Klewer Newest Member of SVC Administration Team

Bruce Klewer has been named vice president for administrative services at Skagit Valley College, coming from Whatcom Community College where he held a similar position.

In making the appointment, Elizabeth Hancock, vice chair of the SVC Board of Trustees, notes that Klewer’s “experience and record as head of administrative services at two other community colleges will serve the college and community well into the upcoming transition of leadership.”

Klewer, a certified public accountant, has held college-level administrative service positions for 13 years and was financial auditor for the state of Arizona for 11 years. In his new position, he will earn $88,000 a year.

Whidbey Island Bank
Adds Nelson, Ross

Meredith Ross has joined Whidbey Island Bank as a financial consultant and compliance/operations manager for its investment subsidiary, WIB Financial Services, Inc. Mark W. Nelson also joined Whidbey Island Bank as senior vice president and chief lending officer.

Ross will be responsible for providing financial investment and insurance services, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities and retirement and estate planning, to customers in Burlington, Mount Vernon, Bellingham and Camano Island market areas. She is based at Bellingham’s Bakerview branch.

A 20-year veteran in the financial services industry, she has served in management-level positions for several investment advisory, brokerage and trust companies.

Nelson has 30 years of experience in the financial-services industry, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of regional group management, credit administration, commercial and real estate lending, underwriting and international banking.

A Western Washington University graduate, he holds an MBA in business administration, and attended Pacific Coast Banking School.

Whidbey Island Bank, established in 1961, has 14 branches, including those in Anacortes, Sedro-Woolley, Burlington and Mount Vernon.

 

Peoples Bank Promotes Two, Hires Cook

Peoples Bank has promoted two of its veterans, George Bowen and Russ Lee, to the office of vice president and hired Madeleine Roozen Cook as vice president and branch manager of the bank’s Anacortes branch.

Cook, who has 27 years of banking experience, formerly worked for InterWest, now Pacific Northwest Bank as manager of its Mount Vernon branch.

Lee joined Peoples in 1995, working in the Real Estate Loan Center, and was promoted to real estate loan manager. He was made senior vice president and chief financial officer in 1998. His latest promotion elevates him to executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Bowen first joined Peoples in 1971 and has held senior positions with major banks in Seattle and San Francisco. For Peoples he’s been chief lending officer and now receives to promotion to executive vice president.

Peoples, with branches in Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and Anacortes, is based in Lynden. It is a $411 million, independent community bank with a total of 15 offices in Skagit, Whatcom and King counties.

 

Woltjen New Manager of Shell Refinery Operations

Brett Woltjen has been hired as operations manager for the Shell Puget Sound Refinery near Anacortes.

Woltjen was chosen for his technical training and experience as well as his managerial expertise, the company says.

He is responsible for 100 employees in an operation capable of producing 12,000 barrels a day of lubricant-based oil. He also will work closely with his predecessor, Rod Walsh, who is now directing $300 million in capital projects to be completed over the next several years.

 

Two Realtors Join Windermere in Mount Vernon

Windermere Real Estate has added three new sales associates to its Mount Vernon office. They are:

• Ally Babcock, previously a Realtor with Coldwell Banker/Piazza Realty in Burlington.

• Josh Scott, son of principal owner James Scott, who is new to real estate.

Windermere has 6,000 associates and 217 offices in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Montana, Arizona and British Columbia. The Mount Vernon office, formerly known as James Scott and Associates, and WRE/Anacortes Properties are owned by the Scott family.

 

Jenkins Takes Position at Synergy Salon

Theresa Jenkins has joined the team of professionals at Synergy Salon in Mount Vernon.

Jenkins, who formerly owned her own salon in Indiana, has eight years of experience in the cosmetology field. Her expertise is in hair cutting, foiling and coloring, but she also is available for perming, spa manicures and pedicures, and facial waxing.

Call 428-5055 for an appointment.

 

Barkley Joins Moss Adams as Business Consultant

Paul Barkley was recently retained as a consultant with the Business Owner Succession Service (BOSS) department of Moss Adams LLP, which serves customers in Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties.

Barkley is a former business consultant with the Peace Corps in Uganda, and owned his own local custom bike-frame business. He has a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Washington and is currently pursuing his accounting certificate from City University.

 

Ford Dealership Hires Sales Associate Kochoff

Boris Kochoff has joined the sales team at Vern Sims Ford/Mercury in Sedro-Woolley.

Kochoff, a resident of Anacortes, has 26 years of experience in the automobile industry, and was assigned to the Crossroads Auto Mall at the end of Cook Road.

He can be reached at 855-1551.

 

Angevine Retires from County Position

The county recently honored its outgoing human-service director, JoAnne Angevine, for her 29 years of service.

“It’s a team effort. We’ve done it together. You can’t do it alone,” Angevine said in her parting speech.

