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Seguin earns new credential
Connie Seguin, an associate broker with RE/MAX Whatcom County, earned two designations as a Certified New Home Specialist and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. As a new home specialist, Seguin has special knowledge of construction, marketing and sales of new homes.
She has 13 years real estate experience and specializes in custom-built homes and corporate relocations. Seguin has also received multiple awards from RE/MAX.

John L. Scott adds new talent
John L. Scott in Bellingham recently added two new agents.
Kerry Graham came to real estate after 10 years in careers as varied as insurance, waitressing and travel agent. The graduate of the David Hutton Real Estate School joined John L. Scott as a sales associate.
Kari Lossing is also a new sales associate. She comes to real estate with a degree in law and administrative justice. Lossing is interested in new home development.

O’Hara joins Blue Sky
Meg O’Hara is the new interactive director at Blue Sky Web Solutions in Bellingham.
She has a degree from Western Washington University in new media. O’Hara will focus on Web site design and development.
“Western’s program provides a solid foundation of graphic design and cutting edge technology that so many amateur Web designers lack,” said Rick O’Connor, owner of Blue Sky.

Larson now at college foundation
Mark Larson, former director of the Whatcom County United Way, is now managing director of the Bellingham Technical College Foundation.
As president of the United Way, Larson raised nearly $14 million for local charities. He was also part of the management team that opened Bellingham’s Costco store.
The BTC Foundation is designed to raise money in support of scholarship, faculty and staff development, and community awareness.

Western hires media coordinator
Amy Cloud, who was most recently news coordinator at KVOS TV, is now media coordinator in Western Washington University’s Office of University Communications.
Cloud joined KVOS when the news department formed in 1990, where she invented and directed the channel’s news coverage. Before that, as public affairs producer, she produced and directed Anchor, the longest running show of its kind in the nation. Cloud has also worked for the 13-30 Corp in Knoxville, Tenn. and Seattle Pacific University.
She is a graduate of Whitman College and is a member of the National Women’s Political Caucus.

Geneser joins Bruce Cox Imports
James Geneser is the new sales manager at Bruce Cox Imports. He brings more than 30 years experience in the auto industry all over California, Hawaii, and Washington State. Bruce Cox Imports specializes in sales and service of Volvo automobiles.

Community Council names new president
Evelyn Ames is the new president of the St. Joseph Hospital Community Council. She replaces Jim Stevens as president.
Ames is a retired president of health education at Western Washington University and has been instrumental in a variety of health education and health improvement initiates in the county.
The community council is a volunteer board serving a citizen advisory function for the hospital, is a sounding board for the hospital, and is the two-way communication link between the hospital and the community.

Wells Fargo adds two business bankers
Wells Fargo hired two new employees for their Bellingham Business Banking center.
Todd Sewell is senior business banking relationship manager for the Bellingham area. He has 17 years banking experience, most recently with Whidbey Island Bank, where he was assistant vice president and loan officer. Sewell has an undergraduate degree in finance and economics from Washington State University.
Teri Buchanan was named business banking associate at the business banking center. She brings 22 years experience, most recently as senior teller at Bank of America and has worked in mortgages and small business banking with Bank of America.
Northwest Computer adds EMP project manager.
Rick Kennedy was lured to Northwest Computer Supplies from Seattle’s Experience Music Project. He will serve on NWCS’ account management team, looking after the key accounts, which comprise some of the biggest companies in Whatcom County.
Kennedy has also worked as attractions operations manager for the Space Needle and has been both a district and regional manager for Radio Shack.

Express Fitness has new owner
Susan Kratochvil purchased Express Fitness and Tan from previous owner, Robin Mirrasoul. Kratochvil said she would leave the overall successful format alone, although she expects to add new programs over time. She is a former Bellingham resident who is happy to have a business opportunity lead her back to town.
Mirrsaoul is selling because she plans to relocate to her hometown in Central Oregon.

