Adams joins Christian Health Care Center
Ron Adams has been appointed admissions coordinator at Christian Health Care Center in Lynden.
Adams serves as a liaison between Christian Health Care Center and hospitals, assisted-living facilities, group homes and families. He evaluates the medical issues and level of functioning in prospective residents and determines whether Christian Health Care Center is the most appropriate facility for them. Adams oversees admissions for both the skilled-nursing rooms and the short-term rehabilitation wing, which opened last fall at Christian Health Care Center.
Adams has 10 years of experience in social services and providing direct care for those in need. He earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Drury University in Springfield, Mo.

Waddell & Reed promotes Beatty
Waddell & Reed recently announced that Jodie Beatty has been promoted to district supervisor for the Bellingham area. Beatty, 30, has been a professional in the financial services industry for eight years and joined the firm as a financial adviser in 2005.
As a district supervisor, Beatty will mentor and oversee other advisers in the area, monitor performance, and assist in growing the firm. Her expertise in financial counseling and sales management has made her an ideal candidate for the district supervisor’s role, according to company executives.
Beatty will continue to work from the Bellingham office. Founded in 1937, Waddell & Reed has today grown to more than 200 offices nationwide.

Serbousek earns CRS Designation
Dale Serbousek, a Whatcom County Realtor, has been awarded the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.
Realtors who receive the CRS Designation have completed advanced courses and have demonstrated professional expertise in the field of residential real estate. Fewer than 4 percent of Realtors nationwide have earned the credential.
Serbousek is based at Keller Williams Western Realty’s office in Bellingham.

DeVisscher named WCAR executive officer
Tanna DeVisscher has been named executive officer of the Whatcom County Association of Realtors (WCAR). DeVisscher has more than 30 years of experience in Whatcom County’s real estate industry as a mortgage banker, underwriter, escrow closing officer and customer-service supervisor.
She also has led workshops for first-time homebuyers and has been a certified state teacher of continuing-education classes for real estate agents. A member of the WCAR and Building Industry Association of Whatcom County since 1973, DeVisscher has received the Washington State Realtor Affiliate of the Year Award.
DeVisscher now oversees WCAR’s operations, which includes managing the nonprofit organization founded in 1908 that now has more than 800 Realtors, 50 brokers and 60 affiliates. WCAR provides continuing-education classes for members and information for prospective buyers and sellers of real estate. It also monitors legislation at all levels of government that may affect members.
As executive officer, DeVisscher succeeds Sue Stremler, who retired after 15 years of leading WCAR.

Haehn receives energy conservation award
Woody Haehn of Energy Conservation Services in Bellingham has recently received the “Powerful Achievement” award from Puget Sound Energy. He was also awarded the “Silver Award for Small Businesses” for saving 500,000 to 999,999 kilowatt hours of electricity in 2006. He achieved this by utilizing the Puget Sound Energy’s rebate and grant programs in providing businesses with significant energy reduction through lighting retrofits.
He is the only recipient to be recognized two years in a row for his successful work in reducing energy usage in the Puget Sound region. Last year he was awarded the 2005 “Power Player of the Year” award.

DeWaard & Bode names Grady store manager
DeWaard & Bode, a locally owned Bellingham business, recently named Curt Grady store manager at its downtown Bellingham location.
Grady, a lifelong Whatcom County resident, graduated from Ferndale High School and Western Washington University. Grady served 11 years as general sales manager of an automobile dealership in Lynden before accepting the DeWaard & Bode position.
Grady now oversees sales of major appliances – including ovens, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washers, dryers and microwaves – as well as mattresses at the 15,000-square-foot DeWaard & Bode store.

WWU hires Nord as director of Center for International Studies
Douglas C. Nord has been named director of the Center for International Studies at Western Washington University, WWU President Karen W. Morse announced.
Nord was selected after a nationwide search; he also will be a professor of political science at Western.
“Dr. Nord brings to this position extensive experience in the field of international education,” Morse said. “Western is committed to developing increased international opportunities for our faculty and students. The search committee is to be commended for conducting such a thorough and successful search.”
The director will administer all aspects of the Center for International Studies and serve as the university’s chief spokesperson for international education.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to assist WWU in enlarging its international profile,” Nord said.

