Rhea joins Custom Closet & Bedrooms
Don Rhea recently joined the staff of Custom Closet & Bedrooms as general manager. Rhea brings his 25 years of business experience to assist the rapidly growing company located in Bellingham’s Hannegan Business Park. Rhea, who previously worked as controller for Edaleen Dairy, will work to integrate new ideas into Custom Closet & Bedroom’s regional markets.

Piazza Construction attends national Builders Show
John and Dottie Piazza, John Piazza Jr. and Scott Ball, head of the remodel division, recently attended the National Association of Home builders (NAHB) Builders Show in Orlando, Fla. The largest builders show in the world, 105,000 people representing more than 20 countries attended.
John and Dottie, Senior Life directors of NAHB, have attended the show for nearly 30 years to keep current with the industry. John believes Piazza Construction, Inc., has been so successful in part because he and Dottie have been attending these meetings since 1979. Piazza Construction has been in business since 1973.

Burlington’s Hall earns professional designation
Kay Hall, with Homes Enhanced by Kay in Burlington, has recently been awarded the Masters designation an Accredited Staging Professional. Hall successfully completed a detailed course and passed a thorough examination on preparing homes for sale. Staged homes compete better in the market as their clutter-free spaces and artfully placed furniture and accessories allow the home’s positive attributes to shine.
Hall works with realtors in Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish and King counties.
Fox focuses on felines
Kolleen Fox, owner of Cat Nap Inn Bed & Breakfast Exclusively for Cats in Sedro Woolley, recently attended a feline behavior class hosted by the Seattle/King County Humane Society. The training focused on understanding a cat’s motivation behind what we consider “misbehavior” and how to correct those behaviors.
The Cap Nap Inn offers boarding, grooming and specialty services such as caring for diabetic cats and massage.

Langley Chamber welcomes new director
Nancy Rowan is the new executive director of the Langley Chamber of Commerce. Rowan hopes to create more networking opportunities for businesspeople on southern Whidbey Island as well as sprucing up the chamber’s offices for visitors. Rowan moved to Langley in 2004.

Kagen presents free seminar on long-term care
Robin Kagen, a local insurance agent specializing in long-term care, is offering free seminars to large and small businesses. “Protect your salary and savings from long-term care costs” addresses how working people can safeguard their ability to work, and their retirement savings, while a family member needs long-term care at home or in a facility. The costs of care also can endanger a small business’ stability, she says.

Muller recognized for wedding photography
Tina Muller, a photographer for Bellingham’s Yary Photography, had five entries selected as finalists in the Best of Weddings competition, an international photography contest held by Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.
The competition is open to photographers from around the world. More than 680 entries in four categories were received. Ten finalists were chosen for each category. Three of Muller’s photographs were selected as finalists in the Romance category, as was one in the Best Portrait category and one in the Best Dressed category. Her images are eligible for a category prize and a grand prize, which will be announced in April.

Burlington Edward Jones representative honored
John White, the Burlington investment representative for the financial-services firm Edward Jones, was one of several representatives honored recently at a business management forum in Tempe, AZ.
White was recognized for the excellent business-management skills he has demonstrated. The forum discussed increasing office efficiency, improving customer service, increasing investment knowledge, and expanding his knowledge of estate planning.

Villhauer attends retirement planning seminar
Tim Villhauer of Bellingham was one of a select group of Edward Jones investment representatives who recently attended the firm’s retirement planning seminar. Highlights of the seminar, according to Villhauer, included information on individual retirement accounts, the Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees, simplified employee pension plans, profit sharing, defined benefit plans and other aspects of retirement planning.

Rose to step down from Skagitonians director role
Bob Rose, Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) executive director, announced in February his plans to leave the leadership position he has held since 1995.
“Now, after more than a decade of devotion to Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland’s mission, I believe it is the right time for an infusion of new ideas, energy and leadership,” said the 60-year-old Rose.
Rose will stay on the job until his replacement is hired. Steve Sakuma, SPF immediate past president and Burlington berry farmer, will chair the search committee. The organization plans a national search.
During Rose’s tenure, the organization has become recognized as a leader in ensuring the long-term viability of Skagit Valley farming and a nationally recognized model for farmland conservation. Rose will continue to be available to SPF to assist on special projects as a consultant.

Bourm appointed to regional board
Roger Bourm of Bellingham, the current Chair of the Arthritis Foundation North Puget Sound Branch Board of Directors, has been appointed to the Pacific Northwest Chapter Board in Seattle. Roger is an associate broker with Coldwell Banker Miller-Arnason Real Estate and has been involved with the Arthritis Foundation for several years. The Pacific Northwest Chapter represents all of Washington, Alaska and Oregon; the North Puget Sound Branch serves Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island counties. The local board oversees the branch’s activities and is directly involved in implementing fundraising events such as the Jingle Bell Run/Walk and Charity Golf Classic & Auction as well as public education and exercise programs.

