Volume 31 • Issue 10 • October 2006
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DeMond to lead Whatcom Business Conference
Small Business Development Center Director Tom Dorr recently appointed Greg De Mond, owner of the Foghorn Advertising & Marketing Agency in Bellingham, as the new Conference Coordinator for the ninth annual Whatcom Business Conference. In what has become the largest business event of its kind in Whatcom County, this year’s Business Conference will be held at the Lakeway Inn on October 19, in conjunction with the Northwest Business Expo and hosted by Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center and Whatcom Community College. Topics for the 16 seminars will include management skills, building customer loyalty, exploring sources of financing, employment law basics, upgrading your website presence and how to succeed as an entrepreneur in growing your business.
“The quality of the speakers and the seminars will be truly exceptional this year,” De Mond said. “This is the first time our committee has selected all 16 topics based on data from the hundreds of businesses the SBDC and Whatcom Community College have assisted, and each of the seminar instructors chosen because of their expertise in those areas. We couldn’t be more excited. I would also like to offer a special thanks to our many sponsors who have gotten involved. We know we’re helping build a strong economic base in Whatcom County, but without support from sponsors we would not be able to present this important event every year.”
The Whatcom Business Conferences began in 1997 with its inaugural event at the Alaska Ferry Terminal annex in Fairhaven. As attendance grew, the Conferences moved to Whatcom Community College in 1999, the Best Western Lakeway Inn beginning in 2001, the Hotel Bellwether in 2003 and returned to the Lakeway Inn in 2004.
The Small Business Development Center is a non-profit organization that offers the community all forms of business related advice and services free of charge. Over the years the SBDC has helped thousands of local business people with feasibility studies, obtaining government and traditional bank loans, assisting with business plans, profit projections and offers free business consultation to name a few of its many services.

Haggen promotes Miller to management position
Angie Miller has been promoted to Fresh Foods Program Manager at Haggen, Inc.
Miller will evaluate and recommend marketing strategies related to fresh foods at the company’s 32 stores. She will be responsible for all aspects of program development, including product selection, presentation, equipment, training and marketing.
Miller recently graduated from an intensive 14-week Food Industry Management Program at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The program is designed to develop general management skills, leadership qualities and communication expertise.
Miller, based at Haggen’s corporate headquarters in Bellingham, previously earned a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management from Indiana State University. She joined Haggen in 1994 and has been a field specialist since 1998.

Thompson joins Archer Group as tax and legal assistant
Ellen Thompson will be in charge of assisting in all aspects of the legal department as well as tax return assembly and front desk management. Thompson graduated from Western Washington University in 2003 with a degree in communication. Most recently, she worked for Horizon Bank as their Marketing and Investor Relations Coordinator.
Archer Group is an accounting firm located in downtown Bellingham. The firm provides accounting, tax and legal services for clients throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. The firm has a team of professionals specializing in tax return preparation, tax planning, business consulting, valuations, estate planning and full service bookkeeping.

Oostra new partner in Mount Vernon accounting firm
Jill Rouw & Associates accounting firm of Mount Vernon is welcoming Randy Oostra, certified public accountant (CPA), as a business partner. Oostra’s most recent experience is with Larson Gross CPA’s in Bellingham.
In his new role, Oostra will take the lead in managing the business and working with clients. Rouw will remain active in the business, but will scale back some day-to-day responsibilities. The company is announcing a name change to Oostra Rouw & Associates, to clearly communicate the partnership roles.
Oostra earned degrees in accounting and business administration from Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. He began his accounting career at Holland America Line in Seattle. He later moved into public accounting with Werner O’Meara & Company in Lynnwood, Washington and then to Larson Gross CPA’s.

North Sound Family Medicine adds two physicians
North Sound Family Medicine of Bellingham is adding two physicians to its staff this fall.
Dr. Sue Dabney joined the Barkley District office on Sept. 5 and by Dr. Hui-Ying LeSage on Oct. 2.
Dabney has spent the last three years completing her residency at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. She received the 2003 Missouri Family Health Foundation Award and has earned master’s degrees in public health and education.
LeSage has nine years of experience in family medicine and urgent care in western Washington, including the last three years at Cascade Primary Care in Renton. Fluent in Mandarin and Taiwanese, she graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
North Sound Family Medicine, located on Barkley Blvd., has seven family physicians and is accepting new patients.

