Blane county planning director

David Blane is the new Planning and Permit director for Skagit County.

Blane comes to the county from Hawaii. Most recently, he directed the state of Hawaii’s planning office. While working for the state, he served on the housing authority, chaired a revitalization task force for Waikiki, co-chaired a panel looking at sustainable tourism, authored the state’s first smart growth legislation, and sponsored the expansion of agricultural lands preservation, state geographic information systems capacity, and protection for the coastal zone.

Blane has also been planning director for Maui County, where he oversaw three planning commissions and 11 citizens’ boards.

Blane has an undergraduate degree in urban planning from the University of Washington and an MBA from the University of Hawaii.

He took the post on May 1. His starting salary is $73,965 annually.

 

Kadrmas takes on more

Billie Kadrmas will add director of human resources to her current role as risk manager for Skagit County. She was named interim human resources director in January, when Roy Atwood left the position.

“We have been very impressed with Kadrmas’ performance in her interim role,” said Gary Rowe, county administrator.

She joined the county in 2001 as risk manager, after serving as risk manager for the Snohomish County public utilities district. An Arlington resident, Kadrmas has more than 29 years experience in risk management and workers’ compensation issues.

 

Malcolm joins Windermere Anacortes

Windermere Anacortes added Breta Malcolm as a sales associate. She has a background in marketing. Malcolm is also trained in the Skagit County Certified Emergency Relief Team and was named to the La Conner Arts Commission last year.

 

Two finish Coldwell Banker training

Corinne Cartwright and Carol Ebbs recently completed military market training through Coldwell Banker. Cartwright and Ebbs are realtors with Coldwell Banker in Burlington. Both are now certified military specialists.

The pair recently came to Coldwell Banker from Prudential.

 

Pacific Surveying adds partner

Jeff Vander Yacht is a new partner with Pacific Surveying and Engineering. PSE is a Bellingham based firm with business interests in Skagit County.

Vander Yacht has ten years engineering experience and holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Portland. He became a licensed professional engineer in 2001.

Vander Yacht is active with Habitat for Humanity and is a competitive water skier.

 

Coldwell Baker wins national award

Coldwell Banker Eaglemont was honored as a Premier Office. It’s the highest honor Coldwell Banker gives to branch offices. The Premier Office award recognizes superior achievement and teamwork among brokers in a Coldwell Banker office.

 

Bowman to paint for plaid

Jennifer Bowman, a watercolor artist from Anacortes, will design and create the covers for MacGregor’s 2004 Plaid Books. Bowman has produced a variety of watercolors, including a series of paintings of Mount Rainier.

She will also design the poster for the 2004 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Bowman has produced art for the 2002 Berry Days and Centennial in Burlington and for the last two Whidbey Island Race Weeks.

 

Amenson opens acupuncture practice

Paul Amenson recently opened an acupuncture practice in downtown Mount Vernon. He has been in professional practice since 1985. Amenson is past vice president of the Montana Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

 

Hospice names new board

Skagit Hospice Foundation named their officers for 2003 recently.

Sandi Sims is president of the 21-member Skagit Hospice Foundation board of directors. Sims has volunteered with hospice for six years and is a site assistant at Skagit Discovery School in Sedro-Woolley.

Alan Williams will be vice president. He is owner and chief clinician at Parker Way Veterinary Clinic in Mount Vernon.

Randi Dykstra, a self-employed resident of Burlington, is board secretary.

Kate Szurek is treasurer and chair of both the finance committee and the planned giving committee. Szurek lives in La Conner and practices law in Mount Vernon.

Skagit Hospice Foundation was set up in 2001 to raise funds for Skagit Hospice.

 

Wilson joins Quality therapy

Peggy Wilson is a new therapist at Quality Physical Therapy. She has a Masters degree in physical therapy from Eastern Washington University and has lived in Skagit County for 12 years.

 

Moser learns about hormone replacement

Michelle Moser, a pharmacist with Holland Drug and Hilltop Pharmacy, attended a symposium on bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Topics covered included therapy and treatment protocols, hormone therapy and cancer, and compounding medications for hormone replacement therapy.

 

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