WWU DEAN KLEINKNECHT RETIRES AFTER 39 YEARS
After almost 40 years at Western Washington University (WWU), Ron Kleinknecht, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will retire July 1.
Kleinknecht came to WWU in 1970 as an assistant professor of psychology. He was named full professor in 1979, and became the department chair in 1990. In 2000, he was named interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and after the split of that college into the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) and the College of Sciences and Technology in 2003, he was named the founding dean of CHSS. Kleinknecht received his bachelor’s degree in general studies from Washington State University (WSU) in 1964, his master’s degree in psychology in 1966 and his doctorate in clinical psychology in 1969, both also from WSU. He is a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of fears and phobias and has published three books in that field.
Despite his official retirement on July 1, Kleinknecht said he will still be around campus to oversee an important project: the launch of what is tentatively being called the School of Allied Health Studies, which would put a number of related departments under a new umbrella. Kleinknecht will help oversee the new school as he eases into full-time retirement, staying on through Dec. 31.

MCMULLEN IS NEW EMERALD MARINE PARTNER
James McMullen is the new partner of Emerald Marine in Anacortes, the port’s only shop dedicated solely to the restoration, repair and creation of wooden boats.
Since 1989, McMullen has built 45 boats and counting. Although he has worked on everything from sea kayaks to schooners, his personal favorite type of boat is the traditional sail-and-oar. The Denver native has traveled much of the Puget Sound area under wind and muscle power in boats he built himself.

LOSIE NAMED PRINCIPAL AT Bellingham LAW FIRM
Michelle D. Losie was appointed as principal at Bellingham’s Chmelik Sitkin & Davis law firm earlier this year.
Losie has provided legal services at the firm since 2002. She has more than 17 years of experience in commercial litigation, municipal, labor and employment law. Before joining the Chmelik Sitkin & Davis firm, Losie spent 11 years practicing law in British Columbia.

STAFF LEADS NEW CASCADE BANK BRANCH
Darlene Birkett, Esther Partida, Barbara Collins, Audrey Adams, Dick Blomberg, Andrea Martin and Rhonda Tingley are leading the staff at Cascade Bank’s new Burlington branch.
Birkett will serve as vice president and branch manager, Partida as assistant branch manager, Collins as senior financial service representative and Adams as financial services representative. Blomberg will serve as senior vice president and business development officer, Martin as vice president and business banker and Tingley as senior business banking support specialist.

WWU PROF GAINS GRANT TO RESEARCH TROUT DISEASE
Wayne Landis, professor and chairman of Western Washington University’s Department of Environmental Sciences, has received a $46,782 grant from Montana State University to research the risk of whirling disease in the Southwestern United States.
Whirling disease, named for the manner in which fish swim when they are affected, is caused by a parasite found in trout that attacks the cartilage and deforms the skeleton of young fish. Landis and colleagues will perform an ecological risk assessment and use data collected by Colleen Caldwell of New Mexico State University to determine the risk of whirling disease on these trout and other native trout populations.
Landis, also the director of WWU’s Institute of Environmental Toxicology, has researched risk assessment for 12 years and invasive species for five.

MANOS COMPLETES SOFTWARE TRAINING
Jules Manos, senior estimator at Credo Construction Inc., recently attended training for Optima Builder Software in Modesto, Calif.
Optima guides users in steel building design to assist them in customizing projects to achieve the most efficient layout. With this step-by-step software, builders can take advantage of a broad array of design parameters and accessories not previously available in a steel building software package.
The software will allow Credo Construction Inc., an authorized builder of metallic building systems, to more efficiently design and price metal buildings.

LOCAL MASSAGE THERAPIST HAS ARTICLE PUBLISHED NATIONALLY
Bellingham massage therapist and counselor Marie Matteson saved her husband’s life with a massage, and writing about it may have saved even more lives. Her article on massage and melanoma awareness was recently published in the American Bodyworkers and Massage Professionals Journal, which reaches more than 40,000 therapists across the United States.
Matteson had noticed something odd on the bottom of her husband’s foot, the site of a 4-year-old fire ant bite. A dermatologist confirmed that the spot had changed and become a melanoma.
Matteson has been a nationally licensed massage practitioner since 1997 and is a nationally registered emergency medical technician and registered counselor. She is currently partnering with a group of psychotherapists who are incorporating her work into the formation of the Creative Child Center in Bellingham.

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT ELECTED TO NHRMA BOARD
Kelly Lewis, owner of Allied Human Resources Consulting, has been elected to the Northwest Human Resource Management Association (NHRMA) Board of Directors. She will serve as communications director, providing development and maintenance of the association’s Web site.
NHRMA is a professional development consortium for the states of Washington, Oregon and Alaska and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Lewis, who is an active member of the Mount Baker Chapter of SHRM, has nearly 20 years of experience working in the human resource field and is designated as both a certified senior human resource professional and certified compensation professional. She graduated from Western Washington University in 1987 and completed her graduate work at Seattle Pacific University.

SANDERS COMPLETES GREEN BUILDING COURSE
Arlene Sanders, director of Business Development at Credo Construction Inc., recently completed a two-day course titled “Green Building for Building Professionals.”
The course is offered through the National Association of Home Builders and is nationally recognized as part of the Certified Graduate Builder designation.
Green homes provide buyers with lower-energy costs, lower maintenance, better indoor air quality and better long-term value. Other benefits include increased comfort, mortgage savings, lower utility bills, personal satisfaction, increased value, and reduced maintenance and repair costs.