Unity Group expands employee benefits team
Kim Rossi joins Unity Group Insurance & Financial Services in Bellingham as an employee benefits account executive. She is licensed agent with 15 years of experience providing human resources consulting and support to a variety of large and small organizations. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree with a concentration in human resources.

LaserPoint adds marketing expert to team
Marketing expert Robert Owens has been contracted by LaserPoint to expand their product and service offerings as part of LaserPoint’s focus on providing marketing solutions to area businesses.
Owens is a known for his marketing audit approach with small businesses that has resulted in doubling and tripling sales and profits for retailers, manufacturers and distributors.
Owens is a nationally known speaker and writer conducting regular seminars across the country.

Walley appointed VP, branch manager at Skagit State Bank
Kim Walley has been appointed vice president and branch manager at Skagit State Bank’s main office in Burlington. Walley has more than 15 years of banking experience in a variety of management positions, most recently as branch manager at Skagit State Bank’s Sedro-Woolley branch on Ferry Street.
Born and raised in Skagit County, Walley is active within the community. She serves on various committees for schools and service groups, including the Chamber of Commerce. Walley is board member for the newly developed Hammer Heritage Square in Sedro-Woolley.
Walley and her husband, Shane, live in Burlington and have two grown daughters.

Richter joins Skagit State Bank as senior VP
Mary Kay Richter has joined Skagit State Bank as the senior vice president and chief retail banking officer. Richter will be responsible for managing the branch network, with special focus on consumer sales and service.
Having retired earlier this year from an executive position with Bank of America in Seattle, Richter has more than 30 years of expertise in financial services. She began her career with Seafirst Bank, where she managed several branches and departments. Most recently, Richter was a consumer market executive with responsibility for 42 branches in western Washington.

Officers receive massage awards
Integrative massage therapist and counselor, Marie Matteson of Fairhaven, contributed one-hour massage and counseling sessions to the Whatcom County Support Officers Group for their 2006 Fitness Challenge. The team members included officers Chad and Gloria Bosman, Scott and Kari Brown and Jim Vandiest. They won the challenge by not only loosing weight, but gaining muscle mass. Matteson specializes in treatment for injuries and stress management.

Baron Telecommunications duo complete certification
Two Baron Telecommunications employees have passed the Telecommunications Industry Association’s highest level of TIA Convergence Technologies professional training. Shawn Bogaards and Patrick Alexander recently completed a one week intensive course through the Toshiba Corporation, mastering core competency in data networking, telephony networking and convergence technologies.
“This level of training is the highest level of VOIP certification in our field,” states Phil Bratt, CEO of Baron Telecommunications. “The proficiency required to pass this exam is significant, and we’re proud that Shawn and Patrick have demonstrated the skills and expertise that place them in the top percent of the industry’s requirements for mastery in working with telephony technology.”

Johnson purchases Airporter Shuttle/Bellair Charters
Richard Johnson, general manager of Airporter Shuttle/Bellair Charters, purchased the company in July from long-time owner Larry Wickkiser. Johnson has been the general manager since 1999, running day-to-day operations, and said the company will not be undergoing any major changes in the near future.
Airporter Shuttle/Bellair Charters is entering its 22nd year of business.

Hancock joins Bellingham accounting firm
Moss Adams LLP of Bellingham is proud to welcome Ben Hancock to the firm. Ben received his Bachelor of Arts in accounting and his Master’s in accounting from Gonzaga University in Spokane.
Ben is a senior accountant in the audit department. Ben has spent the last two years working with a national public accounting firm.

RE/MAX adds agent,two gain certifications
A real estate agent joined RE/MAX Whatcom County and two others earned certifications after completing continuing-education programs.
Patrick Starr is starting his real estate career with RE/MAX Whatcom County after operating a product development company for 12 years. Starr, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, assists buyers and sellers of both residential and commercial properties.
Lizabeth Calenberg, a RE/MAX agent since 2003, completed requirements to become an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR). Awarded by a division of the National Association of Realtors, the ABR designation recognizes agents who have completed continuing education in the field of buyer representation.
Shenandoah Myrick achieved the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, attained by only four percent of Realtors nationwide. CRS agents must document a high volume of sales and transactions while completing coursework in real-estate investing, marketing and technology.
Starr and Calenberg work in RE/MAX’s Lakeway office in Bellingham while Myrick is based at the Sudden Valley office.

