Oak Harbor man expands taxidermy business
Matthew Klope, owner of Whidbey Island Taxidermy, started out in the family garage and laundry room, but is now moving his business to a newly constructed 1,000-square-foot shop adjacent to his home. Klope’s wife Joan is thrilled to get the family room back and move the museum-like setting out to the new shop, which displays birds, mammals, skulls and game heads.
Klope has been practicing taxidermy on Whidbey Island for about 15 years and has a Washington state taxidermy license. His current workload includes about a dozen game heads per year (deer and bear), about 20 ducks and geese, and assorted projects including mounting antlers, cleaning skulls, repair work and collecting owl pellets. He is also involved in examining about a dozen marine mammals for NOAA NW Fisheries.
Klope is a full time wildlife biologist for the US Navy at NAS Whidbey Island. He manages the Navy and Marine Corps Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard Prevention Program. This program manages airfields and trains pilots and airfield managers to reduce the risk of a bird or wildlife strike with military aircraft. Klope travels around the country and the world assisting airfield managers in reducing the risk of wildlife strikes.
During his free time Klope developed his very successful local taxidermy business. His background in biology and wildlife management has proven to be a valuable asset in producing realistic mounted specimens of birds and mammals.
Klope learned taxidermy while attending high school, and perfected the art during college and his 27 years as a federal wildlife biologist. He enjoys performing taxidermy on unusual birds – pelicans, hawks, owls, and the smaller songbirds – for parks and environmental centers.
In a new aspect of the business Klope works with his son, Daniel, collecting, cleaning and preserving owl pellets for the Sierra Outdoor School in Sonora, Calif. These pellets, regurgitated by owls, contain the complete skeletons of the owls’ previous meals. Students then dissect the pellet and identify the bones and species of prey that the owl has been eating.
Recently Klope and a local research team received a federal research grant to respond to stranded and dead porpoises, seals and sea lions in the local area. Certain dead marine mammals are brought to Whidbey Island Taxidermy and full research necropsies (autopsies) are performed. This research team is looking for cause of death and conditions of the local marine environment. Whidbey Island Taxidermy and the Island County Beachwatchers recently cleaned and reconstructed a Dall’s porpoise skeleton, which now hangs in the Coupeville wharf building.
Whidbey Island Taxidermy’s prices are comparable to other taxidermy shops in Western Washington, but it has one advantage: It is a local family-owned business and is able to turn customer’s projects around in a fraction of the time of other taxidermy shops.

New therapists join Green Touch staff
Three new massage therapists have joined the staff at Green Touch. Green Touch is a massage service and health supply store now located on Iowa Street in Bellingham.
Skya Fisher has been a therapist for more than 10 years with specialties in Thai massage and reflexology. She also offers relaxation, treatment, Reiki and hot stone massage.
Katy Campbell, while more recent to the field of massage, offers excellent treatment massage as well as relaxation and Reiki.
Jeneen Durand brings 10-plus years of experience, with specialties in treatment work and pregnancy massage.
Green Touch offers massage services in a variety of modalities with a staff of five therapists. Same day or next day appointments are usually available. Massage supplies, CDs, essential oils and carrier oils, FitBalls, foam rollers, and yoga supplies are also available for sale.

Two attorneys join Adelstein, Sharpe & Serka
Steve Kirkelie and Marie Gallagher have joined Bellingham law firm Adelstein, Sharpe & Serka as associate attorneys.
Kirkelie comes to the firm from the City of Bellingham, where he was a senior assistant city attorney and lead prosecutor. Prior to that, he handled land use cases, civil litigation and municipal prosecutions for another Bellingham-based law firm.
Kirkelie earned his law degree from Willamette University College of Law, where he was a member of the Willamette Law Review. He graduated from Western Washington University with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science.
Kirkelie serves on the board of directors for Whatcom Farm Friends, Whatcom County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services and Bellingham City Club. He is a member of the Washington State and Whatcom County Bar associations. His practice will focus on construction, commercial and employment litigation.
Gallagher most recently served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Anita L. Farris, Snohomish county superior court judge. She also worked as a judicial extern for the Honorable Steven Gaffin at the Equal Employment Opportunity Council in Seattle and as a law clerk in the Starbucks law and corporate affairs department.
Gallagher graduated Cum Laude from the Seattle University School of Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology with a minor in business from Washington State University. Gallagher is a member of the Washington State, King County and Whatcom County Bar associations and Washington Women Lawyers. Her practice will focus on employment law and commercial litigation.

