Mindrum is interim director of SVC Business Resource Center
Skagit Valley College (SVC) recently appointed Darlene Mindrum, a 32-year resident of the Skagit Valley, to serve as the interim director of its Business Resource Center (BRC).
Mindrum worked for 16 years at Dri-Eaz Products Inc. in a number of management roles. Most recently, she served as the training and development manager. She launched several initiatives including the corporation’s internal training department and a manufacturing certification and training program, as well as an online performance management system.
“Strong partnerships with local and regional industry and entrepreneurs add to the strength and vitality of our economy and our community,” said Laura Cailloux, interim dean of professional/technical education at SVC. “Darlene Mindrum will be an excellent fit for the BRC, bringing a keen awareness of the technical needs of industry along with the soft skills that are vital to an organization’s success. It’s a real win-win for SVC, our community partners and those we serve.”
Mindrum earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 1989, is a Professional in Human Resources and is nearing completion of a Masters in Education from Jones International University.

CENTURY 21 Bay Properties adds Glenn
CENTURY 21 Bay Properties is pleased to announce that Larry Glenn has joined its firm as a sales associate. He will specialize in residential property sales in the Whatcom County area.
“We are thrilled to have Larry join our team,” said Carl W. R. Dufton. “It’s an exciting time to be with the CENTURY 21 System as we increase our market presence in the area.”
Glenn just completed his licensing and is engaged in his new agent orientation with Bay Properties.

Larson Gross adds three
Larson Gross is pleased to announce the additions of Manager Luke Tavis, as well as staff accountants Kay Vollans and Carol White.
Tavis brings more than eight years of public and corporate accounting experience to Larson Gross. Before joining the firm, Tavis was a senior manager in Microsoft’s corporate accounting group. As a manager in Larson Gross’ Lynden office, Tavis said he is excited to be a part of such a great team that cares so passionately about its clients.
Vollans graduated in December from Abilene Christian College with her master’s degree in accounting. A Skagit County native, she returned to her Northwest roots after completing an internship with a public accounting firm in Texas.
White earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Washington State University and brings more than 10 years of bookkeeping experience to the firm. White said she is eager to put her knowledge and understanding of small business needs to good use.

Fitness Gear & Training adds Lehman
Jason Lehman joined the staff of Fitness Gear & Training as a sales associate in mid-August and accepted the role as lead personal trainer in early September. He says he looks forward to the opportunity to work with individuals in Fitness Gear & Training’s state-of-the-art training studios.
Lehman is a Certified Personal Trainer by the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT). Jason graduated from Western Washington University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science and sport psychology.
Lehman’s background includes extensive knowledge of training for sport participation and recreation, as well as maintaining personal health. He has two years clinical physical therapy experience as a therapist assistant.

WWU’s Liao-Troth to oversee MBA program
Western Washington University Associate Professor of Management Matthew Liao-Troth has been named the director of the University’s MBA program.
Liao-Troth will oversee the program’s recruiting efforts, admissions process, alumni relations, academic advising and the coordination of its curriculum. He takes over the position from Brian Burton, who was appointed to a two-year limited term as the dean of the College of Business and Economics last summer.

Gregory promoted to retail branch manager
Whidbey Island Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Marcy Gregory to retail branch manager at the Bakerview office of Whidbey Island Bank. A life-long resident of Whatcom County, Gregory has more than 25 years of banking and lending experience, recently serving as assistant vice president and senior loan officer of the bank’s Dealer Banking Division.
Gregory joined Whidbey Island Bank in 1998, starting the Dealer Center in Bellingham.
In 2002, Gregory received an Outstanding Sales Award from Whidbey Island Bank for her achievement in establishing and growing the Whatcom Country division of the Dealer Center.
Gregory attended Western Washington University and resides in Ferndale with her husband, Shawn, her sons Tyler and Ryan, and her daughter, Jordan.

