Snowboard magazine shuffles the deck
Frequency: The Snowboarders Journal recently announced a round of promotions and additions at its Bellingham headquarters.
After being picked up by editor Jeff Galbraith while hitchhiking to Mt. Baker, Western Washington University business graduate Matt Wibby was hired as the international magazine’s advertising and marketing coordinator. Wibby previously worked as a marketing intern at K2 Snowboards.
Carey Ross, longtime copy editor for the publication, has moved into the position of associate editor. Also a WWU graduate, Ross has worked as an editor and music critic at several local publications.
John Laing, former associate editor and pro snowboarder, has been promoted to senior editor.
Finally, the office also gained a new security feature in the form of a 14-pound yellow lab named “Doc.”

Cartwright Creative Group
promotes and adds staff
Cartwright Creative Group LLC, a full-service marketing, advertising, design and public relations company based in Bellingham, recently made some staffing changes.
Rebecca Collins, former media coordinator with the firm, has been promoted to media manager. Collins is a Western Washington University communications graduate and was previously employed at KVOS-TV before joining CCG.
Simona Hughes has been added as an additional graphic designer. Hughes has a degree in fine art from WWU and a graphic design degree from Whatcom Community College.

Palmer to manage Fitness Gear Inc.
Zachary Palmer, a student at Whatcom Community College, recently took over management responsibilities at Fitness Gear Inc. Palmer will replace his father and mother, Bob and Pat, who own the business and are relocating to Kauai, Hawaii to manage three condominium complexes on the island.
Zachary has worked at Fitness Gear for the past two years and soon plans to transfer from WCC to a school for Chiropractic.

Emerald Bay Events trains new accountant
Jason Hetrick of Emerald Bay Events has been taking classes at the University of Phoenix in pursuit of his master’s in accounting and finance. He also recently took over for Jenna Wehrell as the production accountant for Emerald Bay Events.
Wehrell is leaving the company to become an auditor with the Department of Revenue.
Emerald Bay Events is a full service events and catering company.

Wilson Engineering welcomes new land surveyor
Wilson Engineering, LLC recently added Stefan Laufer, PLS, to its professional staff. Laufer has 14 years of surveying experience in Alaska and Washington where he supervised multiple crews.
Wilson Engineering provides civil engineering, land and hydrographic surveying to clients in the Pacific Northwest.

Cascade Mall gets new marketing manager
Stacey Ames recently became the new senior marketing manager at Cascade Mall in Burlington. Ames is currently the marketing manager at Kitsap Mall in Silverdale and will continue that job while working at Cascade Mall.
Ames has worked for the Macerich Company, which owns the mall, for six years.

Skagit Pediatrics welcomes new pediatrician
Catherine Nelson, M.D., recently joined the staff at Skagit Pediatrics in Mount Vernon. Nelson has a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a Master of Public Health degree from John Hopkins University in Baltimore.

PGA Pro takes overBarkley Driving Range
Professional Golfers’ Association professional Dean Russell recently took over operations at the driving range and pro shop in Barkley Village. Russell, a Ferndale native and long-time Whatcom County resident, renamed the driving range The Hitting Zone and the pro shop Dean Russell’s Golf Shop.
Russell has been a member of the PGA for 22 years, and been twice named “professional of the year” by the Western Washington chapter of the PGA. He coached the men’s and women’s golf teams at Western Washington University for five and four years, and was head golf pro at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club for nearly 16 years.
The Hitting Zone features 24 covered hitting stalls, a grass tee box, and a putting and chipping green. Group and private lessons are available as well as video lessons, which are free of charge.

Villhauer receives A.F. McKenzie
Achievement Award
Bellingham Edward Jones investment representative Tim Villhauer recently received the A.F. McKenzie Achievement Award for outstanding sales and service efforts for this past year.
Villhauer has served Bellingham since 2000 and is one out of nine award recipients, which were chosen out of the firm’s more than 9,000 investment representatives.
The award is named for Al McKenzie, who developed the firm’s training program during his nearly 60 years as an Edward Jones employee.
Villhauer also recently achieved the professional designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist.

