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Smith earns insurance license
Von Smith recently received his property and casualty insurance broker license. Smith is the vice president of Bob Wallin Insurance and handles all aspects of commercial insurance. He has been in the insurance industry since 1985 and with Bob Wallin Insurance since 1997. He holds a Certified Insurance Counselor professional designation.

Keller Williams realtors honored
J.D. Merris of Keller Williams was recently named “Realtor of the First Quarter” by the Whatcom County Association of Realtors.
Merris was honored because of his consistent commitment to the real estate profession, the local association and the community. In addition to his work as a realtor, Merris participates in a number of local association committees, is a member of this year’s Board of Directors and was last year’s “Mr. Pitch It” at the Wednesday networking meetings. He has also served on the Habitat for Humanity committee for the last four years, and is an active member of the theatrical community.
Karen Dolan of Stewart Title was recently honored with the Association’s Affiliate of the First Quarter award. Presented to the affiliate member who demonstrates professionalism and support of the real estate industry, Dolan was honored for her work on behalf of the local association and the community. Dolan consistently goes out of her way to serve her customers, and always with a professional, upbeat attitude. In addition to her work at Stewart Title, Dolan has repeatedly supported the efforts of the local association and the community by assisting with Education Day, bowling fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity, the Association’s golf tournament and serving as this year’s “sunshine” hostess at the weekly meetings.

Farmers Insurance agent receives award
Rollo Van Slyke, owner of the Rollo Van Slyke Farmers Insurance Agency, Inc., located at 518 E. Magnolia Street in Bellingham, has qualified as a ‘Topper Club’ Agent by Farmers Insurance for the 16th consecutive year. As a company reward, Van Slyke has been invited to Boston, Massachusetts to attend the 2005 annual meeting of Farmers’ top sales producers during 2004. The ‘Topper Club’ award is given to agents for consistently high sales volume of auto, home, life and business policies, plus high client retention, service and profitability.

Grene joins Fairhaven Realty
Candice Grene recently joined Fairhaven Realty as a full time realtor. She was previously licensed in Florida and New Jersey. Prior to re-establishing her real estate career in Bellingham, Grene was a cost accounting manager for an aerospace corporation inEverett, where she was responsible for overseeing a multi-million dollar inventory. She offers that same level of professionalism and integrity to her real estate clients.

NCCU adds new investment representative
North Coast Credit Union recently hired Richard Butler as its investment representative for Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC.
Former Investment Representative Alex Wiley will be leaving to pursue other interests. Financial Network is a national securities brokerage firm, which North Coast has formed an alliance with to offer investment services to members and the general public.

RE/MAX realtor honored by Leads Club
Julie Carpenter, a Realtor with Whatcom County RE/MAX, Inc., has been named Leader of the Year 2004 for outstanding contributions to the Bellingham Women’s Division of Leads Club.
Carpenter, a nine-year member of the Bellingham Women’s Leads Club, has served four times on its leadership team. She currently is its director.
With more than 10 years of real-estate sales experience, Carpenter specializes in residential listings and buyer representation. She earned the Accredited Buyers Representative designation and graduated from the Realtors Institute.
Leads Club was founded in 1976 by Ali Lassen, an educator and businesswoman in California. It is the original networking group designed specifically to assist members to build their businesses.

Peoples Bank hires Nyland
Peoples Bank recently hired Shirley Nyland as Investment Representative at the Bank’s Mount Vernon Financial Center.Nyland joins Peoples Bank with more than 11 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been a licensed investment professional since 1997. In her new position, Nyland will be responsible for assisting customers in Skagit County with non-bank investment services, including mutual funds, annuities and financial and insurance planning. She is a member of the Skagit County Dahlia Society and is a past volunteer of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.Peoples Bank is a $655 million, independent community bank. The bank was founded in 1921 and operates 23 branches, plus a loan production office in Medford, Oregon.

