Rutz receives advanced degree
Steve Rutz of the financial-services firm Edward Jones achieved an AAMS designation in financial planning.
Rutz has been serving individual investors and small-business owners in the Anacortes area for four years.

Local photographers join Yary Photography
Sally Kolar, a local award-winning photographer, has joined Yary Photography in Bellingham.
Kolar has been awarded the Fuji Masterpiece award, the trophy for best commercial photograph and many state and national print merits for her photography. She is a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and the Professional Photographers of Washington, where she is the representative for the Northwest district. She has had two images selected by Jones Soda for use on their labels. Kolar is the 2006 4H judge for the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden.
Also joining Yary Photography is Rachel Hathaway, who transferred to the studio in November 2005. Hathaway is a wedding photographer who is also taking on studio sessions in her new location. Hathaway is a member of WPPI and PPA, where she earned her Associate Fellow of Photography degree, and is on the executive board serving as secretary.

Photographers win awards
Radley Muller, photographer and owner of Yary Photography, was awarded three individual trophies for his wedding photography at the Professional Photographers of Washington state convention and print competition at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine.
His photograph won the award for the best wedding group and the best wedding portrait in Washington, and the trophy for distinguished Kodak Gallery Award. The photograph earned a gold seal, a national merit for earning a print score of 83, a blue ribbon and was selected for exhibition.
Rachel Hathaway, a photographer at Yary Photography, had two photographs earn blue ribbons and a state merit, and two were selected for exhibition. This was Hathaway’s first time entering a print competition, and she earned a total of 25 merits for service and education.
Tina Muller, another photographer at Yary Photography, had four prints selected for exhibition, earning blue ribbons and a state merit. One of her photographs earned a gold seal for a score of 80, a national merit and was selected as one of the three best child’s portraits in Washington. Another of her photographs earned a score of 80 and was awarded a gold seal and a national merit.
Muller was also awarded first place in the romance category in the Best of Weddings competition held by Wedding and Portrait Photographers International in Las Vegas, Nev. She was awarded her Accolade of Photographic Mastery and her Accolade of Outstanding Photographic Achievement in recognition of her photographic achievements.

Ellars named investment representative
The financial-services firm Edward Jones named Franklin Ellars as the new investment representative for Bellingham’s branch office on Birchwood Avenue.

Local resume writer nationally published
Resumes created by Bellingham certified resume writer Janice Shepherd are featured in a new resume guide recently published by IMPACT Publications.
“Best Resumes and Letters for Ex-offenders” is the first resume and letter book to address the unique challenges facing ex-offenders as they prepare to communicate their qualifications to employers. The book contains the latest information, tips, strategies and examples of what to do in order to get a job interview.
Resumes created by Shepherd are published in more than 20 current career industry books.
A certified professional resume writer has earned that credential through a specialized testing an examination process.

Hospital CEO recertified
Skagit Valley Hospital’s CEO Gregg Davidson was recertified as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
Davidson became a member of ACHE in 1997 and earned his Diplomate Credential from the organization in 1991. As a board-certified healthcare executive, he received his Fellow Credential in 1996. Of the approximately 30,000 executives who belong to ACHE, only 10 percent achieve and maintain a Fellow status.
Davidson has served as superintendent and chief executive officer of Skagit Valley Hospital and Public Hospital District No. 1 since 2003.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
Davidson is the secretary treasurer of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts and serves on the boards of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, the Economic Development Association of Skagit County, the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation and the Skagit Hospice Foundation, and is president of Leadership Skagit.

Smith Barney promotes Shelton
Smith Barney’s financial adviser Max Shelton has been promoted to second vice president-wealth management.
Shelton has been a member of Smith Barney for more than three years. As a financial adviser on the Bruce and Max Shelton team at Smith Barney, he provides a full suite of investment services to high net-worth investors, foundations, small business owners and corporations focusing on wealth management, retirement planning, estate planning and specializing in portfolio management.
With a bachelor’s degree in business management from the College of Business and Economics from Western Washington University, Shelton is a certified Financial Planning Specialist and holds Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses, and the Washington State Life and Disability Insurance license.

