New Chief Executive at St. Joseph Hospital announced
PeaceHealth has announced that Nancy Steiger will become CEO and Chief Mission Officer of St. Joseph Hospital and the PeaceHealth Whatcom Region effective July 1, 2007. Steiger will succeed Nancy Bitting, who is retiring after 10 years with the Whatcom Region. Steiger comes to St. Joseph from San Mateo Medical Center where she is CEO of a 509-bed public hospital, nursing facility and clinic operation.
“With her background in public, private and Catholic healthcare, Nancy brings a perfect balance of experience, passion and commitment to PeaceHealth at a time when there is much debate about the future of healthcare,” said Alan Yordy, president and chief mission officer of PeaceHealth.
In her new role, Steiger will lead St. Joseph Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Group, the Cardiovascular Center at St. Joseph Hospital, Northwest Regional Laboratory and St. Joseph Hospital Foundation. She will oversee the region’s healthcare operations, medical staff relations, foundation, development and long-range strategic planning. Steiger will also be responsible for fulfillment of PeaceHealth’s mission as a Catholic healthcare organization.
Steiger’s achievements include the development of a successful foundation and creation of one of the most advanced public clinic operations in the Bay Area. Prior to joining San Mateo Medical Center, Steiger held several top leadership positions during her 12 years with the St. Joseph Health System, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. She led hospital operations in Santa Rosa and Eureka, Calif. She serves on the California Hospital Association Board.
“I look forward to working with PeaceHealth system and local leaders to ensure access to compassionate care, exceptional medicine and community health,” said Steiger.

NWBM’s Parker promoted
Northwest Business Monthly’s Hilary Parker has been promoted to the position of managing editor. Parker has been editor of the publication since December 2005, and her new duties will include overseeing the editorial/production department. Parker is a graduate of Western Washington University’s journalism program.

Gorman to run for mayor
Thirty-year Bellingham resident and community activist Bill Gorman is announcing his intention to run for Mayor of Bellingham.
Gorman, sales manager with Comcast Spotlight in Bellingham, has been active on community boards and commissions for more than 20 years. He helped coordinate and worked on the NOPE Campaign to prevent an unnecessary major power line through the center of the city, serving on the Whatcom County Utility Planning Committee in 1990. In 1997 he worked on the Beyond Greenways levy. He is the former chair of the Whatcom County Democrats. The office of Mayor is a non-partisan position.
The environment, city growth and the way City Hall serves citizens and small business owners are key issues for his campaign.
“Our city is ready for a mayor with leadership skills and the ability to build a diverse coalition to meet the challenges facing Bellingham. We need to offer a voice for everyone, not just the noisiest citizens. I hear repeatedly that no one is representing Bellingham’s small, family-owned businesses, and they are the heart of our economy. We need to actively visualize and plan for what our community will become.”
He is the board treasurer for the Whatcom County Boys & Girls Club Corporate Board, and a member and past board member of the Bellingham Bay Rotary. He also served as a founding board member of the Whatcom Film Association, board president of The Bridget Collins House Center for Child Abuse Services, member of the founding board of the Bellingham City Club, board member of the Mount Baker Theatre Center, and a past chairman of the Bellingham Municipal Arts Commission.
Gorman returned earlier this month from a trip to Honduras touring clean water and micro-loan projects supported in part by local Rotary clubs. While there he made the decision to move forward with the campaign. He lives with wife, Taimi, a marketing consultant and co-founder of the Colophon Café and Doggie Diner, and his 15-year-old son, Sean.

City Council President Ryan announces candidacy for mayor
Bob Ryan, president of the Bellingham City Council and representative for the 1st Ward announced that he is running for Mayor of Bellingham. He will not seek a fourth term on the Bellingham City Council. He is finishing his third term on the council having represented the 1st Ward for close to 12 years.
Ryan has served as president of the Birchwood Neighborhood Association, president of the Bellingham Central Lions Club, president of the Bellingham City Council, member of the board of directors of the Association of Washington Cities, member of the board of directors of the Bellingham/Whatcom Economic Development Council and chair of the Whatcom Council of Governments.
Ryan said, “It is vital that Bellingham select a mayor who understands the many issues Bellingham faces and has demonstrated the ability to work with the community to make Bellingham an even better place to live and work.”