Osborn hired by John L. Scott
Julie Osborn recently joined the John L. Scott Bellingham team.With her experience working as a business owner, Osborn joins the realty industry for a second time. Her first experience with real estate went phenomenally well and, after taking time to raise a family, she looks forward to positively impacting the Bellingham real estate market again.The John L. Scott Bellingham office is located at 2930 Newmarket St, Suite 111, in Bellingham.
Brown & Cole makes changes in Whatcom County
Brown & Cole recently made a number of personnel changes in its Whatcom County stores.
Randy Allgire joined the company team as category manager of the Center Store. His responsibilities include organic, nutritional and specialty foods, Hispanic products and beer and wine. Allgire has a degree in business administration from the University of Washington. Before joining Brown &Cole, Allgire served at Gigante as the buyer for Center Store, Liquor and Beer.
Bobbie Harper is now the company’s customer care champion. Harper’s role includes working with store teams to enhance customer service. Prior to her promotion, Harper served as a customer relationship manager at Southside Food Pavilion in Bellingham.
Baine Werny was promoted to information services director of Brown & Cole Stores. For the past three years Werny served as senior retail systems manager at Brown & Cole. Werny graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in business administration and computer services.
Debbie English has joined Brown & Cole stores as director of general merchandise and health and beauty care. Previously, English served as director of general merchandise and health and beauty care for Brown & Cole’s primary wholesaler, Associated Grocers of Seattle.
Tricia Callahan promoted to store manager at Everson Red Apple. Callahan enhanced her on-the-job learning by completing Brown & Cole’s management selection process and the company’s rigorous leadership effectiveness and development program.
David Puhan was promoted to director of grocery for the company. Puhan earned a degree in business and finance from Western Washington University. Puhan previously worked as a grocery division manager for Brown & Cole Stores.

Trafton joins Bank of the Pacific
Mike Trafton recently joined The Bank of the Pacific as the Vice President of Real Estate Lending.
Trafton brings more than seven years of residential mortgage banking experience, as well as a private business of architecture, development, and construction background to The Bank of the Pacific.
Located at 1007 15th Street in Anacortes, The Bank of the Pacific will provide residential and commercial financing services.
Pacific Financial Corporation is the financial holding company of The Bank of the Pacific.
McEvoy attends Tellington Touch massage class
Molly McEvoy, a feline pampering specialist at Cat Nap Inn Bed & Breakfast Exclusively for Cats, recently attended a Tellington Touch (TTouch) massage training seminar focusing on massage techniques and their uses. The Cat Nap Inn is committed to cats’ health and safety while providing a pleasurable experience for both the owner and the cat. Additional services include caring for diabetic guests to massage sessions

Local realtor appointed to Leadership Institute
Mark Brown of Winderemere Real Estate/Whatcom, Inc. has been selected to participate in the Leadership Institute NW, a program designed to enhance realtors’ leadership skills and prepare them for future leadership positions in their local and state associations. Only 14 realtors were chosen from 35,000 in the states of Washington and Oregon. Brown is the only one from Whatcom County. He recently attended the second leadership training session in April.
Northwest Leadership Institute is a joint operation between the Washington and Oregon Association of Realtors state offices, designed to train and equip both future and present leaders within local and eventually state level involvement with their respective state associations.
The Committee sought representation from a cross-section of the profession.
These leaders and potential leaders were chosen for their activity in business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organizations or real estate specialty areas.

Faber and Sampson earn Architectural license
Tim Faber and James Simpson of the Stewart & King Partnership Architects in Fairhaven recently completed the requirements to become registered architects in the state of Washington.
Faber is responsible for project management, construction administration and computer drafting at the firm. With nearly 20 years combined experience in architectural design and the construction industry, he brings invaluable hands-on experience and a practical knowledge to every project. He is a LEED Accredited Professional in green building practices.
Simpson joined the company after working as a senior architect with a large firm in Colorado. He has an extensive background in architectural design, project management, cost analysis, specifications writing and computer drafting. Simpson’s experience consists of government related construction contracts for new and existing facilities, healthcare, transportation and storage facilities.

Trafton joins Bank of the Pacific
Mike Trafton recently joined The Bank of the Pacific as the Vice President of Real Estate Lending.
Trafton brings more than seven years of residential mortgage banking experience, as well as a private business of architecture, development, and construction background to The Bank of the Pacific.
Located at 1007 15th Street in Anacortes, The Bank of the Pacific will provide residential and commercial financing services.
Pacific Financial Corporation is the financial holding company of The Bank of the Pacific. The Bank of the Pacific is a $450 million corporation that currently operates fifteen Washington branches within Grays Harbor, Whatcom, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties.

Ranger joins Core Therapeutics
Kate Ranger has joined Core Therapeutics Physical Therapy & Pilates Studio and will be providing Personal Pilates Fitness Training for individuals and pairs starting May 2005.Ranger, formerly of Bellingham Athletic Club, has been in the fitness industry since 2000, after earning her BS in Fitness and Exercise Science at WWU. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health/Fitness instructor and has completed the Polestar Pilates Studio Training series. She designs customized fitness programs integrating pilates, dance and science-based fitness methods. She bringsher expertise from her work at Bellingham Athletic Club.Core Therapeutics Physical Therapy & Pilates Studio is located at 1000 McKenzie Avenue, Suite 15 in Fairhaven and is owned by Elizabeth Hampton, PT.

John L. Scott hires Ballou
Niki Ballou recently joined John L. Scott’s Bellingham office.
Ballou has a real estate license and is also trained as a paralegal and joins the office with experience in sales and as a loan officer. She enjoys golfing and spending time with her children in her spare time.