Car dealership hires new employees
Keith Cox of Keith Cox Autobahn (KCA), a used car dealership specializing in certified pre-owned Volkswagens and Audis, recently added several new employees.
Brandon Welters, a 2000 graduate of Wyoming Technical and a four-year veteran of Seattle BMW, joined KCA as a service and repair technician. Welters is a 1999 graduate of Mt. Baker High School, holds ASE certifications and was involved in the BMW Step Service Technical Training Program.
Gary Kamps of Lynden is part of the KCA sales group. Kamps is a 1967 graduate of Dordt College and holds a master’s degree from Montana State. He recently retired as superintendent of Lynden Christian Schools where he served since 1987.
Amanda Linger is working as an administrative and sales assistant. She is a freshman at Western Washington University where she is pursuing a business degree and is a member of the women’s lacrosse team.

Financial advisers qualify for Circle of Champions
Tim Goering, Doug Whitener, Don Olson and Shawn Morton qualified for Waddell & Reed’s annual Circle of Champions conference.
The four advisers participated in the conference May 4-6 in San Antonio, Texas. All have earned this honor in prior years. The event honors only the top financial advisers and managers each year, out of the firm’s national network of more than 2,600 financial advisers.

Thompson serves as SEC panel member
David Thompson, CFO of International Absorbents, Inc., a developer and producer of environmentally friendly pet care and industrial products, was invited to participate as a panel member discussing practical Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting issues for small and mid-sized public companies at forums sponsored by the SEC Institute.
Thompson was part of the Controllers’ Roundtable at the 21st Midyear Reporting Forum in May in Dallas, Texas, and a panelist at the SEC Reporting and FASB Update Forum for Mid-sized and Smaller Public Companies in June in Orlando, Fla.

Ashiatsu massage offered at Cascadia Massage
Cindy Running, LMP/CPT, recently joined Cascadia Center for Massage. She is certified in the Ashiatsu massage technique.
Ashiatsu, or Oriental Bar Therapy, is performed with the feet of the therapist who is stabilized using bars above the massage table. Ashiatsu is a unique system that aids in the movement of spinal fluid through the pumping action of the feet and allows the deepest tissue work with minimal discomfort.
Running uses a holistic approach with clients to promote total wellbeing. She has been a practicing massage therapist since 1989.

Hume earns sales title
A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. recently named Scott Hume vice president of investments. Hume is a financial consultant in the firm’s Bellingham office. He has been a financial broker for 10 years. He joined A. G. Edwards in 1998.
Hume is a member of Bellingham Central Lions Club, Whatcom Park Foundation, Chuckanut Flying Club and a board member of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Merielle reside in Bellingham.

Allsop, Inc. adds new employees
Edwin Cheong, a mechanical engineer graduate of Western Michigan University, has joined the Allsop, Inc. product development department as a mechanical engineer. Cheong has several years of experience in product development, improvement and testing with MagnaDrive Corporation in Bellevue and Electrolux Home Products in McRae, Ga.
Masa Clements Pettit, a graduate of Western Washington University in business administration, has joined the sales team as a sales coordinator focusing on Allsop’s Canadian sales territory. Pettit previously worked in the human resources department at Microsoft Corp.

Wycoff Imsurance hires Keltz
Donnie Keltz has recently been hired at Wycoff Insurance. Keltz has been in the insurance industry for more than six years.
He served as a board member for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and is a board member with the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce as well as the Friendship House. Keltz is also a member of the Mount Vernon Noon Rotary Club.

Windermere adds new sales associates
Windermere Real Estate/Whatcom, Inc. added sales associates Becky Andrews and Ken Gustafson to its Bellingham-Bakerview office.
Andrews has been a resident of Whatcom County for more than 20 years. She comes to Windermere from a career in the medical field. She is a graduate of Western Washington University and volunteers for the American Cancer Society, WWU Alumni Association and at local schools.
Gustafson was born and raised in Bellingham. He retired from the Bellingham Fire Department after a 30-year career in fire service as a firefighter, paramedic, captain and division chief.

Whatcom RE/MAX agents awarded ASP designation
Connie Seguin and Brad Denning of RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc. have been awarded the designation of Accredited Staging Professional (ASP). Seguin and Denning completed a detailed course and passed a thorough examination on preparing homes for sale.
Homes prepared for sale by an ASP are clean, clutter-free and ready to show to prospective buyers. Staged homes traditionally sell faster and/or for more money than other homes on the real estate market.

