Bratt Selected For Advisory Council

Phil Bratt, president and owner of Baron Telecommunications, has been named an advisor on the National Dealer Advisory Coun-cil for Toshiba Amer-ica Information Systems.

The council serves as an information interface between Toshiba management and consumers regarding technology issues.

Baron Telecom-munications has been the exclusive authorized dealer for Toshiba Telecommunication products in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties for 17 years, one of the company’s longest such relationships in the nation. For more information, call 734-5082.

Brooks Joins Muljat Group

Michelle Brooks has joined the real-estate sales team of The Muljat Group in Bellingham.

Brooks worked for travel agencies in Boise, Idaho and Little Rock, Ark. Before moving to Bellingham in 1995 to attend Western Washing-ton University.

For more information, call Brooks, 733-3030.

Cascade Natural Gas Promotes Grunhurd

Cascade Natural Gas Corp. has promoted Dave Grunhurd to the new position of director of its Northwest Region.

Grunhurd is responsible for all of the company’s operations in its Bellingham and Mount Vernon districts.

He joined the company in 1976 as a consumer representative and was promoted to Grays Harbor district manager in 1981. He returned to Bel-lingham in March 1988 as district superintendent and was promoted to Bellingham district manager in September 1988.

The Bellingham district includes Bel-lingham, Blaine, Lyn-den, Ferndale, Sumas, Everson, Acme, Deming, Lawrence and Nooksack. The Mount Vernon district includes Mount Vernon, Anacortes, Oak Harbor, LaConner, Sedro-Woolley, Arlington, Burlington and Stanwood.

Cascade Natural Gas is a distribution company that provides natural-gas service to 185,000 customers in Washington and Oregon.

Wilson Returns to Firm’s Executive Committee

Russ Wilson, a certified public accountant and managing partner for the Moss Adams office in Bellingham, recently was elected to the firm’s Executive Com-mittee for a second two-year term.

Wilson has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting. He has participated in all phases of audits and reviews for a variety of businesses, including manufacturing, financial institutions, construction, wholesale, retail-service industry, governmental and nonprofit clients.

The Executive Committee is the primary decision-making group for Moss Adams LLP, which encompasses 25 offices, three affiliated companies, 175 partners and more than 1,400 staff members in Washington, Oregon and California.Moss Adams is the largest regional certified public accounting firm on the West Coast and the 13th-largest firm in the country. Its Bellingham office provides accounting, tax, financial and business advisory services to clients internationally and in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties.

Pace Elected WWiB President

Nancy Pace, co-owner of Celebrity Catering, was elected president for 2001 of Whatcom Women in Business.

Pace has been a member and board member of the organization since 1997.

The other officers are: Amy Brock, American Express Financial Advisors, secretary; Sue Holland, Bank NorthWest, treasurer; Susan Radonski-Anglada, Bank NorthWest, vice president of membership; Judy Harvey, Port of Bellkingham, vice president of scholarships; Janet Corrick, Val-U-Inn, vice president of programs; Karen York, counselor at Karen York, M.Ed., Inc., vice president of publicity; Audrey Borders, Borders & Son Quality Roofing, immediate past-president; Becky Raney, Print & Copy Factory, and Susan Sandell, Sandell’s For Her, board members at-large; Jeanne McGee, The Art of Photography, newsletter.

WWiB is a nonprofit organization that stresses mentoring and professionalism among its members and women in the community.

Disbrow Receives Diplomate Status

David Disbrow, vice president of facilities and support services for St. Joseph Hospital in Belling-ham, has received diplomate status in the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society.

The announcement will be made at ACHE’s 67th annual convocation ceremony on March 25 in Chicago. Only 7,000 health-care executives hold diplomate status in ACHE.

Diplomates must demonstrate their commitment to continuing education , progression in professional experience and participation in voluntary health-care and community affairs. They also must successfully complete comprehensive oral and written examinations covering subjects related to health-care management.

ACHE works to improve the health status of society by advancing health-care management excellence. It offers comprehensive programs in credentialing, education, career development, publications, research and public policy.