Geyer announces candidacy for Bellingham City Council
Bill Geyer announced he is running for the Bellingham City Council seat representing the 5th Ward at his April 3 campaign kickoff.
Geyer is a professional planner and builder and owns a local consulting and construction business in Bellingham. Geyer and his family have lived in Bellingham’s South Hill neighborhood since 1985 and he served as Bellingham’s planning and development director from 1985-1991.
As a private business owner, Geyer has built more than 100 new homes for Bellingham homeowners and has represented numerous private sector and government clients helping them get their projects built. Geyer is also presently leading the capital campaign to build a new food bank in Bellingham.
Campaign chairman and former City Councilman Grant Deger said, “Serving on the City Council requires a person with a passion for community service. Bill has that quality and will use it well serving all of Bellingham on the City Council.”

Oak Harbor residents earn top Alaska USA Mortgage Company award
Oak Harbor residents Lyn Bankowski and Sandy Farley have earned Top Producer awards from Alaska USA Mortgage Company. A senior mortgage loan originator and office manager, Bankowski was chosen from a field of more than 40 originators for the 2006 Top Originator award. Farley, who is a senior processor, was named the Top Processor for 2006 out of nearly 20 processors.
Bankowski is a certified mortgage-planning specialist with more than 20 years experience in the real estate lending business. She has been recognized consistently for her service at Alaska USA Mortgage Company since joining the team in 2001.
Farley has been a part of the Alaska USA Mortgage Company team for six years. She achieved the distinction of Processor of the Year in both 2002 and 2003. In 2004 and 2006 she was named Processor Top Producer, and in 2005 she earned second place in the Processor Top Producer competition.

Marketing communications firm adds to staff
Caitlin Ahern has joined CCg Inc. as media coordinator. Ahern comes to CCg from SPIE in Bellingham, where she was employed as an editorial assistant. Her previous experience includes work for Vanity Fair Magazine and Gotham Inc., an advertising agency in New York where she worked on the Maybelline Cosmetics account.

Clarke receives honors from Culligan International
In an awards ceremony held in March at the Culligan Dealers Association of North America (CDANA) conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Culligan International Company named Eric Clarke, co-owner of Culligan Northwest, to its “Million Dollar Round Table.”
Culligan’s Million Dollar Round Table award recognizes the sales achievements of dealers who produce annual total gross sales in excess of $1 million. Culligan Northwest joined 239 other recipients in winning the Million Dollar Round Table award for achieving excellence during the 2006 sales year.
Culligan Northwest serves Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties.

Haggen, Inc. appoints de Bouchel as director of meat
Michael de Bouchel has been appointed director of meat at Haggen, Inc.
With 32 years of experience in the grocery industry, de Bouchel oversees meat departments at 32 Haggen Food & Pharmacy and TOP Food & Drug stores in Washington and Oregon. He also is responsible for managing the company’s longstanding relationships with Northwest meat providers, including Hempler’s B.B. Meat & Sausage of Bellingham and Draper Valley Farms of Mount Vernon.

Deering promoted at Peoples
Tracy Deering has been promoted to vice president and credit administrator of the Peoples Bank’s credit administration department.
Deering joined Peoples Bank in 1997 and has more than 28 years of financial services experience, including 15 years of underwriting experience and 10 years of auditing experience. Most recently, she was vice president and loan operations manager for the bank’s real estate division.
In addition, she is active with several local organizations, including Nooksack Valley Riders, Rodeo Cowgirls, Northwest Boarder Zone and Washington State Horsemen.