Business Bank of Skagit County promotes two
Theresa Brown and Karen Pitt have been promoted to new positions at the corporate office of Business Bank of Skagit County.
Brown has been in the banking industry for more than 13 years. She joined Business Bank of Skagit County during formation and has been an integral part of the loan department and its programs. Brown has been promoted to vice president of loan operations.
Pitt is a seasoned banker with years of banking experience. She joined Business Bank of Skagit County during formation as branch manager in Burlington. Pitt has been promoted to vice president of operations.

WCF names hires new president, CEO
Bellingham-based Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF) hired Calene LeBeau as its new president and CEO.
LeBeau has more than 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector spanning philanthropic management, charitable operations, organizational performance and fundraising. A former director of philanthropy at Coastal Texas for the Nature Conservancy, LeBeau also served as founding executive director of Houston Social Venture Partners, a group of philanthropic venture partners who made annual gifts to support a major grants program and capacity building in the nonprofit community.
Partnering with WCF board of directors and staff, LeBeau is anticipating to significantly increase WCF’s ability to encourage philanthropy in the region, make connections between nonprofits and potential funders, and build community capacity through the nonprofit sector.

Haggen, Inc. promotes Lewis to vice president, CIO
Harrison Lewis has been promoted to vice president and chief information officer of Haggen, Inc.
Lewis joined Haggen, Inc. in 2005 as vice president of information technology. He was recently a vice president at Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Lewis has more than 25 years of experience in the grocery industry, including positions in pricing, supply chain management, e-commerce and store management.

King to lead northern Washington Wells Fargo
Roland King was named manager for Wells Fargo’s northern Washington district.
King, a 10-year Wells Fargo veteran, oversees more than 70 team members and seven stores throughout northern Washington in Anacortes, Sedro-Woolley, Ferndale, Lynden, Bellingham, Mount Vernon and Friday Harbor. He previously worked as a store manager for Wells Fargo Salt Lake City’s downtown location.
King, a Burlington resident, attended Brigham Young University where he studied accounting.

Personal injury attorneys form new partnership
Dean Brett, Bill Coats and Rand Jack, formerly of Brett & Daugert, have formed a new Bellingham law firm called Brett & Coats, Personal Injury Attorneys.
While Brett & Daugert provided a full spectrum of legal services, the new firm will focus on what it does best – helping accident victims deal with insurance adjusters who won’t pay claims.
Brett is a former president of the Whatcom County Bar Association and is a fellow of the elite, invitation-only American College of Trial Lawyers. He was recently named a Superlawyer for the sixth straight year in Washington Law and Politics, a Seattle-based magazine.
Jack, a graduate of Princeton and Yale Law School and a retired professor at Fairhaven College, has worked part-time with Brett on personal injury cases for nearly 30 years.
Coats, a former assistant attorney general and public defender, has 10 years of litigation experience.

WWU’s first superintendent certification students graduate
The first group of students in the Superintendent’s Certificate Program at Western Washington University has graduated.
The program, offered by educational administration faculty in WWU’s Woodring College of Education, began two years ago. The nine candidates successfully completed all requirements of the program.
The two-year program, which is geared for aspiring superintendents and school district leaders, launches a new group of students every fall quarter. Students meet three Friday evenings and Saturdays per quarter throughout the academic year. Completion of the program leads to state superintendent certification.
The program’s graduating group includes Wayne Massie, David Tomlin, Kathy Ehman, Laurel Browning, Graham Cook, Susie Baier, Ed Serra, Wally Lis and Linda Johnson.

B.C. artist chosen for 2007 Tulip Festival poster
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival chose Salt Spring Island artist Amy Melious as its 2007 poster artist.
After visiting the valley during the 2006 festival, Melious spent several weeks creating an image that she feels portrays the vibrant color and spirit of a festival devoted to one of her favorite flowers – the tulip.
Working from her home studio in Salt Spring Island, B.C., Melious creates mixed media artwork that blends her experience in traditional and digital photographic techniques with the personal expression of hand painting. Melious came to the Pacific Northwest after living in northern California, where she co-owned and operated a studio and gallery. Today she is published by several U.S. companies producing calendars, stationery and fine art posters.
Melious is a featured photographer in two books on Polaroid techniques by Kathleen Thormod Carr. In addition, examples of her work were chosen to be part of the Polaroid Permanent Collection and the Women Photographers International Archive.
Ginny Bode of Bode Design in Mount Vernon will transform Melious’ artwork into the Tulip Festival poster. Bode will also design the Tulip Festival official apparel using a theme relating to the poster art, to be unveiled in November.