Business Bank promotes McCullough
Business Bank has recently promoted Jeremy McCullough to assistant vice president.
“Business Bank has become a contender in the market thanks in part to Jeremy’s hard work and willingness to get involved,” stated Vice President of Operations Karen Pitt.
McCullough is a founding member of the Skagit Young Professionals and is currently enrolled in Leadership Skagit. In addition, Jeremy is an active member of the Mount Vernon Chamber, Burlington Chamber, Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club and EDASC.

Keller Williams’ Murray is award-winner
Meredith Murray, a Realtor with Keller Williams Western Realty in Bellingham, recently earned several awards in her market center. She was awarded Highest Number of Written Contracts for an Individual Agent for June & July 2007; Highest Number of Closings for an Individual Agent for August 2007; and Highest Closed Volume by an Individual Agent for August 2007. With eight years in the real estate industry, Murray is in her fourth year as a licensed agent.

Krauss named marketing manager for Johnson Team
Meghan Krauss has been appointed communications and marketing manager for the Johnson Team at the Muljat Group South office in Fairhaven.
Krauss is responsible for marketing the six-person Johnson Team’s real estate listings via publications, flyers and Internet sites. She also coordinates content for its Whatcom Homes Newspaper and responds to inquiries from people interested in Northwest Washington real estate. Krauss has a bachelor’s degree and is completing requirements for a master of business administration (MBA) degree at Western Washington University.
The Johnson Team includes specialists in buying and listing properties throughout Whatcom County.

Western’s Morse to retire
Western Washington University President Karen W. Morse announced that she will retire as president Sept. 1, 2008. Morse is the longest-serving president of all four-year institutions in Washington state.
Morse, who is serving her 15th year as president at Western, made the announcement on campus at the annual Fall Faculty Luncheon.
Morse has provided leadership that has fostered a collaborative student-centered academic environment, innovative faculty teaching and research, new programs, buildings and resources that enrich the learning process, and recognition of Western as one of the premier public master’s-granting universities in the nation.

Gov. Gregoire appoints Stephens as SVC trustee
John Stephens of LaConner has been appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire as a member of the Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees. The Governor’s office will submit his name for confirmation by the State Senate, although he began his role as trustee at the board’s latest monthly meeting.
“I look forward to helping the college meet the challenges of providing quality education, and assure accessibility and affordability for all students,” said John Stephens. “I hope to advocate on behalf of the entire community and work towards establishing new partnerships. As the economy and environment change, Skagit Valley and all community colleges play an important role in assuring a workforce for the future.”
Stephens is currently the programs administrator for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.

Frontier Bank promotes Parkhurst
Frontier Bank recently announced the promotion of Richard Parkhurst to loan officer. Parkhurst, who has been with Frontier for more than two years, is a recent graduate of the bank’s management training program. He is currently working in the bank’s Mount Vernon office. Frontier Bank is the largest commercial bank headquartered in Western Washington and has 47 offices throughout the Northwest.

Whatcom County appoints Stalheim
Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen recently announced that he has appointed David Stalheim as the new planning and development services director for Whatcom County. Stalheim was most recently the community development director for the city of Ashland, Ore. Stalheim also worked for nine years as the community development director for the city of Wenatchee.
Stalheim was confirmed at the Sept. 25 Whatcom County Council meeting.
Kremen said, “Mr. Stalheim is a collaborator, he is knowledgeable, very experienced and has the skill set for moving this community forward.”
While in Wenatchee, Stalheim is credited with bringing the city into compliance with the Growth Management Act and implementing the Geographic Information (GIS) and permit tracking system. He also managed $5 million dollars in grant funds for community centers, housing rehabilitation, parks and planning.

Mount Vernon lawmaker named chair of education committee
Washington state Representative Dave Quall (D-Mount Vernon) was recently named chair of CSG-West’s newly formed education committee.
CSG-West, an organization that typically focuses on economic, land-use, energy and natural resource issues, hasn’t had an education committee since the early 1990s. Quall said the decision to form the committee speaks volumes about the increasing recognition that education is a key component of economic policy.
“State lawmakers recognize that we’re at a critical point in reforming education,” commented Quall. “No Child Left Behind has raised the stakes for students and educators, and the increasing globalization of our economy has raised the stakes for us all.”