Geiger Engineers promotes two
Geiger Engineers, a structural and marina engineering firm in Bellingham for more than 20 years, is pleased to announce two staff promotions.
Quinn Hanks has become Geiger’s newest project manager. Hanks has been with Geiger since the 2004, when he started as an intern engineer. He became a staff engineer when he received his Professional Engineer license in 2006 and now, in August 2007, he has been promoted to project manager. Hanks has worked on many public, residential and marine projects for Geiger. He is currently working on a medical office building in Mount Vernon and the new Shuksan Middle School.
Charles Waugh has become a Geiger associate. Over the years, Waugh has worked on hundreds of projects, both large and small, for Geiger. Some highlights include the construction of the Lummi Community Center, Whatcom County Courthouse addition, WWU Buchanan Towers seismic strengthening, Oakland block rehabilitation, St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Church and the Darby Estates.
Currently, Waugh is working on the Laube Hotel Building remodel, Woods Coffeehouse in Boulevard Park, the Waldron Building Development and several smaller projects throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Synergy Salon & Day Spa adds two
Mount Vernon-based Synergy Salon & Day Spa recently announced Nicole Jones and Yvonne Marcotte have joined its team of professionals. Jones and Marcotte worked together at Main Street Salon for many years until the salon’s recent closure.
Marcotte is a hair stylist with more than six years of experience who specializes in designer hair cuts and colors. She also provides waxing and spa pedicures.
Jones is a licensed massage therapist with more than five years of experience. Her expertise is in deep tissue work and she also provides hot stone massage.

Trinity Western University names director for Bellingham campus
Local businessman and academic Dan Sanford has been chosen by Trinity Western University to direct its Bellingham program. The Canadian university, located in Langley, British Columbia, recently launched its operations and degree program in human services at its campus building located on West Kellogg Road near Whatcom Community College.
Sanford, the former director of the School of Global Commerce at Whitworth University in Spokane and professor of international management, will step into his new post while continuing some teaching duties at Trinity’s main campus in Langley.
Sanford has been a part-time professor at the Canadian campus in addition to being co-owner of Launching Success Learning Store, a Bellingham educational retail business.
Sanford was a long-time professor at Whitworth and also served as that institution’s director of international programs, associate academic dean and director of graduate studies in management. A resident of Lynden, Sanford has been active in Kiwanis, Birchwood Community Presbyterian Church and the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The Trinity Western Bellingham campus starts classes this fall with expected initial enrollment of 40 students taught by professors from the local community and visiting faculty from the main campus. Trinity Western University is a 50-year-old non-denominational Christian institution of more than 4,000 students with many students and graduates from Northwest Washington. Twenty-seven percent of its students are Americans.

Trinity Western appoints assistant director for Bellingham campus
Trinity Western University (TWU) has appointed Lynell Friesen to the position of assistant director for its Bellingham campus program. 
Friesen, a resident of Blaine, will be involved primarily with community relations and admissions for the university’s Bellingham campus. He has had previous positions in marketing, sales and church ministry. He is a graduate of LeTourneau College, Longview Texas, and Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Fla.
TWU’s Bellingham campus offers an accelerated adult degree completion program in which adult students have the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in a multidisciplinary major in social sciences or a bachelor of arts degree in psychology with a certificate in human services.

WWU’s Trimble receivers award for psychology studies
Joseph Trimble, a professor of psychology and director of the Office of Institutional Assessment Research and Testing at Western Washington University, has been awarded a Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association’s Society for his psychological study of ethnic minority issues.
The award is recognition for a 35-year career focused on promoting psychological and sociocultural research with indigenous populations, especially American Indians and Alaska Natives. For the past 20 years, he has been working on substance abuse and mental-health prevention research models for American Indian and Alaska Native youth.
“This is an honor that humbles me, and I am profoundly appreciative,” Trimble said. “The story of the psychological effects of oppression, evil, hatred and prejudice must be told repeatedly, which is what I’ve tried to do over the length of my career.”
Trimble earned a baccalaureate degree from Waynesburg College in 1961 and pursued graduate studies in psychology at the University of New Hampshire, Harvard University and the University of Oklahoma.