LOSEE JOINS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE FIRM
Joe Losee has joined ENSR, a premier environmental service firm with a local office located in the Fairhaven district of Bellingham.
Losee is part of ENSR’s regulatory air quality engineering service. He has eight years’ experience working in the air quality field, specializing in air quality audits, air permitting and air dispersion modeling.
Most recently, he worked with Thompson Environmental Consulting Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa. His particular expertise is in advanced dispersion modeling, the federal air permitting process and bio-fuels facility permitting. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

NORDYKE, OLSON HIRE ON AT BARON & COMPANY
Mark Nordyke and Shawn Olson have joined the full-service marketing firm of Baron & Company in Bellingham.
Nordyke has been hired as one of the firm’s Web programmers and will be working in the firm’s Web department. He will manage the day-to-day programming and maintenance of custom-built Web sites. Prior to joining Baron & Company, he served as lead developer for Big Fresh Media, where he specialized in the development of Web applications for a wide variety of clients.
Olson will be serving as an account coordinator, where she will meet a variety of needs, including copy writing, media buying and public relations. Before joining Baron & Company, she served as communications coordinator for the American Alpine Institute. She has also worked as a freelance writer and editor, and is the co-author of two books.

PERRY RECEIVES ACHIEVEMENT Designation
Mike Perry has been designated as a member of the Wachovia Securities firm’s “Premier Advisers Program,” a distinction that reflects his achievement of professional success through a consistent commitment to client service.
To qualify for the program at Wachovia Securities, financial advisers must demonstrate a high level of production and a commitment to professional service.
Perry is a lifetime member of the Western Washington University Alumni Association, and served six years on its board of directors serving as the secretary treasurer and chairman of the finance committee. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Business and Economics at WWU, where he currently provides mentoring and internship opportunities to students through the local Wachovia Securities branch office.

MARTINEZ manages retail, service for NORTHWEST COMPUTER
Sharon Martinez is the new retail and service manager for Northwest Computer’s downtown Bellingham Technology Solution Center.
Martinez is responsible for the company’s retail computer store, as well as for the service center. She has more than 20 years of management experience, including serving as general manager and retail operations manager for West Coast Bargain Books and sales manager and operations manager for Futon of North America. She is a graduate of the University of Nevada’s Merchandise and Business Program.
In addition to her experience in retail management, Martinez also has an extensive background in managing technical projects and utilizing technology to create business solutions, including designing and launching a successful Web-based sales division for West Coast Bargain Books.

SCHRAMM COMPLETES BROOKE ACADEMY TRAINING
Kevin Schramm, owner of Brooke Insurance in Bellingham, recently completed Brooke Capital Corp.’s three-day training program at the Brooke Academy in Overland Park, Kan.
The Brooke Academy provides franchise owners and their employees an in-depth orientation to Brooke’s operations and procedures. Brooke Insurance is an independently owned and operated franchise of Brooke Capital Corp.

FERLIN, ROGNLIN RE-ELECTED TO BANK BOARD, HAGSTROM, THOMAS RETIRE
Shareholders of Pacific Financial Corp., the parent company of Bank of the Pacific, re-elected Directors John R. Ferlin and Randy W. Rognlin for a three-year term and recognized retiring board members Duane E. Hagstrom and Stewart L. Thomas for their service during an annual shareholder meeting on April 23 in Aberdeen.
Hagstrom was named chief executive officer of the Bank of the Pacific in 1985 and president in 1986, capacities in which he served until his retirement in August 1997. He has served as director of Pacific Financial Corp. since 1997. Prior to joining Bank of the Pacific, he spent 30 years at Rainer National Bank and its predecessor.
Thomas is chairman of the board for Bellingham Cold Storage and recently served on the board of directors of United for Washington, Washington Food Processors Council and IARW Insurance Corp. He was a founding director of BNW Bancorp Inc., which was acquired by Pacific Financial Corp. in 2004, and has served as a director since 2004.

SHARPE SUCCEEDS BEARD AT ST. LUKE’S FOUNDATION
Sue Sharpe has been named the next executive director of the St. Luke’s Foundation. She replaces current Executive Director Chuck Beard, who will retire this month after serving 12 years with the foundation.
Sharpe, a long-time Whatcom County resident, will transition this July from her current role as leadership facilitator for Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access (WAHA) to lead the 25-year-old foundation. She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the healthcare and nonprofit sectors, including past positions with St. Joseph Hospital and related consulting work.

REALTOR EARNS SELLER DESIGNATION
Susan Stecher has been awarded her Accredited Seller Representative (ASR) designation after completing a training class offered by Washington Realtors Association, a RealtyU Affiliate, and managed by the Seller Agency Council Inc.
The ASR designation sets the individuals who have attained it apart from other practitioners because that individual has obtained a professional education on which to base the value-added services they provide and that they are a member of the National Association of Realtors.
Stecher is a member of the Whatcom County Realtor Association.

GAPAC Board MEMBERS NAMED FOR 2008
GaPac Community Federal Credit Union recently installed its 2008 board members during its 56th annual meeting at Northwood Hall.
Re-elected to the 2008 board of directors for a two-year term were: Chairman Don Cook, LeRoy Fuller and Phil Whitson. Newly elected was Terry Bradley. Others on the board are Barry Lawson, Kon Lemperes and Ron Olson. The 2008 supervisory committee consists of Chairwoman Clydia Hitchcock, Steve Seholm, Julian McAllister and Jay Foster.

RUBIN RUNS FOR 40TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Keith Rubin of Anacortes is running for the 40th Legislative District.
Rubin moved to Anacortes 28 years ago and currently serves as a commissioner for the Port of Anacortes and works as a bus driver for the Anacortes School District. He has an extensive background in maritime industry, has worked in the seafood business from fishing to marketing in Washington and Alaska and has served as a cannery manager at the Ebb Tide and Nelbro plants. He also has worked on ferries, for a dredging company and in agriculture and construction.
Rubin has served on industry committees for the National Food Processors Association and Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, taught a class for Washington Sea Grant called “Quality Control” for the seafood industry and provided full-time work on the Labor Neighbor campaigns in 2002 and 2004. He also acquired and renovated rental properties and started and operated a successful farrier business for eight years.


LEWIS SERVES ON SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL BOARD
Mount Vernon resident Pattie Lewis has been appointed to Public Hospital District No. 1 of the Skagit Valley Hospital Board of Commissioners.
Lewis has served as finance director for Community Mental Health for 17 years before retiring in 2000 and turning her attention to volunteerism. She joined the Skagit Hospice Foundation Board of Trustees in 2001 and served as board president in 2007. She currently serves on the foundation’s Planned Giving Committee.