Ruiz joins Neighborhood Mortgage
Neighborhood Mortgage is proud to announce the addition of 10-year mortgage industry veteran Kathleen Ruiz to its team of mortgage consultants. In addition to her mortgage experience, she has an extensive background in sales and marketing management. Ruiz’s lending experience includes working with direct and retail lenders as well as homebuilders.

Alcoa’s Read transferring to U.S. from Australian branch
Alcoa’s Intalco Works’ Jodie Read transferred to the United States from Australia as Intalco Works public relations and communications manager effective Jan. 15.
Read joined Alcoa in 2002 as the Wagerup (Australia) Alumina Refinery community relations officer and most recently has worked in Australia’s Materials Management Group as a sales administration supervisor.
“We are most fortunate to have a person with Jodie’s skills lead our public relations and communications programs,” said Mike Rousseau, Intalco plant manager. “She has an incredible history of achievement in the Australian public sector and her knowledge will be invaluable to our plant.”
Read earned Bachelor of Commerce with a major in public relations and marketing in 2000 from the Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia.

Rasco named new general manager at Sound Recycling
Sound Recycling Services has added Peter Rasco to its business as general manager and majority owner.
Rasco comes to Sound with more than 16 years experience of managing and developing environmental firms, primarily in Northern California. Rasco brings a renewed enthusiasm for growth and a continuing desire to explore ways of increasing Sound’s value to its growing number of customers.
Located in Bellingham, Sound Recycling Services has provided confidential document shredding and recycling services in Skagit, Whatcom and the surrounding counties for more than 16 years. Founder John Von Krusenstiern, who started the business in 1990, retains minority ownership and will remain active in the company.

Moss Adams adds trio of WWU graduates
Moss Adams LLP welcomed Angela Martin, Krista Hicks and Crystal Griffith to the firm in November.
Martin received her degree in accounting with minors in English and math from Western Washington University in June 2005. Hicks received her degree in accounting from WWU in March 2005. Griffith graduated from WWU with a degree in accounting in December 2005. Martin, Hicks and Griffith are staff accountants in the audit and tax departments.

Windermere realtor Groesbeck earns certification
Realtor Jean Groesbeck of Windermere Real Estate in Anacortes has completed a highly specialized course in new skills and technology involved in servicing real estate listings, conducted by the Council of Residential Specialists of the National Association of Realtors. The class, conducted in Bellevue, is one of the required courses that must be taken by real estate agents and brokers in order to qualify for the coveted Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation. The course includes techniques in seller counseling, pricing, various client-servicing activities, marketing techniques and other programs designed to close sales on residential properties.
Groesbeck is one of a limited number of featured agents in the area listed on the Realtor.com Web site, the Internet’s top real estate site.

Whatcom County realtor begins second business
Meredith Ann Murray is pleased to announce her second business venture promoting the first stem cell enhancer on the market. Murray and her team join forces with thousands of other North Americans to bring a new breakthrough nutraceutical to the public.
StemEnhance is patented and has been clinically shown to support the release of adult stem cells from the bone marrow, increasing the number of circulating adult stem cells by up to 30 percent. Numerous studies have shown that more adult stem cells circulating in the blood equates to greater health.