Cerota joins Botanical Laboratories
Heidi Cerota joined Botanical Laboratories as their East Coast regional sales manager.
Cerota has extensive years of experience with large consumer product companies and the gourmet specialty foods industry. She worked for large food distribution companies, as well as for the food divisions of Mitsubishi Corporation. Cerota’s last position was with Bio-Tech Corporation as their vice president of sales for the health food division. Cerota is an active board member of the National Nutritional Foods Association.

Coldwell Banker associates receive awards
Dee Donaldson and Terri Heyntsen, associates with Coldwell Banker American Tradition Real Estate, were awarded the Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society award for their achievements in 2005. This award represents an outstanding level of performance and production, and is presented to the top 17 percent of Coldwell Banker Associates internationally.
Vickie Crook, also an associate with Coldwell Banker American Tradition, received the Coldwell Banker International Sterling Society designation. This award distinguishes her as one of the top 23 percent of Coldwell Banker associates internationally.

WWU names new dean of Fairhaven College
Roger Gilman, from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, has been named the new dean of Fairhaven College at Western Washington University.
Selected after a nationwide search, Gilman will begin his new duties on or before Sept. 1, 2006. Gilman succeeds Ron Riggins, who is stepping down as dean.
At Northeastern Illinois University, Gilman has been associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2002. He serves as chair of the philosophy department and as an associate professor of philosophy. He has been recognized with several faculty excellence awards in teaching, service and research. At the university he developed a pre-law advising program, is nearing completion on his book “The Ecology of Value,” and with chemistry faculty member Pratihba Varma Nelson invented a new method of teaching research ethics across the curriculum.
He received a bachelor’s degree with honors, with a double major in philosophy and literature, in 1973 from Fairhaven College. At the University of Chicago he received a master’s degree in the philosophy of science and a doctorate in philosophy.
Gilman’s primary research interests concern the interface of biology and applied ethics in environmental, medical, biotechnological and research ethics and the philosophy of nature. He has lectured at numerous universities both in the United States and abroad. He is a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army.

Whatcom County Association recognizes Pope, Williams
Jim Pope, a real estate agent for RE/MAX Whatcom County, was selected for his outstanding volunteerism to the Realtor association. He presided as Whatcom County Association 2005 president, is a state director and presides as an active member of the Washington Association of Realtors State Education Committee.
Pope holds a position on the association’s political affairs committee. He chairs a task force representing agents on the issues of the proposed septic system changes in Whatcom County.
Pope has earned Realtor education designations including associate broker, Council of Residential Specialist, Graduate Realtor Institute, Accredited Buyer Representative and the technology degree e-PRO.
Brett Williams, a loan officer for Neighborhood Mortgage in Bellingham, was also recognized. Chair of the association’s Habitat for Humanity committee, he was instrumental in helping with auction items for the recent “Raise the Roof” fundraiser. He reports building activities on the latest homes under production at association meetings, promoting volunteers to help with the onsite building of homes in Whatcom County.
A graduate of Mt. Baker High School, Williams is actively involved with Whatcom County Young Life, Inc. and also in his affiliations at Cornwall Church.

Loan center hires mortgage loan officer
Banner Bank has added mortgage loan officer Josh Martin to the Bellingham Real Estate Loan Center.
Martin has worked in the banking industry for eight years, five of which were in mortgage lending. Prior to joining Banner Bank, he worked at First Horizon Home Loans as a loan officer. He has lived in the Bellingham area for 26 years and is an active member of the Whatcom County Association of Realtors chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Moonwater elected to statewide association
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center’s executive director, Moonwater, has been elected to serve on the board of directors for the Washington Mediation Association (WMA).
The WMA is a nonprofit organization comprised of mediators and people interested in promoting mediation as a dispute resolution process in Washington. The board designates its members each year to serve as representatives for each region throughout the state. Moonwater is a Region 1 liaison to the WMA board, which includes Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and San Juan counties. She also will serve as the contact between the WMA and Resolution Washington, the consortium of Washington dispute resolution centers.
Moonwater has been the executive director of the WDRC since February 2005. She came to the WDRC having first served as a volunteer mediator and trainer in conflict resolution. A graduate of Seattle University, Moonwater received her master’s degree in public administration in May 2005.