Niles earns certification
Peter Niles, designer for adaptations, the design arm of A-1 Builders, received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation. It comes from the U.S. Green Building Council and recognizes his outstanding knowledge in designing structures that have a lower impact on the environment.
Niles has an undergraduate degree in Japanese Studies from Brandeis University and earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. Before joining A-1 Builders, he had his own architecture practice.

Sutherland promoted at Hidden Café
Allison Sutherland is the new assistant manager at Skylarks Hidden Café in Fairhaven. She is now overseeing dining room operations and is responsible for all staffing issues. She joined Skylarks in 2002 as a server and has worked in the hospitality industry since 1996. Sutherland is a graduate of the food service and hospitality program at Bellingham Technical College.

Logos hires academic editor
Mike Heiser is the new academic editor at Logos Bible Software, a Bellingham based publisher of Bible software.
In his new position, Heiser will help build new scholarly tools through the management of text and database products in Greek and Hebrew as well as in-depth bible study products. His hire represents Logos’ new commitment to the academic market.
“Bringing Mike on board is another big step forward as we work to meet the needs of scholarly users doing serious research into the biblical texts,” said Bob Pritchett, president and CEO of Logos Bible
Heiser has a doctoral degree in Hebrew Bible and ancient Semitic languages from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He also has a pair of master’s degrees, one in ancient history with a focus on Egyptology and Syria and Palestine from the University of Pennsylvania and the other in biblical Hebrew from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is capable of translating over a dozen ancient languages, including biblical Hebrew, ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Syriac.

Madrona adds new doctor
Dr. Gary Belcaster joined Madrona Medical Group as a gastroenterologist. His doctorate is from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and two fellowships, one at the University of Florida and one at the University of Wisconsin. Belcaster practiced for six years at Gundersen Lutheran Clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and at NW Gastroenterology in Bellingham.

Multop earns designation
Phil Multop recently completed an Accredited Tax Preparer designation from the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation. ACAT is an independent testing, credentialing and monitoring organization. The tax preparer program is designed to recognize practical knowledge in tax preparation and thorough familiarity with the tax code.
Multop runs his own accounting firm in Bellingham.

Topping lectures in Vienna
Wayne Topping, president of the Topping International Institute, was one of three from North America to present papers at the International Conference for Kinesiology and Health in Austria. Topping’s paper explored the multifaceted origin of migraine headaches.

Jumper becomes trainer
Eric Jumper, of the Jumper Team Real Estate at Keller Williams Realty, is now a certified trainer. He completed a two-day training course at Keller Williams University.
Bell promoted at Olympic
Clinton M. Bell, Jr. is now vice president of business development for Olympic Health Management Systems. He has 28 years’ experience in the health care industry. Bell joined Olympic in 1999 as vice president of planning and administration for Medicare supplement. Before coming to Olympic, Bell worked in varied settings, including a Blue Shield plan, a large teaching hospital, a community hospital and a NATO hospital in Belgium. He has a pair of master’s degrees, one in business administration and one in health care administration.

Bussinger promoted at Haggen
Haggen recently promoted Sue Bussinger to general manager of Market Street Catering. She is responsible for all aspects of the division’s operation.
She joined Haggen in 1994 at the Meridian store. She moved to Barkley Haggen in 1995 and became Ann Bennett coordinator. She helped establish the Just 4 Kids and the Market Street Catering programs.

Bergsma to close gallery
Jody Bergsma has announced she’ll close her gallery early next year to focus on Internet sales and licensed designs.
The last exhibit of her new work will take place on November 19-21. After that, she’ll offer discounts in her gallery until it closes on Jan. 9, 2005.

Haug named outstanding teaching fellow
Peter Haug was named outstanding teaching fellow in the College of Business and Economics.
He is a professor of manufacturing management who earned his master’s from the College of William and Mary and his doctorate from the University of Washington. At Western, he supervises the manufacturing and supply chain management program.
In 1997-98, he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar in the business school at Renmin University in Beijing. In 1998-99, he researched the personal computer industry at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. In 2001, he participated in an exchange program that saw him teach at the University of Iceland.