Two join RMC Architects
RMC Architects has two additions to their architectural staff, Douglas Southworth and Peter Niles.
Southworth is a project manager for the firm and is currently working on St. John the Evangelist Parish in Seattle, the Ryzex Group office expansion in Bellingham and a high-end residential project in Edgemore. He earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of California, Berkeley and a master’s degree in environmental design at Yale University.
Niles is LEED accredited professional and an intern architect for the firm. He will be working on design and support for a variety of RMC projects. Currently, he is working on a new Fellowship Hall for Trinity Lutheran Church, space planning for City of Bellingham Municipal Facilities, and a room data project for 20 academic buildings at Western Washington University. Niles holds a bachelor’s degree in Japanese studies from Brandeis University and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

Accounting, finance professionals join SPIE
SPIE, a Bellingham-based scientific society, is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Bradley Ferguson and Marci Hanson as members of the financial and accounting management team.
Ferguson has been named the SPIE director of finance. A CPA and CMA, Ferguson obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Washington, and an MBA with a concentration in Information Technology from Seattle University.
Marci Hanson has assumed the position of accounting manager. She has proven accounting skills as evidenced by her successful professional background at several local businesses. Hanson, a CPA, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western Washington University.
Mount Vernon resident receives financial planning designation
Joseph Lindquist, a financial adviser associate, has earned the Financial Planning Specialist designation for Smith Barney, the firm’s Mount Vernon branch office announced recently. This prestigious designation is awarded to those financial advisers who successfully complete the firm’s personal financial planning training program.
A graduate of Western Washington University, Lindquist is an active member of the community who has been involved as a volunteer for the Skagit Valley Family YMCA and the Skagit Parks Foundation. Lindquist also serves on the Mount Vernon City Council. He is a life long resident of Mount Vernon.

Hilltop hires event manager
Hilltop Restaurant Catering of Bellingham has appointed Tami Eastwood event manager.
Eastwood, a Bellingham native who now lives in Ferndale, has 10 years of experience in sales and marketing. She earned an MBA degree and a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University.
Eastwood is handling sales, management and administration for Hilltop Restaurant Catering, which saw revenues double last year and expanded its kitchen to accommodate the growth.

Inman joins RE/MAX Whatcom County
Anne Inman, a real estate agent with six years of experience, has joined the Lakeway (Bellingham) office of RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc.
Inman, a 20-year county resident, is a full-time agent focusing on residential properties. She also has a professional background in accounting and new construction.

Interconnect expands staff
Interconnect Systems, founded in Bellingham in 1979 and serving the telecommunication needs of clients from Seattle to the Canadian border, announces two new hires and a promotion:
Felicity Dye has been named general manager of Bellingham-based Interconnect Systems of Northwest Washington. Dye brings 24 years experience in management, marketing, merchandising and customer service, working most recently with Haggen Inc.
Rick Lobb has been hired as network engineer at Interconnect Systems, bringing 15-years of Information Technology experience to his new position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Central Washington University and has CCNA certification.
Dawn Schelinski has been promoted to lead technician at Interconnect Systems, having passed the Convergence Technologies Professional (CTP) Examination, which tests working knowledge of data networking, telephony networking and convergence technology.

Goodrich honored for 24th year
Larry C. Goodrich, CFP, and branch manager at the Bellwether Way office of Raymond James Financial Services Inc., has been named to the firm’s 2007 Leaders Council in recognition of providing outstanding guidance and service to the investing public and exemplary professional growth. It is his 24th year of recognition.
Larry joined Raymond James in 1982 and has 38 years of financial and investment experience. He offers a comprehensive range of financial planning and investment services for individuals and businesses.

Friday Harbor resident joins Morgan Stanley
Elizabeth “Libby” Thompson has joined Morgan Stanley’s Global Wealth Management office in Friday Harbor as vice president and financial adviser. Formerly with DA Davidson for eight years, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business from University of Colorado. Thompson currently lives in Friday Harbor.

