Fry joins Schacht law office

Robin Fry joined Schacht Law Office as a patent and trademark legal assistant. She has more than four years experience in the field.

In addition to he work as a legal assistant, Fry will also develop and maintain the firm’s information systems.

 

Boatman achieves accreditation

Blake Boatman, agent with RE/MAX Whatcom County, achieved accredited buyers representative designation. An ABR designation indicates advanced training as a buyer’s representative and is awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the National Association of Realtors.

 

Travel agency wins awards, certification

Agents at Bellingham Travel and Cruise recently won a pair of awards and undertook more training.

Bellingham Travel won outstanding sales achievement awards in both cruise and tour divisions at the Western Association of Travel Agents annual meeting. Frank Zurline and Christine Zurline attended the meeting on-board the Radiance of the Seas liner, operated by Royal Caribbean.

Seven Bellingham Travel and Cruise agents completed sales training through Walt Disney Travel. Tracie Benson, Terri Gambini, Lani Havemen, Stacy Holmes, Kathi Jensen, Katie Oberleitner-Baker and Diane Weisenburger are now Disney specialists, completing the College of Disney Knowledge program.

 

Caine writes on physiology of gymnastics

Dennis Caine, a physical education professor at Western Washington University, recently collaborated on Scientific Aspects of Women’s Gymnastics. The book integrates more than 20 years of research on how gymnastics training and injury affects growth.

“Research shows that in spite of the many benefits of gymnastics for the growth and development of children, there is evidence that some gymnasts may experience adverse effects on growth,” Caine said.

He is a consultant for USA Gymnastics sports science referral network and serves on the editorial board for two sport medicine journals. He collaborated on the book with William Sands, director of research and development for USA Gymnastics and faculty member at California Lutheran University, and Jan Borms, professor emeritus at Virje University in Brussels and gymnastics commentator for Belgian television.

“We hope the book will provide a springboard for new research,” Caine said.

 

Convention director attends gateway conference

John Cooper, executive director of the Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau, recently attended a conference in Albuquerque for communities that serve as gateways to federal lands.

“More than half of our county is owned by the US Forest Service or the National Park system,” Cooper said. “We thought it would be a great opportunity to learn new ideas to help the Mt. Baker corridor.”

Sessions addressed tribal relations and partnerships, federal funding, technical assistance for marketing, developing scenic corridors, and balancing tourism and conservation.

The conference was co-sponsored by the National Association of Counties, the National Alliance of Gateway Communities, the Western States Tourism Policy Council and eleven federal agencies.

 

International Absorbents names Dodd to board

Lionel G. Dodd joined the International Absorbents board of directors. He has more than 20 years executive experience with a variety of public and private companies, including Versacold, GW Utilities, and O & Y Enterprises.

Currently, Dodd sits as an independent director with Pope and Talbot, Napier International Technologies, and Braintech. He has an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.

“Lionel Dodd is an energetic director with a highly developed understanding of business finance, strategy and general management,” said Gordon L. Ellis, chairman of International Absorbents. “(He) will bring an independent voice to our board while strengthening it with a wealth of experience, new ideas and enthusiasm.”

International Absorbents develops and produces environmentally friendly pet care and industrial products. The company has production facilities in Bellingham and recently announced plans to expand their production facilities in Whatcom County, and a planned new facility in the eastern United States.

 

Western staff earns professional awards

Two Western Washington University staff members received awards at a regional meeting of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International.

Diana Bakkom received an individual achievement award for coordinating the biennial conference of chemical educators. The conference drew 1,300 participants from all over North America. Bakkom is assistant director of institutes and conferences in extended education and summer programs.

Debbie Gibbons, manager of youth programs for extended education and summer programs, won the outstanding mini-session award for developing Sleeping Over with Science. Gibbons’ program allows children in grades 3-8 to camp out overnight in the university’s Science, Math and Technology education facility.

 

Farm Service Agency announces election results

Results for the election to fill the Farm Service Agency seat vacated by Mike Boxx were announced in December.

Debbi Smit of Lynden represents local administrative area #1, which is west of the Guide Meridian, on the county committee beginning Jan. 1. Smit will serve a three-year term.

Melissa Bedlington of Ferndale was runner-up in the election and will serve as chairperson of the community committee. Bill De Groot of Bellingham is vice chairperson of the community committee. Bedlington and De Groot also serve as first and second alternate to Smit on the county committee.