ARTIST MAYO ELECTED TO MARITIME MUSEUM BOARD
Marine artist and captain Steve Mayo has been elected to the Bellingham International Maritime Museum Board of Directors.
Mayo is an experienced, professional boat captain who has operated a variety of vessels on Puget Sound. Until his retirement, he served as officer in charge of the Bellingham detachment of the Marine Spill Response Corp. “flotilla.” He is a member of the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Association, Nautical Research Guild, U.S. Naval Institute, San Francisco Maritime Museum and Columbia River Maritime Museum.

YWCA ELECTS NEW MEMBERS, OFFICERS
Annette Bagley, Varya Grace Fish, Carla Gelwicks and Joan Ullin were elected as new Bellingham YWCA Board members during the April annual membership meeting.
Continuing board members are Jo Collinge, Sharon Coss, Jay Johnson, Kristie Lundstrom, Kathy Newport, Sherry Partlow and Michelle Zimberoff.
At its May meeting, the board selected the following as 2008-09 officers: Collinge, president; Johnson, vice president; Bagley, secretary; and Partlow, treasurer.
The Bellingham YWCA provides transitional and emergency housing for women in crisis, operates the Back to Work Boutique for low-income women seeking employment, sponsors the Northwest Women’s Hall of Fame and offers other programs.

GRIFFITHS MAKES MANAGEMENT TEAM AT PEARSON CONSTRUCTION
Bob Griffiths has been added to the management team at Pearson Construction as a project manager.
Griffiths became a partner in 2007. He started as a carpenter apprentice for Pearson Construction in 1992 and worked his way from apprentice to journeyman and then supervisor. His projects have included credit unions, churches, banks, hotels and private residences. He earned a business degree from Western Washington University in 1988.

CHURCH JOINS TITLE AND ESCROW COMPANY
Dee Ryan Church has joined the First American Title and Escrow team as a senior escrow officer.
Church has more than 28 years experience serving the needs of title and escrow clients in Whatcom County. She also has been a limited practice officer for 17 years.

SIXTEEN COMPLETE EMT COURSE, EXAMS
Sixteen Skagit County emergency service personnel have completed their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) basic course.
The providers completed the three-month course at the end of April and passed state exams. The course was conducted by the Skagit County EMS Commission, which conducts two EMT basic classes per year paid for by the emergency medical services levy. The new EMTs were sponsored by their various agencies.
The providers who completed the course are as follows: Daniel Wichers, Alger Fire Department; Michael Aquino and Timothy Wilson, Burlington Fire Department; Brandon Lowry, Anacortes Fire Department; Garold Hackley Jr. and Matthew Virata, Big Lake Fire Department; Michael Bednar and Jeffrey L. Oiness, Skagit County Fire District 13; Angela Demonte, Skagit County Fire District 11; Marla D. Shelman, Skagit County Fire District 8; and Jennifer L. English, April D. Garrison, Jason Shuler, David Smith, William Smith and Chris Swenson, Skagit County Search and Rescue (SAR).

Skelton is Scion Champion
Esther Skelton, business development manager/Scion Champion at Foothills Toyota Scion in Burlington, was selected as one of the top 15 Scion Champion’s from Toyota dealerships in a five-state region to compete in the February Scion Product Walk Around Competition in Portland, Ore.
The competition, which included competitors from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, consisted of several brief impromptu presentation opportunities. Skelton had 10 minutes to present the Scion product and five minutes to talk about past and future grass-roots marketing events. Skelton won the regional competion, becoming one of the top three Scion Champions.

GRAVES JOINS COMPUTER SOURCE
Dustin Graves has joined Computer Source in Bellingham as a network technician.
Graves has been working in the IT field for nearly four years, and is currently working on two associates degrees, including Computer Information Systems, which he will have completed in June and then transferring into a bachelor’s program. He has completed several courses, including CompTIA A+ certification and Cisco Switches.
During his career, he has become proficient in Server 2000 and 2003, Terminal Server and Exchange Server. He also has become proficient in Medisoft, which is commonly used by businesses in healthcare. He previously helped manage a network of 75 systems in five different offices. Additionally, he possesses extensive knowledge of Apple Computers.

BRITAIN MOVES TO FERNDALE RE/MAX OFFICE
Jason Britain recently moved to the Ferndale office of RE/MAX Whatcom County.
Britain, who has resided in Whatcom County for the last 10 years and has been licensed since 2003, focuses on new construction and vacant land sales. He has more than 25 years’ experience in home improvement management and had previously worked as the manager for the Bellingham Home Depot. He also has experience in retail management.
He is a member of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Ferndale Parks Department Advisory Board.

HAGGEN INC. MANAGER GRADUATES FROM USC PROGRAM
Kevin Ardt, general accounting manager for Haggen Inc. in Bellingham, graduated April 30 from an intensive 14-week management program at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Ardt was named Student of the Year while completing the Food Industry Management Program at USC’s Marshall School of Business. The program, sponsored by the Western Association of Food Chains, is designed to develop general management skills, leadership qualities and communication expertise.
He joined the company as a courtesy clerk at the Sehome Haggen’s grand opening in 1992, and graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Since 2000, he has held accounting positions in Haggen’s corporate office.

WILSON ACHIEVES ‘ELITE’ REAL ESTATE STATUS
Mallina Wilson of RE/MAX Whatcom County Inc. was awarded the prestigious Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation by the National Association of Realtors during its midyear legislative conference and trade expo on May 15 in Washington, D.C.
Wilson joins a worldwide referral network of elite global real estate practitioners with expertise in working with international client, as well as immigrants.

KNUTSON LEADS BUSINESS BANK’S BURLINGTON BRANCH
Nancy Knutson has been hired as vice president branch manager for the Burlington Branch of Business Bank. Knutson brings 21 years of customer service management, training and product management to the team. For the last two years she has been a branch manager in Mount Vernon. She is an active member of Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon, The Forgotten Children’s Fund and Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County and is involved in numerous other children’s organizations.