DeVinny Opens Piano Studio

Margaret DeVinny has opened Musical Magic, South Hill Piano Studio in Bellingham.

DeVinny says she offers piano lessons and teaches an alternative way to reading music. Before moving to Bellingham in August, she taught 60 students each week in groups, workshops and private classes in Sacramento, Calif.

DeVinny offers complimentary demonstrations by appointment to children and adults interested in lessons. For more information, call 671-2969.

Bergstrom Heading Elder Service Providers

Leona Bergstrom, director of Lifetime Ministries, has been elected president of Elder Service Providers.

ESP is a consortium of professional providing services to seniors in Whatocm, Skagit and Island counties.

Its other new officers are: Mary Lynn Palmer, a nurse and community outreach specialist with St. Joseph Hospital’s Adult Day Health program, vice president; Terri Briant Booth, administrator of The Courtyard Dementia Care Community, secretary; and Carolyn Lenington, owner of Senior Support Services, treasurer.

New board members are Kris Sabo, a nurse at Cordata Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center; Liz Kuta, social worker at Bellingham Healthcare and Rehabilitation; Li Smith, accessibility and paratransit specialist for Whatcom Transportation Authority; Lexy Lamborn, owner of Crossroads Guardianship; Rob Kagan, long-term care insurance agent for Bankers Life and Casualty Co.; and Heather House, marketing director of Home Place Special Care Center.

Continuing board members are Barry Meyers, an elder-law attorney, and Viki Essex, manager of The Willows Retirement Community.

ESP coordinates a caregiver conference each year to support those caring for others. This year’s conference is scheduled March 24 and will include tables for exhibitors. For more information, call Viki Essex, 671-7077.

Bank NorthWest Hires Cruikshank

John Cruikshank has joined Bank NorthWest in Bellingham as vice president and chief credit officer.

Cruikshank manages the overall production and quality of the loan portfolio for the bank. He has 11 years of commercial lending experience.

He previously was director of business development services for Fourth Corner Economic Development Group in Bellingham. He graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in business administration.

Fowler Honored By Restaurant Group

Elicia Fowler, a prep cook and kitchen supervisor at Red Robin restaurant in Bellingham, was honored as one of the best restaurant professionals in the state.

Fowler, a Red Robin employee for 12 years, was named to the all-star team of the Washington Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation.

North Coast Credit Union Tabs Dawe

North Coast Credit Union, with headquarters in Bellingham and a branch in Ferndale, named Christine Dawe its chief financial officer.

Dawe has worked with financial institutions for more than 12 years. She was a district manager for the Missouri branches of IBM Mid-America Employees Federal Credit Union in Rochester, Minn. and branch manager for the Monterey Federal Credit Union in Monterey, Calif. She most recently was business manager for the Skagit Valley Herald in Mount Vernon.

North Coast Credit Union is a community-chartered credit union whose members include anyone living or working in Whatcom, Skagit, Island or San Juan counties.

Bode Elected to Board Position

Randall Bode, a tax partner at the Bellingham certified public accounting firm of Larson Gross, recently was elected to a three-year term on the Inpact of Americas board of directors.

Inpact of Americas is an international network of indpendent accounting firms affiliated to meet the challenges of a global marketplace. It has 37 members in 22 states and Canada and an international affiliation of more than 90 firms in 40 countries. Membership in Inpact provides Larson Gross an opportunity to network with peers on a regular basis and to draw on the technical expertise and resources of member firms.

Bode has more than 26 years of accounting experience in tax and consulting services. He is the director of the tax department at Larson Gross and serves as chairperson of its cross-border team.

Larson Gross has offices in Bellingham, Lynden and Blaine.

Champagne Announces Business Expansion

Pam Champagne of Birch Bay, a certified master coach, has hired associate coaches to meet the growing needs of her nationwide coaching business, The Champagne Group.

The company specializes in customized corporate and entrepreneurial coaching for executives, business owners and sales professionals. For more information, call 371-2551 or send e-mail to pameladchampagne@ earthlink.net.

Pacific Continental Promotes Bjerke

Pacific Continental Realty of Bellingham has promoted Nancy Bjerke to property services manager.