Archdiocesan promotes Powers
Steve Powers has been promoted to division director for the Archdiocesan Housing Authority. He had previously been manager of Bellingham’s 85-unit Mt. Baker Apartments and the 36-unit Washington Grocery Building Apartments.
Powers oversees affordable housing projects in Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. He recently received C3P certification as a tax credit specialist by Spectrum, a widely recognized affordable housing training company.
Skagit County projects include 70 three- or four-bedroom apartments of farm-worker housing. Groundbreaking is expected to begin on another 30 units of farm-worker housing by August 2006.
Whatcom County projects include the new 40-unit Kateri Court Apartments located on Chestnut Street in downtown Bellingham. Kateri Court, opening in July 2006, will provide eight one-bedroom apartments for homeless individuals. The Kateri Court homeless program will be administered through a partnership with the Opportunity Council.

Northwest Computer names new operations manager
Dan Harrell is the new operations manager for Northwest Computer. Former vice president of SMO Corporation of Everson, Harrell also served as vice president of research and development for integral technologies, where he managed the company’s research and manufacturing operations.
Harrell’s career includes a number of leadership roles in U.S. Army intelligence operations both domestically and abroad. He won numerous commendations, including the Joint Defense Meritorious Achievement Medal, during his tenure in the military and was named Operations Director at Fort Belvoir, Va.
Roberts completes certified graduate builder degree
Jon Roberts, owner and principle designer of Cascade Custom Homes & Design of Oak Harbor, recently received the Certified Graduate Builder degree from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The NAHB certification identifies qualified individuals who exemplify professionalism in the building industry.
Cascade Custom Homes & Design is a full-service custom home and remodeling builder with complete in-house architectural design services.

3D Corporation promotes Pavitt, Hagglund
3D Corporation promoted Ryan Pavitt to network technician and Tim Hagglund to corporate sales.
Pavitt first came to 3D in July 2004 and was hired onto the technical sales team. Since then, he has worked with clients and gained experience in project management.
Hagglund was hired at 3D in February 2005 into the technical sales department. As a sales technician, Hagglund established great relationships with 3D’s clientele.

Schumacher promoted to client manager
Sigrid Schumacher has been promoted to client manager of business banking for Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties by Bank of America. She has held positions in credit, finance and consumer banking, where she was recognized in the top 10 percent of bank performers in service excellence within the company. She will be celebrating 25 years with the bank this August.
Schumacher is also an active member and past president of the Burlington-Edison Kiwanis, and is current president of the La Conner Institute of Performing Arts.
Former Spinnaker owner joins Northwest Computer
Shannon McGuire has joined the Northwest Computer consulting department. McGuire, who until recently owned Spinnaker Photo in Bellingham, will offer consulting and project management in support of the company’s networking and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telecom solutions.
In addition, she will be working with a select group of local clients on an enterprise-wide basis, managing across-the-board relationships by providing office, business and technology products and services.
McGuire has been a leader in the Bellingham business community for years, serving on the board of directors for the Downtown Renaissance Network as well as sponsoring Sustainable Connection’s Think Local First campaign. While under her direction, Spinnaker Photo achieved a five-star rating from EnviroStars.

Shride joins Cascade P&O
Tim Shride, CPO, has joined the clinical staff at Cascade P&O, a leading prosthetics and orthotics practice in Mount Vernon and Ferndale, and sister company to Cascade Dafo. Shride brings an expertise with state-of-the-art prosthetic technologies and extensive experience working with adults, in addition to a strong background in pediatric orthotics.
An ABC-certified prosthetist/orthotist, Shride received his bachelor’s degree in prosthetics and orthotics from the University of Washington’s School of Medicine. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. Most recently, Shride was an on-staff orthotist/prosthetist at Hanger P&O in Waterbury, Conn.
Shride is a guest instructor for Newington Certificate Program in Prosthetics and Orthotics, teaching courses in neuromuscular and arthritic upper extremities.
Although Shride currently comes to Cascade P&O from the East Coast, he is originally from the Seattle area. He lived for three years in Tateyama, Bellingham’s sister city in Japan. In Tateyama, Shride worked in the mayor’s office where he was involved with the sister city program and had frequent contact with many people from Bellingham who work in a variety of cultural and government positions.

