The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the Northwest Economic Council (NWEC) with a $99,000 grant to promote the success of innovative startup businesses in Whatcom County. The NWEC, through its Innovation Resource Center, intends to create a more robust and growth-oriented economic environment.

“This is a long-awaited and significant first step in growing and nurturing early stage and startup companies in our community,” said Bruce MacCormack, NWEC council chairman.

Recent studies from the Kauffman Foundation indicate that two-thirds of new jobs are being created through small, young businesses. While Whatcom County is rich with educational institutions and organizations providing services to businesses, it is often difficult for individual startup businesses to access them, according to an NWEC press release.

“The Innovation Resource Center will be the ‘magic glue’ to facilitate opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow and benefit from education, government, service organizations and business mentors who will be part of this exciting initiative,” MacCormack said.

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said innovative business entrepreneurs can face significant hurdles, especially if they’ve never owned a business before and that the USDA grant would support training on available resources and basic business skills for Northwest Washington entrepreneurs.

“As we continue rebuilding our economy, it is critical we do everything possible to help new businesses develop and flourish,” Cantwell said.

The Washington Super Lawyers Magazine has recognized seven Whatcom County lawyers as 2010 Super Lawyers. They are: Dean Brett, Philip Buri, Frank Chemlik, Jeffrey Lustick, Barry Meyers, Jon Sitkin and J. Bruce Smith.

The first annual Washington State Manufacturing Awards Ceremony on May 27 recently recognized the work of Cascade Dafo, Inc., for its work in manufacturing dynamic pediatric orthoses.

Cascade Dafo received first place in the Manufacturing Innovation of the Year category and they were the runner-up in the Large Size Manufacturer of the Year category.

For more information, call (800) 848-7332.

Patrice Valentine, president of Net Solutions North America, LLC has been invited to speak at the CPrint National Sales Summit June 16 through 19. The summit will be in Nashville, Tenn.

Valentine will be presenting on how to use ProFusion Products to expand sales opportunities and create websites for CPrint customers.

RE/MAX Whatcom County has designated Matt McBeath of its Bellingham office as a senior real estate specialist. He was awarded the designation because of his experience counseling clients 50-years-old and older through major financial and lifestyle transitions.

McBeath has special training on offering options and information to those making life changing decisions. He can be reached at the Lakeway RE/MAX officer at 647-1313.

The Comcast Foundation has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 87 students across Washington through its Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program.

Winners of the scholarship in Bellingham are Meredith Morrow-Okon at Squalicum High School and Samara Sytsma at Meridian High School.

For more information, visit comcastinwashingtonstate.com.

Western Washington University’s Ethnic Student Center was recently honored with an award celebrating the center’s efforts to create a safe, supportive environment for underrepresented groups and to provide cultural and educational programs.

The award was presented at the 14th Annual Human Rights Award Banquet on May 26. The center is a student-run organization on WWU’s campus.

For more information, visit http://www.esc.as.wwu.edu/.

The Bellingham Police Department will receive its accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs on May 19.

Receiving the accreditation means the Bellingham department has achieved a high standard of performance for law enforcement agencies as measured by the association.

Twenty-eight other police departments in the state have this accreditation, which is valid for five years.

Rollo Van Slyke, owner of Rollo Van Slyke Farmers Insurance, has received the Farmers Insurance Toppers Club Award for the 21st year in a row. The award honors agents with consistently high sales volumes of auto, home, life and business policies, as well as high rates of client retentions and customer service.

For more information on Rollo Van Slyke Farmers Insurance, call (360) 676-7418.

Once again, Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro has been named the largest brewpub in the nation by The Brewers Association, based on its 2009 production volume.

A brewpub is defined as a brewery with a restaurant that has at least 25 percent of beer sales occurring on-site, as opposed to a microbrewery where most sales are off site. Last year, Boundary Bay produced 5,738 barrels, approximately 177,800 gallons, of beer.

The Brewers Association also reported that the craft beer industry experienced a 7.2 percent increase in volume last year compared to 2008.

Bellingham-based Bob Wallin Insurance, along with Duane Sammons Insurance and Magas Insurance, have been recognized by Safeco Insurance for excellence and they have been added to the H.K. Dent Society.

Named for Safeco’s founder, the society recognizes and awards agents for their partnership, performance and loyalty to Safeco.

John Davies, the director of the Opportunity Council’s Building Performance Center, received the Outstanding Person in Weatherization award on May 6. Davies received the award at the Energy OutWest conference in Reno, Nevada.

As the director of the Building Performance Center, Davies has developed a weatherization training facility and runs the Community Energy Challenge, an energy efficiency project developed with Sustainable Connections. The program expands weatherization services to businesses and middle-income households.

Holly Whittle, a financial consultant with the Chuckanut Group of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, has earned her membership into the 2010 Million Dollar Round Table. Whittle was selected because of her work in sales, client service, ethical conduct and professional knowledge throughout 2009.

The Million Dollar Round Table is an international association of life insurance and financial services professionals.

Local insurance provider Snapper Shuler Kenner (SSK) has been recognized by Seattle Business magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2010. The award is given to those companies in Washington state that demonstrate a commitment to leadership, strong benefits, advancement opportunities, training programs and employee satisfaction. SSK has operated in Washington since 1925 and has offices in Lynden and Bellingham.

Paul Kenner, a partner at the firm, said the application for the award had to be submitted by an employee for a company to be considered as one of the top 100 companies to work for. He said the rankings are based on interviews with the staff of the business and the manager or owner. The reason SSK is receiving the award is due to the initiative of satisfied employees, Kenner said.