JAGER HONORED FOR WORK WITH HIGH SCHOOL AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM
Randy Jager, service manager for Foothills Toyota Scion was honored by Toyota Technical Education Network (T-TEN) through Shoreline Community College by donating a vehicle in his name to the Burlington Edison High School Automotive Program.
Jager’s involvement in BEHS has led to three new technicians for his service department that are either currently enrolled in the T-TEN program or who have recently graduated. He also provided an avenue for countless future local students to be trained and put back into the workforce in their own community.

TURNER, BOOTH SERVE NORTHWEST THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
Valerie Turner has joined the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center team as the new director of community relations and Annette Booth is the new chairwoman of the board of directors.
Turner, who has a background with nonprofit organizations, is currently attending Whatcom Community College and plans to complete her major in communication and elementary education at Western Washington University.
Booth owns Allstate-Booth Insurance Agency in Ferndale.
She joins the other board members, Dorene Moors, treasurer; Mike Bozzo, vice president; Kate Simmons, secretary; and Phil Simmons, David Sauter, Jeri Davis, Skip Ness, Warren Monroe and Julia Bozzo.

STAFFORD IS ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF FOR BURLINGTON
David Stafford was selected as assistant police chief for the City of Burlington and assumed his position April 28.
Stafford has been employed by the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office for the past 13 years, where he served as undersheriff during Ed Goodman’s term as sheriff, as a deputy and more recently as detective under Sheriff Rick Grimstead. During his early career, he held the position of patrol officer and was promoted to the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant during 10 years of service with the city of Burlington.
He is a graduate of Burlington-Edison High School, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy and the Northwestern University Police Staff and Command curriculum. While working for Skagit County, Stafford also served four years as a Burlington City Council member.


WCAR HONORS HOVING AND THE HOGLINS
Lorraine Hoving
Alycia HoGlin
Travis HoGlin
Lorraine Hoving of Windermere Real Estate and Alycia and Travis HoGlin of Countrywide Home Loans were recently honored by the Whatcom County Association of Realtors.
Hoving was named WCAR’s Realtor of the First Quarter. Based at Windermere’s new Birch Bay Square office, she has four years of real estate experience and has earned the Accredited Buyer Representative designation. She chaired the committee for January’s WCAR Awards & Installation Celebration, earning praise for revitalizing the event with a new format.
The HoGlins were selected as Affiliates of the First Quarter. Alycia HoGlin is the sales manager at Countrywide’s new location in Sunnyland Square and Travis HoGlin is a home-loan consultant at the office. Both have been active participants in many different areas of WCAR and spearheaded promotions and advertising for the awards banquet.


LOUCKS JOINS SKAGIT INSURANCE BROKER
Arletta Loucks
Arletta Loucks has joined Employee Benefits LLC (EBPLLC), a Skagit County insurance broker specializing in group and individual life and health coverage.
Loucks will expand EBPLLC’s services to include employee voluntary plans such as disability, life and health insurance products. She has more than five years of experience in her specialty.

SALES PROFESSIONALS JOIN BACKYARDS SHOWROOM
Janice White
Evelyn Etringert
Janice White and Evelyn Etringert have joined the sales staff at Backyards outdoor home living showroom in Mount Vernon.
White will participate in merchandising and buying for the store. She most recently worked as an interior designer at 23rd Street Interiors in Bellingham, after moving from Dallas, and has served in numerous sales and management positions.

OLSEN HIRES ON WITH BARON TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Mary Ann Olsen
Mary Ann Olsen is the new administrative assistant at Baron Telecommunications in Bellingham.
The former Minnesota resident brings an extensive telecom background to the front desk services of the company. She is responsible for customer inquiries and concerns, interaction with the sales force and vendors and facilitating financial and service processes.
Her most recent position was sales assistant and support personnel at Eschelon Telecom Inc. of Minnesota where she focused on direct customer support and interfaced with equipment vendors and project managers.

ADVISER SPEAKS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
H.D. Vest Adviser Gene R. Bell, EA,CFP, of Bellingham was a featured speaker at the H.D. Vest Financial Services 22nd annual National Conference in June.
As one of the educational forums offered by top experts, Bell conducted an Adviser Spotlight session. The advisers featured within spotlight sessions speak candidly about what has made them successful, what challenges they have faced and offer their best ideas to their fellow advisors.
Bell’s staff members also were in attendance. With more than 60 unique learning opportunities and 60 more technology sessions covering 13 specialized topics for all career levels, Bell and his staff completed continuing professional education requirements and gathered new ideas for helping clients work toward their financial goals.

RADIO HOST DIRECTS SALES AT SATURNA
Brett Bonner, Bellingham talk show host and journalist, has joined Saturna Capital in Bellingham as the firm’s institutional sales director.
Bonner is responsible for marketing Saturna’s mutual funds and investment services to third-party advisers and consultants nationwide, as well as developing Saturna’s relationships with industry entities.
He brings 28 years of experience in broadcasting and journalism to Saturna, including three consecutive Edward R. Murrow awards for best newscast and five consecutive Associated Press awards for best newscast.

WWU PROFESSOR WORKS TO RESTORE TRIBE’S TREATY RIGHTS
Western Washington University Professor of Anthropology Daniel Boxberger, is spending this summer working to restore treaty rights for Oregon’s Grand Ronde Tribe.
Boxberger is an international expert on the treaty rights of indigenous peoples and ethnohistory, the study of cultures and indigenous customs through the use of historical records. He will work with the elders of the Grand Ronde on reasserting their claims to traditional tribal lands and gaining an increased representation on vital natural-resource agencies and governmental bodies such as the Columbia River Gorge Commission.
Boxberger has been working on similar issues with the Sechelt Indian Band in British Columbia for the last six years, researching their historical claims in preparation for treaty negotiations with Canada’s government.