Professional joins Barron Heating
Anacortes resident Don Wenke has joined Barron Heating as a “Comfort Consultant” handling sales of residential heating, air conditioning, fireplaces, and indoor air quality equipment and techniques. Responding to the growing market in the Skagit Valley area, Wenke has been chosen to cover Anacortes, the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island and Skagit and Snohomish counties. Wenke is a 20-year resident of Anacortes and formerly owned his own HVAC company.
Wenke has 10 year’s experience in the HVAC business. He is an active community member coaching youth sports and most recently Special Olympics softball.

Western professor’s poetry published in literary journal
A collection of poems entitled “Genomic Vanitas and Memento Vivi” by Western Washington University English professor Bruce Beasley was published in the winter 2006 issue of the literary journal “The Kenyon Review.” Nine poems by Beasley were featured in an issue that focused on the Human Genome Project.
Beasley has taught courses in creative writing and American literature at Western since 1992. He has six published collections of poetry and has been awarded fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Artist Trust and two Pushcart Prizes in poetry.

WECU elects leaders, bids farewell to Robinson
Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU) held its annual Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee elections, returning three veteran members to their seats and welcoming one new member. Terry Brennan, Phil Isle and Kristi Tyran were elected to the Board of Directors and Harte Bressler returns to the Supervisory Committee.
Terry Brennan has served on the WECU Board of Directors since 1999, and has been in his current position of vice president of human resources at St. Joseph Hospital for 10 years. Phil Isle, general manager of Walton Beverage, has been a member of the board since 1985. Kristi Tyran, the current assistant professor of management at WWU is new to the Board of Directors, but brings with her years of banking and volunteer experience.
Harte Bressler, a principal partner at Metcalf, Hodges & Co., CPAs, PLLC, has been re-elected to the Supervisory Committee.
WECU also wishes to thank Mary Robinson, who after 27 years serving on WECU’s board of directors, is now retiring. Robinson has served as Board Chair for three terms, served twice as vice-chair, and has served many years on the Strategic Planning, Credit, Facilities, Partnering and Social Responsibility committees.

Brumet is events director for Alzheimer Society
The Alzheimer Society of Washington has hired Carol Brumet as its events director. Brumet will be responsible for overseeing the annual fundraising Walk/Run as well as expanding other community events. The funds raised in Whatcom County remain in our local communities to help people affected by Alzheimer’s, memory loss and dementia.
Brumet, the former Executive Director for the American Cancer Society was in charge of three Relay for Life events in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties, and assisted hundreds of volunteers in raising more than $2 million for the ACS in her five years with the organization.
She will remain in her position with the St. Joseph Cancer Center as the Outreach Coordinator and will add the position with the Alzheimer Society to her continuous cancer awareness work in the community.

Three from Morgan Stanley earn CFP designation
Morgan Stanley recently announced that J. Michael Newlight, George Mundell and Graham MacDonald, financial advisors in the firm’s Bellingham office, have been awarded the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
Newlight and Mundell have worked at Morgan Stanley since 1993, and MacDonald has been with the firm since 2000. In addition to providing financial planning services, they provide a variety of other advisory and non-advisory financial services, including brokerage services, to clients who seek such services.
The CFP marks identify those individuals who have met the experience and ethical requirements, have successfully completed financial planning coursework and have passed the CFP certification examination.

Dain’s Meggyesy earns CFP
Mike Meggyesy, associate vice president – financial consultant at RBC Dain Rauscher in Bellingham, has earned the educational designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc.
While not required to hold this designation as a financial consultant at RBC Dain Rauscher, Meggyesy chose to pursue it for educational purposes, as it demonstrates extensive knowledge in many areas of the financial planning process including investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance planning and risk management. Meggyesy also was tested on ethical obligations faced by investment advisors.

Cutbill named commercial regional manager
Whidbey Island Bank, a subsidiary of Washington Banking Company, announced that Peter Cutbill has been promoted to vice president and commercial regional manager for Whatcom County.
Cutbill, a 25-year banking veteran, will be responsible for developing a high-quality loan portfolio in Whatcom County, reflecting the bank’s ongoing commitment to the region’s small business community.
A graduate of State University of New York, Cutbill holds a master’s degree in finance and human resources management. He also holds bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of Toronto.
Active in the community, Cutbill is a member of the Bellingham Central Lions Club and a member and past board member of the Bellingham/Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce. He has previously instructed several courses for the American Institute of Banking (AIB), Junior Achievement and Whatcom Community College and is an active supporter of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s SCORE program in Whatcom County. He also enjoys competing in endurance triathlon events.
Cutbill and his family currently reside in Bellingham.