Carpenter earns certificate
Joseph Carpenter of Merrill Lynch in Bellingham completed the requirements to become a certified investment management analyst. The program is jointly offered by the Investment Management Consultant Association and the Wharton Business School.

Bell now certified planner
Gene Bell, president of Gene Bell and Associates in Bellingham, earned his certified financial planner designation. The designation is given for a combination of experience, coursework and exams.

Lynden firm adds staff, services
JWR Design in Lynden added several staff members, expanding their capabilities.
Owner Sean Hegstad will now work for the company as an architect. He has six years experience in custom home design and earned an undergraduate degree in architecture from Andrews University in Michigan.
Joanne Elordi and Rick Hill joined the company as drafting technicians. With the new staff, JWR Design can now offer more detailed drawings and 3D renderings of designs in addition to help in selecting appropriate construction materials and construction observation.

Banner adds loan officer
Bill Langstraat is a new vice president and commercial loan officer at Banner Bank in Bellingham. He will work with businesses in Whatcom County on their commercial accounts.
Langstraat has an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Washington and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School. Before joining Banner Bank, he worked for Washington Mutual. He has also worked at Key Bank and Bellingham National Bank.

Ridpath now at Premier Wireless
Rob Ridpath joined Premier Wireless as a sales consultant. He has many years experience in business-to-business sales. Premier sells phones and plans for many major cellular providers.

Locke names locals to committees
Gov. Gary Locke named two Whatcom County residents to state commissions.
Bob Kelly, Jr. of Deming will serve another term on the Forest Practices Board. His new term runs until the end of 2007. The board helps establish minimum standards for forest practices and aids in developing procedures for the voluntary development of resource management plans.
Laura Maudsley of Bellingham was appointed to a one-year term on the state’s independent living council. The council is charged with helping disabled people with employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence and integration into the broader society.