Western’s Lockhart named outstanding educator
The Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants (WSCPA) has named Julie Lockhart, professor of accounting at Western Washington University, as their outstanding accounting educator for 2006.
The “Outstanding Accounting Educator for Washington State” award is presented by the WSCPA, which is dedicated to serving the professional needs of CPAs, educating consumers about CPAs and the services they provide, and encouraging students to study accounting and enter the profession.
In 2006, Lockhart was awarded WWU’s College of Business and Economics’ (CBE) Dean’s Research Award and Summer Research Grant. She received the CBE Cayden Chase Franklin Excellence in Teaching Award in 2004, along with numerous other grants, publications and awards over the years.

Logos expands design, editorial department
Logos Bible Software of Bellingham has expanded its design and editorial department by hiring Sean Boisen as senior information architect and Dr. Steven Runge as scholar-in-residence.
Boisen is at work on organizing semantic resources to support new approaches to searching and understanding the Scriptures. He is also developing new strategies and technologies for using large digital libraries. Dr. Runge is developing original language tools particularly geared for pastors.

Logos launches national field sales team
Andy Anderson has been hired as national sales manager for field sales for Logos Bible Software. In this role, Anderson takes on responsibilities for increasing market share within the largest metropolitan areas of the United States.
Anderson comes to Logos after seven years working as a Residential Sales and Marketing Manager for Lynden Door, working with outside sellers to grow the business.

Bailey named dealer account manager at Logos
Logos Bible Software has hired Justin Bailey as dealer account manager.
In this role, Bailey is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with dealer accounts across the United States, including CBA bookstores and other brick-and-mortar resellers.

McGuinness designated second-home specialist
The National Association of Realtors is pleased to announce that Eugene McGuinness of Fairhaven Realty in Bellingham is the first Realtor in Whatcom County to receive the Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) designation. He is only the second in Washington Realtor in Washington to receive this designation.
The program was launched in 2006 to better serve the growing second-home and resort real estate sector.

Murray attends professional events
In January, Meredith Murray, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Bellingham, met company CEO “Mo” Anderson at the KW Northwest Regional Awards Banquet in Sea-Tac. Business leaders in the real estate professional nationally recognized Anderson for her acumen and vision as a businesswoman. In February Murray also traveled to Las Vegas to attend the annual KW convention called “Family Reunion” with 10,000-plus of the 72,000 other KW agents from around North America.

Monks joins Valley Cabinets
Valley Cabinets Kitchens & More is proud to introduce David Monks as their new field manager. Monks’ responsibilities include project management and sales support.
Monks has worked several years in the construction and cabinet industry and brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to Valley Cabinets Kitchens & More clients. Most recently, Monks worked as an independent contractor focusing on the residential custom spec market. Previous to contracting he was a project coordinator for Cook Cabinets Inc.

Soine elected 2007 president of Realtor board
Jon Soine of Windermere Real Estate recently was elected president of the Whatcom County Association of Realtors.
Soine, a Realtor since 1983, has been active in local and state real estate organizations. He also has earned the Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyers Representative and Graduate Realtors Institute designations.
Other WCAR officers for 2007 are: Mark Brown, Windermere Real Estate, vice president; Don Elliot, John L. Scott Real Estate, secretary; Janet Armstrong, Peoples Bank, treasurer; and Peter Roberts, John L. Scott Real Estate, past-president.
Dennis Elwell of Keller Williams, Matthew McBeath of RE/MAX Whatcom County and Ray Pelletti of Century 21 Bay Properties were elected as local directors, joining Stephanie Johnson of Fairhaven Real Estate and Darin Stenvers of RE/MAX Whatcom County.
J.D. Merris of Keller Williams was elected as a state director. Other WCAR state directors are Soine, Brown, Roberts, Michelle Clark of RE/MAX Whatcom County and Cheryl Ferrier of John L. Scott Real Estate.

