Frazier Becomes Frontier Manager

Jackie Frazier has joined Frontier Bank as assistant vice president and manager of the Burlington branch.

She began her banking career in 1978 at Rainier and remained in Skagit County through that bank’s various transitions to West One and later U.S. Bank. More recently, she was manager of InterWest Bank in Sedro-Woolley.

Frazier serves as board president for Skagit Preschool and Resource Center (SPARC), treasurer for the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce and member of the Rotary Club of Sedro-Woolley.

“I have known and worked with Jackie for over 15 years,” says Tim FitzGerald, Frontier Bank vice president and former Burlington branch manager. “Her strengths are in providing excellent customer service and setting a positive example for other employees. She is a great team player and we are pleased to have her join Frontier Bank.”

The Burlington branch is located at 1219 Nevitt Road, behind McDonald’s Restaurant.

 

Four Key Players Given Bank Positions

Three members of KeyBank in Skagit County branches have been given the new title of relationship manager while a fourth has become a client relations leader.

The relationship managers are: Darcy Owings Martin, Burlington center; Kristen Tully, Mount Vernon Key Center and Darlene Birkett of the Mount Vernon branch.

Birkett, who has been with KeyBank and its predecessor Valley Bank for 13 years, says businesses will benefit from the changes.

“We manage client relationships, including investments, loans, financial needs, regular banking,” she states. “We manage a client’s total financial relationship (with the bank).”

Tully came to KeyBank from Associates Financial Services in Marysville last August. Owings Martin was with Washington Federal Savings before joining KeyBank in the early ’90s.

Cynthia L. Tyler has been named client relations leader at KeyBank in Mount Vernon. “This is basically the operations officer who manages the service end of the relationship,” she says. She has been in banking 24 years, eight of them with Key.

 

Washington Federal Names Vallee Manager

Marla Vallee recently was promoted to manager of the Washington Federal Savings branch at 1100 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham.

Vallee has worked for Washington Federal for 12 years, most recently as assistant manager of its Anacortes office.

Washington Federal, with headquarters in Seattle, operates 108 branches in six western states and $6.7 billion in assets. It is a portfolio lender specializing in spec and custom construction financing and offers a wide range of savings products.

For more information, call the Bellingham office, 671-1144.

 

Physician Joins Skagit Pediatrics

Jeffrey Landesberg, M.D. of Manhasset, N.Y., has joined the staff at Skagit Pediatrics, LLP in Mount Vernon.

Dr. Landesberg graduated from Yale University in 1993 and the Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1997; he completed his residency at the University of Washington last June. Landesberg was recently featured in the Bellingham Herald for the early diagnosis of leukemia in a young patient.

Skagit Pediatrics, located at 1801 E. Division St., has six physicians and three Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARPNs).

 

Dr. Reyes Opens Practice at Skagit Med Center

Reina D. Reyes, M.D. has opened a practice at the Skagit Valley Medical Center.

Her practice includes primary medical care for pediatric and adolescent patients.

“I regard my patients with the utmost of compassion and respect,” Dr. Reyes says in a statement. “My goal is to be worthy of trust and confidence as their personal health-care provider.”

Reyes is a graduate of the College of Medicine and Surgery, Manila, The Philippines, with residency at Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York City.

For more information, call 428-2580. Skagit Valley Medical Center is located at 1400 E. Kincaid St., Mount Vernon.

 

Charley’s Names Frol New CEO

Vern Frol has joined Charley’s Greenhouse Supply on Mount Vernon’s West Side as its new chief executive officer.

Frol is the former president of Stahmann’s Farms, a food-gift-catalog company in La Mesa, N.M.

Charley’s, located at 17979 Memorial Highway, sells garden supplies and accessories and greenhouses of various kinds.

 

Hawley Finds New Calling in Oak Harbor

Kelly Hawley, who recently closed his popular retail sporting-goods store in Sedro-Woolley, has turned up as a registered representative with WMA Securities, Inc. in Oak Harbor.

WMAS is one of the largest and fastest-growing broker/dealers in the nation and specializes in securities, mortgages, insurance and other aspects of the financial industry, Hawley says.

Hawley owned Priced Less Sporting Goods for six years, although the store itself at Ferry and Metcalf streets had been around for more than half a century. The store specialized in fishing and hunting equipment and accessories, and when the recreational fishing industry began to decline, so did Hawley’s sales, according to reports.

 

Hamilton Joins WebEKG as Sales Head

Jack Hamilton recently became sales director at WebEKG.com, a high-tech company based here.

Hamilton, formerly of Art Things Media of Anacortes and Pulse Publications of Bellingham, is responsible for establishing and maintaining a market presence in the Puget Sound region, as well as supporting ongoing national and international sales efforts.