Willner participates in Ninth Circuit
Judicial Conference
Jennifer R. Willner, of Willner Law Firm P.S., was invited to participate in the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference as one of eight lawyer representatives of the Western District of Washington. This year’s topic is “Perils and Possibilities: The Courts in an Uncertain World.”
The annual conference was held in Spokane and serves as an educational forum for federal judges. The Ninth Circuit is comprised of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Arizona, and is the largest federal court circuit in the United States.
Willner is a local labor and employment attorney whose law practice concentrates on representing management.

Local financial representative receives the Emerald Award
Paul D. Twedt of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network received the Emerald Award for outstanding sales achievement at the Association of Networking Representatives’ 125th annual meeting.

2020 Engineering recognized at North American Rainwater Harvesting Conference
Mark Buehrer, PE, owner of 2020 ENGINEERING, Inc. of Bellingham, received an award for his role as conference co-chairman at the North American Rainwater Harvesting Conference.
The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association sponsored the conference in Seattle and there were attendees from more than 30 states and eight different countries.

Big Brothers Big Sisters welcomes new board members
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington recently acquired seven new members to its board of directors.
Brian Alkire, a Mount Vernon attorney; Judith Conner, program director at Secret Harbor in Skagit County; Tanya Rowe, communications director for the Bellingham School District; Bruce Keckley, Anacortes resident and engineer at Shell Puget Sound Refinery; Phil Swabb, executive vice president of the Bank of the Pacific; Kay Martin, Mount Vernon resident and the human resources manager at Janicki Industries; and Jack Schumacher, human resources manager at Georgia-Pacific’s Bellingham operations, are all excited to begin their post on the board.

Bott joins Premier Automotive Service & Repair
Longtime Bellingham resident Kyle Bott recently joined the staff at Premier Automotive Service & Repair in Bellingham. Bott has more than 19 years of automotive service and repair experience. He is also an ASE certified technician, service consultant and parts specialist.
Prior to joining Premier, Bott worked for seven years as a mobile auto service technician with Trottner’s Automotive in Bellingham.

Grams goes All American
Country Insurance & Financial Services named agent Ryan Grams of Bellingham to the organization’s All American team. Gram has received the honor two times prior and is among a group of more than 460 top Country agents and agency managers who qualified for the award, which recognizes top-producing agents. Grams works at Country’s Lynden location.

Northwestern Mutual Financial
Network welcomes Cummings
Bev Cummings recently joined Northwestern Mutual Financial Network’s Bellingham office as a financial representative assistant to Paul D. Twedt, CLU. Cummings, an Edmonds native, has more than 20 years experience at Northwestern Mutual’s Everett and Seattle locations.

Lakeway Inn names new director of sales
Lakeway Inn welcomes Kirk Pankey as the new director of sales at Bellingham’s Best Western at Lakeway Inn.
Pankey has 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry and will oversee the sales and marketing of Bellingham’s largest hotel.

Southcott earns the “Advantage”
Layne Southcott from Bellingham Keller Williams Real Estate recently completed an eight-week Advantage program for high professionalism in the career of real estate consultant. State-certified Real Estate Instructor Jodi Snipes facilitated the course.
Participants researched, studied and practiced advanced skills such as negotiating win-win outcomes for their clients during the eight week course. Advantage is a state-certified real estate course designed by Carla Cross, a nationally recognized real estate educator.

Burlington’s MTC welcomes two new employees
Materials Testing and Consulting, Inc. recently hired two new employees: Dick Andrews and Matt Veenstra.
Andrews accepted the position of construction services manager of MTC. He has more than 40 years of experience in construction management for public and private sector projects.
Veenstra joined MTC as part of its geotechnical engineering division. Veenstra recently completed a civil engineering master’s degree with a geotechnical emphasis and has attained State Engineer in Training Certificate from Iowa State University.