Mount Vernon’s Whitener represents state businesses
Kristen Whitener, president of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, represented Washington’s business community at the National Governors Association state sector strategy meeting in Chicago in February. Whitener received the nomination as Washington’s business advocate by the Association of Washington Business.
Delegates from six states worked to strengthen local sector strategies for education and economic development. Sector strategies allow states to focus on key regional industries by bringing economic development, workforce development and education issues together.
“The NGA selected Washington as a participant because of all the work we have already done in workforce development and education,” Whitener said. “I was there to make sure that small businesses in Washington had a voice in the discussion.”

Whatcom Sports Commission adds board members
The Whatcom Sports Commission is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to its board of dirrectors. Joining the Whatcom Sports Commission Board are John Gibb, president of Chemco; Timothy Krell, Whatcom County manager of First American Title Company; Wendy Keneipp with The Unity Group; and J. Bruce Smith, a partner with Barron Smith Daugert, PLLC, Attorneys.
The WSC is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to building and operating recreational facilities in Whatcom County.

Historic Lincoln Theatre welcomes Krebs-McMullen
Bobbi Krebs-McMullen has joined the staff at the Historic Lincoln Theatre Foundation in the newly created position of development director. Krebs-McMullen is a long-time civic leader in Skagit County with a background in public administration, business management and campaign consulting.
“I’m honored to be a part of the Lincoln Theatre Foundation’s effort to preserve an important part of Mount Vernon’s history while providing unique live entertainment and films to Skagit County,” says Krebs-McMullen

New security guard
Dan Burns joins the Port of Anacortes staff as a new security team member. Burns, a U.S. Navy veteran, joins a crew of three other security members.

Avary heads CEMMT
Skagit Valley College has selected Ann Avary of Port Townsend as director of the Northwest Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing and Technology.
Most recently, Avary held the position of principal for Project Solutions Network, LLC where she served as the primary U.S. liaison to the South East England Development Agency, providing the point of contact link to the Puget Sound region boat and ship building industries. Avary earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Ind.

SVC’s Hildahl chairs national commission
Lyle Hildahl, director of Culinary Arts at Skagit Valley College, and food and beverage director for McIntyre Hall Performing Arts & Conference Center, has been appointed chair of the American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFAC). Hildahl will serve two years as chair and two years as past chair on the commission board of directors and executive committee.
As a culinary educator, Hildahl has traveled to the former Soviet Union, South Korea, Czechoslovakia and China. He was also co-owner of Flounder Bay Café in Anacortes for five years.

Retailer joins Haggen board
R. Randall Onstead, Jr. has joined the board of advisers at Haggen Inc.
Onstead has 27 years of experience in the retail food industry. He is the former chairman, president and CEO of Randalls Food Markets, Inc., a $2.7 billion supermarket chain based in Houston.
Most recently, Onstead was president of Dominick’s Finer Foods, based in Oak Brooks, Ill. He also served on the board of directors of J.P. Morgan Chase Texas, the Baylor College of Medicine and the Onstead Foundation.

Fairhaven Fitness adds personal trainer
Fairhaven Fitness has added Susan Guttzeit as an ACE-certified personal trainer. ACE, American Council on Exercise, is the “gold” standard for certifications. In addition to being a licensed massage therapist, Guttzeit also is also a certified instructor for Isolated Active Stretching and currently teaches two stretching classes at the club.

Plank steps up to director role
Marci Plank is the new executive director of the La Conner Chamber of Commerce. Plank has been a member of the Chamber board for many years and involved with several events and committees.
Marci and her husband Bob owned and operated Viking Cruises for the past five years and recently closed that business. Plank has lived and worked in La Conner in some capacity since 1992 and served on the chamber executive board in 1993.
Author releases “PowerBites”
Bellingham author M. Cathy Angell has released her new book “PowerBites: 30 Ways to Reclaim and Sustain Your Personal Power.” PowerBites is an interactive workbook, especially geared toward women but applicable to men. It leads the reader through a straightforward and empowering process of identifying “power-leaks,” choosing attainable goals, and creating simple action steps.
Angell is the award-winning author of “My Spirit Flies: Portraits and Prose of Women in Their Power.”