WWU hires Roberts as director of ATUS
Western Washington University has hired Franklin Roberts as its new director of Academic Technology & User Services (ATUS).
Roberts comes to WWU from the position of Dean of Information Technology and Distance Education at Skagit Valley College. His previous experience includes eight years as an associate professor at Western, where he helped launch the university master’s program in instructional design and multimedia development, and was also the director of the Center for Interactive Multimedia for Education and Training.
Roberts received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1973 from Salem State College in Massachusetts, and his master’s degree in mathematics education in 1975 from Pennsylvania State University. He received his doctorate in instructional technology from Penn State in 1979.

LoCal baker featured in national magazine
Bellingham-based pretzel baker Ralf Sigl has been making traditional Bavarian Pretzels for local bread lovers since moving here from Germany and starting his bakery in 2004.
The popularity of Sigl’s pretzels grew overnight after his pretzels appeared in the October 2007 issue of “Everyday With Rachael Ray.” “Online sales have more than quadrupled,” says Ralf’s wife and business partner, Kacy. “Some people are ordering for Oktoberfest parties and some are sending pretzels to friends or relatives. Most people, however, have had Bavarian Pretzels in Germany and are excited to find a baker making the real thing here in the United States.”
This wasn’t the first time Sigl appeared in a national publication. In 2005, he was interviewed for the Suddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s equivalent to the New York Times. Shortly thereafter, a journalist from Public Radio Bavaria flew over from Munich to make a story about Sigl.

Experienced sales rep joins Bellingham print shop
Towner Press of Bellingham is pleased to welcome Lelani Thomsen to its sales team. Thomsen is a graphic arts veteran with more than 20 years’ experience.
She holds a visual communications degree from Western Washington University and has worked as a graphic designer, creative director and print sales representative. Most recently, she worked as a print sales rep for Metropolitan Fine Printers.
A Seattle native, Thomsen has been in Bellingham since 1983. In her new role with Towner Press, she will serve clients throughout the Puget Sound region.

Local Farmers Agent designated as elite
Erik Dyrland, a Farmers Insurance agent in Bellingham, has been designated as an Elite Commercial Agent for the second year running – as many years as the award has existed.
To be identified as having attained elite standing among Farmers Commercial Agents, Dyrland has achieved the high standards established by the program, which includes higher levels of planning, execution and dedication to customer service.
Celebrating 20 years in business, Dyrland continues to be named to the highest levels of standing by Farmers in programs such as Presidents’ Council, Topper Club, Championship Status and now Elite Commercial Agent.

Scale modeler featured in national publication
Mike Pagano of Bellingham built a scale-model railroad that was featured in the July/August 2007 N Scale Railroading magazine. Pagano spent a year studying the Spokane International Railway that ran from Spokane to Eastport, Idaho.
Pagano located lost historical photos that helped guide his reconstruction of the railway’s scenes and structures in 1:160 scale. He has put together a historical display as well as plans of the model railroad and other prototype maps dating back to the early 1900s.

Moss Adams names Hansen and Shannon as partners
Moss Adams LLP is proud to announce the addition of Brandon Hansen and Charlie Shannon to the partnership in the Bellingham office.
Hansen specializes in business assurance services to companies in the manufacturing, food and agriculture, and forest products industries. He has been with Moss Adams for the past seven years. Prior to joining the firm, Hansen spent two years in private accounting in the manufacturing industry.
Hansen received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Boise State University. Prior to attending Boise State, Brandon earned both a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics and his master’s degree in agricultural economics/marketing from Washington State University. He is a member of numerous professional organizations including the Washington State Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Shannon specializes in business assurance services to companies in the financial institutions industry, both in private and publicly traded financial service companies. He has been with Moss Adams for the past six years and prior to joining Moss Adams was employed by a large regional firm in Denver.