AUSTIN MANAGES SALES AT NEW MORTGAGE OFFICE
Christy Austin
Christy Austin has been hired as a sales manager for Chase’s new and first mortgage office in Bellingham. Chase is one of the nation’s leading residential housing lenders.
Austin, a Bellingham local and graduate of the University of Washington, joins Chase with more than 20 years of mortgage industry experience. She is a member of the Whatcom County Association of Realtors (WCAR) and was named WCAR 2007 Affiliate of the Year and Washington State Association of Realtors 2007 Affiliate of the Year.

STACH JOINS COMCAST
Brandi Stach
Brandi Stach is the new-business account executive for Comcast.
She started April 22 and covers the northern Whatcom County area.

BRANUM PASSES PLUMBER EXAM
Tom Branum has passed the Washington State specialty plumber examination.
Following a successful apprenticeship with Sullivan Plumbing, Branum has achieved his plumbing license. He has worked for Sullivan Plumbing for four years completing residential/commercial plumbing projects, including remodel and repair work. Branum was hired through the union “helmets to hardhats program,” which provides transition from military service to construction trades. He served in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps.

FAIRFIELD INN GM EARNS AWARD
Brooks McLain, general manager of the Burlington Fairfield Inn & Suites, was named Opening GM of the Year by Marriott International and received an award in March during the Select Service General Manager Conference in Anaheim, Calif.
General managers at all 32 Fairfield Inn & Suites properties, which opened in 2007, were eligible. Criteria included overall hotel leadership, team building and development, financial management, sales leadership, community service and guest service skills.
McLain joined InnSight Hotel Management Group, which manages the Burlington hotel, in 2003 and became general manager for the Burlington hotel in 2007. He navigated the property through a lengthy opening and has retained nearly his entire opening crew. McLain and his staff’s dedication to service led the property to finish 10th out of more than 500 Fairfield Inns in Overall Satisfaction for 2007.

LISSER FILLS SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL BOARD POSITION
Bruce Lisser
Mount Vernon resident Bruce Lisser was appointed as the seventh member of the Public Hospital District No. 1, Skagit Valley Hospital Board of Commissioners.
Lisser served on the hospital’s Board of Commissioners from 1996 to 1999, stepping down due to time conflicts. He is the owner and manager of Lisser & Associates PLLC in Mount Vernon, a land surveying and land-use consulting business. He is active with the Skagit-Mount Vernon Rotary Club, and currently serves as the international chairman for the club. He also is leading the club’s efforts to support the location of health clinics in Africa. The clinic project is in cooperation with Rotary International and the Fight for the Children organization. Lisser is a past president of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club and is a past board member with the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation.

PAGE HIRED AS LAW FIRM ASSOCIATE
Bryan Page has been hired as an associate by Zender, Thurston, P.S., a civil-practice law firm in Bellingham.
Page will primarily practice in the areas of business and real estate including litigation. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude.

CARBAJAL NAMED INTERIM DEAN AT WWU
Brent Carbajal has been appointed to serve as interim dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Western Washington University. Ron Kleinknecht retired as dean of the college July 1.
The interim position is for a one-year period, and a national search for a permanent dean is expected to commence fall quarter 2008.
Carbajal previously served as a professor of Spanish and chairman for the university’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages. He has been department chairman for the past eight years. He has master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Washington and has been at Western since 1997. Prior to Western, he was an assistant and associate professor of Spanish at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He has published widely in the areas of Latin American literature and culture and Hispanic-American literature and culture.

2008 HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS RECIPIENTS HONORED
Mike Cohen, Karen Hoelscher and Colleen Curtis were awarded human rights awards by the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force in May during the 12th Annual Human Rights Awards Banquet and Silent Auction at Faith Lutheran Church in Bellingham.
The Human Rights Awards Banquet provides an opportunity to recognize and honor local, long-time grassroots activists who work tirelessly in our community for peace, social justice and human rights.
Cohen serves as executive director of the Bellingham Food Bank. He was honored for his relentless effort to reduce hunger in Whatcom County.
Hoelscher has been a professor of Elementary Education at Western Washington University since 1992. She was honored for making it her career goal to teach acceptance and honor diversity at the earliest levels of student education.
Curtis serves as chairwoman of Amnesty International, Whatcom County Chapter. She was honored for tirelessly educating the community and working toward basic human rights for every member of the human family.
The Task Force also honored the Human Rights Commemorative Project for the healing it has brought the community and for ensuring that the anniversary of the anti-Sikh and anti-East Indian riots, which occurred on September 4, 1907, is not forgotten.

CONLEY, HITCHNER THOMPSON JOIN TRUE IMAGE PUBLISHING
Tom Conley and Melody Hitchner Thompson have joined True Image Publishing in Everson.
Conley will be responsible for increasing sales of customized identity calendars to both local and regional/national businesses. He previously worked at Nor-E First Response Inc., where he coordinated delivery and training on emergency and first-responder products.
Hitchner Thompson is an administrative assistant/customer service representative. She formerly worked for The Bellingham Herald as the advertising and marketing coordinator.
True Image Publishing has partnered with the Windermere Foundation in promotional calendar sales to agents.

REGISTERED NURSE RECEIVES AWARD
Registered Nurse Barbra DeVries was recently awarded the first top R.N. award in the Active Release Technique (ART) in Colorado Springs.
Thousands of doctors and therapists have been certified in manual soft tissue therapies. After hundreds of hours, Devries completed all levels of soft tissue training and scored the highest grades in each of her core ART courses. In addition, she holds a successful full-time business as an ART provider, with two offices. She is an Elite Provider, one of 300 in the United States to date, and delivers ART to an oil refinery in Anacortes.