Stewart Title honored at technology conference
Elizabeth Grant, president of technology for Stewart Title’s Bellingham office, and Ryan Price, office automation coordinator, recently attended the 2007 Stewart Title TechNet Conference in Las Vegas, Nev. The company was awarded the advanced technology site designation for maintaining a positive perception of adapting new technology. Stewart Title of Bellingham is an industry leader in using technology to provide excellent customer service, while reducing the use of paper.

Toombs receives CRS designation
Dorcas Toombs, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Burlington, has been awarded the Certified Residential Specialist designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. Less than 4 percent of Realtors nationwide hold the CRS designation. Toombs is a sales associate with Coldwell Banker in Burlington.

Business Bank adds Tully, Martin
Kris Tully has been hired as vice president of consumer and small business lending at Business Bank in Burlington. Tully has been in the banking industry for more than 19 years, with the last seven years spent in Skagit Valley. She is a past president of the Venture Club of Burlington and has been an active member of the Mount Vernon and Burlington Chambers of Commerce and EDASC for many years.
“Kris Tully’s experience with consumer and small business customer needs in the local community makes her an excellent addition to our staff. She believes strongly in being a customer advocate,” said Business Bank President and CEO Don Zimmerman.
Darcy Owings-Martin is Business Bank’s new account specialist. Owings-Martin has been in banking for more than 32 years, much of that time spent in Skagit Valley. She is currently a board member for the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Kiwanis Club of Burlington.
“We are excited to have Darcy join our team,” said Karen Pitt, vice president of operations. “With our growth plans for the future, Darcy’s knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset to Business Bank.”

Realtor’s association honors Ferrier, Livingston
The Whatcom County Association of Realtors (WCAR) recently honored Cheryl Ferrier of John L. Scott Real Estate and Jefferson Livingston of Pillar to Post Home Inspection.
Ferrier was named WCAR’s Realtor of the Second Quarter. A real estate agent for more than 20 years, Ferrier is extremely active in the local, state and national associations. A former president of WCAR, she served this year on the selection committee charged with finding a new executive officer and is a member of WCAR’s board of directors. Ferrier also is a state director and a former president of the Washington Association of Realtors.
WCAR selected Livingston as its Affiliate of the Second Quarter. Livingston owns and operates the Pillar to Post home-inspection franchise in Bellingham. Livingston launched the business five years ago and has completed nearly 2,000 inspections. He teaches state-approved classes on various aspects of home inspections, enabling local real estate agents to earn clock hours and meet continuing-education requirements.
“Ferrier and Livingston have made significant contributions to our association and community,” said Tanna DeVisscher, executive officer of WCAR. “We greatly appreciate their efforts.”

Ignac joins WWU’s Small Business Development Center
Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently appointed a new research manager to expand its research services statewide.
Aaron Ignac joined the SBDC in August. Previously, Ignac served as the director of operations for Applied Research Northwest and a business requirements analyst and data analyst for PeaceHealth. He has a master’s degree in psychology with a research and statistics concentration, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology, both from Western Washington University.
“Aaron brings a strong research background and expertise that will assist not only Whatcom County businesses but also other Small Business Development Centers and Economic Development Centers throughout Washington state,” said SBDC Director Tom Dorr.

Tercero adds Fernandez
Tercero Insurance Agency and Nationwide Insurance recently announced that Sandra Fernandez has joined the agency as an agent. Fernandez joins Tercero after working for five years with Concrete Nor’west. She will be selling life, health, property and casualty lines of insurance.