Turner achieves Food Safety Certification
Evelyn Turner, owner and entrepreneur of The Easy Entrée, has earned the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.
The ServSafe Food Safety Program was developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute Conference for Food Protection.
The course teaches food safety inside and out, including foodborne illness prevention, sanitation procedures, cross-contamination prevention, safe food receiving and storage, safe preparation and handling and much more.

WWU faculty receive awards
Western Washington University faculty members Yvonne Durham and Wendy Wilhelm received the 2007 Allette and Cayden Chase Franklin Excellence in Teaching Awards from the university’s College of Business and Economics.
“This award recognizes faculty contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning in business and economics,” said Joseph Garcia, associate dean and director of the College of Business and Economics’ Center for Excellence in Management Education. “Our award recipients have truly made a difference in the lives of students and the organizations they serve.”
Durham, an associate professor of economics, was recognized for the scholarly development of teaching economics through experiential activities. Her special contribution has been to research how this approach affects student learning and motivation to embrace the subject material.
Wilhelm, a professor in WWU’s Department of Finance and Marketing, received the award based on her development and implementation of an innovative approach to internship programs that enhance student learning and effectively link internship providers, students and faculty.
The $1,000 award is sponsored by WWU alumnus Chase Franklin, the founder and chief strategist for the technology company Qpass.

Johnson joins HAIR by Wendy
Whatcom County native Amber Johnson has recently become a color and style artist with HAIR By Wendy in Finnegan’s Alley in Bellingham’s Fairhaven district.
A graduate of the Northwest Hair Academy in Mount Vernon, Johnson has worked for several years in local salons.
Wendy Bevan, owner of the shop, was pleased to find Johnson.
“We’re looking forward to accepting new and walk-in clients for Amber,” Bevan said. “Having her here offers our clients an opportunity to be more flexible in their appointments.”

Wilson joins Bellwether Mortgage
Bellwether Mortgage is pleased to announce that Amy Wilson has joined the team as a home mortgage consultant.
Wilson has three years lending experience in Whatcom County. Previously, Wilson taught grade school in the Bellingham and Mukilteo school districts

Cost Cutter clerk is state’s best bagger
Harvey Unruh, a Sunset Cost Cutter courtesy clerk and grocery bagger, has won the highly coveted title as Washington state’s best bagger.
Unruh won a competition, sponsored by the Washington Food Industry, that pitted his experience against several younger rivals. He easily triumphed with both his swiftness in filling grocery bags as well as his care in balancing the weight between bags.
He received $500 and a trip for two to Las Vegas, where he will compete in the national Best Bagger Finals Feb. 6.

Lynden accountant gains QuickBooks certification
Bill Pate, an accountant and owner of Bookkeeping Solutions NW in Lynden, recently earned Intuit’s QuickBooks certification for its 2007 financial software.
The certification program tests in-depth knowledge of QuickBooks and its business management solutions, ensuring that Pate can assist clients with the software’s setup and implementation. Pate, who has more than 20 years of experience in accounting and taxes, is also a Certified QuickBooks Financial ProAdvisor and is certified in its 2006 financial software.
Pate earlier attended the National Association of Tax Professionals Conference and the 2007 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum, learning about changes that affect individual and corporate tax returns.

Bluhm is manager of Skagit State Bank’s Consumer Loan Center
Josh Bluhm has been promoted to manager of Skagit State Bank’s Consumer Loan Center. His experience in consumer lending spans nine years. In his new position, Bluhm will be able to utilize his skills to manage and guide Skagit State Bank’s consumer loan specialists. Previously, Josh served as branch manager of the Skagit State Bank in downtown Mount Vernon.
Josh is a graduate of Central Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in administrative management.