Peoples Bank hires loan representative
Peoples Bank hired Lisa Shepard as real estate loan representative at People’s Bank’s Oak Harbor Home Loan Center.
Shepard is the third loan representative to join the Oak Harbor home loan center. In her new position, she will be responsible for offering her customers a broad range of mortgage services, including first-time homebuyer programs, construction loans and purchase and refinance loans within Island County.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from City University. She is active in the community with the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force and Pike Place Market Foundation.

Realtor recognized as one of 50 best nationwide
RISMedia’s Real Estate Magazine recognized Terri Heyntsen, with Coldwell Banker American Tradition Real Estate in Burlington, as a “realtor on the rise,” honoring 50 of the industry’s best realtors nationwide.
In her first two years, Heyntsen achieved more than $10 million in sales with 53 units sold.
Using her experience from her former career in her area’s school district, Heyntsen has been involved with her realtor association’s education committee, and she has donated to RPAC and is active in general membership meetings. She also participates in several local church and charitable activities.

First Horizon promotes Zandstra
Josh Zandstra was promoted to branch manager for the Bellingham office of First Horizon Home Loans.
Zandstra has surpassed $100 million in residential loan production during his career, which includes the last six years with First Horizon. A Bellingham High School graduate, he returned to the community last year after First Horizon opened an office in the Fred Meyer complex on West Bakerview Road.

Swiecicki named president of OPW
Mira Swiecicki, O.D., of Lynden was named president of the Optometric Physicians of Washington (OPW) at the OPW annual convention held in May in Spokane. As president, Swiecicki will lead the OPW board of trustees, membership committees, staff and general membership.
Swiecicki practices at the Lynden Vision Clinic. She received her doctor of optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Elkins Park, Penn., and performed undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary in Canada.
Swiecicki has been an active member of the Optometric Physicians of Washington since 1996, serving in a variety of roles including vice president and trustee.

Haggen promotes catering crewmembers
Market Street Catering, a division of Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores, recently promoted five crewmembers.
Joan Olson was named Market Street Catering’s sales manager. Olson, who joined Haggen in 2001, directs the sales office and delivery operations.
Steve Hanft was appointed full-service manager, responsible for events that include servers as well as food and beverages.
Renea Roberts has been promoted to event planner. She assists clients with the planning and coordination of event details such as the menu, beverages, decorations, rentals, service, floral arrangements and wedding cakes.
Jessica Lupo is the new catering production manager, responsible for coordinating operations in the catering kitchen.
Andrew Anorbes was promoted to catering sous chef and now assists the executive chef.

Veteran Realtor receives CCIM designation
Kevin Geraghty, a 17-year veteran Realtor with Windermere Real Estate in Bellingham, has earned the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute.
The designation was awarded during the institute’s meetings in April in Vancouver, B.C. Of all real estate agents, less than one percent achieves this prestigious designation.
The CCIM designation is awarded to commercial real estate professionals upon successful completion of a graduate-level curriculum and attainment of a level of qualifying experience.

WDRC adds new board members
The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) appointed five new members to its board of directors.
Tom Anderson, Jerry Brownfield, Phil Montgomery, Analeise Volpe and Soraya Abi-Farah will help board members further promote the WDRC’s mission of increasing the understanding of the processes and alternatives for peaceful conflict resolution in the community.
Anderson is an engineering consultant in private practice and has been a resident of Whatcom County since 1977. He recently retired as general manager of Public Utility District #1 of Whatcom County after 16 years.
Brownfield is a retired mechanical engineer and a previous board member of a family camp for 25 years.
Montgomery works from Bellingham supporting international sales for a software firm.
Volpe, who first moved to Bellingham 15 years ago, brings a wide variety of assets to the WDRC board, including international teaching experience.
Abi-Farah is a local public relations specialist and graduate student in management at City University.