WWU PROFESSOR PROMOTES NEW NOVEL
Western Washington University assistant professor William Dietrich discussed the release of his new novel, “The Rosetta Key,” in May on Bellingham’s Chuckanut Radio Hour.
“The Rosetta Key,” a sequel to Dietrich’s 2007 novel “Napoleon’s Pyramids,” follows American adventurer Ethan Gage as he searches for the mysterious Book of Thoth and word of the final fate of his lover Astiza and his rival Count Alessandro Silano.
Dietrich, a WWU graduate and assistant professor of Environmental Journalism at the Huxley College of the Environment, is an accomplished journalist and author. He has published seven works of fiction and three works of nonfiction.

REDDY MANAGES HAGGEN STORE IN FERNDALE
Frank Reddy
Frank Reddy has been appointed store manager of the Ferndale Haggen Food & Pharmacy.
Reddy has earned multiple awards and promotions since joining Haggen Inc. in 1993 as a night stocker. He most recently served as store manager of the Meridian Haggen in Bellingham. Reddy now manages the Ferndale Haggen’s employees, operations and support of community activities.

GARRETT SMITH EARNS DESIGNATION
Garrett Smith earned his EcoBroker Certified designation in May.
From his Fairhaven office, Garrett explains, “With an EcoBroker designation, I have broadened the range of real estate opportunities I offer my clients. Whether the transaction involves environmental assessment and mitigation (mold, radon, etc.) or the opportunity to reduce utility bills, I’m in a position to help. The real estate industry is changing, and to best serve my clients, I need to understand the newest designs, technologies, and environmental issues.”

PESCHEK WINS CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
Grace Peschek was awarded the Chairman’s Award for fiscal year 2008 by Horizon Bank, headquartered in Bellingham.
The Chairman’s Award is the highest employee award given by the bank, and recognizes an employee for both personal achievement and sustained contribution to the company. Peschek, a 12-year Horizon Bank veteran, has been with the bank’s Whatcom Commercial Team for the past five years as a commercial relationship officer. Her commercial expertise has helped many business owners, builders and developers achieve operational strength and solid growth throughout the Pacific Northwest.

WWU PROFESSOR NAMED TO PORT ETHICS COMMITTEE
Craig Dunn
Western Washington University associate professor of management Craig Dunn was recently appointed to the Port of Bellingham’s Standing Ethics Advisory Committee.
The ethics advisory committee was established in 2003 to assist the port in continuing an ethical culture within its structure to meet general community expectations for ethical behavior of both staff and elected officials. The committee also helps provide clear and concise guidance regarding acceptable activities so as not to impair the port’s ability to attract qualified staff, appointees, or candidates for elected offices. The committee is made up seven members, who are selected by the committee and recommended to the Board of Commissioners for appointment.
Dunn also serves as an associate professor emeritus of San Diego State University. He specializes in business and society issues and has completed research in managerial ethics and values, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, the meaning of work and social entrepreneurship.

POEHLMAN COMPLETES COURSE
Greg Poehlman, commercial insurance broker for The Unity Group, has successfully completing the Certified Risk Managers – Finance of Risk Management course offered by the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.
Finance of risk management is the fourth course Poehlman has completed in the series of five courses. The Certified Risk Manager designation studies all aspects of risk management and requires extensive course time along with examinations.

HENDERSON LEADS FUNDRAISING IN STATE SENATE RACE
Ken Henderson has raised more than $36,000 in campaign contributions as of May 20 for his race to win the 40th District’s Senate position.
Henderson has earned various endorsements, including that of former Bellingham Mayor Tim Douglas, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association founders Mike and Elaine McRory, former Whatcom County Treasurer Barbara Cory, current Bellingham City Council member Terry Bornemann and Ferndale School District Assistant Superintendent Jim Gibson.

BUSINESSWOMAN RECEIVES CLU DESIGNATION
Katherine Lebioda, an associate financial representative with Financial Adviser Paul Twedt of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, has earned her Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from the American College.
The CLU designation represents the highest level of studies in the life insurance profession, enabling Lebioda to support Twedt in providing a wider range of solutions for the life insurance needs of individuals, business owners and professionals, including income replacement, estate analysis and wealth transfer.
Lebioda and Twedt are associated with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, the Middleton Financial Group of Seattle and The Northwest Washington Group district office in Bellingham.

RHEUMATOLOGIST JOINS SVMC
Dr. Kevin Welk, an experienced rheumatologist, joined Skagit Valley Medical Center’s (SVMC) Mount Vernon campus in June, making SVMC the first in Skagit County to offer rheumatology services.Rheumatologists care for patients with arthritis and other conditions of the joints, muscles and bones. Dr. Welk is Board Certified in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and his arrival complements bone density screenings already available at SVMC and will be the first step in the development of an infusion center.

GARDEN IS LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT
Kyla Garden, current agency receptionist for Koetje Agency Insurance, has successfully passed the state licensing test.
Garden is a Whidbey Island native who graduated from Oak Harbor High School with honors. She attended Skagit Valley College before joining the agency in 2006. Currently, she is completing study working in the personal lines department, and expanding her duties to include those of licensed customer service representative.

WWU RESEARCHERS WIN AWARD
Western Washington University graduate student Audrey Colnar and WWU Institute of Environmental Toxicology Director Wayne Landis recently received the Human and Ecological Risk Assessment (HERA) Paper of the Year 2007 award for their local research on the invasive European green crab.
The paper, titled “Conceptual Model Development for Invasive Species and a Regional Risk Assessment Case Study: The European Green Crab, Carcinus maenas, at Cherry Point, Washington, USA,” was described by HERA’s senior editor as “an important advance in ecological risk assessment at the regional scale dealing with invasive species, arguably a more important global stressor then chemical contamination.”

TOURISM BUREAU HIRES MARNI SCHROEDER
Marni Schroeder has been hired as the new membership and convention coordinator for Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism.
Schroeder’s responsibilities at the bureau include providing membership assistance, communications and technical support in the convention and member services department. She previously worked in accounting and technical services at Mount Baker Lodging Inc.