County committee members inform farmers of the purpose and provisions of Farm Service Agency programs, keep the state Farm Service Agency informed about local conditions, recommend changes in farm programs, and participate in county meetings.

 

John L. Scott adds agent

Cathy Ecker is a new agent at John L. Scott real estate in Bellingham. Ecker has a degree in political science from Western Washington University and is active in WWU’s Habitat for Humanity program.

 

Leese takes chair at Barber Shop

Andrew Leese joined The Barber Shop in Fairhaven. He is a graduate of the Everett Beauty School and has worked in Lynnwood and Lake Stevens. Leese became a barber after discovering a talent for cutting hair by cutting hair for his family.

Diane Philips, owner of The Barber Shop, needed to add a second barber because the shop was getting busy. Philips’ shop features antique barber chairs and offers men’s haircuts and shaves.

 

Fairhaven Association elects 2003 board

The Fairhaven Association elected a new set of officers. Phyllis McKee of Finnegan’s Alley is the president. Frank Howell of Mud in Your Eye pottery is vice president. Treasurer is Anna Williams of Kaddy Shack and Alice Maurey of Neighborhood is the secretary.

Publishers of the Historical Fairhaven walking tour brochure, the association preserves and promotes the district, applies for grants, does beautification, and organizes festivals and special events.

 

Kelly bones up on doggie dermatology

Lee Ann Kelly, owner of City Dogs grooming, recently attended a seminar on dermatology problems in pets. The seminar was presented by Dr. Anthony Yu of the Animal Allergy and Skin Center in Oregon and addressed proper use of shampoos and skin treatments, differences in fungal and bacterial skin problems, and symptoms of food allergies.

 

Phillips produces BP videos

Kathy Conlan Phillips, principal of KCP Communications, produced four safety-training videos for the BP Cherry Point refinery. The presentations included information on health, safety and environmental training, process hazard training, working in confined spaces, and driver training. Videos are part of BP’s program to familiarize contract employees with site-specific safety considerations at Cherry Point.

Studio 12 at KVOS-TV provided graphics and shot and edited the footage, directed by John Altenhofen.

 

3D computer employees now APC certified

David Koshinz, CEO, and Chris Gray, general manager, of 3D Computer completed training with American Power Conversion. 3D Computer is now an APC PowerStructure dealer. The training focused on trends and solutions for data centers and facilities.

 

Ferndale chamber names new board

Five members were elected to serve on the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce Board of directors for 2003. Now on the board are: Diane Blakesley, owner of Kelly’s O’Deli, Dennis Conner, manager of Hovander Homestead Park, Brenda Hill, from, ConocoPhillips, Jason C. Olson, manager of Ferndale Haggen, and Roland Signett, Ferndale city administrator. Each year, five members are elected or reelected to the board.

 

Johnson joins Keller Williams

Nobuko Johnson joined Keller Williams as a real estate sales consultant. She earned her real estate license in 1995 and has won awards for past careers in fashion and architectural design. Johnson is fluent in both English and Japanese, has traveled in 15 countries and has climbed both the European and Japanese Alps.

 

Computer consultant adds staff

Computer Consultants North West added Devin Jarvis to their team. Jarvis has worked since 1993 as a system administrator and business technology consultant. He has experience in PC troubleshooting, network administration, software support and custom programming.

Jarvis managed computer facilities for financial service companies, including serving as a chief technology officer for a company that went from being a startup to a market leader in three years.

 

Case promoted at Great Western

Bill Case is now sales manager at Great Western Security Systems. His territory is Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Case joined the company two months ago after leaving the Ferndale Boys and Girls, where he spent ten years as athletic director.

 

Signs Plus adds three to team

Signs Plus added three to their technical staff.

Steve Bates is a journeyman installer. He has over 28 years experience as an installer and spent 27 years with Meyer Sign Co. Bates has considerable experience in electrical sign installation.

Andrew Maxey joined the crew in the commercial sign department. He has four years fabrication and installation experience and was previously employed at the Sign Post.

Scott Seitz is a new designer at Signs Plus. He has been in the sign industry for six years and spent time at Custom Sign.

 

Horizon promotes Purpura

Horizon Bank promoted Grace Purpura to assistant vice president. She has been in banking for 13 years and spent seven years at Bellingham National Bank in the real estate loan department. At Horizon, Purpura is a commercial real estate loan officer, specialized in lending for multi-family commercial properties, residential land development and spec construction loans. She represents the bank with the Whatcom County Building Industry Association.

