Peoples Bank Hires Commercial Loan Officer

Danielle Mullen has joined Peoples Bank as vice president and commercial loan officer in Mount Vernon.

Mullen brings more than 27 years of banking experience to Peoples Bank, including over 12 years as a commercial loan officer with U.S. Bank in Mount Vernon.

Her educational background includes an applied diploma in commercial lending from the American Institute of Banking and graduation from both the Northwest Intermediate Commercial Lending School and the Western Agricultural Credit School.

She also is busy in the community, volunteering as board secretary and chair for the Community Giving Committee for Capital Campaign for the Lincoln Theater Center Foundation and incoming president of her Rotary group. She also chairs the Economic Development Association of Skagit County (EDASC) silent auction for the annual golf tournament and food and wine festival and is an EDASC board member.

 

Nyland Becomes U.S. Bank Manager

Shirley Nyland has been named manager of U.S. Bank’s Riverside branch.

Nyland joined the bank in 1994 and most recently worked as a personal banker at the Riverside branch, 1508 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon. Prior to joining the bank, she owned and operated a small business. She resides in Mount Vernon with her husband, Henry.

She is responsible for all sales, customer service, business development and lending activities at the branch and represents U.S. Bank in the community.

 

Rawlins Named U.S. Bank Marketing Manager

Tim Rawlins has been promoted to marketing manager for Skagit County by U.S. Bank.

Rawlins, based at the Anacortes branch, manages 30 employees and about $130 million in deposits. He’s responsible for sales, customer service, business development and lending activities at Skagit branches of U.S. Bank.

He joined the bank in 1986 and has served in a variety of capacities. He lives in Mount Vernon.

 

Monroe New Skagit EMS Director

Jodi Monroe, former director of the North Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS), has been appointed executive director of the Skagit EMS and Trauma Care Council, replacing Lee Kue who resigned after 12 years.

Her duties include administering contracts with Affiliated Health Services, Aero Skagit and the Anacortes Fire Department and serving as spokesperson for the council.

Married to Rich Monroe and co-owner of Monroe Entertainment of Mount Vernon, Jodi is a Skagit native, graduate of Mount Vernon High School and Eastern Washington University, a journalist and former public-information officer for the state House of Representatives.

 

Johnson Properties Welcomes Two Agents

Johnson Properties of Mount Vernon has hired two real estate agents to its staff.

Dan Donat, who worked previously for Johnson Properties, has returned to the office. The 11-year veteran of local residential and commercial sales has knowledge as a general contractor.

Jessie Cavazos also has joined Johnson Properties. Cavazos, who also speaks Spanish, has been in the Skagit area for 12 years serving in various human-resource and office-management roles.

To reach Donat or Cavazos, call 424-0400, or visit the Web site at www.johnson-properties.com.

 

Locke Confirms Moser’s SVC Trustee Appointment

Gov. Gary Locke has confirmed the appointment of Thomas Moser to the Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees, a five-member public board that sets policy for the college. He replaces Brian Stiles, who served four years.

Moser, a Mount Vernon attorney, is a former prosecuting attorney for Skagit and San Juan counties and past president of their respective bar associations. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, all courts in the state, federal district courts in Washington and the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“I started my career at Yakima Valley Community College and later took classes at Skagit Valley College,” Moser recalls. “I understand the importance of community colleges and feel privileged to serve on this board of trustees.

Moser’s appointment is a full five-year term, ending in September 2005. He and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters.

 

Tauscher Board Member for Horizon Bank

Robert C. Tauscher, president of Team Corporation of Burlington, has been named the newest member of the Board of Directors for Horizon Financial Corp., which operates Horizon Bank.

A California native, Tauscher brought Team Corp. to the Port of Skagit County at Bay View in the 1980s. The company manufactures testing equipment for a variety of industries. He and his wife, Sandy, reside in Friday Harbor.

He will serve on the board for both Horizon Bank and its umbrella corporation.

“Horizon is pleased to have Bob on its board of directors,” comments V. Lawrence Evans, president of Horizon, which is based in Bellingham and has three branches in Skagit County. “We look forward to the insight and leadership that he will provide in his new capacity.

 

Anacortes Rotary Has New Officers, Board

The Rotary Club of Anacortes recently installed officers and board members during a recent banquet.

The new 2001-2002 president is Duncan Frazier. Other officers are: president-elect Dr. Steve Miller, past-president Duane Clark, vice president Ralph Frey, secretary Cathy Bay-Schmith, Treasurer George McCorkle, service chair Glenn Greathouse, vocational services chair John Hanstad, community services co-chairs Dale Fowler and Dave Kuzma, and international service chair Von Kuehn.

During the installation banquet, Clark recognized members for outstanding service. Among them were Greathouse, Jackie Kendziorek, Tommy Tomlinson, Frey, John Spaulding and Wayne Kluth. Certificates of appreciation were presented to Margaret Frey and Rosie Gamble, spouses of Rotarians. The Four Avenues of Service Award was given to Bob Murray.