Madrona Medical Group adds female pediatrician
Madrona Medical Group is pleased to welcome Dr. Jennifer Rosquist to its team of pediatricians.
Born in California, Rosquist was raised in Missoula, Montana.
Rosquist has been interested in the sciences since she was a child. During high school she was awarded top honors for her home state and was selected to represent Montana nationally in the high school science fair competition. While continuing her education in the sciences at the university level, Dr. Rosquist began to consider a career in medicine, and more specifically Pediatrics.
As a mother, Rosquist brings a special understanding to the care of children. Not surprisingly, she connects well with both her young patients and their parents.
“Parents naturally want the best for their children,” Rosquist says. “When they are actively engaged in the child’s care they have an impact that will last a lifetime. Early influences are critical, so I try to work with the entire family as partners responsible for the child’s health and well being.”

Ruzzamenti joins Bella Flora & Home Interiors
Emily Ruzzamenti, a Western Washington University student who has also studied in Italy, is working in the wedding and prom design area at Belle Flora & Home Interiors on North State Street in Bellingham.

Ross completes certification seminar on compression
Jill Ross, a Certified Medical Assistant at Bayside Vein & Laser Center in Bellingham, completed a Sigvaris Seminar on Compression Therapy for treatment of varicose veins. This qualifies Ross as a certified fitter for compression stockings.

Photographers win awards in international competition
Photographers from Yary Photography were awarded 15 Accolades of Excellence in an international print competition held by Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) in June.
Tina Muller was awarded eight individual Accolades of Excellence for her photography entries in several categories. One of her photos earned a score of 86 and also won second place in its category.
Sally Kolar was awarded seven individual Accolades of Excellence for her photography entries in several categories. One of her photos earned a score of 82 and also won third place in its category. This was Kolar’s first time entering into the international print competition.
Radley Muller and Tina Muller received special honors in the WPPI Awards of Excellence 16x20 print competition held in conjunction with WPPI’s 26th Annual Wedding and Portrait Photography Convention held in April in Las Vegas. Radley Muller received an Accolade of Excellence, and Tina Muller received five Accolades of Excellence in several categories.

Barnett assumes MBT board president spot
Bellingham businessman Gary Barnett has been elected president of the Mount Baker Theatre board.
Barnett has been a long-time member of the board, having served from 1996 to 2002 and returning again in 2004. He has served as secretary and vice president, and has volunteered as a member of the theatre’s building, program and nominating committees.
Barnett, who owns Sehome Car Wash, Sehome Xpress Lube and the Coffee Hound, has been active in the community as a member of the board of directors for Northwest Soccer Park, as well as the Bellingham Bay Rotary and Hospice.
In addition to Barnett, the theatre board added to its roster Janice Butler, Daniel Larner, Irwin LeCocq, Leslie Lohse, Richard Kaiser and Jan Marchbanks.
Branch joins Smith Barney as financial adviser
Tony R. Branch joined the Smith Barney firm in Bellingham as a financial adviser. He will provide a full suite of financial planning and investment services to high net worth clients and individual investors with a primary focus on retirement and estate planning, managed money, wealth management, private investments and portfolio management.
Prior to joining Smith Barney, Branch served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. A graduate of Columbia College of Missouri with a Master’s degree in business administration, Branch has also achieved his Series 7, Series 63 and Series 65 Washington State Insurance licenses in Life and Disability and Financial Planning Associate designations.

Bellingham PD gives honors at promotional ceremony
The Bellingham Police Department’s promotional ceremony was held in August in the department’s training room on C Street. At the ceremony the department recognized people for their accomplishments over the last several months.
David Doll was promoted from lieutenant to deputy chief. Steve Felmley was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. Mark Stokes was promoted from officer to sergeant. Flo Simon was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. Mike Johnston was promoted from detective to sergeant. Jana Bouzek was promoted from officer to detective.
Sandi Bruton transferred from Police Records to Police Reception. Cheryl Bode transferred from Police Records to Evidence and ID.