Re/Max hires three new realtors
Jana Guy, an eight-year Sudden Valley resident, joined Re/Max’s Lakeway location and brings more than 10 years of sales experience Guy specializes in residential properties and new construction and has sold real estate since 2003.
Herb Thalen and Jereme Hakala joined the Lynden Re/Max branch. Thalen brings more than 20 years of sales experience and seven years of real estate. Thalen focuses on construction and renovation projects.
Hakala brings to Re/Max 10 years of sales experience and four years of real estate experience. He focuses on residential and land sales throughout the county.

Pacific Recovery adds Naturopathic Physician
Pacific Recovery and Healing Center recently added Dr. Nael Dagstani and Naturopathic Medicine to its current family of practitioners and modalities that include Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Massage Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.
Dagstani received his Naturopathic medical degree from Bastyr University in 2003, and his undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition and Foods from Virginia Tech in 1996.
Blueford named a member of MITEC
Dolores Blueford, project coordinator for Northwest Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology in Mount Vernon, was named a member of the Marine Industry Technical Education Council.
The MITEC selection committee reviewed approximately 50 volunteer candidate resumes and chose 22 to serve on the MITEC.

Waldorf School gains enrollment coordinator
The Whatcom Hills Waldorf School recently hired Gabriel Miles as the new enrollment coordinator. Miles brings experience from previous jobs as an enrollment coordinator at the San Francisco Art Institute, coordinator of academic advisement at the Pratt Institute and admissions counselor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Miles is in charge of promoting the Waldorf School’s K – 8 program in the greater Bellingham area.
Head Start Director selected for Skagit Valley College
Skagit Valley College recently selected Dr. Joan Youngquist as the director of the college’s Skagit/Islands Head Start program.
Youngquist, who has served as interim director during the past year and a half, will manage 10 Head Start program locations in Skagit, Island and San Juan counties.
She has more than 10 years of experience working in early childhood education including experience as a grant coordinator, instructor, and director and lead provider.

Three local lawyers declared “super”
Washington Law & Politics Magazine named three Whatcom County lawyers to its 2005 list of Washington “Super Lawyers.” Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis was selected in the category of business/corporate law; Robert Tull of Langabeer & Tull was selected in the land use law category; and Dean Brett of Brett & Daugert was selected in the plaintiff’s personal injury category.
Each year, Washington Law & Politics Magazine compiles a comprehensive list of outstanding lawyers in more than 50 areas of practice. The lawyers selected are considered among the best in their profession and Super Lawyers represent 5 percent of the practicing lawyers in Washington state.

Wilson Engineering welcomes Law, Donohue
Registered Professional Engineer Andrew Law recently joined the staff at Wilson Engineering LLS along with engineer-in-training Ellen M. Donohue.
Law has approximately 14 years of experience in civil and water resources in the Northwest, and Donohue has seven years of experience in survey and engineering in Alaska.

New employee puts clients to sleep
Zachery Webb, a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist joined the staff at Northstar Associates, where he will practice sleep medicine.

WWU Board welcomes Imhof
Production manager at Cascade Dafo Inc., Dennis Imhof, has been named to the Manufacturing and Operations Management Advisory Board at Western Washington University.
Cascade Dafo, with more than 100 employees, is a designer and manufacturer of customized pediatric orthoses is based in Ferndale.

Brigid Collins boosts staff
Gail Tierney was recently promoted to coordinator of the Child Sexual Assault Services & Support program at Brigid Collins Family Support Center. Tierney has been with Brigid Collins since 2004 and previously worked as the Family Support Team case manager.
Long–time case manager Megan Brown was also promoted to coordinator for Brigid Collins’ new Parent-Child Interaction Therapy program. Brown has been with Brigid Collins since 2001.
Laura Thiel was hired as a case manager for the Family Support Team program after serving as an intern for two years while earning her bachelor’s in human services from Western Washington University.
Marcia Joye was also hired as a case manager in the Growing Together program. Joye recently relocated from Utah, where she earned her master’s degree after retiring as a teacher and librarian.