Ralph Frey was made Rotarian of the Year.

The Anacortes Rotary meets every Wednesday at noon at Flounder Bay Restaurant in Anacortes.

 

Red Cross Elects New Officers

The Board of Directors of the American Red Cross Skagit Valley Chapter has elected new officers for the coming year. They are:

Chair Heidi Dean of North Region Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Council, who will serve two years; vice chair David Myers, Cascade Job Corps; secretary Dr. Cecilia Hernandez, SeaMar Community Health Center; and treasurer Ray Padgett, CPA.

The chapter is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its congressional charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement. It provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

For more information, call 424-5291.

 

Logan Receives Top Marketing Designation

Patricia Logan, sales executive for KBRC Radio in Mount Vernon, has earned the coveted designation of certified radio-marketing consultant from the Radio Advertising Bureau.

With more than 10 years of marketing and sales experience, Logan has established herself as a radio-marketing professional who understands the ever-changing needs of advertisers.

Successful completion of the course and exam shows that she has the combination of knowledge, skills and experience necessary to help clients solve complex advertising problems and help clients meet their sales and marketing objects.

She is a member of Leads Club and the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, serving as an ambassador. She can be reached at 424-4278.

 

Azure Completes Yoga Instructor Training

Darlene Azure, co-owner of the new AzurYoga in Mount Vernon, has completed an exclusive seven-day professional yoga instructor training course held in Lake Tahoe, Calif., with instructor Doug Swenson.

Swenson, one of the first to introduce ashtanga yoga to the West, has written Power Yoga for Dummies and has 30 years’ experience with the practice and teaching of yoga.

Azure has invited him to host a three-day workshop Aug. 24-26 at her studio, 315 Main St., and has agreed to assist him at the Southwest Yoga Conference in Palm Springs, Calif., in November.

For more information, call 336-5163

 

VanderHelm Promoted, Honored at WebEKG

Mike VanderHelm was named WebEKG’s Employee of the Quarter for the first three months of 2001.

A member of the eBusiness’s consulting division, VanderHelm was honored with the Morky Award — named for its first recipient, Dan Mork — for extensive travel and innovative problem solving in support of WebEKG clients as far away as Central Mexico.

“Mike logged thousands of air miles and spent weeks away from home. He’s just a real team player,” says Tami Schorno, the company’s human-resources director.

WebEKG is the first tenant of the new eTech Center, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon. The company provides and implements enterprise solutions essential to ensuring your businesses health and produces workflow and other software.

 

Mitchell Gets State Septic-design License

David Mitchell, president of Mitchell Septic, Inc., is one of the first in Skagit County to pass a new Washington State On-site Septic Designers Test.

The state will require all septic designers to acquire a license by the year 2003. Prior to receiving his state license, Mitchell was licensed by Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties.

He managed Northwest Septic, Inc. for 11 years prior to founding Mitchell Septic last year. The company provides septic designs, inspections, maintenance and soil survey. Call 848-7550.

 

Local Graphic Designer Garners Merit Award

Aaron Logue, senior graphic designer at Prime West of Mount Vernon, was recently honored for his brochure design for Secret Harbor School in Anacortes.

Logue was recognized by the Potlatch Corp., a manufacturer of fine printing papers sold throughout North America. Potlatch singles out members of the graphic-design profession who incorporate innovative and creative design techniques into the use of Potlatch papers. Premier Graphics of Bellingham printed the brochure.

“We are very pleased with the recognition,” says Logue. “Adhering to the client’s message has always been our goal. With the caring approach of Secret Harbor School, we feel something special was captured.”

Prime West is a creative agency founded in 1987 and located on Old Highway 99 South. Call 424-5783 or visit the Web site at www.primewest.com.

 

Burlington Fires Its Fire Chief

Burlington Mayor Roger “Gus” Tjeerdsma has fired his fire chief, John Pauls, but the reason was not immediately apparent.

Pauls was given 3 1/2 months’ pay under a separation agreement between him and the fire district. He says he has been treated fairly.

Pauls, who earned $64,704 a year, replaced legendary Fire Chief Ted Banta in 1995.

 

MV Mayor Brings Chamber up to Date

Mount Vernon Mayor Skye Richendrfer gave a midterm State of the City address recently to members of his city’s chamber of commerce.

He said the city currently has $60 million worth of public-works projects going on, the largest of which would be the Riverside Bridge construction now under way.

Richendrfer spent much of his talk addressing the issue of the Intermodal Transportation Center proposed for downtown. Some of the advantages, he says, include: making Mount Vernon a destination for tourism and adding to its revitalization, bringing people closer to services and giving users convenience for connections to other modes of transportation. Partners would be Skagit Transit, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe, Amtrak, Greyhound, as well as taxi and park-and-ride services.

So far, the city has spent $2.1 million, including $400,000 for design and permits and a commitment of $1.7 million for purchasing property, out of a total budget for the project of $5.6 million.