Madsen reappointed to WWU Board of Trustees
Dennis Madsen, the former president and CEO of REI, has been reappointed to Western Washington University’s Board of Trustees by Gov. Christine Gregoire.
Madsen’s new term will begin Oct. 1 and end Sept. 30, 2013. He was first appointed to the WWU Board of Trustees by Gov. Gary Locke in September 2004.
Madsen has served on the boards of Island Wood, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition; he also founded the Youth Outdoors Legacy Fund, which involves urban youth in outdoor activities and stewardship. He is the past-president of the Western Washington University Foundation Board of Directors.

Bellingham landscape artist receives award
Susan Harrison, a landscape designer and president of Private Gardens Design Inc. in Bellingham, has recently won a major award in a national trade magazine competition that showcased projects in landscape design.
Responding to a special invitation by Pool & Spa News, considered the industry’s voice for 46 years, Private Gardens Design competed in the water features division against seven other finalists. Harrison’s winning project showcased a garden she designed for a Whatcom County residence and appeared in the July 2007 issue of Pool & Spa News. She will accept the award on behalf of her company at the Annual International Pool & Spa/Backyard Living Expo in Orlando, Fla., in November.
Harrison is one of few board-certified landscape designers in Washington state that have completed the certification process of the Association of Professional Landscapers.

Award-winning professor addresses WWU’s summer commencement
Kristen Larson, associate professor in physics and winner of Western Washington University’s Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching award for 2006-2007, addressed graduates and guests at Western’s summer commencement ceremony Aug. 25.
Larson completed her doctorate in physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in February 1999. She began her career at Western in 1998 as a research associate and taught several classes before leaving in 2000. She returned to Western in 2002 as an assistant professor, and this spring Larson was approved for tenure and promotion to associate professor. Her research has been focused on the distribution and extinction properties of dust at high latitude using all-sky photometric surveys.
The alumni address, titled “Stay Connected and Get Involved,” was delivered by Eugene Langille. Langille, who graduated in 1957 and lives in the San Francisco bay area, is a retired educator and set builder who worked on the Academy Award-nominated film “The Pursuit of Happyness.”

Woolcock returns to Belle Flora
Lois Woolcock has returned to Belle Flora and Home Interiors Inc. as manager, owner Janice Oberg Barrett recently announced. Woolcock closed here home interior store “In Home” in March. She has brought her talent and design expertise back to Belle Flora. In July Woolcock and Marilew Calapp traveled to the Atlanta Gift Mart to preview and order the latest in home decor and gift accessories for the fall and upcoming holidays.

Daigle celebrates 30 years with Koetje Agency
Gail Daigle celebrated her 30-year anniversary with the Koetje Agency Inc. in August. Daigle started her insurance career with the agency in 1977 as a customer service representative for both personal and commercial insurance. As the agency continued to grow, celebrating 65 years of doing business in Oak Harbor in 2007, the agency divided into two servicing divisions. Daigle was designated the commercial lines insurance manager at that time. She is also the agency’s in-house accountant and the human resources coordinator.
Daigle is very active in her church community. She has two grown children who have given her and husband Gil six (soon to be seven) grandchildren.

Baron & Company Adds New Senior Graphic Designer
Bellingham-based Baron & Company has added Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Allen to their team. Allen joins Baron & Company after most recently working for Toolhouse Design Company as an Interactive Designer.
“The addition of Allen to our firm will allow us to continue to push ourselves in offering creative marketing solutions for our clients,” said Jason Glover, executive vice president of Baron & Company. “Brandon is a very well-rounded talent with excellent communication skills, allowing him to clearly explain his ideas with both potential and existing customers. We’re very excited about the skills he brings to our team.”
A Bellingham native, Allen comes graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in graphic design. While at WWU, Allen was a co-designer for the school’s award-winning, student-operated environmental magazine, The Planet. Allen has honed his design skills with companies throughout Bellingham, including MB Design and Toolhouse Design Company. He has also served as the Creative Art Director for Bellingham’s annual Broken Spoke Festival.
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