Jones joins Business Bank board
Business Bank of Skagit and Whatcom Counties announced the election of Rogan Jones to the bank’s board of directors.
Over the past decade Jones has founded Affordable Information, Inc., a custom software programming business; Rowen Investments LLC, a commercial real estate business; and Sleepmaster LLC, a retail mattress sales business. Jones is a former director for KGMI Inc. He currently serves as a director for the Whatcom Community Foundation, and is a member of the Bellingham Rotary Club and the Bellingham Public Schools Citizens Advisory Committee. Jones is also the president of Mt. Constitution Sites Inc., an antenna farm business.
Jones graduated from Sehome High School in 1988 and from California Polytechnic University in 1992.

Macaleer becomes Rotarian
Leah Macaleer was accepted for membership of Whatcom County North Rotary Club in February 2007. Leah is the executive director of Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties Junior Achievement. She has been active in JA for the last four years and most recently came to Whatcom County from El Paso, Texas.
Prior to her time with Junior Achievement, Macaleer was in the Dominican Republic doing outreach and community projects with Young Life International. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in public relations and marketing.

Payne joins Marianne’s House
Marianne’s House has hired Sara Payne as new managing director. Marianne’s House is Whatcom County’s first day activity center for adults with developmental disabilities. Payne is a certified nursing assistant and has worked as a supervisor for adults with developmental disabilities.
According to Melinda Shenk, president of Marianne’s House, “We are thrilled to have Sara Payne join our staff. She brings tremendous enthusiasm to our program. Her background and expertise in working with adults with disabilities, gives Marianne’s House the perfect combination to achieve our goals of increasing client and community participation.”

Local résumé writer nationally published
Sixteen résumés written by Bellingham certified résumé writer Janice M. Shepherd have been selected by Impact Publications for inclusion in a new job hunting guide written by Ron and Caryl Krannich, Ph.D.s.
A recognized expert in the industry, Shepherd is one of only four résumé writers nationwide to have work selected by the editor for inclusion in “The Blue-Collar Résumé and Job Hunting Guide.”
Résumés created by Shepherd are published in more than 25 current career industry books.
A certified professional résumé writer has earned that credential through a specialized testing and examination process.

Five serve more than 20 years on nonprofit board
“It isn’t every day that volunteer board members continue to serve year after year for more than two decades,” said Chuck Beard, executive director of St. Luke’s Foundation.
Four founding board members who joined St. Luke’s Foundation in 1982 are retiring from the board after 25 years of service. These include business owner Bob Diehl, of Diehl Ford; retired Western Washington University administrator Mary Robinson; retired assistant superintendent Bellingham Public Schools W.S. “Bud” Peterson; and retired professional travel consultant and business owner Vi Zurline of Bellingham Travel & Cruise. Physician John Arnold, who joined the board in 1987, is also retiring after serving for 20 years.
St. Luke’s Foundation was formed as an independent charitable foundation in 1982 to support health-related activities through direct financial support to healthcare agencies and health education programs.

Banner honors Nelson
Banner Bank has announced the 2006 Banner’s Best award recipients. This year, 38 employees from across the Pacific Northwest were recognized for their exceptional performance in exceeding personal and bank-wide goals and delivering superior customer service.
Bellingham Vice President/Division Operations Manager Peggy Nelson was recognized for being one of Banner’s Best. Responsible for one of the company’s largest branches, Nelson aided the Bellingham Branch in reaching the largest deposit growth to date, growing deposits by more than 30 percent in 2006. She previously won Banner’s Best Award in 2004.

Therapists complete training
Massage therapists Traci Soriano and Katy Campbell have completed their training in hot stone massage. The training was through Stone Spirits and incorporates hot and cold stones. The heat of the stones penetrates deep into muscle tissue for release and pain relief. The contrasting cold stones help muscles return to their original length. Soriano has been at Green Touch for two years and is also a pregnancy massage specialist and a doula. Campbell as been with Green Touch for six months and specializes in deep tissue work.