial representatives, plan consultants and plan sponsors. He graduated from Mercyhurst College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Fredonia State College mathematical sciences professor H. Joseph Straight was named a Distinguished Service Professor, the highest system tribute available to instructional faculty, by the State University of New York’s board of trustees. Dr. Straight is among just 820 SUNY faculty members to be appointed to the distinguished ranks since the program’s inception in 1963, and one of just 10 individuals to receive this honor this year. Lifetime Health Medical Group, a primary health care provider, appointed Dr. Barbara Stouter chief of pediatrics, Buffalo region. Dr. Stouter joined the medical group in 2003 and currently sees pediatric patients at the Amherst Health Center, 1185 Sweet Home Road. She earned her medical degree from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse, and completed her residency at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

The board of directors of Five Star Bank elected Jack Benjamin vice chairman. Benjamin has served on the bank’s board since 2001, and Financial Institutions, the bank’s parent company, since 2002. He will also serve as chairman of the its executive committee. He is a graduate of Brockport State College with a degree in economics and geography, and has a master’s degree from Alfred University in professional studies. Benjamin is the president of Three Rivers Development Corp. in Corning, where he has been employed since 1973.

Key Private Bank named Julie Ann Short vice president and relationship manager for the Western New York District. Previously, Short was area retail leader for the bank, managing nine branches in its Western New York district. She joined Key in 1991 as a platform associate. Short earned her associate’s degree in business administration from Niagara County Community College and holds Series 6, 63 and Life, Health and Accident insurance licenses.

The Wendel Cos. appointed Timothy Mattulke business development manager, with his primary focus being with Wendel Energy Services. Mattulke has a master’s degree in environmental engineering and business administration from the University at Buffalo. He has more than 15 years of experience in business development and operational management and marketing. Headquartered in Amherst, Wendel is composed of Wendel Duchscherer Architects and Engineers; Wendel Energy Services, and Wendel Construction.