Coupeville farmer to chair state dairy commission

Karen Bishop, who helps run a 1,000 acre dairy farm near Coupeville, was elected to a 12-month term as chair of the board of commissioners of the Washington State Dairy Products Commission.

Bishop is very active in community service in Skagit and Island counties. Currently, she is on the board of Skagit/Island/San Juan County Farm Service Agency, is Island County fair superintendent, is active in Island County 4-H, and is president of the Coupeville Public Schools community foundation. In the past, she has been active with state and local dairywomen organizations and with the state Holstein association. She is a past recipient of the Carol Mercer Inspirational award, given by Washington Ag/Forestry.

A graduate of Skagit Valley College and Washington State University, Bishop served for two years with the Peace Corps in Botswana.

As board chairperson she will help lead the board in directing advertising, promotion and educational programs on behalf of the state’s dairy farmers.

 

Soroptimists elect new board

Soroptimists International of Sedro Woolley elected new officers for 2002-03. The new officers include Toni Ruhl, president, Jill Straathoff, 1st vice president, Elaine Wright, 2nd vice president, Karla Gunn, recording secretary, Christine Johnson, corresponding secretary, Fay Huggins, treasurer, Sheri Queen, assistant treasurer, Donna Johnson, Shirley Shanander and Beverly Tyree, board members.

Soroptimists International of Sedro Woolley was chartered in 1949 and is part of Soroptimists International of the Americas. It is a volunteer service group for women in business, management and the professions dedicated to supporting community-based projects benefiting women. A major focus of their efforts is to support women who must return to work at heads of households through the women opportunity awards program.

In Sedro-Woolley, soroptimists are involved with the Helping Hands food bank, United General Hospital, Violet Richardson Awards, the Chamber of Commerce and leadership seminars for high school students.

 

Mount Vernon lawyer teaches classes on real estate closing

Michael A. Winslow presented a class on closing commercial real estate transactions as part of a Washington Bar Association seminar on commercial real estate closing and leasing issues. As a seminar co-chair, Winslow selected speakers and topics for the program. His presentation focused on selecting title insurance, working with surveyors, performing due diligence and financing for sellers.

Winslow has been involved in Washington real estate law since 1983 and currently practices in Mount Vernon.

 

Seattle lawyer to head state financial institutions department

Helen Howell, who served most recently as Gov. Gary Locke’s deputy chief of staff, was appointed by the governor to direct the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. The department regulates financial service providers, such as banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, consumer loan companies, and securities issuers and salespeople.

Before joining the governor’s staff, she practiced law in San Francisco, served as council to Sen. Patty Murray and a special assistant to Pres. Clinton, and was in a policy position with Planned Parenthood.

Howell, a Seattle native, earned a bachelors degree from Vassar College and studied law at Oxford University and Columbia University Law School.

 

MTC adds two new engineers

Materials Testing and Consulting, a Burlington-based engineering firm, has added two professionals to its roster.

Ken Sahl comes to MTC after serving as western regional manager for AMEC, a multi-national consulting firm. He has managed projects and provided engineering and consulting services for Safeco Field, SeaTac airport, and the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

Jim Dedrick is a civil engineer who joins MTC after managing and consulting for numerous high-rise hotel and casino projects in Nevada.

MTC is a geotechnical inspection and materials testing firm. They are currently working on several projects, including St. Joseph Hospital, Tulalip Casino, Chehalis Power Plant and the Western Washington University Student Recreation Center.

 

Dustin opens new office

Georgiann Dustin, owner of Encore Events, recently opened a new office in downtown Mount Vernon. Her new offices are in the Carnation Building. Encore Events is planning a series of events around the county, including a golf tournament and a farm tour.

 

Medical supplier adds to customer service department

Lisa Reyes joined Holland RST as a customer service specialist. A division of Holland health Services, Holland RST provides rehabilitation seating and position in custom manual and electric wheelchairs as well as repairs of all kinds of wheelchairs.

Reyes will provide specialized service to customers. The new hiring is in response to increased business.

 

US Bank employees receive pinnacle awards

Employees at three US Bank locations in Skagit and Island counties received annual pinnacle awards, one of the highest retail employee achievement award offered by the bank.

Tim Rawlins, Skagit County market manager, won both a pinnacle award and was named US Bank manager of the year. Part of his prize is a trip for two anywhere in the world. Rawlins turned the decision about where to go over to his wife, who is considering far-flung locales like Italy or Australia. They hope to travel later this year.

Mary Walker, Anacortes branch manager, won a pinnacle award. She has been with US Bank for 23 years.

Paulette McNett, branch manager in Freeland, won during her first year of eligibility for the pinnacle award, although she has won other awards in the past. She has been in the financial services industry for 35 years, the last 8 with US Bank.

Susan Lazott, retail market manager in Island County also won in her first year of eligibility. She works out of the Oak Harbor office. Lazott has spent 21 of her 31 years in financial services with US Bank. She is twice a former winner of the top tier award.

The pinnacle award is part of an incentive plan that rewards personal performance. All winners were flow to Las Vegas for a weekend get away and received their awards at a formal attended by top bank officials.