She graduated with a BA in political science from Western Washington University in 1989 and has lived in Whatcom County for 20 years.

 

Restaurant industry honors Bellingham manager

Lindsay Roth, manager in training at Red Robin in Bellingham, was named a Washington Restaurant Association all-star for 2002. WRA all stars are “…statewide industry leaders chosen for their leadership ability, community involvement, work history, ethics, and their ability to inspire others,” said Joan Hitchens, editor of the WRA News Update.

Roth was nominated by her manager, Shawn McFall, who praised her work ethic, attitude and commitment to being an integral part of the Red Robin team.

Awards were handed out at the hospitality awards gala dinner in Seattle.

 

Newton becomes police chaplain

Glenn Newton is the Bellingham Police Department’s first chaplain. Currently, Newton directs the Whatcom Support Officer Program. He started in the ministry in 1994, as an administrator with Christ the King Community Church.

The police department decided to add a chaplain to help strengthen their ability to create a family like environment and take care of each other.

 

Gorman named to SBDC Board

Taimi Dunn Gorman, of Gorman Publicity, was appointed to the Washington Small Business Development Center Advisory Board. The board provides counseling to new and existing small businesses on a variety of management topics.

 

Peoples names north county branch manager

Yvette Kelley-Bertram is now branch manager for Peoples Bank branches in Ferndale and Blaine. She adds these new responsibilities to her current job as branch manager of the Barkley Village branch.

Kelley-Bertram began in banking in 1983 and joined Peoples Bank in 1995.

Barb Poley, who had been branch manager in Ferndale and Blaine, joins the Cordata branch as assistant branch manager.

 

Herbold safety director at Diamond B

Paul Herbold, Jr. is the new corporate safety director at Diamond B Constructors. He is a Western Washington University graduate with over 25 years experience in professional safety. He is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers.

Diamond B Constructors operates as both a general contractor specialized in heavy mechanical work, especially petrochemical projects, and as a subcontractor on commercial plumbing and HVAC projects.

 

McRory wins conservation award

Mike McRory, a retired Whatcom County dentist, won a state special service award from the Washington Association of Conservation Districts. He has worked to improve and protected streams all over the county. McRory’s particular focus has been Whatcom Creek, especially at Maritime Heritage Park.

 

Wilkinson promoted at Pacific Northwest Bank

Steven J. Wilkinson was promoted to community business lender at Pacific Northwest Bank. His role will be to expand the bank’s small business activities throughout the Whatcom County.

He has 10 years experience in the financial services industry and has been with Peoples Bank for the past five years. Most recently, Wilkinson was manager of Pacific Northwest Bank’s Ferndale Financial Center.

 

WTA appoints marketing manager

Maureen Camandona recently joined the Whatcom Transportation Authority as manger of marketing and community relations. She will work with local media and with community-based social and health organizations in marketing, promotion and education.

Camandona is a graduate of Western Washington University. She was director of marketing communications for Cruise West in Seattle.

 

Nickisch reaches pinnacle

Chad Nickisch, manager of US Bank’s Lakeway office, won the bank’s pinnacle award. Pinnacle awards recognize outstanding achievement among US Bank employees.

He was honored at a local awards ceremony and is in the running for the national pinnacle awards, where the grand prize is a trip for two anywhere in the world.

 

Villhauer becomes All-American

Tim Villhauer of Edward Jones in Fairhaven was named to the All-American team of the American Funds Group. He was cited for outstanding service and expertise. Villhauer has been with Edward Jones since 2000.

 

Lynden International hires Asia business director

Lynden International appointed Tom Clifford as director of business development, Asia. Last January, the company formed the Asia Division and opened 13 offices throughout Asia. Clifford will help maintain this strategic focus by spearheading their sales effort in Asia.

He comes to Lynden International with a background in the transportation industry. Most recently, Clifford was a vice president with Schenker. He has also worked for Danzas AEI.

 

Appel leads Farm Bureau for ninth term

Steve Appel, a Central Washington grain farmer, was elected to a ninth consecutive one-year term as president of the Washington Farm Bureau, an advocacy organization representing 50,000 farmers and ranchers from across the state.

Since 1996, the farm bureau has more than doubled its membership, adding 6,000 new members in the past year.

“We have grown by being positive and upbeat about the future of agriculture and never feeling defeated,” he said. “We have maintained the high ground, defending our values – family, personal liberties, property rights and hard work – without backing down.”

Over the next year, he said he would vigorously oppose any plans to raise taxes and fees for business.