Bjerke has been with the firm for more than two years and previously was its marketing and administration manager. She now will head Pacific Contin-ental Realty’s expansion into management services for retail, office and industrial properties in northwest Washington. It currently manages approximately 250,000 square feet of commercial space between Bellingham and Lynnwood.

Nancy Bjerke has a state license for real-estate sales, a bachelor’s degree in human services and an associate’s degree in early childhood education. Before joining Pacific Continental Realty, she taught preschool and parent education classes and supervised and trained staff for 20 years, including 12 years with The Opportunity Council.

Pacific Continental Realty also provides sales and leasing brokerage services and site selection services for commercial and industrial property. For more information, call 671-8141.

Raasch Managing Mindfly Projects

John Raasch was hired as project manager and sales consultant for business Web development and office technology services for Mindfly, Inc. in Bellingham.

“Our continued growth necessitated that Mindfly hire a full-time project manager and sales consultant to better serve our clients,” says Rusty Swayne, co-founder and vice president of Mindfly.

Raasch has more than three years of sales, consulting and project management experience in Web development. He has helped dozens of businesses develop or improve their online presence, Swayne adds.

Mindfly’s complete array of Web services ranges from e-commerce to custom Internet applications. Its office technology division assists businesses with custom personal computers, servers, software and network services. For more information, call 647-7470 or visit www.mindfly.com.

Smelley Joins Lanier Sales Staff

Vicki Smelley has joined Lanier Worldwide as an account representative in its Bellingham office.

Smelley previously worked for Marketing Specialists Sales Co. in Jacksonville, Fla. She has a bachelor of business administration degree from Georgia State University.

Lanier offers a variety of integrated document management solutions – both products and services – to improve the document productivity of a business. It’s located in Suite 130 of the Bellingham Towers at 119 N. Commercial St. For more information, call Smelley, 676-1116.

VanBeek Heading Chamber Officers

Shannon VanBeek, an apartment manager, has been elected president of the Everson Nooksack Chamber of Commerce.

The other officers for 2001 are Tony Kelley, Kelley & Associates, vice president; Marva Powell, Everson Shopping Center, secretary; Becky Burras, Ostrom Farms, Everson Divi-sion, treasurer; and Cheryl Thornton, Cloud Mountain Nursery, festival chair.

The Everson-Nooksack Chamber meets at noon the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Everson Senior Center, 111 W. Main. For more information, call 966-7036.

Gray Moves To 3D Computer

Chris Gray has been added to the management team of 3D Computer Corp. in Bellingham.

Gray, formerly general manager of NW Computer Supplies in Bellingham, has more than 18 years of management experience.

“He fits perfectly with our move to offer a wider range of quality services and solutions and our goal of making 3D Computer this region’s largest and most professional full-service organization,” says Dave Koshinz, the company’s chief executive officer.

Located at 1423 Railroad Ave., 3D Computer has been serving Whatcom and Skagit counties since 1987. For more information, call 671-4906 or visit www.3dcomputer.com.

Hart Offers Design, Marketing Services

Charlotte Hart has opened Hart Creative, a Bellingham company that will provide services to local businesses in need of project management in the design/promotions and marketing arena.

Hart, a former partner and owner of Wright, Hart & Mather in Bellingham, has more than 17 years of experience. She was Wright, Hart & Mather’s creative director that last six years.

Her work has included award-winning logo designs, brochures and other collateral materials, ad development and trade show and event promotions. Her consulting background includes direction and coordination of photography, illustration, copy writing and Web design.

“The way business trends are going, more medium- to large-sized companies are looking to outsource certain project management needs instead of stretching current employees’ responsibilities further,” Hart remarks. “You can think of Hart Creative as an extension of your design and marketing department. My new company will manage those special projects for you from start to finish.”

Hart currently is working on several projects for local clients.

Avista Promotes Johnson to Sales

Avista Communications has promoted Christine Love Johnson to account executive in its Bellingham office.

Johnson had joined the Bellingham office in February 2000 as administrative assistant. She now is responsible for establishing and maintaining contact with business customers throughout the Bellingham area.