Smith earns insurance license Von Smith recently received his property and casualty insurance broker license. Smith is the vice president of Bob Wallin Insurance and handles all aspects of commercial insurance. He has been in the insurance industry since 1985 and with Bob Wallin Insurance since 1997. He holds a Certified Insurance Counselor professional designation. Keller Williams realtors honored J.D. Merris of Keller Williams was recently named “Realtor of the First Quarter” by the Whatcom County Association of Realtors. Merris was honored because of his consistent commitment to the real estate profession, the local association and the community. In addition to his work as a realtor, Merris participates in a number of local association committees, is a member of this year’s Board of Directors and was last year’s “Mr. Pitch It” at the Wednesday networking meetings. He has also served on the Habitat for Humanity committee for the last four years, and is an active member of the theatrical community. Karen Dolan of Stewart Title was recently honored with the Association’s Affiliate of the First Quarter award. Presented to the affiliate member who demonstrates professionalism and support of the real estate industry, Dolan was honored for her work on behalf of the local association and the community. Dolan consistently goes out of her way to serve her customers, and always with a professional, upbeat attitude. In addition to her work at Stewart Title, Dolan has repeatedly supported the efforts of the local association and the community by assisting with Education Day, bowling fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity, the Association’s golf tournament and serving as this year’s “sunshine” hostess at the weekly meetings. Farmers Insurance agent receives award Rollo Van Slyke, owner of the Rollo Van Slyke Farmers Insurance Agency, Inc., located at 518 E. Magnolia Street in Bellingham, has qualified as a ‘Topper Club’ Agent by Farmers Insurance for the 16th consecutive year. As a company reward, Van Slyke has been invited to Boston, Massachusetts to attend the 2005 annual meeting of Farmers’ top sales producers during 2004. The ‘Topper Club’ award is given to agents for consistently high sales volume of auto, home, life and business policies, plus high client retention, service and profitability. Grene joins Fairhaven Realty Candice Grene recently joined Fairhaven Realty as a full time realtor. She was previously licensed in Florida and New Jersey. Prior to re-establishing her real estate career in Bellingham, Grene was a cost accounting manager for an aerospace corporation inEverett, where she was responsible for overseeing a multi-million dollar inventory. She offers that same level of professionalism and integrity to her real estate clients. NCCU adds new investment representative North Coast Credit Union recently hired Richard Butler as its investment representative for Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC. Former Investment Representative Alex Wiley will be leaving to pursue other interests. Financial Network is a national securities brokerage firm, which North Coast has formed an alliance with to offer investment services to members and the general public. RE/MAX realtor honored by Leads Club Julie Carpenter, a Realtor with Whatcom County RE/MAX, Inc., has been named Leader of the Year 2004 for outstanding contributions to the Bellingham Women’s Division of Leads Club. Carpenter, a nine-year member of the Bellingham Women’s Leads Club, has served four times on its leadership team. She currently is its director. With more than 10 years of real-estate sales experience, Carpenter specializes in residential listings and buyer representation. She earned the Accredited Buyers Representative designation and graduated from the Realtors Institute. Leads Club was founded in 1976 by Ali Lassen, an educator and businesswoman in California. It is the original networking group designed specifically to assist members to build their businesses. Peoples Bank hires Nyland Peoples Bank recently hired Shirley Nyland as Investment Representative at the Bank’s Mount Vernon Financial Center.Nyland joins Peoples Bank with more than 11 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been a licensed investment professional since 1997. In her new position, Nyland will be responsible for assisting customers in Skagit County with non-bank investment services, including mutual funds, annuities and financial and insurance planning. She is a member of the Skagit County Dahlia Society and is a past volunteer of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.Peoples Bank is a $655 million, independent community bank. The bank was founded in 1921 and operates 23 branches, plus a loan production office in Medford, Oregon. Osborn hired by John L. Scott Julie Osborn recently joined the John L. Scott Bellingham team.With her experience working as a business owner, Osborn joins the realty industry for a second time. Her first experience with real estate went phenomenally well and, after taking time to raise a family, she looks forward to positively impacting the Bellingham real estate market again.The John L. Scott Bellingham office is located at 2930 Newmarket St, Suite 111, in Bellingham. Brown & Cole makes changes in Whatcom County Brown & Cole recently made a number of personnel changes in its Whatcom County stores. Randy Allgire joined the company team as category manager of the Center Store. His responsibilities include organic, nutritional and specialty foods, Hispanic products and beer and wine. Allgire has a degree in business administration from the University of Washington. Before joining Brown &Cole, Allgire served at Gigante as the buyer for Center Store, Liquor and Beer. Bobbie Harper is now the company’s customer care champion. Harper’s role includes working with store teams to enhance customer service. Prior to her promotion, Harper served as a customer relationship