“You’re a real advocate for those who don’t have a lot of people advocating for them,” said Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt.

In retirement, Angevine plans to garden and teach English literacy classes.

 

Local Driver’s School Owner Sparks State Bill

Don Munro, owner of Munro’s Driving Instruction Inc. on Mount Vernon’s Westside, was the catalyst behind a recent bill passed in the state senate to streamline operations of driving schools that previously had to meet standards set by two agencies.

Because driving schools like Munro’s taught students under 18, they were beholden not only to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction but also the Department of Licensing. Under the new bill, DoL assumes sole responsibility for the schools.

“This is regulatory reform at its best,” says state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island. “I know many small businesses feel like they slip through the cracks in the Legislature, but Don’s case shows that we do listen to the concerns of small businesses.”

Sen. Harriet Spanel, D-Bellingham, and Rep. Dave Quall, D-Mount Vernon, also worked on the bill.

 

Realtors Receive ‘100%’ Award at Ceremony

Charlie and Jeannie Boon, Realtors with RE/MAX Territory in Burlington, received the “100-Percent Club” Award at a recent RE/MAX Regional Awards ceremony in Portland, Ore.

The award is given to a select group of high-producing RE/MAX sales associates, based on commissions earned in a single year.

Both were on hand when the award was presented.

 

Eckardts Participate at Las Vegas Conference

Karen and Leroy Eckardt, owners of K and L Enterprises of La Conner, recently attended the 5th-annual International Solid Surface Fabricators Association conference in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Eckardts have been in business in Skagit County for 20 years and are certified DuPont Corian fabricators, specializing in new construction and countertop replacement in both retail and commercial applications.

The conference included fabricators from 40 countries. K and L has been a member for five years.

The Eckardts also had a display at the Skagit Valley Home Show at Cascade Mall, March 15-17.

For more information, call 466-4717.

 

Riverside Health Leaders Attend Fitness Convention

Riverside Health Club owner Denise Houtsma and fitness director Nancy Gulliford recently attended the International Health Racquetball Sportsclub Association convention in Phoenix, Ariz.

The convention showcased state-of-the-art fitness equipment and conducted seminars on the latest fitness education that will be put into service at Riverside Health Club, according to Houtsma.

After the convention, the two flew to Dallas, Texas, to visit Cooper’s Aerobic Center, founded by Kenneth H. Cooper, a leader of the international physical-fitness movement.

For more information, call Riverside at 424-4200.

 

Candidates Declare for Different Offices

A number of candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for a variety of elected positions.

• Herb Meyer of San Juan County is running in next summer’s primary against two other Republicans, Kelly Barlean and Norma Smith, for Second District U.S. representative, now held by Rick Larsen, D-Wash. If Larsen continues as the Democratic incumbent, he will be challenged by the Republic primary winner in November.

• Barbara Bailey of Oak Harbor is running for the 10th District state House seat occupied by Barlean. She is a Republican.

• Eron Berg, mayor of La Conner, is running for the 10th District state House seat on the Democratic ticket. If he wins the primary, he would be opposed by the Republican challenger, who as of this writing included only Bailey of Oak Harbor.

• Dean Miller, a detective and member of the Sedro-Woolley city council, is running for Skagit County Sheriff as a Republican. The position is currently held by a Democrat, Sheriff Ed Goodman, who has not yet proclaimed his candidacy.

• Jackie Brunson, a Democrat from Mount Vernon, threw her hat into the ring for a second time against Norma Brummett in the auditor’s position. Brummett was appointed to replace Kathy Hill and won the election against Brunson last November. Because Hill’s term will be up this year, Brummett must run again.

 

Ballandby Awarded Employee of the Year

Debra Ballandby was presented the 2001 Chandler’s Square Retirement Community Employee of the Year Award.

The certified nursing assistant started at Chandler’s in September 2000 as a caregiver and later went to Skagit Valley College to get her certification.

She was selected for the annual award by her fellow employees.

Chandler’s is located at 1300 O Ave., Anacortes.

 

Apter Accorded Diamond Following Large Rotary Gift

Bob Apter, M.D., finding special interest in its Polio Plus program, has donated more than $10,000 to the Rotary Foundation over the years, so Rotary gave a little back in the manner of a diamond rotary pin.

The pin was presented to Apter, a doctor in Island Hospital’s emergency room, during a ceremony at the Rotary Club of Anacortes.

“I budget for my contributions every year and feel that everyone should do the same,” Apter says. “I have been giving $1,000 a year to the Rotary Foundation for several years — the Polio Plus program got me interested.”

He joined Rotary in 1983 as a member of the Burlington club before switching to Anacortes in 1996. He was accorded the prestigious Rotary International Foundation Paul Harris Golden Circle Club recognition earlier. Apter and his wife, Dianna, live in Anacortes.