Seguin earns new credential Connie Seguin, an associate broker with RE/MAX Whatcom County, earned two designations as a Certified New Home Specialist and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. As a new home specialist, Seguin has special knowledge of construction, marketing and sales of new homes. She has 13 years real estate experience and specializes in custom-built homes and corporate relocations. Seguin has also received multiple awards from RE/MAX. John L. Scott adds new talent John L. Scott in Bellingham recently added two new agents. Kerry Graham came to real estate after 10 years in careers as varied as insurance, waitressing and travel agent. The graduate of the David Hutton Real Estate School joined John L. Scott as a sales associate. Kari Lossing is also a new sales associate. She comes to real estate with a degree in law and administrative justice. Lossing is interested in new home development. O’Hara joins Blue Sky Meg O’Hara is the new interactive director at Blue Sky Web Solutions in Bellingham. She has a degree from Western Washington University in new media. O’Hara will focus on Web site design and development. “Western’s program provides a solid foundation of graphic design and cutting edge technology that so many amateur Web designers lack,” said Rick O’Connor, owner of Blue Sky. Larson now at college foundation Mark Larson, former director of the Whatcom County United Way, is now managing director of the Bellingham Technical College Foundation. As president of the United Way, Larson raised nearly $14 million for local charities. He was also part of the management team that opened Bellingham’s Costco store. The BTC Foundation is designed to raise money in support of scholarship, faculty and staff development, and community awareness. Western hires media coordinator Amy Cloud, who was most recently news coordinator at KVOS TV, is now media coordinator in Western Washington University’s Office of University Communications. Cloud joined KVOS when the news department formed in 1990, where she invented and directed the channel’s news coverage. Before that, as public affairs producer, she produced and directed Anchor, the longest running show of its kind in the nation. Cloud has also worked for the 13-30 Corp in Knoxville, Tenn. and Seattle Pacific University. She is a graduate of Whitman College and is a member of the National Women’s Political Caucus. Geneser joins Bruce Cox Imports James Geneser is the new sales manager at Bruce Cox Imports. He brings more than 30 years experience in the auto industry all over California, Hawaii, and Washington State. Bruce Cox Imports specializes in sales and service of Volvo automobiles. Community Council names new president Evelyn Ames is the new president of the St. Joseph Hospital Community Council. She replaces Jim Stevens as president. Ames is a retired president of health education at Western Washington University and has been instrumental in a variety of health education and health improvement initiates in the county. The community council is a volunteer board serving a citizen advisory function for the hospital, is a sounding board for the hospital, and is the two-way communication link between the hospital and the community. Wells Fargo adds two business bankers Wells Fargo hired two new employees for their Bellingham Business Banking center. Todd Sewell is senior business banking relationship manager for the Bellingham area. He has 17 years banking experience, most recently with Whidbey Island Bank, where he was assistant vice president and loan officer. Sewell has an undergraduate degree in finance and economics from Washington State University. Teri Buchanan was named business banking associate at the business banking center. She brings 22 years experience, most recently as senior teller at Bank of America and has worked in mortgages and small business banking with Bank of America. Northwest Computer adds EMP project manager. Rick Kennedy was lured to Northwest Computer Supplies from Seattle’s Experience Music Project. He will serve on NWCS’ account management team, looking after the key accounts, which comprise some of the biggest companies in Whatcom County. Kennedy has also worked as attractions operations manager for the Space Needle and has been both a district and regional manager for Radio Shack. Express Fitness has new owner Susan Kratochvil purchased Express Fitness and Tan from previous owner, Robin Mirrasoul. Kratochvil said she would leave the overall successful format alone, although she expects to add new programs over time. She is a former Bellingham resident who is happy to have a business opportunity lead her back to town. Mirrsaoul is selling because she plans to relocate to her hometown in Central Oregon. Niles earns certification Peter Niles, designer for adaptations, the design arm of A-1 Builders, received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation. It comes from the U.S. Green Building Council and recognizes his outstanding knowledge in designing structures that have a lower impact on the environment. Niles has an undergraduate degree in Japanese Studies from Brandeis University and earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. Before joining A-1 Builders, he had his own architecture practice. Sutherland promoted at Hidden Café Allison Sutherland is the new assistant manager at Skylarks Hidden Café in Fairhaven. She is now overseeing dining room operations and is responsible for all staffing issues. She joined Skylarks in 2002 as a server and has worked in the hospitality industry since 1996. Sutherland is a graduate of the food service and hospitality program at Bellingham Technical College. Logos hires academic editor Mike Heiser is the new academic editor at Logos Bible Software, a Bellingham based publisher of Bible software. In his new position, Heiser will help build new scholarly tools through the management of text and database products in Greek and Hebrew as well as in-depth bible study products. His hire represents Logos’ new commitment to the academic market. “Bringing Mike on board is another big step forward as we work to meet the needs of scholarly users doing serious research into the biblical texts,” said Bob Pritchett, president