manager at Southside Food Pavilion in Bellingham. Baine Werny was promoted to information services director of Brown & Cole Stores. For the past three years Werny served as senior retail systems manager at Brown & Cole. Werny graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in business administration and computer services. Debbie English has joined Brown & Cole stores as director of general merchandise and health and beauty care. Previously, English served as director of general merchandise and health and beauty care for Brown & Cole’s primary wholesaler, Associated Grocers of Seattle. Tricia Callahan promoted to store manager at Everson Red Apple. Callahan enhanced her on-the-job learning by completing Brown & Cole’s management selection process and the company’s rigorous leadership effectiveness and development program. David Puhan was promoted to director of grocery for the company. Puhan earned a degree in business and finance from Western Washington University. Puhan previously worked as a grocery division manager for Brown & Cole Stores. Trafton joins Bank of the Pacific Mike Trafton recently joined The Bank of the Pacific as the Vice President of Real Estate Lending. Trafton brings more than seven years of residential mortgage banking experience, as well as a private business of architecture, development, and construction background to The Bank of the Pacific. Located at 1007 15th Street in Anacortes, The Bank of the Pacific will provide residential and commercial financing services. Pacific Financial Corporation is the financial holding company of The Bank of the Pacific. McEvoy attends Tellington Touch massage class Molly McEvoy, a feline pampering specialist at Cat Nap Inn Bed & Breakfast Exclusively for Cats, recently attended a Tellington Touch (TTouch) massage training seminar focusing on massage techniques and their uses. The Cat Nap Inn is committed to cats’ health and safety while providing a pleasurable experience for both the owner and the cat. Additional services include caring for diabetic guests to massage sessions Local realtor appointed to Leadership Institute Mark Brown of Winderemere Real Estate/Whatcom, Inc. has been selected to participate in the Leadership Institute NW, a program designed to enhance realtors’ leadership skills and prepare them for future leadership positions in their local and state associations. Only 14 realtors were chosen from 35,000 in the states of Washington and Oregon. Brown is the only one from Whatcom County. He recently attended the second leadership training session in April. Northwest Leadership Institute is a joint operation between the Washington and Oregon Association of Realtors state offices, designed to train and equip both future and present leaders within local and eventually state level involvement with their respective state associations. The Committee sought representation from a cross-section of the profession. These leaders and potential leaders were chosen for their activity in business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organizations or real estate specialty areas. Faber and Sampson earn Architectural license Tim Faber and James Simpson of the Stewart & King Partnership Architects in Fairhaven recently completed the requirements to become registered architects in the state of Washington. Faber is responsible for project management, construction administration and computer drafting at the firm. With nearly 20 years combined experience in architectural design and the construction industry, he brings invaluable hands-on experience and a practical knowledge to every project. He is a LEED Accredited Professional in green building practices. Simpson joined the company after working as a senior architect with a large firm in Colorado. He has an extensive background in architectural design, project management, cost analysis, specifications writing and computer drafting. Simpson’s experience consists of government related construction contracts for new and existing facilities, healthcare, transportation and storage facilities. Trafton joins Bank of the Pacific Mike Trafton recently joined The Bank of the Pacific as the Vice President of Real Estate Lending. Trafton brings more than seven years of residential mortgage banking experience, as well as a private business of architecture, development, and construction background to The Bank of the Pacific. Located at 1007 15th Street in Anacortes, The Bank of the Pacific will provide residential and commercial financing services. Pacific Financial Corporation is the financial holding company of The Bank of the Pacific. The Bank of the Pacific is a $450 million corporation that currently operates fifteen Washington branches within Grays Harbor, Whatcom, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties. Ranger joins Core Therapeutics Kate Ranger has joined Core Therapeutics Physical Therapy & Pilates Studio and will be providing Personal Pilates Fitness Training for individuals and pairs starting May 2005.Ranger, formerly of Bellingham Athletic Club, has been in the fitness industry since 2000, after earning her BS in Fitness and Exercise Science at WWU. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health/Fitness instructor and has completed the Polestar Pilates Studio Training series. She designs customized fitness programs integrating pilates, dance and science-based fitness methods. She bringsher expertise from her work at Bellingham Athletic Club.Core Therapeutics Physical Therapy & Pilates Studio is located at 1000 McKenzie Avenue, Suite 15 in Fairhaven and is owned by Elizabeth Hampton, PT. John L. Scott hires Ballou Niki Ballou recently joined John L. Scott’s Bellingham office. Ballou has a real estate license and is also trained as a paralegal and joins the office with experience in sales and as a loan officer. She enjoys golfing and spending time with her children in her spare time.
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