Johnson previously worked on a variety of special projects for Host Marriott Services at SeaTac Airport. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

Avista Communications is a local provider of facilities-based enhanced telecommunications solutions for business customers. It provides integrated packages of local telephone service, Internet services and high-speed data solutions. The company has headquarters in Spokane and local offices in Bellingham, Yakima, Couer d’Alene, Idaho and Billings, Mont. For more information, call 738-0625 or visit www.avistacom.com.

Jennings Re-elected By Ferndale Chamber

Steve Jennings, owner of the Cedars RV Park, has been elected to serve a second one-year term as president of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce.

The other officers are Steve Wilkinson, first vice president; Kimberlly Winjum, second vice president; and Linda Mooney, treasurer.

For more information, call the Ferndale Chamber at 384-3042 or visit its Web site at www.ferndale-chamber.com.

Kagan Ranks High in Insurance Sales

Robin Kagan, a Bellingham agent for Bankers Life and Casualty Co., ranked first in long-term care sales for 2000 in the Puget Sound area office of 34 agents.

She also was second in a six-state region of 468 agents for the second year in a row and ranked 20th nationwide among the company’s 7,000 agents.

Kagan specializes in long-term care insurance. She will present a free seminar, “Long-term Care: A Family Crisis,” at 1:30 p.m. March 13 at the Center for Senior Health, 2950 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham. Kagan will provide information on Medicare, Medicaid and factors to consider when choosing a long-term care insurance policy.

Registration isn’t required. For more information, call 676-5205.

McKendry Promoted by MB Design

Heather McKendry has been promoted by MB Design of Bellingham to project manager.

McKendry’s ad-ministrative duties now include comprehensive project support and deadline facilitation. She was hired by MB Design in 1997 as production coordinator.

“Heather’s outstanding supervisory and coordination skills allow us to meet our production needs efficiently and effectively,” says Matt Barnhart, MB Design president.

McKendry graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in fine arts and an emphasis in graphic arts production. She then worked at Applied Digital Imaging in Bellingham as assistant manager of its graphics department.

MB Design, located at 112 Ohio St., uses a team approach to create design solutions ranging from logo development and stationary to brochures, Web sites and packaging. It works with local, regional and national clients on graphic-design projects. For more information, call 733-1692 or visit www.mb-design.com.

Skyline Wireless Hires Parriera

Josh Parriera has joined the sales staff of Skyline Wireless in Bellingham.

Skyline Wireless, located at 4120 Meri-dian St., Suite 120, offers Verizon and VoiceStream cellular phones and service and is adding AT&T this month. It also offers Globalstar, a satellite cellular phone service.

For more information, call 671-8238.

Pair Receive Bank’s Scholarships

Brandi Bowen and Nathan Carlson have received $500 Peoples Bank Achievement Scholarships from the Bellingham Technical College Foundation.

The scholarships, funded by Peoples Bank, recognized academic achievement, community service, leadership and vocational promise to students enrolled in selected degree programs at BTC.

Bowen is a first-year student in the Building and Remodeling Technology program. She plans to specialize in residential construction after graduating in June 2002.

Carlson began his studies at BTC through the Running Start program and is a second-year student in its Commercial Refrigeration and HVAC program. After graduation, he plans to become a local service technician and eventually start his own business.

The BTC Foundation provides scholarship to deserving BTC students. It has awarded $38,000 to 45 students so far in the 2000-2001 academic year. The scholarships are funded by businesses, foundations, service organizations, individuals and unrestricted BTC Foundation funds.

Peoples Bank Promotes Pair

Peoples Bank recently promoted Mike Camfield and Ginger Jones to management positions.

Camfield, now a senior vice president and credit administrator, was praised for his role in maintaining the bank’s high asset quality. Jones, now vice president and loan operations manager, provides supervision to the bank’s loan-servicing team and commercial loan-support staff. She will focus on providing superior sales support to the bank’s commercial lenders.

Peoples Bank, with headquarters in Lynden, has more than $350 million in assets with offices in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

 

Cascade Ambulance Pair Honored

The Washington Ambulance Association presented in December two of its top three annual awards to Rick Kowsky and Brad Shay of Cascade Ambulance Service, Inc. of Ferndale.