WebEKG is a professional services organization specializing in consulting, testing and performance solutions for mission critical eBusiness projects, the company says. Its client list includes The Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin, The Kemper Group, Fidelity Investments, Versata and others.

 

Veach Becomes Specialist at MetLife

Roxann Veach is the new property and casualty specialist for the MetLife Auto and Home Insurance Co. office in Mount Vernon. She joins her husband, Clint Veach, in the agency he opened in 1998.

Roxann took the opportunity to have a major career change after 25 years in banking. She attended MetLife’s Risk Analyst School and became a specialist upon graduation.

The Veaches have been married 25 years and have always wanted to be in business together, she says.

Call 428-6992.

 

Ballou New Sales Director at Palmer’s

Niki Ballou has been named the sales director at Palmer’s Restaurant new catering division.

A 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry as a food broker for manufacturers throughout the state, Ballou has coordinated food shows and functions for distributors, manufacturers and institutions.

Thomas and Danielle Palmer, who own Palmer’s restaurants in Mount Vernon, La Conner and Sudden Valley, have recently included outside catering for the Skagit area. They say Ballou will be contacting various groups and companies to introduce a French continental cuisine to catering here.

Call 336-9699 for more information.

 

Vaux Moves to County Parks

Bob Vaux is the new assistant director for the Skagit County Parks and Recreation Department.

Vaux, 34, served 11 years as the forest lands manager for the Anacortes community before taking his new post.

He says he’ll miss most the day-to-day management of the forests around the Cranberry Lake area where he grew up, but he’ll remain an Anacortes resident and continue using the woodlands.

One of his last projects was developing the South Mt. Erie Trail, connecting with Trail No. 22 southwest of Whistle Lake.

In his new administrative post, he expects to work more with the public, a talent handed down to him from his grandfather, Harve Vaux, who served as Mount Vernon mayor from 1950 to 1954.

 

Cline Pegged Anacortes Museum Director

Garry Cline has been named director of the Anacortes Museum, replacing Karen Marshall who took the position as director of the Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner.

One of Cline’s first responsibilities has been to follow through with the museum’s “Dirt, Planks and Pavement” exhibit on the “Evolution of Commercial Avenue” in Anacortes. The exhibit was opened late last year.

The museum is presenting a series of seven panel discussions and lectures in conjunction with the exhibit, all at 7 p.m.,, Tuesdays, Jan. 9, 23 and 30; Feb. 13 and 27; and March 13 and 27. Call 293-1915 for speakers and topics.

 

Willis Earns Title at Allstate Insurance

Tamara Willis is among an elite group of Allstate insurance agents who recently earned the personal financial representative title. She will now be able to provide customers variable annuity, variable-life and mutual-fund products in addition to auto, homeowner and traditional life-insurance policies.

To earn the title, Willis passed a series of securities license exams and completed an extensive Allstate training curriculum.

Willis is located at 1015 - 14th St., Suite B, Anacortes. Call 293-8441.

 

Loeb and Etera Honored by Rotary

Carl Loeb and his horticulture company Etera have been selected as Business of the Month by the Rotary Club of Mount Vernon.

Etera is a local company that has established itself as a major player in the electronic marketing of home gardening plants and supplies. Loeb’s innovative products and marketing are being recognized nationally and internationally, says Rotary.

“His company provides excellent customer service and is known for its creative use of the Internet to help their customers,” it states.

Loeb, president and chief executive officer, received a certificate during a noon luncheon meeting last November.

 

Cooper, Gentry Receive State Awards

Two Realtors from Skagit County have received awards from the Washington State Association of Realtors.

Nancy Gentry of Landed Gentry of Burlington was accorded the 2000 Citizen of the Year Award, while Susan Cooper of Prudential Skagit Realtors received a Realtor Achievement Award.

Gentry, owner of Wee Care, HomePlace and the newly opened Where The Heart Is, also serves on advisory boards for Chinook Enterprises, Child Care, Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Skagit Adult Day Care.

Cooper has served on the Skagit Valley College Board, Skagit County Cultural Association, Skagit Women’s Alliance and Network and Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce. She is a former president of the Skagit County Association of Realtors.

 

Boyd New Realtor at Valley Homes

Vicki Boyd has joined Century 21 Valley Homes and Investments as a Realtor.

Boyd, a Skagit native, will service buyers and sellers in their real estate transactions.

Valley Homes is located at 1413 E. College Way in Mount Vernon. Call 424-7166.

 

Anderson of Valley Homes Completes Course

Becky Anderson, a Realtor at Century 21 Valley Homes and Investments of Mount Vernon, has completed the strategic course in Marketing New Homes.

The course was an advanced class conducted by the Council of Residential Specialists of the National Association of Realtors.

Anderson can be reached at 424-7166.