Others recognized at the meeting were Wayne Kluth, George McCorkle, Marc Estvold and Dave Carrabba for their 20 years in Rotary.

 

SVC Students Receive Scholarships to Further Studies

Nick Clack and Amanda Ford, students at Skagit Valley College, have received $1,000 scholarships from the Skagit Art Association for tuition to further their education in the visual arts. At the same time, Jan Leslie and Glenn Maloy garnered Key Bank scholarships and the annual McIntyre scholarships were meted out.

After completing his degree at Skagit Valley College, Clack says he’ll apply for admission to Northern Arizona State University and Eastern Washington University.

Ford says she’s been accepted at Sierra Nevada College and will begin work toward her bachelor of arts degree next fall.

The association, which also donated scholarships last year, worked closely with the Art Department at SVC to identify and select these students.

Leslie, enrolled at the Whidbey Campus, and Maloy, Mount Vernon, each received a scholarship from Key Bank in support of the All-Washington Academic Team.

The ceremony, including a keynote address by Gov. Gary Locke, took place in Olympia.

Leslie is a business accounting major with a 3.96 grade-point average and Maloy is a law major with a 4.0. Both are members of Phi Theta Kappa, a sponsoring organization for this nationwide recognition of scholars.

Meanwhile, the college also presented five students with scholarships, honoring the late Sidney S. McIntyre Jr. of Sedro-Woolley, which pay all tuition for two years. They are:

Korin D. Meyer of Bow, Andrew B. Needham of Sedro-Woolley, Justin M. Lamb of Stanwood, and Ronald D. Ryan and Edward W. Wesakania, both of Mount Vernon. Wesakania, who comes from Kenya, plans to major in environmental conservation at Evergreen University in Olympia. The others hope to attend Western Washington University or the University of Washington.

 

Financial Planner Wins $5,000 in Advertising

James Fix, a financial planner with Edward Jones Investments in Burlington, recently won a $5,000 advertising schedule at a drawing sponsored by KAPS/KBRC in Mount Vernon.

The prize was presented at the recent KAPS/KBRC Marketing and Branding Seminar, held at the CottonTree Convention Center in Mount Vernon.

 

SVC Facilities Renamed to Honor Former Faculty

Two facilities at Skagit Valley College have been renamed to honor former faculty members and coaches Wally Sigmar and Jerry Banta.

The Board of Trustees declared that the SVC soccer pitch be called The Wally Sigmar Soccer Field after the late head coach who started the program in 1975 and won more than 100 games and five district championships. He was named district coach of the year in 1978 and 1979.

The board also renamed the tower used to train firefighters the Jerry Banta Fire Training Tower. Banta helped form the current Firefighter Training program, now in its seventh year, and served as the original curriculum committee chair.

 

College Presents Its 2002 Hall of Fame Members

Six community members have been inducted into the Skagit Valley College Hall of Fame during a ceremony and dinner at the college last month.

The college honored this year:

• Jack and Shirley McIntyre, former Sedro-Woolley community members, for their leadership and contribution to the Skagit County Performing Arts Center.

• Judy Knutzen, alum and former staff and faculty member of the college.

• Arlene Nelson, former student, faculty and long-time staff member.

• Del Tillotson, former administrator and faculty member.

• Bruce Van Tassell, Whidbey Island community member, for his leadership and contribution to SVC through the foundation.

These individuals have accomplished extraordinary achievements and contributed to the pride and prestige of SVC, the college states.

 

Business Community Says Goodbye to Four

Four community and business leaders have departed our midst over recent months. They include:

• Donald F. “Danny” McLennan, former Sedro-Woolley and Mount Vernon postmaster, and owner of two local businesses, died March 10 at age 84. McLennan served as postmaster from 1960 to 1980, the last five in Mount Vernon. He also owned Dan’s Food Market on State Street in Sedro-Woolley from 1947 to 1956 and Star Shake Co. until 1960.

• Edwin E. “Bud” Blau, the second-generation owner of Blau Oyster Co. on Samish Island, died March 21. He was 84. Blau and his father, Edwin, owned and operated a Chrysler and Dodge dealership in Kirkland during World War II. He moved to Samish Island in 1945 to join his father at the oyster company, which is still operated by his children and grandchildren.

• Edward Mitzel, father of two local business leaders Dan and John Mitzel, passed away March 22 at the age of 85. A Master Gardener, he was well known for his landscaping and flowers at Mitzel’s American Restaurant in Mount Vernon, which John owned until he sold to Buzz Inn, and Farmhouse Inn, of which John became co-owner a few years ago. Dan Mitzel is a well-known developer in the area.

• Maxine Breier, former owner of Holland Drug and Maxine’s Dress Shop in Sedro-Woolley, died March 30. She was 72. She and her late husband, Ernest, owned Holland 20 years until 1971. She operated the dress shop from 1973 to 1985.