Weener participates in food/wine extravaganza
Bryan Weener, executive chef of Haggen Market Street Catering, participated in the 20th Masters of Food and Wine event in Carmel, Calif., in February.
Internationally recognized as one of the most spectacular gatherings of celebrated chefs and winemakers, Weener joined renowned chefs – including Daniel Boulud of Daniel, Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger and Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants – in producing extravagant gala luncheons and dinners.
Weener, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, joined Haggen Market Street Catering in 2003. He is responsible for menu development, quality control, training and supervision.

Fikkert, Mead join RMC Architects
Jim Fikkert and Christopher Mead have joined Ross McClure Cornwell Architects (RMC) as intern architects.
Fikkert received a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies in 2004 and a master’s of architecture in 2005 from Judson College in Elgin, Ill. He also studied architecture in Italy in the summer of 2003.
Mead graduated from Washington State University in 2002 where he received both a Bachelor of Architecture Cum Laude and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Mead received the American Institute of Architects Henry Adams Certificate of Merit in 2002 for academic achievement in architecture.
Fikkert is currently working on 1010 Morse Square, a mixed-use development in downtown Bellingham, and the Maple Street Apartments within that complex. Mead is currently working on Morse Towers, a mixed-use development project in downtown Bellingham.

Banner Bank promotes Graves in Blaine
Banner Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Anne Graves to retail branch manager in Blaine. In her new role she will be responsible for ensuring exceptional customer service throughout the branch and creating a proactive sales environment.
Graves joined Banner Bank in 1997 and has previously served as a teller, operations assistant and most recently as a customer service manager.

Peoples promotes Guildner
Charlie Guildner has been promoted to senior vice president at Peoples Bank. Guildner joined Peoples Bank in 2000, and has more than 21 years of mortgage lending and banking experience. Charlie will continue to be responsible for managing the bank’s six home loan centers throughout Washington as well as continue to manage the bank’s marine lending division.
Guildner is an active volunteer in the community in which he lives. He is a director on the Mount Vernon School Board, a member of the Bellingham Yacht Club, a member of the Mount Vernon School District Facilities Committee, and founder and director of the Skagit Volleyball Club. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in economics from Pacific Lutheran University.

Chiropractor earns regional award
Dr. Eddie Hansen of Hansen Chiropractic in Bellingham recently received the prestigious Masters Circle Chiropractor of the Year Award for the western region of the United States. The award honors offices whose doctors and staff consistently exhibit the highest standards of care, technology and integrity.

Haggen promotes Wood to COO
Haggen, Inc. has announced the promotion of Jeff Wood to the new position of executive vice president and chief operating officer of the retail grocery company.
Wood most recently was the company’s senior vice president of administration. He now will oversee the company’s retail operations, merchandising, marketing, human resources and store development. Wood will report directly to Dale C. Henley, president and CEO.
Wood previously served as COO of Seattle-based Larry’s Markets and spent 30 years with QFC, where he held numerous management positions.

Burlington agricultural leader honored
Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) awarded its distinguished Leadership Award to Burlington dairyman Oscar Lagerlund at SPF’s 10th annual Advisory Council Dinner in February. Dave Hedlin, a founding member of SPF and current board member, presented the award to Lagerlund for his “exemplary leadership and accomplishment on behalf of Skagit Valley farming and for demonstrating a high level of stewardship on his farm.”
Upon accepting the award, Lagerlund credited SPF with the significant progress made over the past 16 years to protect the Skagit Valley’s rich and highly productive soil.
Lagerlund is currently the chair for the Skagit County Agricultural Advisory Board, a member of Agriculture for Skagit County, and a Land O’ Lakes corporate director. He is a past-president of the Burlington Edison School Board, former Skagit County Planning Commissioner, and served on the Agricultural Advisory Council Puget Sound Water Quality Authority Board. Of special interest to Lagerlund is restoring antique steam powered tractors.

Yeats joins Digital Ecosystems board
Digital Ecosystems Corp. of Bellingham is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Anthony Keith Yeats to its board of directors.
Yeats has participated in the development of numerous exploration stage ventures identifying mineral as well as oil and gas resource opportunities globally. His career has included the role of chief geologist, geophysicist and team leader for Royal Dutch Shell in Africa and Indonesia, as exploration coordinator for BP’s Global Basin Group, then as chief geologist for a number of regional acquisitions undertaken by British Petroleum at a variety of locations throughout the Middle East, Africa, Canada and Europe.
Recently, Yeats has been active as both the vice president of a resource investment company in Canada with exploration interests in gravel, titanium and kimberlites, and in the development of his own venture undertaking research projects at the University of Cambridge as well as providing consulting expertise for companies in geology and exploration management.