BELLINGHAM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR EARNS HONOR
Richard E. McKinley, public works director for the City of Bellingham, was named a 2008 Top 10 Public Works Leader of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). He received an award May 20 during a luncheon at the Harborside Restaurant in Seattle.
APWA honored 10 of the most outstanding public-works professionals from across the United States and Canada for their professionalism, expertise and career-long dedication and service. Marking the 49th year of the award, the distinction is among the most coveted and prestigious presented by the association.
As Public Works director for the city of Bellingham, McKinley leads the largest city department, with a staff of 240 and an annual budget of approximately $100 million.

NEW MEMBERS, OFFICERS FOR TOURISM BUREAU
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism recently elected Lance Calloway, Marvin Fast and Paul Haskins to its board of directors for two-year terms. The bureau also re-elected the following members to two-year terms: Sharon Baker, Diana Bakkom, Steve Brenk, Drew Schmidt and Larry Wickkiser.
Calloway represents the Whatcom Sports Commission, a nonprofit corporation committed to develop and maintain athletic facilities of the highest standards for the benefit of the citizens of Whatcom County.
Fast is the owner of Red Barn Lavender, a farm of more than 3,600 plants under cultivation, including several species and specimen plants.
Haskins is the editor of Adventures NW Magazine, a free, locally produced publication, offered quarterly.

RACHEL WILSON JOINS RE/MAX
Rachael Wilson has joined the Bellingham office of RE/MAX Whatcom County Inc.
Wilson is part of the Keith Cook team. She is an active, full-time agent working with a strong background in customer service and construction.

KAGAN CONTINUES MILLION DOLLAR ROUND TABLE STATUS
Robin Kagan
Outstanding client service, ethics and professionalism have enabled Robin Kagan, specializing in financial protections for retirees with Bankers Life and Casualty Co., to achieve membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) - the Premier Association of Financial Professionals.
Kagan is a five-year MDRT member. Attaining membership in MDRT is a distinguishing career milestone achieved by less than 1 percent of the world’s life insurance and financial services professionals.

WWU PROFESSOR AWARDED GRANT
John Rybczyk, professor at Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment, has received a $24,318 grant from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WSDFW) to research the effectiveness of cordgrass-control efforts in Willapa Bay.
Atlantic cordgrass, spartina alterniflora, is an invasive marsh grass that is rapidly displacing the bay’s native coastal systems, making them unable to support the clams, oysters, Dungeness crab, salmon and shorebirds that live in the estuary.
Rybczyk will team up with scientists from the WSDFW and Washington State University to try different techniques for sediment removal. Brian Bingham, another Huxley professor participating in the grant, is examining how spartina changes the community of invertebrates that inhabit the mudflat and eelgrass systems.

SALES PROFESSIONAL JOINS BARRON HEATING
Forrest Schandel of Barron Heating’s Mount Vernon location is now a Home Comfort specialist in Furnace Sales.
Schandel previously worked for Barron in the Fireplaces For Your Home showroom and at their Backyards store for one and-a-half years. He chose the HVAC industry because he enjoys building long-term relationships with customers and getting to know their homes.

BANK HIRES BUCKLIN TO NEW LOAN CENTER, FURE TO CAMANO BRANCH
Sharon Bucklin is a loan processor at Coastal Community Bank’s new loan center, which opened in June in Stanwood, and Sue Fure is an assistant branch manager at the Camano Island branch.
Bucklin provides support to the commercial and real estate loan officers and customers serving north Snohomish and Skagit counties. She started her banking career at Old National Bank in Seattle working in numerous positions. After moving to Snohomish, she worked for First Heritage Bank. The Camano Island resident previously worked for Whidbey Island Bank for seven years.
Fure oversees the Camano Island branch’s operations. She has been in the banking industry for 29 years, starting as a teller for Rainier Bank. She previously worked for Whidbey Island Bank.
Coastal Community Bank is headquartered in Everett.

ATTORNEYS NAMED TO SUPER LAWYER LIST
Attorneys Frank Chmelik and Jon Sitkin of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis have been named in the 2008 Super Lawyer list in Washington Law & Politics magazine. This is the first year that a Whatcom County law firm has had two attorneys included in the list.
The Super Lawyer program was created in 1991 as a way to establish a credible, objective and comprehensive listing of outstanding attorneys, to be used by both attorneys and those seeking legal counsel. Only 5 percent of all attorneys in Washington state are included in the final list.
This year’s honor marks Chmelik’s ninth consecutive year on the list and Sitkin’s first such honor. Chmelik specializes in the area of municipal governments, business law, environmental law, estate planning and probate. Sitkin specializes in the areas of land use planning and permitting, including compliance with federal, state and local laws.

WESSELMAN JOINS NW TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Stephan Wesselman, a 2008 Western Washington University graduate, joined the NW Technology team in April as a network technician.
Wesselman has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in management information systems. With more than 10 years of experience, he has an extensive background in network management, Web development and Microsoft software. Since 2001, he has been a Technology Systems administrator for Washington Association of School Administrators in Olympia. As a seventh grader, he co-facilitated and taught the use of the Internet at Evergreen State College and St. Martins College.

BEST, MOORE BAILEY APPOINTED TO SYMPHONY BOARD
Randy Best and Mary Moore Bailey have been appointed to the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors.
Best is a district manager and financial adviser with Waddell & Reed. He has 20 years of experience in insurance, banking and financial services, and leadership positions in the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
Moore Bailey serves as a marketing manager for Whidbey Island Bank
She has more than 35 years of experience in advertising, marketing and communications at the local, regional and national level. She also is an accomplished fine artist and has shown in Washington, California and Colorado and is currently represented by the Blue Horse Gallery in Bellingham.

TEMPLETON EARNS SEAL OF APPROVAL
Loannetter LLC owner Susan Templeton has earned the Lending Integrity Seal of Approval from the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB).
The new seal recognizes individual brokers and loan officers who meet the industry’s highest standards for knowledge, professionalism, ethics and integrity.
Loannetter is a Bellingham mortgage-planning firm. Templeton also is founding director of Focus Northwest.