The mayor disputed claims by the county that the project would take too many parking places away from its employees, pointing out that while parking needs have grown a few slots each year to 432 in January 2001, the amount of collections for parking was falling appreciably, from $43,492 in 1998 to $35,245 last year. This shows more county employees are parking in free slots on the revetment, he said.

“There is an abundance of parking places that are underutilized,” Richendrfer stated.

 

County Auditor Race Attracts Opponent

Norma Hickok-Brummett, who took over the county auditor’s post last November when the elected auditor Kathy Hill resigned, will have at least one opponent in next Novembe’s elections.

Jackie Brunson, an accountant for the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, has thrown her hat into the ring.

Hickok-Brummett is a Republican, since party affiliation was necessary in the appointment, and Brunson is a Democrat. Hickok-Brummett, a two-time city councilwoman and former candidate for Mount Vernon mayor, must stand for election in November to keep her job. The winner of the election will be take over immediately.

 

Horticulturist Hedlin Ran Greenhouse 42 years

Elizabeth Hedlin, a lifelong resident of La Conner who established the Hedlin Farm greenhouse 44 years ago, has passed away. She was three days sort of her 82nd birthday.

Hedlin graduated from La Conner High School in 1937 and held a degree in horticulture from Oregon State University and a masters of science in vegetable crops from Cornel University.

In 1957, she established her greenhouse in 1957 and continued to work there until her retirement in 1999. During her career, she served as a field representative with Charles H. Lilly Seed Co. and later the Alf Christianson Seed Co. where she provided research support.

She is survived by two daughters, Carol and Mary, and a son, David, who runs the farm, and their children.

 

It’s People Who Make the News

People make the news, and The Skagit County Business Monthly is proud to be the advocate of businesses, big and small, in the area, as well as the people who run them.

If you know someone who has won an award, returned from a conference or seminar, or just started with a company, let us know. Fax information to 416-0949, drop by the office at 2221-B Riverside Drive in Mount Vernon, or use the e-mail: bizmonth@fidalgo.net. And if you have a photo, all the better.

Deadline for press releases is the 10th of the month for the next month’s issue.

 

Mount Vernon Women In Business Board Installed

New officers have been installed at Mount Vernon Women In Business, celebrating its 23rd anniversary next year. They are:

President Melisa Kosmal, Forget-Me-Not Boutique; vice president Rachel Yousling, Skagit Valley Herald; secretary Darlene Hamburg, Hamburg’s College Way 76; and treasurer Kim Sanford, KRH Properties.

Directors are Jean Hedger, Better Blinds and Design; Phyllis Newman, Shaklee; Renae McFadden, Seasons Fine Furniture; Jahr Broadhurst, Healthworks Massage; and Janet Yates, Northwest Moving Services.

 

Tulip Fest Appoints 2002 Board of Directors

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has announced its board of directors for 2002. They are:

President Larry Otos, director of the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department; president-elect Doug Rowell, Washington Federal Savings Bank; vice president Joe Barcott, Barcott and Christopherson Attorneys at Law; and Beth Folkers, Quantum Construction, and Duane Gilliland, Williams and Nulle. Audrey Smith continues as executive director.

New board members include: Matt Loughney, Royal Fork Restaurant; Roxan Kraft, Equilon; and Gregg Davidson, Affiliated Health Services.

They join other board members still serving, including Beth Prins, Guy Clements, David Bricka, Darrell Skiles, Kathy Larson and Rose Merritt. The festival also maintains permanent board positions for Skagit Valley Bulb Farm/Tulip Town, Washington Bulb Company/Roozengaarde, Lefeber Bulb Co., an insurance expert and the festival product marketer.

 

Chinook’s Business Advisory Council Celebrates 6 Years

Chinook Enterprises of Mount Vernon has named its latest Business Advisory Council, which is celebrating six years of partnership in assisting people with disabilities secure employment in the area. They are:

Skagit County Commissioner Ted Anderson; Michael Barrett, editor, Skagit County Business Monthly Magazine; Nancy Gentry, owner of Wee Care, HomePlace and Where The Heart Is; Bert Langenhorst, Chinook Enterprises board member; Kimberly Somers, director of human resources, Whatcom Area Transit Authority and Chinook board member; Maureen Nokleby, Washington Employment Security Department; Dick Irwin, director of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce; and Ryan Patrick, director of programs, Economic Development Association of Skagit County.

Created in 1995, the council strives to assist Chinook by development community jobs for people with disabilities, expanding community awareness about the mission and goals of Chinook Enterprises, developing contract work opportunities for Chinook’s Industrial Services Division, tracking and assessing local labor-market trends and assisting with the development of marketing and public-relations materials.

“The council provides an invaluable service and resource to the job-development efforts provided by Chinook staff,” says Debbie Maxwell, marketing coordinator.

For more information about Chinook, call 428-0140.