Wells Fargo promotes Lane to area manager
Financial services veteran Evelyn Lane was named business banking area manager for Wells Fargo in the Northern Puget Sound.
Lane, a 33-year financial service veteran and senior vice president, recently served as Business Banking manager, supervising offices in Northern Washington and the Eastside. She directed business banking managers in Everett and Burlington/Bellingham and 17 business banking team members in Bellevue.

Cyclist and ski coach joins Fairhaven Fitness as trainer
Whatcom County native and athlete Charlie Heggem has joined Fairhaven Fitness at the Bellingham Tennis Club as a personal trainer.
Heggem has more than 20 years of experience as a competitive cyclist, alpine ski coach and personal trainer. He raced professionally as a World Cup mountain biker and owns and operates NorKa Recreation, an event promotion company in Bellingham.

Heffernan to lead Objective Design of Experiments
Beth Heffernan has been hired to lead the training organization Objective Design of Experiments. As a former Hewlett Packard employee, Heffernan used Design of Experiments to manufacture printer products, and holds patents in the field. She managed an analytical chemistry laboratory and provided expertise as a consultant to diverse clients on manufacturing- and quality-related projects.
Bellingham-based Objective Design of Experiments specializes in practical, efficient Design of Experiments training for engineers and chemists. Design of Experiments is a rational, data-driven way of achieving design and production goals.
Objective Design of Experiments is the only company that teaches with real-life examples and a virtual laboratory. It offers a free, one-hour talk to manufacturers that covers the basics up to the latest developments in Design of Experiments, and includes a question-and-answer session for attendees.

Doll Technology restructures board of directors
Doll Technology Group, Inc., of Sedro-Woolley (Pink Sheets: DTGP.PK) has restructured the board of directors and its officers as part of the company’s recent effort to refocus the business toward further expansion of operations.
Bruce Fischer, non-executive chairman and prior CEO who had been primarily responsible for management of financing activities prior to the realignment, has left the company.
Bruce MacCoubrey, Doll Technology’s president and COO, was appointed the CEO of the company. MacCoubrey has been with the company since September 2005 and brings many years of experience as a senior executive in the aviation industry.
Letitia Doll, widow of Bob Doll, was appointed the vice president of the company and will assume the responsibilities for all administration activities of the company as well as public relations. Letitia Doll was instrumental in the forming of Doll Technology and has remained an important contributor, having extensive experience in both business management and the aviation industry.
Fred Bond will join Doll Technology as vice-president of finance and will assume responsibility for all financial matters. Bond brings to the company many years of experience as a financial officer for several companies in various industries.
Vido Vareika Sr. will continue to be responsible for business development, marketing and sales. Mike Smyth will continue to serve as vice president of operations, and John Brooks will continue to serve as head of Redbrooks Laboratory/director of research.
Letitia Doll, Aaron Gellman and Gerry Bench remain on the board along with Clyde Kizer, chairman of the board. The company expects to announce a replacement for Bruce Fischer on the board in the near future.
Doll Technology Group develops, manufactures and supplies Clean & Green products and technology that replace more hazardous solutions in various industry applications.

Donellan appointed WSO concert master
The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra (WSO) appointed Grant Donnellan to the position of concertmaster. A native of Ferndale, Donnellan has a long history with the WSO, both as a member of the violin section when he was in high school and as assistant conductor.
Donnellan received a Bachelor’s degree in music in performance from Oberlin Conservatory, and a performance certificate and Master’s degree in music from Yale School of Music, where he was awarded the Helen Battell-Stoeckel Chamber Music Prize. He has served as concertmaster of the Northwest Sinfonietta, the Yale Philharmonia, the University of Minnesota Orchestra and the Vancouver Academy Orchestra. He has professional orchestral playing experience with the American Sinfonietta, BFM orchestra, Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, Central City Opera Festival Orchestra, Denver Ballet, Colorado Springs Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Akron Symphony and the Erie Philharmonic.
Donnellan is a violin professor at Western Washington University, where he is also the director of the Western Chamber Days Summer Institute.

Kllogjeri promoted to assistant VP, branch manager
Aldi Kllogjeri was promoted to assistant vice president and branch manager at Skagit State Bank’s Sedro-Woolley office on Ferry Street. He will manage consumer lending as well as a portfolio of businesses.
Kllogjeri started his banking career with Skagit State Bank in 2001 as a teller. Most recently he has been a loan officer in the Burlington office, which expertise in real estate and home equity lending.
Kllogjeri is a graduate of Sedro-Woolley High School, received his AAUCT degrees from Skagit Valley College and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University.
He lives in Sedro-Woolley with his wife Amber and their 3-month-old daughter.