Boos appointed chair of AILA committee
Bellingham immigration attorney Greg Boos accepted an invitation from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) to chair the organization’s Admissions & Interior Enforcement Committee for the 2006-2007 session.
A voluntary bar association of more than 10,000 attorneys and law professors, the AILA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that influences national immigration policies in addition to providing its members with continuing legal education and other professional services.
Boos is a partner at the Bellingham office of Chang & Boos, an immigration law firm with offices in Bellingham and Toronto. Specializing in U.S. immigration law with an emphasis on border security and business immigration, he is recognized nationally and internationally for his expertise. Boos was recently nominated as one of the world’s leading practitioners of immigration law and is listed in “The International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers 2006.”
In his position as chair, Boos will play a leadership role in influencing national policies on border security and interior immigration enforcement.

Kirschman joins Neighborhood Mortgage
Neighborhood Mortgage is proud to announce the addition of Leena Kirschman to the lending team. An 18-year veteran of the lending industry in Whatcom County, Kirschman brings with her an unparalleled dedication to her clients as well as a strong knowledge of conforming and “creative” lending.
Never one to turn down community work, Kirshman generously gives back through her membership on the board of directors for The Boys & Girls Club, as an ambassador for the Bellingham Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, and through her leadership role with Business Network International.
Outside of the office, Kirschman is often supporting her son at sporting events such as football, wrestling and baseball.

Short is columnist for notable Web site
Elizabeth Short, owner of The Write Design, has been invited to write a monthly column for the acclaimed Web site Writers on the Rise and its online newsletter of the same name. Picked as one of the top 101 writing-related Web sites in 2006 by Writer’s Digest, the industry’s leading trade magazine, Writers on the Rise is a resource for up-and-coming writers who wish to develop their craft.
Short, who is a professional copywriter and graphic designer, will use her column to introduce new writers to copywriting. The column, “Copywriter’s Paycheck,” will include tips on both the craft of writing copy and building a freelance copywriting business.
Short also puts her copywriting skills to use in her business, The Write Design, where she brings together graphic design and marketing copy in Web sites, brochures, flyers, ads and other promotional materials.

Personnel news from Snapper Shuler Kenner
Veonne Fisher and Jennifer Barrat recently joined the staff of Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance.
Fisher, a commercial producer and customer service representative, specializes in construction accounts but has extensive knowledge in all lines of commercial insurance. A Western Washington University graduate, she has 15 years of insurance experience, most recently at an independent agency in Anacortes.
Barrat is a customer service representative for commercial clients. She has seven years of claims experience in the insurance industry and is in the process of obtaining the Associate in Claims designation through the Insurance Institute of America.
Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance also announced that Becky Waldemar has been named the firm’s claims manager, and Ann Weber, a commercial lines customer service representative, recently passed the state’s property/casualty insurance licensing test.

Insights Gallery names new director
Insights Gallery is pleased to announce LeAnn Adams is the new director of the gallery as of January 1. Adams, also an artist, has worked for the gallery the past two years. She brings with her knowledge and passion for the arts as well as a keen sense of business. In the past, Adams has been involved in the arts program as an educator in the Anacortes Public School system. Adams specializes in excellent customer service.
Insights Gallery of Anacortes primarily represents established and emerging Northwest artists ranging in styles from realism to abstraction.

Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber honors local business
The 2006 Annual Awards Banquet of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber took place in December with 250 people gathering at the Bellingham Country Club to honor local business and business people.
The Chamber presented awards in five categories this year. The winners were:
• Small Business of the Year – Lehmann’s Appliance
• Large Business of the Year – Aluminum Chambered Boats
• Nonprofit of the Year – Marianne’s House
• Woman of the Year – Lani Choat
• Man of the Year – Irwin LeCocq

Arrival of new executive chef to Friday Harbor House
Friday Harbor House, the San Juan Islands’ premier meeting and event facility, is proud to announce the appointment of Matt Colony as executive chef of the Friday Harbor House Restaurant.
“We are extremely excited to have such a talent as Matt taking over as executive chef,” said Linda Hersey, innkeeper and general manager of Friday Harbor House. “With his broad range of experience and creative spirit, he will do an outstanding job.”
Previously, Colony was executive chef at The Beach House at Purdy in Gig Harbor, and Pacific Grill, a Tacoma restaurant he helped plan and open. Colony earned a culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in London, where he graduated in the top 2 percent of his class.