Local accountant earns presidential honors
Gene R. Bell, EA, CFP and owner to Gene Bell & Associates, was elected president of the Washington Association of Accountants in June. Bell will serve as president for one year.
The Association is comprised of accountants, enrolled agents, CPA’s, bookkeepers and tax preparers. The WAA has approximately 400 active members statewide.

Culligan franchise floats staff changes
A local Culligan Water Inc. franchise recently promoted Shane Winsenberg of Burlington to sales manager. Winsenberg has seven years of experience in the water industry, and has worked the past two years with the Culligan franchise.
Also, Kirk Levaque,of Mount Vernon was hired to the company’s sales staff. Levaque has eight years in the water industry with three of those years in sales.


Robinson takes position at the
Museum of Northwest Art
The Museum of Northwest Art’s board of trustees recently selected Gregory M. Robinson as the new executive director.
Robinson has more than 20 years of experience at nonprofit organizations. He is currently the director of the William Traver Gallery.

Cox joins WCC staff
Terry Cox recently became the new Workforce Education director for Whatcom Community College. Cox previously worked in Workforce Education at Centralia College.
She received a bachelor’s in economics from St. Martins College and will finish her master’s at Washington State University this year.

Nursing faculty at WCC gains new employee
Susan Windnagel joined the nursing faculty at Whatcom Community College. She will began her post this fall and will be teaching full-time. Windnagel has a B.S.N from the University of New Mexico and a M.S. from the University of Wyoming in nursing.

First American Title announces personnel changes
First American Title Company recently added Alex Wiley in the Sales and Marketing Department. Wiley joins First American with a background in financial services.

Local yogini earns top honors
Ingela Abbott, director of Yoga Northwest recently passed the National Iyengar Yoga Assessment Examination in San Diego. She was granted the elite certification of a Senior Iyengar Yoga Instructor, the most challenging exam in the world of Yoga today. She is now one of only three teachers north of San Francisco and 35 nationally who have achieved this title. Abbott’s 25 years of experience teaching yoga and her intense personal practice prepared her for the Iyengar Yoga Certification. In addition, she has successfully expanded her studio to incorporate seven Iyengar instructors, offering 30 weekly classes from beginning to advanced levels including specialty classes for back care, prenatal, kids and teens. Abbott also conducts workshops nationally and abroad and is an assessor herself for the National Iyengar Certification process. Her dedication and passion for yoga is evident in the more than 5,000 Whatcom County residents who have studied at Yoga Northwest and learned to stretch and relax.
The Iyengar method is a dynamic form of yoga recognized by the medical community nationwide for its highly trained instructors, who teach with precision, depth and individual care. Yoga Northwest, an Iyengar studio, is located in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham. For more information, call 647-0712 or visit www.yoganorthwest.com.

Rowe graduates from the Academy
Pat Rowe, the development director at the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, was among the 26 participants in the second year of Academy, a professional development program presented by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.).
The Academy is an interactive 3-day conference on chamber management essentials designed for today’s chamber executives and staff professionals.
“We designed the Academy as a program for this new era of chamber management,” said Dave Kilby, President/CEO of W.A.C.E. “We congratulate all of the participants in our second Academy year and their chambers for having the vision to invest in professional development.”
The Academy curriculum included three-hour presentations on Representing Business Interests with Government, Policy Development, Being on the Cutting Edge of Technology, Budget Preparation and Monitoring, Advanced Chamber Law and Revenue Development for Local Chambers.
W.A.C.E. is an association of chamber of commerce executives and staff professionals in 14 Western States designed to promote and enhance the professional development of chamber of commerce executives. With over 700 members, W.A.C.E. is the largest state or regional association of chamber of commerce executives in the United States.