Radial Energy appoints new director
Bellingham-based Radial Energy, Inc. appointed Omar Hayes to the board and in the capacity of Chief Operating Officer of the company.
Hayes is an oil and gas veteran, having built his career in Latin America by providing his considerable project expertise to an assembly of established and respected organizations including Transredes S.A., GasTransBoliviano S.A. and Shell/Enron.
Hayes received his master’s degree in mechanical engineering as part of a Fulbright Scholarship to Michigan State University in 1997. He received a master’s degree in business administration at the Universidad Catolica Boliviana in 2000, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca in 1989. He has attended many executive-level programs at several important universities including the Oxford Princeton Programme in the UK, Harvard Business School and Stanford University.

New officers, board members join YWCA
New YWCA officers, elected by the board of directors in May, are President Sharon Coss, manager of the Lummi Nation’s domestic violence shelter; Vice President Megan Lynch, public affairs coordinator for Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood; Treasurer Sherry Partlow, an accounting technician with the Bellingham Housing Authority; and Secretary Amory Peck, chair of the Whatcom County Library System board of trustees. The four were elected at the April annual membership meeting.
New members, who joined the 16-member YWCA board in May, are Erin Dommes, operations and marketing coordinator for the Bellingham Festival of Music; Jonita (Jay) Johnson, group life counselor for chemically addicted teens; and Rissa Wabaunsee, vice president of instruction at Northwest Indian College.

Cascadia Weekly names ad director
The fledgling Cascadia Weekly newspaper named Marc McCoy director of advertising. He will be in charge of all advertising sales for the newspaper and manage future department staff.
McCoy has lived in Whatcom County for more than 25 years and is a Western Washington University graduate in history. He has two decades of retail and wholesale wine sales experience, including work at Hayden’s Fairhaven Red Apple and Haggen. He has also worked in advertising sales at Comcast and the Bellingham Herald.
Local tourism leaders honored at awards luncheon
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism recognized and presented several awards to local businesses, officials and individuals within the tourism industry during its awards luncheon May 25 at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.
The Port of Bellingham Commissioners received the 2006 Tourism Business of the Year Award for serving as continuous ambassadors for Bellingham and Whatcom County. The port was recognized for its successful efforts to bring Delta and Allegiant airlines to the region, leadership in expanded ferry service to the San Juan Islands and efforts to redevelop the Georgia Pacific property.
Vicki Rogers, owner of Halibut Henry’s Café in the Bellingham Airport and Inside Passage and Pacific Chef stores in Fairhaven, received the 2006 Priscilla Sabin Award. This accolade honors past CVB Director Priscilla Sabin and recognizes outstanding efforts made by a front-line individual in the tourism industry. Rogers was recognized for her efforts in promoting Fairhaven and active involvement in a number of community organizations.
Elsie Jussel and Wes Ulrich received the Volunteer of the Year Award for their years of volunteer service at the Potter St. visitors center. Volunteers Shirley Henry and Pat McEvoy received an Exceptional Service Award for their tireless dedication to the bureau. Volunteers Fay Beckley and Alice Dickinson received a gold name badge for their 10 years of service at the bureau.
As part of the program, a special recognition was made to the family of Lani Choat, a founding member of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, past board chair and tourism advocate who passed away last January.

WWU professor’s sculpture displayed in Paris
Original artwork by Ed Bereal, fine arts associate professor at Western Washington University, is receiving international acclaim at the Centre Georges Pompidou art gallery in Paris.
His sculpture “Focke-Wulf” will be displayed at the Centre Georges Pompidou art gallery until July 17.
The Pompidou selected Bereal’s piece as part of an exhibit titled “Los Angeles-Paris: 1955 to 1985.” The exhibit displayed the work of more than 80 other artists from fields such as visual arts, architecture, literature and film.
“Focke-Wulf,” was created in 1962. The piece references FW109, a German aircraft with a Nazi symbol on the front.

Mireault, Cushing receive certifications
David Mireault and Anne Cushing of Bellingham Plumbing & Heating, Inc. recently became certified to perform medical gas installation and brazing. These certifications allow journeyman plumbers and apprentices to work on all levels of medical gas and vacuum systems, from large hospitals to small dentist’s offices.
The medical gas installation certification is acquired through a written test on code covering all aspects of installation, replacement, and repair of medical gas and vacuum systems. Applicants must score a 75 percent or higher to receive their certification.
The brazing certification is acquired through a proctored practical test requiring applicants to braze both vertical and horizontal joints under a nitrogen purge.