Kowsky, Cascade’s president, received the Les Parkhurst Memorial Award of Excellence for his leadership in state and national funding issues. A member of the association’s executive board, Kowsky has been active in the effort to improve reimbursement for members from Medicaid and Medicare. Cascade Ambulance Service was the first recipient of this award in 1998 for outstanding service to the community.

Shaw, a Cascade emergency medical technician, was presented with the EMS Professional Award. He was cited for racking down a cellular telephone caller who reported having been stung by a bee, but was confused and didn’t know his location.

The call, originally received by dispatchers at British Columbia Ambulance, was forwarded to Cascade. Shay worked with local 911 dispatchers in Whatcom and Skagit counties, then talked again with British Columbia Ambulance for additional information. By tracing back the path of the call, which originally has come second-hand from a family member, Shay learned that the patient was somewhere along the Interstate 90 corridor in Eastern Washington and notified the Washington State Patrol. Troopers finally located the man at a rest area east of Spokane and aid was summoned in time to prevent serious illness.

 

Shorthill, Josephson Join Yamato Engine

John Shorthill and Teresa Josephson recently joined the management staff of Yamato Engine Specialists, Ltd., in Bellingham.

Shorthill, named human resources and safety director, has a lengthy background in business management and industrial safety. He most recently was production manager and later general manager for Vangard Management, a contract manufacturing facility in Ferndale that also provided employment for people with developmental disabilities.

Josephson, hired as purchaser, has nearly 10 years of experience. She has worked for Watership Trading Companie and Trans Ocean Products, both in Bellingham, and also has a background in production and automotive repair.

Yamato Engine Specialist is the nation’s top remanufacturer of automobile engines, primarily supplying Jasper Engines and Transmissions. Founded and operated in British Columbia for 10 years, Yamato relocated near the Bellingham International Airport in 1990 and last July combined operations from several facilities in a large plant at 2020 E. Bakerview Road. The plant produces 50 completely remanufactured and warranteed engines each day and employs nearly 200 people.

Gray Moves To 3D Computer

Chris Gray has been added to the management team of 3D Computer Corp. in Bellingham.

Gray, formerly general manager of NW Computer Supplies in Bellingham, has more than 18 years of management experience.

“He fits perfectly with our move to offer a wider range of quality services and solutions and our goal of making 3D Computer this region’s largest and most professional full-service organization,” says Dave Koshinz, the company’s chief executive officer.

Located at 1423 Railroad Ave., 3D Computer has been serving Whatcom and Skagit counties since 1987. For more information, call 671-4906 or visit www.3dcomputer.com.

Hart Offers Design, Marketing Services

Charlotte Hart has opened Hart Creative, a Bellingham company that will provide services to local businesses in need of project management in the design/promotions and marketing arena.

Hart, a former partner and owner of Wright, Hart & Mather in Bellingham, has more than 17 years of experience. She was Wright, Hart & Mather’s creative director that last six years.

Her work has included award-winning logo designs, brochures and other collateral materials, ad development and trade show and event promotions. Her consulting background includes direction and coordination of photography, illustration, copy writing and Web design.

“The way business trends are going, more medium- to large-sized companies are looking to outsource certain project management needs instead of stretching current employees’ responsibilities further,” Hart remarks. “You can think of Hart Creative as an extension of your design and marketing department. My new company will manage those special projects for you from start to finish.”

Hart currently is working on several projects for local clients.

Avista Promotes Johnson to Sales

Avista Communications has promoted Christine Love Johnson to account executive in its Bellingham office.

Johnson had joined the Bellingham office in February 2000 as administrative assistant. She now is responsible for establishing and maintaining contact with business customers throughout the Bellingham area.

Johnson previously worked on a variety of special projects for Host Marriott Services at SeaTac Airport. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

Avista Communications is a local provider of facilities-based enhanced telecommunications solutions for business customers. It provides integrated packages of local telephone service, Internet services and high-speed data solutions. The company has headquarters in Spokane and local offices in Bellingham, Yakima, Couer d’Alene, Idaho, and Billings, Mont. For more information, call 738-0625 or visit www.avistacom.com.