and CEO of Logos Bible Heiser has a doctoral degree in Hebrew Bible and ancient Semitic languages from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He also has a pair of master’s degrees, one in ancient history with a focus on Egyptology and Syria and Palestine from the University of Pennsylvania and the other in biblical Hebrew from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is capable of translating over a dozen ancient languages, including biblical Hebrew, ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Syriac. Madrona adds new doctor Dr. Gary Belcaster joined Madrona Medical Group as a gastroenterologist. His doctorate is from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and two fellowships, one at the University of Florida and one at the University of Wisconsin. Belcaster practiced for six years at Gundersen Lutheran Clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and at NW Gastroenterology in Bellingham. Multop earns designation Phil Multop recently completed an Accredited Tax Preparer designation from the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation. ACAT is an independent testing, credentialing and monitoring organization. The tax preparer program is designed to recognize practical knowledge in tax preparation and thorough familiarity with the tax code. Multop runs his own accounting firm in Bellingham. Topping lectures in Vienna Wayne Topping, president of the Topping International Institute, was one of three from North America to present papers at the International Conference for Kinesiology and Health in Austria. Topping’s paper explored the multifaceted origin of migraine headaches. Jumper becomes trainer Eric Jumper, of the Jumper Team Real Estate at Keller Williams Realty, is now a certified trainer. He completed a two-day training course at Keller Williams University. Bell promoted at Olympic Clinton M. Bell, Jr. is now vice president of business development for Olympic Health Management Systems. He has 28 years’ experience in the health care industry. Bell joined Olympic in 1999 as vice president of planning and administration for Medicare supplement. Before coming to Olympic, Bell worked in varied settings, including a Blue Shield plan, a large teaching hospital, a community hospital and a NATO hospital in Belgium. He has a pair of master’s degrees, one in business administration and one in health care administration. Bussinger promoted at Haggen Haggen recently promoted Sue Bussinger to general manager of Market Street Catering. She is responsible for all aspects of the division’s operation. She joined Haggen in 1994 at the Meridian store. She moved to Barkley Haggen in 1995 and became Ann Bennett coordinator. She helped establish the Just 4 Kids and the Market Street Catering programs. Bergsma to close gallery Jody Bergsma has announced she’ll close her gallery early next year to focus on Internet sales and licensed designs. The last exhibit of her new work will take place on November 19-21. After that, she’ll offer discounts in her gallery until it closes on Jan. 9, 2005. Haug named outstanding teaching fellow Peter Haug was named outstanding teaching fellow in the College of Business and Economics. He is a professor of manufacturing management who earned his master’s from the College of William and Mary and his doctorate from the University of Washington. At Western, he supervises the manufacturing and supply chain management program. In 1997-98, he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar in the business school at Renmin University in Beijing. In 1998-99, he researched the personal computer industry at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. In 2001, he participated in an exchange program that saw him teach at the University of Iceland. Carpenter earns certificate Joseph Carpenter of Merrill Lynch in Bellingham completed the requirements to become a certified investment management analyst. The program is jointly offered by the Investment Management Consultant Association and the Wharton Business School. Bell now certified planner Gene Bell, president of Gene Bell and Associates in Bellingham, earned his certified financial planner designation. The designation is given for a combination of experience, coursework and exams. Lynden firm adds staff, services JWR Design in Lynden added several staff members, expanding their capabilities. Owner Sean Hegstad will now work for the company as an architect. He has six years experience in custom home design and earned an undergraduate degree in architecture from Andrews University in Michigan. Joanne Elordi and Rick Hill joined the company as drafting technicians. With the new staff, JWR Design can now offer more detailed drawings and 3D renderings of designs in addition to help in selecting appropriate construction materials and construction observation. Banner adds loan officer Bill Langstraat is a new vice president and commercial loan officer at Banner Bank in Bellingham. He will work with businesses in Whatcom County on their commercial accounts. Langstraat has an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Washington and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School. Before joining Banner Bank, he worked for Washington Mutual. He has also worked at Key Bank and Bellingham National Bank. Ridpath now at Premier Wireless Rob Ridpath joined Premier Wireless as a sales consultant. He has many years experience in business-to-business sales. Premier sells phones and plans for many major cellular providers. Locke names locals to committees Gov. Gary Locke named two Whatcom County residents to state commissions. Bob Kelly, Jr. of Deming will serve another term on the Forest Practices Board. His new term runs until the end of 2007. The board helps establish minimum standards for forest practices and aids in developing procedures for the voluntary development of resource management plans. Laura Maudsley of Bellingham was appointed to a one-year term on the state’s independent living council. The council is charged with helping disabled people with employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence and integration into the broader society.
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