Smith appointed to national advisosry council
Bradley Smith, dean of Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University, has been appointed to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). The council advises the EPA on domestic and international policy issues.
EPA administrator Stephen Johnson appointed Smith to a two-year term on the board this past spring. Smith attended his first meeting in November.
The council provides advice to the EPA administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology and management issues. Members represent a range of interests, including academia, business and industry, community-based organizations and state and tribal interests. Smith will represent the views of the environmental education community.
“I look forward to serving on the NACEPT and learning more about some of the critical environmental issues facing our region and nation,” Smith said.

Skagit State Bank promotes Brady
Margot Brady is the new branch manager for the Burlington Boulevard branch of Skagit State Bank. Promoted from within, Margot has been with Skagit State Bank for more than 15 years. She served previously as a new accounts representative.
Margot is exceptional in providing outstanding customer service that will benefit her new position well. CEO Cheryl Bishop stated, “We are excited for Margot, we know she will do an excellent job for our customers and staff.”

Meyer is fellow in Academy of Emergency Nursing
The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) recently inducted St. Joseph Hospital’s Diana Meyer as a fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nursing. There are 33,000 nurses in ENA and 60 fellows in the Academy.
Meyer has been an ENA member for 18 years. Her contributions include serving as faculty for classes that train nurses on assessing pediatric and adult trauma patients; authoring multiple contributions to professional journals and textbooks; and presenting numerous educational sessions at local, state and national events.

Lindberg receives commercial real estate designation
Maria Lindberg, an associate broker at Windermere Real Estate in Fairhaven, was awarded the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute, one of the nation’s leading commercial real estate associations. The designation was awarded during the organization’s business meetings in October in San Antonio, Texas.
Lindberg was among 426 commercial real estate professionals who earned the designation Oct. 18 by passing the institute’s comprehensive examination, the final element in the designation process.
The CCIM designation is awarded to real estate professionals upon successful completion of a graduate-level education curriculum and presentation of a portfolio of qualifying industry experience. The 130-hour curriculum addresses financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis and investment analysis.

Champagne attends professional development program
Business and executive coach Pam Champagne, owner of the Champagne Group, recently attended the International Coach Federation educational conference.
The three-day program included seminars on topics such as coaching relational intelligence, the neuroscience of coaching and “Mind, Body, Emotions: Keys to Behavior Change in Leaders.”
Champagne earned 15 continuing education credits towards re-certification of her Master Certified Coach credential.

Clark is manager of Sedro-Woolley Les Schwab
Pat Rimmer’s Les Schwab Tire Center is pleased to announce that Dion Clark has been promoted to manager of its Sedro-Woolley location. Clark has more than 10 years of experience working in the Les Schwab organization and most recently as an assistant manager at the Burlington store. His leadership skills and emphasis on customer service will fit in well with Sedro-Woolley’s highly respected assistant managers.

COUNTRY Insurance agent Elton receives award
COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services agent Roger Elton of Bow recently received the National Multiline Sales Award (NMSA) for helping clients secure the right insurance products to cover their financial risks.
The NMSA is presented annually by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers. Agents who receive this award have excelled in serving clients by tailoring insurance products to meet customers’ changing needs and helping them understand the importance of maintaining their policies. It also recognizes achievement in assisting customers with auto, home and commercial insurance.

Evergreen Team Concepts promotes Cadden
Evergreen Team Concepts (ETC), specializing in training, consulting and staff development for companies throughout the Pacific Northwest, has promoted Guy Cadden to office and facilities manager.
Cadden, a longtime Whatcom County resident, now coordinates scheduling of seminars at Evergreen Team Concepts as well as rentals of its 50-person presentation room and 30-person computer lab to other businesses and organizations. He also is responsible for accounts payable and receivable. Before joining ETC, Cadden spent more than 20 years in the hospitality industry.