Synergy Salon hires new hairstylist
Brandy Rodriguez is Synergy Salon and Day Spa’s newest hairstylist. She is a Gene Juarez graduate with expertise cutting hair, coloring and foiling techniques, and waxing. Synergy is located on Riverside Drive in Mount Vernon.

Whatcom lawyers selected as Super Lawyers
Washington Law & Politics Magazine included two Whatcom County lawyers in its 2006 list of Washington Super Lawyers.
Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis was selected in the business/corporate law category. Dean Brett of Brett & Coats, PLLC was selected in the plaintiff’s personal injury category.
The 2006 Super Lawyers selection is based on surveys of more than 16,000 lawyers across Washington. Considered among the best in their profession, Super Lawyers represent 5 percent of the practicing lawyers in Washington.

Bailey honored by school retirees’ association
The Washington State School Retirees’ Association (WSSRA) has named Rep. Barbara Bailey winner of its Legislative Excellence Award.
Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, accepted the award from WSSRA Legislative Committee Chairman Robert Rhule during the association’s annual convention in Yakima.
The honor was given to Bailey in recognition of her “outstanding efforts on behalf of Washington state’s school retirees,” according to WSSRA Legislative Coordinator Leslie Main.

WWU hires new alumni director
Melinda Barrett has been named Western Washington University’s director of Alumni Relations and executive director of the WWU Alumni Association.
Barrett was selected after a nationwide search and will begin her new duties in July.
Barrett was previously executive director of the YWCA of Yakima, where she served since 2001. At the YWCA, she oversaw a staff of 36 and a volunteer corps of more than 200 community members. She has been instrumental in leading that organization through a strategic planning process and has been the driving force behind the development and implementation of new programs to support women and families. She also teaches online courses in e-commerce and e-marketing at Yakima Valley Community College.
She earned a bachelor’s in business administration, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Montana State University in Billings.
Barrett fills the position previously held by William Farkas. Kay Rich has been serving as interim alumni director.

Insurance agent earns honors again
Erik Dyrland, owner of the Erik Dyrland Farmers Insurance Agency in Bellingham, has qualified as a Topper Club Agent by Farmers Insurance for the 18th time in his 19 years as a Farmers agent. Dyrland has successfully established one of the top three Farmers agencies in the state of Washington.
The Topper Club award is given to agents for consistently high sales volume of auto, home, life and business policies, plus high client retention, service and profitability. Only 900 of the more than 17,000 Farmers Agents nationwide qualified to receive Topper Club honors in 2005.
Born and raised in Bellingham, Erik serves on the Corporate Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, is active as a soccer coach for his children’s teams and supports the community through many local non-profit agencies.

Co-chairs appointed to Ericksen re-election campaign
State Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, appointed Lesa Boxx of Ferndale and Marty Maberry of Lynden as co-chairs of his 2006 re-election campaign. As co-chairs, Boxx and Maberry will help direct policy and strategy and serve as community liaisons for the Campaign to Re-elect Doug Ericksen.
Boxx and Maberry are both part of multi-generation Whatcom County families and owners of well-established local family agribusinesses.
Ericksen is seeking his fifth term as state representative to the 42nd Legislative District. He and his wife Tasha live in Ferndale with their two daughters, Elsa, 5, and Addi, 3.

NovaSim CEO wins business program award
Bellingham businesswoman Kerrie Paige of NovaSim received an award from the Make Mine a $Million business program.
Paige is CEO of NovaSim, LLC, a provider of software support models targeted to telecommunications and healthcare systems.
The company has developed two fully functional products. The first product helps call centers manage complex call arrival patterns, staffing needs and call flow patterns. The second product includes a series of simulations to help healthcare systems manage and improve the flow of patients through their systems.
The awards, presented by Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and OPEN from American Express, are part of the only national initiative dedicated to assisting the 97 percent of women entrepreneurs with businesses generating less than $1 million in annual revenues.