Buyer’s Market adds additional salesperson to team
Buyer’s Market, a locally owned home improvement and building material store located at the corner of Iowa and Woburn streets in Bellingham, has brought on Jeff Edwards as their newest team member.
Edwards, a Northwest native, most recently served as a program manager in the medical field before moving to Bellingham. He brings his love for woodworking, experience with remodeling and years of do-it-yourself know-how to the Buyer’s Market staff.
Since opening in Bellingham in 2001, Buyer’s Market has specialized in offering the public hundreds of new overstocked and closeout home improvement goods and quality building materials.

Alderson joins Security First Escrow
Karen Alderson has joined the staff of Security First Escrow, Inc. as an LPO in the escrow department. Karen brings with her 20 years of experience in closing all types of real estate transactions. As a licensed professional, Karen works directly with buyers, sellers, realtors and lenders to successfully close transactions in a prompt and professional manner. Karen is experienced in manufactured home loans, private contracts, land sales and 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. Karen was raised in Bellingham and is a graduate of Sehome High School and Western Washington University.

Kester honored by College Women’s Programs Council
The College Women’s Programs Council, a statewide organization of women’s programs professionals within Washington’s community and technical and colleges, recently honored Skagit Valley College graduate Marcia Kester of Mount Vernon for being a positive role model and mentor to women who strive to reach personal and professional goals through the opportunity of higher education.
Kester began her educational journey at SVC in November of 2002 by enrolling in the college’s displaced homemaker program. In 2005, she earned an associate’s degree in general studies. She plans to continue her education and incorporate a passion for music with the goal of serving as a life coach for those who desire to overcome obstacles and achieve their own dreams.
“I am committed to my music making a difference for people. I believe that music heals and inspires and is such an important part of our human experience,” said Kester.

Peterson attends PartyLite conference
Local resident Sandi Peterson attended PartyLite’s first ever Leadership Summit that took place in Chicago in February. The summit included a tour of PartyLite’s state-of-the-art candle manufacturing facility in Batavia, IL. PartyLite, a subsidiary of Blyth, Inc., is the world’s leading direct sales marketer of candles and candle accessories with more than 26,000 independent consultants nationwide.
Peterson was joined at the Leadership Summit by more than 800
PartyLite leaders who enjoyed the facility tour, exclusive training, and well-deserved recognition.
Peterson began her personal business with PartyLite as an independent consultant in 1998. She currently provides customers in the Whatcom County area with premium quality candles and accessories, and also assists with developing and training new consultants.

Moncrieff recognized nationally
Artisan Mike Moncrieff of New Edge Design, LLC, in Lynden recently won three national awards for his MONART concrete countertops. After winning two national awards in 2005 Moncrieff has continued to develop his creative talents further. New Edge Design, LLC, is focused on aspects of interior concrete creation and design.

Carney joins Gateway Centre
Gateway Centre Executive Suites welcomes Jim Carney as its business manager.
Carney says, “My job experienced is varied and all of it seems quite useful here at Gateway Centre.” His resume includes being an apartment complex manager for three years, a conversation teacher in Japan, and for the last 14 years a facility manager for the Bellingham office of the largest pull tab and bingo distributor in the state.
Gateway Centre Executive Suites are set apart from other Class A office buildings by offering unique, low-cost solutions to those needing an office for their new business, as well as established companies who simply want a professional office setting. More than 20 companies enjoy the sophisticated standards provided at Gateway Centre.
Carney has been part of the Bellingham community since 1976 when he came here to attend Western. His wife Laura is an ESL instructor at WWU. The couple has two children, Austin, 12 and Emily, 10.

Shriners install new officers
A new slate of officers was installed in January to serve as board of directors for the Northwest Shrine Club, Bellingham, Washington. The Formal installation and swearing in ceremony was carried out at the Bellingham Masonic Lodge. Installing officer for the annual event was Illustrious Sir Daryl Orseth, Potentate of the Nile Shrine Center of Mountlake Terrace, Wash.
Newly installed Northwest Shrine Club officers are Nobles Greg Cory, President; Al Tomko, First Vice President; John Shorthill, Second Vice President; Ron Fine, Secretary; and Bill Taylor, Treasurer. Other board members at large that were also installed are William Barquist, George Edwards, Harry Haden, Allan Jensen and Raymond Stewart.
Established in the 1870s, the Shriners of North America gave more than $650 million in completely free medical care in their 22 orthopedic and burn hospitals last year.