St. Joseph Hospital Foundation officers elected
St. Joseph Hospital Foundation announced the election of its board of directors. Elected as president is Joanne Robinson, a founding director and member since 2003. Dr. Ian Thompson was elected to the position of president-elect. Richard Hovde was elected to serve as the board treasurer. The Foundation’s secretary will be Simon Johnson. Dr. Ralph Rinne was named emeritus.
St. Joseph Hospital Foundation is the fundraising arm of St. Joseph Hospital. The Foundation raised 2.1 million dollars in its last fiscal year.

Ferndale Family Medical Center adds two physicians
Ferndale Family Medical Center is adding two physicians to its staff, fulfilling its promise to the community after opening a larger, state-of-the-art facility in December.
Dr. Sara Sheaffer joined the Ferndale Family Medical Center staff on Aug. 29, followed by Dr. David Hansen on Sept. 19.
Sheaffer spent the last two years as a family medicine resident at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, N.Y. In addition to providing comprehensive medical care for a diverse patient population, she is skilled in performing manipulative therapy for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. A graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Sheaffer is proficient in medical Spanish.
Hansen most recently was chief resident at Tacoma Family Medicine. A graduate of Brown University School of Medicine, he is qualified to provide care for the full spectrum of family medicine, including obstetrics. Hansen also is proficient in Spanish.

Banks name new business development manager
Business Bank of Skagit County (BBOSC) and Business Bank of Whatcom County (BBOWC) welcomes Jeremy McCullough to their team as their new business development manager. His role is focused on the banking needs of small businesses and the services that the bank can offer them.
Most recently Jeremy worked as the Membership and Tourism Director for the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Community involvement is important to Jeremy. He is actively involved with several organizations including the Mount Vernon & Burlington Chambers of Commerce, Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation and Mount Vernon AAU Basketball Association.

Skin care professional accepts national appointment
Bellingham clinical aesthetician Sallie Deitz will serve the National Interstate Council for State Board Exams as a test developer for a second-tier master aesthetician licensing exam. The council, based in Dunedin, Fla., hosted Deitz at a recent focus group for the opening sessions of the development committee.
As the author of “The Clinical Esthetician” and “Amazing Skin,” as well as a featured guest speaker at industry-related conferences, workshops and meetings, Deitz has earned much acclaim from the skin aesthetics community.
She recently released her own line of skin care products, Sallie Deitz Cosmeceuticals, available at Bellingham ENT and the Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery Centre on Squalicum Parkway in Bellingham.

Strow honored for supporting farming issues
Rep. Chris Strow, R-Freeland, received a 100 percent voting record on issues important to the Washington Farm Bureau. He was one of five out of 147 legislators to receive a perfect score in the bureau’s biennial legislative scorecard.
The Farm Bureau highlighted 18 issues from the last two years that it either supported or opposed – special tax assessments, public disclosure requests, employer notification, unemployment insurance, a diesel sales tax exemption, employer reporting, critical area ordinances, Columbia River management, emission standards, mandatory paid leave, trapping reform, a minimum wage study, nuisance complaints, the repeal of I-601, the death tax, the gas tax, aquifer protections and renewable fuels.
Strow said he’s proud his record demonstrates consistent support for farmers and the future of agriculture in Washington.
The Farm Bureau releases its legislative scorecards to provide members with a tool to help assess performance of elected officials in the Legislature.

Bellingham resume writer nationally published
Resumes written by Bellingham certified resume writer Janice M. Shepherd have been selected by Impact Publications for inclusion in two new books written by Ron and Caryl Krannich, Ph.D.s.
A recognized expert in the industry, Shepherd is one of only three resume writers nationwide to have work selected for inclusion in “Resume, Application, and Letter Tips for People with Hot and Not-So-Hot Backgrounds” and “High Impact Resumes and Letters, Ninth Edition.”
Resumes created by Shepherd are published in more than 25 career industry books, including “Resumes That Knock ‘em Dead” and “Gallery of Best Resumes.”