Community foundation head resigns
After eight years as the first president of Whatcom Community Foundation, Don Drake has announced his resignation effective September 1. Drake admitted that it was a very tough decision.
“This is one year longer than I have worked anywhere; it is time for a new challenge. I feel very fortunate to have been in on the ground floor of building this extremely important community institution at such a critical time of transition for Whatcom County. I will always cherish the memories of so many people stepping up to make a difference in this special community,” he said.
During Drake’s tenure, the Community Foundation published the Whatcom Catalog for Philanthropy (with primary funding by the St. Luke’s Foundation) and two studies on the nonprofit sector and charitable giving. The Foundation also won six awards from the Council on Foundations for excellence in communications, stimulated the creation of the Whatcom Council of Nonprofits, hosted numerous public forums, raised over $6 million in gifts from 2,400 donors to benefit Whatcom County and made over $2 million in grants to nonprofits. The Foundation currently has assets of $4.6 million in its 75 component funds.
Current Foundation Board Chair Tom Thornton of Cloud Mountain Farm remarked on Drake’s contributions, “We are grateful for Don’s commitment to the spirit and work of the Foundation. He has been a key contributor to its accomplishments, and we wish him well in all that he undertakes.”
Whatcom Community Foundation has served Whatcom County since 1996 as a broad vehicle for professional philanthropy and community building in Whatcom County. WCF makes grants to organizations throughout the County, as well as providing services to donors who wish their charitable giving to be as effective as possible.

Windermere adds Anacortes associate
Windermere Real Estate recently announced the addition of sales associate Jason Easton to its Anacortes office.
Easton had served as a volunteer pastor and a youth minister for several years before entering the real estate industry. Previously, he was a sales associate with Coldwell Banker-Deception Pass Realty in Anacortes. He is a member of the North Puget Sound Association of REALTORS (NPSAR) and is on the NPSAR’s Government Affairs Committee. He was also recognized as “Rookie of the Year” by the NPSAR.
Windermere Real Estate is the leading residential real estate network in the West with over 7,000 associates and more than 250 offices serving neighborhoods in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.

Litwin joins Airporter Shuttle / Bellair Charters
Airporter Shuttle / Bellair Charters has hired Joel Litwin as marketing representative and graphic designer. Litwin comes to Airporter Shuttle with years of experience in marketing and graphic/web design, working with organizations in the travel industry and the arts. He previously served as web and marketing coordinator for Northern Lights Expeditions in Bellingham and the Oceanic Society in San Francisco. The company looks forward to having Litwin promoting its private charters, event and sports shuttles, along with its well-known Airporter Shuttle.Airporter Shuttle / Bellair Charters has been providing safe, dependable transportation services since 1985. They celebrated their 20th Anniversary in June, and their passenger count has now exceeded one million.

Tulip Festival assistant director announced
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival recently named Rachael Willett as new assistant director for the organization.
“I am very excited about working with the Tulip Festival,” Willett said. “This event is a significant part of what makes our area unique. Tulips are synonymous with the Skagit Valley.”
Willett is a member of Skagit Women in Business and has recently been organizing a Walkathon for the Humane Society of Skagit Valley. The Burlington native earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Albertson College of Idaho in 2003.
As assistant director, Willett’s primary duties will include coordinating sponsorships, recruiting volunteers and hosting festival activities. She can be reached at the festival office at 360-428-5959.

Morse is back in the Skagit Delta
Kevin Morse, a regional planner, consultant and conservationist who has spent the past 14 years helping to shape economic development initiatives in rural communities, has become The Nature Conservancy’s new Skagit Delta project manager.
For the past three and half years, Morse has been executive director of the Mid-Shore Regional Council in Easton, Md., which is a regional planning agency and council of governments that serves three counties and 21 municipalities. Prior to that, Morse worked for nearly 10 years in the Skagit Delta as manager of the environmental industries program for the Economic Development Association of Skagit County, president of Samish Bay Consulting, and president of NativeArtNet.
“For the past few years, we’ve been homesick for our friends and family in Skagit County and for the beauty of this landscape,” he said. “I’m looking forward to diving back into life here and to working, once again, with friends and colleagues in the economic development, agriculture and conservation communities.”
As the Conservancy’s new Skagit Delta project manager, Morse will develop and coordinate a number of projects focusing on habitat conservation and farmland preservation. The Conservancy, which has been working in the upper reaches of the Skagit River for nearly 30 years, recently began to focus on habitat and farmland conservation in the delta as well.
Working closely with multiple partners, the Conservancy has helped to conserve more than 12,000 acres in the Skagit region, lands that encompass forested uplands, the main stem of the Skagit, Sauk and Suiattle rivers and estuarine habitats