Peoples Bank hires Flinn
Terry Daughters, senior vice president and business banking market manager for Peoples Bank, announced that Teresa Flinn has been hired as a vice president and commercial loan officer at the bank’s Bellingham Financial Center.
Flinn has more than 15 years of experience in the local financial community and will continue her commercial lending specialty to the medical and dental professionals within Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Flinn holds degrees from Whatcom Community College in accounting and Bellingham Technical College in human resource management. She is an active member of the Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, Northwest Business Club, and serves as a board member for the Whatcom Hospice Foundation.
“We are eager to welcome Teresa to the Bellingham Business Banking team,” Daughters said. “She will build strong commercial lending relationships and be a driving force in the success of our department and growth of these local industries.”
WWU dean of libraries resigns
WWU’s Dean of Libraries Béla Foltin Jr. will step down from his position Dec. 31, and will be on administrative leave until March 31, 2008. At that time he will formally leave the university. While on administrative leave he will finish work on some special projects and will assist the new dean in the transition of leadership of the libraries.
“Dean Foltin has been an outstanding champion for the Western Libraries during a period of sweeping changes as libraries everywhere are moving to new modes of delivery and services,” said WWU Provost Dennis Murphy. “We have been most fortunate to have had his guidance and expertise as our libraries continue their history of excellent service to students, faculty and our community.”
Foltin, who has been at Western since 2001, has led the library through a number of successful transitions, including the migration of many print collections to electronic versions as well as the adoption of new technologies to enable improved access to library resources and to support collaborative learning.

Bell competes in national speaking competition
Bellingham financial adviser Gene Bell has been selected as a semi-finalist in the 2007 H.D. Vest Adviser Keynote Contest.
The competition is a search for a financial adviser who can inspire, entertain and motivate other advisers to grow their financial planning practice.
Bell and nine other finalists participated in the semi-final round of the contest, which took place Nov. 6 and 7 in San Antonio, Texas. Three finalists then presented their keynote address during the H.D. Vest National Conference General Session on Nov. 8, where an audience of their peers voted to decide who would be named the “2007 H.D. Vest Adviser Keynote.”


Fairhaven’s Hand Crank Films hires two
Hand Crank Films, a motion picture production company in Bellingham’s Fairhaven district, has recently added two employees, bringing its total number of production staff to five.
Lars Simkins graduated from Western Washington University with an interdisciplinary degree in 2005. Simkins will be the visual effects supervisor for Hand Crank Films.
He will handle all of the advanced motion graphics using Maya and Adobe After Effects for the commercials and corporate videos produced by Hand Crank Films. Simkins will also manage Hand Crank Films’ new Apple Color suite.
Samara Mackereth, formerly an intern with Hand Crank Films, has also joined as a senior producer. Mackereth re-joins Hand Crank Films after finishing a post-graduate degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Boston. Mackereth has previously interned with National Geographic and worked as an associate producer at NBC Universal in Washington, D.C.
Hand Crank Films’ most recent commercial production work can be seen in ads for Whatcom Transit Authority’s Smart Trips and the campaign ads of Dan Pike, Bellingham’s recently elected mayoral candidate.

Airporter Shuttle mechanic wins second competition
Ferndale-based Airporter Shuttle mechanic Jody Hernandez recently won the Northwest Motorcoach Association (NWMA) Bus Road-eo Mechanics Competition for the second year in a row. Hernandez outscored mechanics from other top transportation companies in the Pacific Northwest.
The mechanics’ competition is held each year in Yakima and involves two days of classroom and hands-on testing, including a 25-minute race to find all the problems in a rigged motorcoach. Hernandez was the only one to score a perfect 100 in the event.
“It’s impressive to see Jody at the top of his game,” says NWMA president Richard Johnson. “He’s like the Tiger Woods of bus mechanics.”
Hernandez is the lead mechanic for Airporter Shuttle/Bellair Charters and oversees a team of four and a fleet of 40-plus vehicles, including motorcoaches, mini-buses and vans.

Thomas joins Wachovia Securities’ Bellingham office
Wachovia Securities is pleased to announce that Karen L. Thomas, CFP, CIMA, has joined its Bellingham office as a vice president and investment officer.
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