Charter appointed VP of pharmacy for Haggen
Andrew Charter has been appointed vice president of pharmacy for Haggen, Inc.
Charter has 18 years of pharmacy experience. He most recently was vice president of pharmacy operations for Bi-Mart Corp. in Eugene, Ore., which has more than 60 stores in Oregon and Washington. Charter also has filled management positions in the Pacific Northwest for Rite Aid and Thrifty PayLess.
A graduate of the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, Charter serves on its advisory committee and also has been on the board of directors of the Oregon State Pharmacy Association and Oregon Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Mead passes LEED Exam
Christopher Mead of RMC Architects passed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation exam for the U.S. Green Building Council last month. As a LEED AP, Mead has the knowledge and skills to support integrated design and facilitate the LEED certification process on green building projects.
Mead has worked at RMC since January 2006 as an intern architect. He is currently working on 1010 Morse Square, a mixed-use development in downtown Bellingham.

Paulson changes business name
Certified Financial Planner Judith Paulson announced a new name and expanded vision for her financial planning company, Paulson Financial Services (formerly Financial Counseling Services).
Paulson will now help clients comprehensively grow and maintain a healthy financial life through customized retirement plans, insurance and tax planning and ongoing financial education.

Physical therapist joins Core Therapeutics
Jane Richardson joined Core Therapeutics Physical Therapy and Pilates Studio in Fairhaven. Richardson is a physical therapist in practice since 2000, with advanced certification in manual therapy through the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM).
IAOM training emphasizes precise clinical examination. IAOM instructors developed and refined treatment techniques for manual therapy and appropriate affliction-specific exercise programs. This body of techniques provides the clinician with an effective, comprehensive, and diagnosis-specific treatment plan for every non-operative orthopedic disorder.

Whitish promoted at Business Bank of Whatcom County
Business Bank of Whatcom County promoted Real Estate Loan Office Pennie Whitish to the role of vice president.
Whitish holds a bachelor’s degree with a major in business and currently teaches the Homebuyers class at Whatcom Community College with a colleague. She actively participates in Songs and Hugs for Seniors, an organization dedicated to the enrichment of senior citizens in Whatcom County. A long time resident of Whatcom County, Whitish is married with three children.

Walker promoted to broker at Fairhaven Mortgage
Fairhaven Mortgage announces Nicole Walker as the new broker. Walker returned to her hometown of Bellingham to join Fairhaven Mortgage in August 2005. Her years as a loan officer in Kitsap County and then as Senior Loan Officer with Stuart Plotnick at Fairhaven Mortgage have prepared her for continuing the excellent reputation and commitment to clients of Whatcom and surrounding counties.

Goering joins Fairhaven Mortgage
Fairhaven Mortgage is proud to have Whatcom county native Matt Goering join its team as senior loan officer. Goering spent a 20-year career in the supermarket industry before becoming a loan officer in 2005.

Thomas joins exclusive group
Karen Thomas, vice president and financial consultant in RBC Dain Rauscher’s Bellingham office, was recently selected to be a member of the firm’s Consulting Group. This is an exclusive group of consultants recognized for their success in building consultative, fee-based businesses.
As a member of the group, Thomas receives additional marketing support, assistance with professional development and access to supplementary advisory resources.
Thomas also attended RBC Dain Rauscher’s 14th annual Women’s Association of Financial Consultants (WAFC) Conference held in Minneapolis in October. WAFC is a professional organization of RBC Dain Rauscher that supports its members with a wide range of information, events and programs.

Immigration attorney joins Chang & Boos
Internationally recognized Chang & Boos law firm, specializing in U.S. immigration matters, welcomes Hannah Stone to its Bellingham office. Stone, who speaks both Spanish and English, will be handling family immigration cases, including those that entail securing visas and permanent resident cards for family members.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve Bellingham and the greater community here in the Pacific Northwest,” Stone said. “There is always real need for quality representation in family-sponsorship cases.”
Stone obtained her degree in 2005 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law where she studied with one of the nation’s foremost immigration law professors, Hiroshi Motomura. Dedicated to justice for immigrants, Stone says that she wants to empower individuals who don’t otherwise have a voice within the immigration system.