 

Goodrow Receives Praise in Survey

Jim Goodrow, a financial adviser with American Express Financial Advisors, has been singled out for honors in a client survey.

Goodrow, whose office is located at 112 S. Spruce St., Burlington, received a score of 92 percent on a nationwide client survey. The average was 85 percent.

 

S.W.I.B. Elects New Board Members

Skagit Women in Business (S.W.I.B.) has elected board members for 2000-2001.

They are: Heidi Thomas, SunCatcher Publications, president; Alice Mulligan, AFLAC Insurance, vice president; Lorna Krengel, Synergy Salon, past president; Connie Weech, Great Northwest Investments, treasurer; Kristen Whitener, CottonTree Inn and Convention Center, secretary; BJ Kendall, Your Wellness Connection, membership chair; Lori Ledbetter, Human Touch Massage, first-year membership; Georgiann Dustin, Encore Events Inc., second-year membership; and Teresa Knight, Synergy Salon, publicity chair.

 

Anderson Named B&B Head

Bonnie Anderson, owner of Colonial Manor Bed and Breakfast in Mount Vernon, has been elected treasurer of the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild

Anderson’s term began Jan. 1 and runs for one year.

Her establishment is located at 17550 McLean Road.

 

Local Soroptimists Attend Conferences

Members of the Soroptimist International of Sedro-Woolley attended two recent conferences, one regional and the other national.

Eight members of the chapter traveled to Ocean Shores for a two-day meeting of the Northwestern Region District One Conference of the international woman’s organization. The themes were Women in the 21st Century and Domestic Violence.

The attendees included president Mary Ellen Byerly, first vice president Donna Johnson, treasurer Fay Huggins, secretary Dee Denton and members Bev Tyree, Kacy Johnson, Shirley Shanander and Barb Thompson.

Meanwhile, Byerly, Huggins and Denton also attended the 36th-biennial convention of Soroptimist International of the Americas in Honolulu. The conference dealt with numerous projects.

Soroptimist is a volunteer service organization for business and professional women worldwide. It includes about 100,000 members in 115 countries and territories.

 

Chandler’s Tomlinson Receives Certification

Paula J. Tomlinson, executive director of Chandler’s Square Retirement Community in Anacortes, has completed the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) University Administrator’s Certification program of studies.

the program consists of studies and tests in finance, policies and procedures, activities, nursing, building maintenance, special care, human resources and staff development and is new to the assisted-living retirement industry.

Tomlinson became director at Chandler’s in March. She has 25 years of experience in finance, organizational development, leadership, marketing and public relations.

 

Jeweler Laura Burton Will Be Missed

Laura Burton, co-owner with her husband Doug and son Phil of Burton’s Jewelers of Anacortes, died Nov. 16, 2000, after a year’s illness. She was 66.

Burton, a former teacher and choir director, came to Anacortes in 1958 with her husband and they started the retail store on Commercial Avenue. She became a registered jeweler and was exceptionally popular with customers, many of them remaining friends for life.

A memorial fund has been set up in her honor. Donations to the Laura M. Burton Cultural Fund can be made through Skagit Community Foundation, P.O. Box 705, Anacortes, WA 98221. The foundation oversees 22 charities that support local causes. One anonymous donor already has given $11,000 to the fund.

 

Correction

A word was missing from a People News item in the November 2000 issue, which misidentified a business location.

The item: “Bielas, Wahl Attend Orthodontist Confab” on page 19, should have identified their place of work as “Cascade Dental Clinic Building” instead of as written.

 

Express Personnel Adds Four to Staff

Express Personnel Services of Mount Vernon has hired four new staffers for its Mount Vernon franchise.

Karlie Stock is the bilingual personnel supervisor. She matches light industrial temporary associates to Express client companies throughout Skagit and Island counties.

Christina Johnson was named personnel supervisor of the office services division of Express Personnel. She also pairs office services temporary associates with Express client companies.

Britt Ramsey is the new customer service specialist for the Mount Vernon office. She matches both light-industrial and office services temp associates to Express clients and supports other personnel supervisors.

Monica Latting was named payroll coordinator and credit manager.

Express Personnel Services’ local client base extends through six counties and employs more than 275,000 people annually. Sales for the company, whose headquarters are in Oklahoma City, reached a little over $1 billion in 1999.

 

County Realtors Honor Achievers

Third-quarter Realtor achievements have been meted out to six brokers and agents by the Skagit County Association of Realtors.

Recipients include Jeff Ingman and Tod LeHecka of Brown-McMillen Real Estate of Burlington; Jones Atterberry of NorthWest Properties of Mount Vernon; Susan Cooper of Prudential Skagit Realtors of Mount Vernon; and Alice Hanson and Karen Beckner of Windermere Real Estate/James Scott and Associations, also of Mount Vernon.