United Way names campaign, board leadership
United Way of Whatcom County named Dr. Erick Lane chairman of the 2006 United Way fundraising campaign. Lane is president of Madrona Medical Group.
David Boyer, senior project manager at VECO USA, was appointed board chair for United Way of Whatcom County. Boyer replaces outgoing chair Terry Belcoe, CEO of North Coast Credit Union, who completed a two-year term in the position.
The board of directors of United Way also voted in new board members Pat Atkinson of Northwest Regional Council on Aging, Matt Barnhart of MB Design and Pat Hudgens of VECO USA.
Hinton ranked among state’s top 10 sales associates
Lynda Hinton of Coldwell Banker Miller-Arnason was ranked in the top 10 sales associates for the second quarter of 2006 in selling units in the state of Washington for the franchise system. Hinton ranked eighth out of the 2700 Coldwell Banker affiliate sales associates in the state.

Best earns SuperStarter award at Waddell & Reed
Randy Best, a financial advisor and district manager with Waddell & Reed Financial Services, has been named a recipient of the firm’s SuperStarter Gold Award, a top honor for first year financial advisors. SuperStarter awards are presented to the top of Waddell & Reed’s first-year financial advisors, based on an analysis of investment, insurance and financial planning sales generated by the advisors. Best, who joined Waddell & Reed earlier this year, counsels clients throughout Washington, Oregon and California. As a personal financial advisor, Best will help to develop customized financial plans, recommend investment strategies and counsel clients throughout the area.

Bellingham gemologist becomes Master IJO Jeweler
Mary Harding, G.G., Bellingham’s only salon style jewelry store, announced membership in the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO), an international buying group and educational organization of approximately 850 independently owned retail jewelers worldwide.
A Master IJO Jeweler is an elite retail jeweler hand-selected for membership in IJO. IJO only selects jewelers with the highest ethical standards and superior professional integrity. As a Master IJO Jeweler, members receive expert training allowing them to update their knowledge, skills and experience to help the consumer make confident jewelry purchases. Benefits include direct access to the international diamond markets of Antwerp, Belgium, through the IJO office located there and group purchasing power which allows and IJO Master Jeweler to pass on significant savings to customers while maintaining high quality.
Harding is a Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America and a member of the National Association of Jewelry appraisers.

Jensen moves to Thrivent’s Burlington office
Karl Jensen of Bellingham, a financial representative with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ Sierra Northwest Regional Financial Office since 2004, has joined Thrivent Financial’s Mount Baker Group.
Jensen is now based in Burlington. He joins his brother, Kent Jensen, Gary Moon and 23-year veteran Robert Ford. Thrivent Financial’s Mount Baker Group serves Skagit, San Juan and portions of Whatcom, Snohomish and Island Counties.

Essential Innovations names two to board of directors
Essential Innovations Technology Corp. (OTCBB: ESIV) has appointed Salvador Diaz-Verson and James Paterson to its Board of Directors, increasing the size of the board to seven members.
Diaz-Verson, 54, is the founder and principal of Miramar Securities, a registered broker-dealer, the founder and owner of Diaz-Verson Capital, LLC, which provides services to public and private pension funds, insurance companies, and individuals, and the founder and chairman of United Americas Bank, a national bank headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.Diaz-Verson was the President and Chief Investment Officer of American Family Corporation, now known as AFLAC, Inc. until 1991, when he left to form Diaz-Verson Capital.
Paterson, 36, is an investment banker at Jefferies & Company, Inc., an investment bank headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The Company provides financial advisory services to growth-oriented, mid-size companies. These financial advisory services include the structuring and execution of acquisition financing, recapitalizations, and refinancing in both the private and public debt markets.
Paterson holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
William Baumgartner has resigned from the board, effective September 1, due to personal commitments.

Villhauer honored at Edward Jones
Edward Jones investment representative Tim Villhauer of Bellingham has been awarded the company’s Century Award for outstanding performance. Villhauer is one of only 396 receipients among Edward Jones’ 9,000 brokers.

Allstate agent recognized for 35 years of service
Allstate Insurance Company has recognized agent Carl Angell of Bellingham for his 35 years of service at Allstate.
“We are very fortunate to have Carl as a part of the Allstate family,” said Michelle Lee, field vice president of Allstate’s Northwest Region, which includes Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. “This is certainly a milestone for Carl, who has made great contributions to Allstate and has become an intricate part of the Bellingham community.”
Angell is one of more than 600 Allstate agents throughout the Northwest Region.

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