YEAROUT, CASEY HONORED WITH AWARDS FOR TOURISM WORK
Marcus Yearout and Carolyn Casey were recognized and presented awards by Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism during an awards luncheon May 20 at Best Western Lakeway Inn.
Tearout, owner of Visitor Guide Publications, received the 2008 Priscilla Sabin Award. This accolade honors past CVB Director Priscilla Sabin and recognizes outstanding efforts made by a front-line individual in the tourism industry. Yearout was recognized for his exceptional, continuous service to the tourism industry throughout Whatcom County and Washington State.
Special recognition went to Casey, who serves with the Port of Bellingham. She received the President’s Award for her inexhaustible efforts as chairwoman of the Search Committee for the President & CEO of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. The President’s Award is granted on occasion, under special circumstances.

TYLER COOK PROMOTED BY HAGGEN
Tyler Cook
Tyler Cook has been promoted to store manager of the Meridian Haggen Food & Pharmacy store in Bellingham.
Cook has earned multiple awards and promotions since joining Haggen Inc. in 1999 as a night stocker. He returns to the Meridian store after also serving in various management positions at Haggen’s Barkley Village, Sehome Village and Ferndale stores. Cook now manages the Meridian store’s employees, operations and support of community activities.

YOUNG PROMOTED TO MANAGEMENT AT TENNIS CLUB
Scott Young has been promoted as the assistant manager at Bellingham Tennis Club and Fairhaven Fitness.
Young started in the fall as a cycling instructor before stepping up to take on his new role in April. He also teaches three group cycling classes at the club and coaches individuals who want to improve their endurance and overall cycling performance.
Young studied computer technology and macroeconomics at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., and worked in the mortgage industry before relocating to Bellingham, where he previously worked as an account executive for an investment-banking firm.

SKAGGS PROMOTED AT HAGGEN INC.
Becky Skaggs
Becky Skaggs has been promoted to vice president of strategy and consumer insights at Haggen Inc. in Bellingham.
Skaggs started at Haggen in 1992 while attending Western Washington University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with an emphasis in demographics. A longtime company officer and member of Haggen’s executive team, Skaggs is involved in many of the company’s major decisions. She is responsible for strategic projects, market and consumer research, consumer affairs and public relations. She also has been active at Portland State University’s Food Industry Leadership Center.

BLU SKY CREATIVE PROMOTES SIMON, HIRES ARMSTRONG
Julie Simon
Art Armstrong
Blu Sky Creative Services of Bellingham promoted Julie Simon to creative director and hired Art Armstrong as a programming specialist.
Simon oversees Blu Sky’s client relationships involving print and Web media. Before joining the company in 2007, Simon operated her own design firm for five years and obtained a degree in graphic design from Whatcom Community College.
Armstrong came from Western Washington University and specializes in application development. He also has experience in design and programming.

REALTOR COUPLE NETS DESIGNATION
Robert Campbell
Marlene Campbell
Assist2Sell co-owners Robert and Marlene Campbell have been awarded the industry’s newest designation by being honored as nationally Accredited Sellers Representatives (ASR), aligned with the National Association of Realtors.
The designation required advanced training in effectively pricing and positioning homes to sell, winning negotiating strategies and seller protections.
The Campbells operate Assist2Sell Home Buyers & Sellers Advantage in Bellingham.

SBDC’S DORR ATTENDS RETREAT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Tom Dorr, director of Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics’ Small Business Development Center (SBDC), attended the Edward Lowe Foundation ESO2 Retreat May 20 to 22 at Big Rock Valley in Michigan.
The Edward Lowe Foundation is nationally known for its focus on entrepreneurship, with special emphasis on second-stage companies and regional economic growth.
Based on peer-learning practices, the retreat focused on economic gardening, a strategy that emphasizes developing, retaining and inspiring existing companies in a region. Specific regional data about second-stage companies and best practices to support them was also discussed.

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS WIN MULTIPLE AWARDSThe photographers at Yary Photography in Bellingham won seven trophies and 19 merit awards from the Professional Photographers of Washington (PPW) at its annual Educational Conference and Print Competition in Wenatchee in April.
Radley Muller won three trophies: Best Portrait of a Bride, Best Bride and Groom Portrait, and Best Wedding Portrait, along with earning four Merit Awards for his print entries.
Tina Muller won two trophies: Best Portrait of a Groom, and Best Wedding Album, also earning four Merit Awards for her print entries.
Cindy Brown won the trophy for Best Portrait of a Couple, and earned four Merit Awards for her print entries. She also earned her Associate in Photography Degree, which was presented to her by her husband Don Brown.
Rachel Hathaway also won a trophy for Best Wedding Album, and earned three Merit Awards for her print entries.
Jordan Radke earned four Merit Awards for his print entries. Naomi Brown was awarded an Educational Scholarship from the PPW for $500.
The studio’s combined nineteen prints that earned merit awards were all selected for exhibition in the PPW’s Print Salon in Wenatchee.

ATTORNEY ADDS EXPERTISE TO WWU COURSE
Attorney Scott Railton co-taught “Advanced Topics in Law: Immigration Law and Policy” this spring at Western Washington University’s Fairhaven College.
Railton collaborated with Professor Niall Ó Murchú in the interdisciplinary seminar that brought together aspects of Constitutional law, U.S. immigration history and current public policy debates.
Railton is an attorney in the Bellingham office of Chang & Boos, an immigration law firm, which also has an office in Toronto. In addition to co-teaching immigration law and policy at WWU, he is an author and frequent presenter on topics, including business immigration and border matters.

VAN SLYKE EARNS 19th “TOPPER CLUB” AWARD
Rollo Van Slyke, owner of the Rollo Van Slyke Farmers Insurance Agency Inc. in Bellingham, has qualified as a ‘Topper Club’ Agent by Farmers Insurance for the 19th consecutive year.
As a company reward, Van Slyke has been invited to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual meeting of Farmers’ top sales producers during 2007. The ‘Topper Club’ award is given to agents for consistently high sales volume of auto, home, life and business policies, plus high client retention, service and profitability.