Key Bank adds new manager
The Ferndale Key Bank branch has named Justin D. Brown as a new relationship manager. Brown will manage client accounts regarding lending and investment needs. The relationship manager position allows him to work with small businesses along with helping clients meet their personal banking needs. Brown comes to Key Bank with a finance degree from Western Washington University.

Art introduced to Johnson’s Flower Shop
Katie and Ken Ofshe announce the introduction of art to Johnson’s Flower Shop in downtown Bellingham. The artist, Wanda Kippenbrock, is Katie Ofshe’s mother and a native Texan with education and experience in floriculture and horticulture. Through years of painting and floral design, Kippenbrock has created a style of her own, using oil paints on fine linen.

Rollo Van Slyke Agency welcomes Wells
Rollo Van Slyke Farmers Insurance Agency, in Bellingham, is excited to announce the recent hiring of lifetime Whatcom County resident Kelly Wells as the newest customer service representative.
Wells is currently studying to become licensed in property and casualty insurance.
“Her ability to speak fluent Spanish opens up new avenues and areas of growth in my agency with the increasing Hispanic population. I hope Kelly will be with us for many years to come,” owner Rollo Van Slyke said.
Wells’ family moved to Blaine in 1986 and she is a 2001 graduate of Meridian High School. Kelly attended Western Washington University, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.

Human Resource Management Chapter selects 2006 Member of the Year
The Mount Baker Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) is proud to award its Member of the Year Award for 2006 to Camille Gatza for her dedicated hours spent on redesigning the local chapter’s Web site. Gatza was presented her award in December at the monthly lunch meeting at Northwood Hall.
Gatza is a human resource/payroll coordinator for the Port of Bellingham and currently serves as the technology coordinator for the Mount Baker Chapter of SHRM.

Vennos elected president of Whatcom County Medical Society
Bellingham dermatologist Elizabeth M. Vennos, M.D., was elected president of the Whatcom County Medical Society (WCMS) for 2007. The WCMS represents the physicians of Whatcom County and is an advocate for access to medical care. Vennos is a board certified dermatologist and owner of the Bellingham Dermatology Clinic in the Barkley Medical Center. She trained at the John Hopkins Hospital and the Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Local photographers published in “best of” book
Yary Photography had three photographers published in Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) Album 2006. WPPI’s Album 2006 is a compilation of the year’s finest award-winning prints from around the world and is published by Rangefinder Publishing. Tina Muller was awarded six individual accolades of excellence and Radley Muller and Rachel Hathaway were awarded two individual accolades of excellence.

La Conner Chamber director resigns
David Bricka officially resigned Dec. 4 from the post of executive director, a position he has held since 2005. Bricka said it was essential to the organization’s long-term survival. “To have a chamber with a full-time executive director is tough in a community this size,” he said. The chamber’s financial difficulties stem from a gradual decline in memberships, which fund nearly all of the organization’s operating costs. In peak years, the organization had more than 150 members, today there are 116. Bricka insisted the organization is not in danger of closing its doors, but said change is necessary.

Banner Bank promotes Fischer
Banner Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Cheryl Fischer to Lynden branch manager.
Fischer has more than 15 years of banking experience. Prior to joining Banner Bank, she was an account executive specializing in home mortgage accounts at Wells Fargo in Bellingham. In addition, she has worked for Bank of America as a retail branch manager. Fischer’s community involvement includes volunteer work with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Habitat for Humanity, the Bellingham Food Bank, the Puget Sound Blood Center, and various women’s shelters.

Western graduate promoted at Northern Light
Tara Nelson was recently promoted to assistant editor of The Northern Light community newspaper in Blaine. The newspaper serves the communities of Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer and has an approximate circulation of 10,000.
Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Western Washington University with a minor in economics in 2005 and has freelanced for such publications as the Northwest Business Monthly magazine, Mount Baker Experience magazine, The Anacortes American community newspaper and The Seattle Times.