Bullard joins Evergreen’s design team
Design professional Jennifer Bullard has joined the staff at Evergreen Custom Cabinets. Bullard has a degree in Interior Design and has made kitchen and bath cabinetry design her specialty. Bullard’s services include helping clients with sink, faucet and hardware choices.
Bullard joins a staff of professionals who are available to help any homeowner or project manager achieve their vision and goals. Bullard has experience in all aspects of interior design, including major remodeling projects and new construction.
Evergreen Custom Cabinets specializes in kitchen and bath design for new construction, remodels and commercial projects.

Jain associate at local law firm
Zender Thurston, P.S. announces that Simi Jain has been hired as an associate by the firm and will be practicing in the areas of land use, business and municipal law. Jain, who earned her Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School, also has a master’s degree in environmental law.

Reece receives regional recognition
Lori Reece of RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc. was named Broker/Owner of the Year in RE/MAX’s Pacific Northwest region for 2005.
Reece and her partner Dean Reece founded RE/MAX Whatcom County in 1991. The company has grown to include more than 90 Realtors in five offices (Bellingham, Sudden Valley, Ferndale, Lynden and Point Roberts). In 2005, RE/MAX Whatcom County helped 1,600 families buy or sell homes and ranked fourth in sales volume among multi-office RE/MAX companies in Washington.
The Broker/Owner of the Year award honors Reece for achieving excellence in sales and support professionals, brand name awareness, market share, customer satisfaction and community citizenship.

Edwards likes playing in dirt, civil engineering
Northwest Datum & Design, Inc. welcomes Steve Edwards, P.E., as civil engineer manager. Edwards brings 22 years of civil engineering experience in both public and private sectors.
The secret of his success? “The ‘No Surprises’ rule of dealing with clients,” he shares. “Always keep them completely informed.”
Edwards initially became an engineer because he likes “to use colored pencils and play in the dirt.” More recently, he says he most appreciates the diversity and challenge each project brings.
NWDD has served Skagit, Island, Whatcom and Snohomish counties since 1992, providing civil engineering, structural engineering, and land surveying.

Van Rijswijck new Ferndale Haggen manager
Jim Van Rijswijck has been appointed store manager of Haggen Food & Pharmacy in Ferndale.
Van Rijswijck began in the industry as a courtesy clerk in 1988 and has steadily earned promotions. He joined Haggen, Inc. in 2002 as grocery manager of the Ferndale store. Van Rijswijck was promoted to managerial positions at the Barkley Village and Sehome Village stores in Bellingham before returning to the Ferndale store.
Van Rijswijck has been honored by Haggen Food & Pharmacy multiple times for his dedication and performance. He was named its Center Store Manager of the Year twice and also its Grocery Manager of the Year.

WWU professors receives NEH fellowship
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently awarded a $40,000 fellowship to Western Washington University adjunct Professor Paul Buell, who is documenting the medicine of the Mongol Era in China.
The fellowship allows Buell to complete a translation of the “Huihui Yaofang,” a general encyclopedia of Islamic Medicine, believed to have been written for the Mongol rulers of China.
“The aim of the project will be to produce a readable and consistent but still entirely accurate translation,” Buell said. “This will serve as the basis of a collaborative venture between Sinologists, Central Asianists, Arabists, Persianists and historians of medicine to study the (text) from all sides and in all its aspects.”

Salstrom to retire from Mac & Mac Electric
Ed Pankow, previously an employee of Mac & Mac Electric, purchased the company’s shares from Jack Salstrom, who is retiring in April. Although retired, Salstrom plans to continue at Mac & Mac as a consultant, trainer and mentor to the company’s seasoned staff.
Mac & Mac will be hosting an open lunch in honor of Salstrom’s retirement on April 28. All are welcome to share a meal with the folks at Mac & Mac as they wish Jack a great retirement.
As Mac & Mac’s new owner, Pankow continues the company’s strong tradition of service, repairing and rewinding electric motors, dating back to 1947 when the company began at its present location on Bellingham’s Iowa Street. Mac & Mac is expanding its existing services, including the sale of motors, pumps and bearings. Sand blasting is now offered as well.
In addition to the change in ownership, Journeyman Chad Huben moved from Industrial Electric and Machine, adding breadth of experience to the Mac & Mac shop. Apprentice Ryan McLaughlin, has also been working for almost a year now, giving the company’s Journeymen back up and more time for motor rewinds.