Doctor dedicated to helping aging boomers
Madrona Medical Group recently hired on Dr. Diana G. Wells, a Board-Certified Internist with more than two decades of practice experience to her credit. She will begin her practice on July 6.
A native of Minnesota, Wells graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota before going on to study law at Rutgers University. While at Rutgers she studied under Ruth Bader Ginsburg, now a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Following a short period in which she practiced law, Wells concluded that medicine, not law, was her life’s calling. Wells then attended medical school at the Medical College of Virginia before performing her residency at St. Luke’s/Denver Presbyterian Medical Center in Denver, Colo. Since that time she has practiced in Colorado and California.
Wells has special interests in the areas of women’s health and in treating the baby boom generation.
Wells enjoys an active and healthy lifestyle, thanks to a host of interests that include gardening, hiking, playing tennis, painting and other arts-related activities.

Haggen pharmacist honored by WAHA
Ward Nelson, a pharmacist for Haggen Food and Pharmacy, recently was honored by the Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access (WAHA).
Nelson was named a Healthcare Access Champion at WAHA’s first recognition event. Nelson, a founding member of WAHA’s Leadership Board in 2003 and a Whatcom County Council member, was cited for his support of local healthcare access efforts at community, state and federal levels.
Nelson, a Haggen pharmacist since 1999, is based at the Barkley Village store in Bellingham.

WCC president retires
Harold Heiner announced he would retire as president of Whatcom Community College June 30, 2007.
Heiner has worked in community college education for more than 40 years. He spent five years as a faculty member and administrator at Skagit Valley College, then five years in Olympia on the state board staff for community college education. He has worked at WCC since 1978, and has served president of WCC for the last 24 years.

Outpatient surgery center hires new administrator
Gary A. Richberg, R.N., CASC, CAPPM, will replace Pacific Rim Outpatient Surgery Center Administrator Margie Hildre who retired in June.
Richberg recently relocated to Bellingham from Las Vegas, Nev., where he worked as the administrator of the Institute of Orthopedic Surgery. He served in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman, and earned his nursing degree from the University of Regents in Albany, NY. He holds credentials in Certified Administrator of Surgery Center and Certified Administrator in Physician Practice Management, and has consulted on various projects in the healthcare industry.
Retiring Administrator Margie Hildre has managed Pacific Rim Outpatient Surgery Center since it’s opening in 2003, taking the facility from a start-up Ambulatory Surgery Center to a multi-specialty operation. She has more than 35 years of healthcare experience.

Brewster resigns from symphony leadership role
After more than four years as executive director of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, Lesli Brewster resigned from her position to begin her new career as a real estate agent with RE/MAX in Bellingham. During her tenure, Brewster worked to raise public awareness of the quality of the symphony orchestra while focusing her efforts on fundraising and marketing. As a result, sponsorships and support by local businesses and private donors more than doubled, and sales of season tickets steadily increased.
“I have been proud to work on behalf of this wonderful group of talented musicians,” Brewster said in a statement. “I will continue to be a fan and patron of the WSO as I move on to the new challenge of working in real estate.”

Burlington Alfy’s manager a ‘Community Hero’
Danielle Christianson, manager of Alfy’s Pizza in Burlington, recently won the statewide “Community Hero Award” at the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless Conference.
The annual award honors individuals, businesses and programs that strive to end homelessness in their communities.
Christianson was chosen because of her strong commitment to offer homeless families at Skagit County Community Action donated items that help ease a family’s transition into permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
For the past two years, Christianson and her husband Scott have gone out of their way to make sure Community Action’s homeless clients have Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas presents and school supplies for their children, as well as an evening out for dinner, a luxury they otherwise could not have been able to afford.
Christianson and her staff have contributed much of their own time and money to organize game nights, seasonal parties, and summer picnics.

Smith attends CIC Institute
Von Smith, President of Bob Wallin Insurance of Bellingham, has successfully completed the annual continuing education requirement of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.
To earn this prestigious designation, Smith attended five courses covering all phases of the insurance business and passed five comprehensive examinations. Additionally, the national alliance requires annual attendance in the program to maintain the designation.
Smith, a 21-year veteran of the industry, has been a CIC since 2004.