Iraq veteran joins Harley dealer’s retail staff
Harley Davidson of Bellingham recently announced the hiring of Andy Petersen as a retail sales associate at both its store locations – 1419 N. State St. and in the Bellis Fair mall.
Prior to joining the Harley staff, Petersen served four years in the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, which included a one-year assignment in Iraq. He is also a 1998 graduate of Ferndale High School and a lifetime Whatcom County resident.
“Andy Petersen is a great addition to our staff,” said Barbie Jackson, general manager of Harley-Davidson of Bellingham. “He is exactly the kind of person were looking for in a retail sales associate. Andy is very professional, likable and mature beyond his years, so we hope to have him with us for a very long time.”
Petersen will work to promote Harley-Davidson Motorclothes, Streetclothes and accessories.
Harley-Davidson of Bellingham offers a variety of new and pre-owned motorcycles, parts, accessories, a complete service department, and also includes the newest Harley-Davidson Streetclothes and fashion accessories.

Emerald Bay Events hires Rockfish
Feel like having Rockfish MC your next celebration? Emerald Bay Events has hired Rockfish of Rockfish and Cash fame to act as master of ceremonies at weddings and events. The company recently expanded to include an entertainment division providing MC services, live bands, entertainers and equipment rental. According to a recent Emerald Bay press release, “Rockfish’s outgoing personality and his work as an on-air host will help him provide outstanding entertainment to Emerald Bay Events’ guests.”Rockfish, along with Brad Cash, host “Rockfish and Cash in the Morning” on 92.9 KISM from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Emerald Bay Events specializes in providing “Celebrations Remembered” to its honored guests through providing exquisite cuisine, décor, entertainment, venues and event planning.

Rafeeka Gafoor joins Northwest
Workforce Development Council
The Northwest Workforce Development Council (NWDC) recently announced the hiring of Rafeeka Gafoor as regional business services manager.
Rafeeka comes to the council from the Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council where she served as deputy director and business development manager for the past 4 years. Previous employers include Bellingham Marine Industries, Trillium Corporation and Port of Bellingham. Rafeeka’s duties are to assist the council in delivering business services in all four counties. She will work closely with regional stakeholders and partner organizations comprising the WorkSource system.
“Rafeeka brings a significant set of skills and community relationships to our work. We are pleased to have her as part of our team,” said Gay Dubigk, Executive Director of Northwest Workforce Development Council. Gafoor has a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University with a major in marketing and a minor in Japanese.
NWDC is a business-led board who’s primary purpose is to develop and prepare a world-class labor force that meets the needs of businesses in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties.

Zandstra returns home with First Horizon
Bellingham High School graduate Josh Zandstra recently returned home as a senior mortgage consultant for First Horizon Home Loans. Over the course of his career, Zandstra has arranged for $100 million in residential financing, which includes the last six years at a First Horizon office in Grand Rapids, Mich. The recent opening of a Bellingham office at 1301 W. Bakerview Road, Suite 101, enabled Zandstra to move back to the community where he had lived for eight years.
Zandstra assists clients in obtaining residential loans for purchases, refinances, and new construction, as well as home equity lines of credit.
First Horizon Home Loans offers a wide range of loan products, including jumbo, interest-only, and adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loans. It ranked in 2004 among the top 20 mortgage originators in the country. Its parent company, First Horizon National Corp., was founded in 1864 and now has $30 billion in assets.
“Competitive rates are important, but I emphasize developing relationships with clients, providing them great customer service and ensuring the confidentiality of their information,” Zandstra said. “I want to be a mortgage resource for life rather than focus on one-time transactions.”