Jennings Re-elected By Ferndale Chamber

Steve Jennings, owner of the Cedars RV Park, has been elected to serve a second one-year term as president of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce.

The other officers are Steve Wilkinson, first vice president; Kimberlly Winjum, second vice president; and Linda Mooney, treasurer.

For more information, call the Ferndale Chamber at 384-3042 or visit its Web site at www.ferndale-chamber.com.

Kagan Ranks High in Insurance Sales

Robin Kagan, a Bellingham agent for Bankers Life and Casualty Co., ranked first in long-term care sales for 2000 in the Puget Sound area office of 34 agents.

She also was second in a six-state region of 468 agents for the second year in a row and ranked 20th nationwide among the company’s 7,000 agents.

Kagan specializes in long-term care insurance. She will present a free seminar, “Long-term Care: A Family Crisis,” at 1:30 p.m. March 13 at the Center for Senior Health, 2950 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham. Kagan will provide information on Medicare, Medicaid and factors to consider when choosing a long-term care insurance policy.

Registration isn’t required. For more information, call 676-5205.

McKendry Promoted by MB Design

Heather McKendry has been promoted by MB Design of Bellingham to project manager.

McKendry’s ad-ministrative duties now include comprehensive project support and deadline facilitation. She was hired by MB Design in 1997 as production coordinator.

“Heather’s outstanding supervisory and coordination skills allow us to meet our production needs efficiently and effectively,” says Matt Barnhart, MB Design president.

McKendry graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in fine arts and an emphasis in graphic arts production. She then worked at Applied Digital Imaging in Bellingham as assistant manager of its graphics department.

MB Design, located at 112 Ohio St., uses a team approach to create design solutions ranging from logo development and stationary to brochures, Web sites and packaging. It works with local, regional and national clients on graphic-design projects. For more information, call 733-1692 or visit www.mb-design.com.

Skyline Wireless Hires Parriera

Josh Parriera has joined the sales staff of Skyline Wireless in Bellingham.

Skyline Wireless, located at 4120 Meri-dian St., Suite 120, offers Verizon and VoiceStream cellular phones and service and is adding AT&T this month. It also offers Globalstar, a satellite cellular phone service.

For more information, call 671-8238.

Pair Receive Bank’s Scholarships

Brandi Bowen and Nathan Carlson have received $500 Peoples Bank Achievement Scholarships from the Bellingham Technical College Foundation.

The scholarships, funded by Peoples Bank, recognized academic achievement, community service, leadership and vocational promise to students enrolled in selected degree programs at BTC.

Bowen is a first-year student in the Building and Remodeling Technology program. She plans to specialize in residential construction after graduating in June 2002.

Carlson began his studies at BTC through the Running Start program and is a second-year student in its Commercial Refrigeration and HVAC program. After graduation, he plans to become a local service technician and eventually start his own business.

The BTC Foundation provides scholarship to deserving BTC students. It has awarded $38,000 to 45 students so far in the 2000-2001 academic year. The scholarships are funded by businesses, foundations, service organizations, individuals and unrestricted BTC Foundation funds.

Insurance Company Hires County Agents

Beau MacGregor and Ryan Shaw have been named agents in Whatcom County for the Country Companies insurance group.

They recently competed the group’s New Agent School, which helps agents learn about insurance products, enhances their communication skills and guides them to setting and achieving goals.

MacGregor and Shaw are located in an office at 6951 Hannegan Road, a quarter-mile north of Hinote’s Corner and several miles south of Lynden. For more information, call 354-2975.

 

Merrill Gardens Adds Callow, Moore

Merrill Gardens at Cordata has named Chris Callow its general manager and Heather Moore its community relations director.

The Bellingham retirement community, built in 1997, has 99 units at 4415 Columbine Drive. The facility includes assisted-living units, independent-living cottages and a secured care unit for Alzheimers/dementia patients.

Callow has many years of experience, most recently as general manager at Lynden Manor. Moore has five years of experience as a director of marketing for other health-care corporations.

For more information, call 715-8822.