Kenner said employees are feeling satisfied with SSK because, even in a economic downturn, the firm has not cut employee benefits and has not terminated anyone. Kenner said he has actually hired three new employees within the last month.

“A content employee, happy in their job, is obviously going to do a better job for the customer than someone looking for a new job,” Kenner said.

The company sells lines of insurance such as life, home, auto, medical benefits, property, causality, professional liability, business insurance and more. Kenner said he was been at the firm since 1974 and a partner since 1976.

“I’m constantly trying to make this a better place,” he said.

Kenner said SSK has also received the Chariman’s Club award from Liberty Mutual. The award honors the top 100 agencies of Liberty Mutual out of 6,000 agencies nationwide.

Kenner said there will be an award banquet on June 17 in Seattle to honor the top 100 companies to work for. SSK and other businesses will receive their exact rankings within the top 100 at the banquet.

“We are really proud to be considered in the top 100 in the state,” Kenner said. “If we do well in the top 100, that’s even a bigger bonus.”

Skylark’s Hidden Cafe won first place with their house chowder for the third time in a row at the annual Chuckanut Chowder Cook-Off during Dirty Dan Days in Fairhaven. The traditional New England clam chowder is served daily at the restaurant, which served 13 gallons of the soup over two hours at the event.

Skylark’s is located at 1308 11th St. in Fairhaven. For more information on the restaurant, call (360) 715-3642 or visit www.skylarkshiddencafe.com.

The city of Bellingham was recently certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat site by the National Wildlife Federation. To register, Bellingham needed to highlight local teams creating viable habitats for wildlife in the community.

Bellingham registered in 2005 with the efforts of the Washington Native Plant Society, North Cascades Audubon Society, the Backyard Habitat Mentors and the regional office of the National Wildlife Federation to create local habitats.

Wildlife habitats were certified at 283 homes, seven schools and 14 common spaces, including Bellingham City Hall.

“Institutional Investor News” recently selected Jane Carten, director and president of Satura Capital Corporation, as one of its 13 2010 “Rising Stars of Mutual Funds.” Carten attended the 17th Annual Mutual Fund Industry Awards ceremony in New York on April 15.

Carten joined Satura in 1997. She received her bachelor’s degree and MBA from Western Washington University.

In April at the international competition, World Beer Cup 2010, Chuckanut Brewery won a gold medal in the Dunkel Lager category for its offering, marking its third victory with that particular beverage.

Boundary Bay Brewery was also in the contest and won a silver medal for its Dunkies Bock in the German-Style Doppelbock/Eisbock category, a bronze medal for its Imperial IPA in the Imperial India Pale Ale category and another bronze for its Cabin Fever ale in the Strong Ale category.

Design Journal magazine has awarded Sculptural Glass Doors Inc. two awards for design excellence. The “Canoodle” design received a Platinum Award and the “Cobbles” design received a Gold Award.

Sculptural Glass Doors are made-to-order single- and double-door packages that are shipped nationwide. Three small companies work together to craft the doors for Sculptural Glass Doors. McColl Studio Inc. in Bellingham is where the doors are designed by Bill McColl. Garibaldi Glass Industries fabricates the materials at its plant in British Columbia and finally NorthStar WoodWorks in Ferndale assembles the doors.

Dansko has awarded 12th Street Shoes in Fairhaven with the Excellence in Visual Merchandising Award.

The store’s winning window display was crafted by WOW!Windows, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and showcased Dansko shoes.

12th Street Shoes was one of five retailers worldwide that won a merchandising award from Dansko.

Governor Chris Gregoire recently recognized the employers and communities across the state who contribute to traffic reduction by supporting commute trip reduction programs.

Approximately 530,000 people are employed at worksites in Washington that participate in commute trip reduction programs. This translates to 62 million fewer vehicle miles traveled annually and saves three million gallons of fuel and 27,490 metric tons of greenhouse gases. There are 28,000 fewer vehicles on the road every weekday ― that’s enough vehicles to stretch single file from Olympia to Everett.

Gregoire recognized the efforts of these employers and communities April 13, announcing the winners of the 2010 Governor’s Commute Smart Awards at a ceremony hosted at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia.

“Our state’s commute trip reduction program is a great example of what can happen when public and private organizations work together to promote transportation choices other than just driving alone,” Gregoire said.  “The award winners this year have achieved meaningful and measurable results in reducing drive-alone commutes on our busiest roads.”

This year’s awards recognize 46 recipients in eleven categories. Locally, Whatcom Council of Governments received a Commute Smart Community Award for the Smart Trips program. Village Books and PeaceHealth were recognized as Commute Smart Employer Champions. Employees were also commended for their efforts. Amy Jones from Boundary Bay Brewery, and Julie Ward from Whatcom Educational Credit Union were among employees across the state to win an award.

For every $1 the state invests in these programs, businesses invest an additional $18, maximizing commute trip reduction programs for everyone in the state.

Established in 1998, the governor’s Commute Smart Awards were developed to recognize extraordinary efforts by commute trip reduction worksites in Washington. Governor Gregoire signed the Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act in 2006 to focus the program on congested highway corridors and increase planning coordination among local, regional and state levels.

Cascade DAFO has been awarded the Cascade Vocational Services Employer of the Quarter title for its work in employing people with disabilities. Ferndale-based Cascade DAFO manufactures dynamic orthoses for children and adults with special needs.

Cascade DAFO hired a Ferndale High School graduate named Charity in 2009. She was previously a customer of Cascade DAFO, as she has been wearing braces from them to help her walk since childhood. She now works to produce ways for children to customize their orthoses.

The Whatcom County Health Department recently announced the recipients of the 2009 Silver Platter Award, which recognizes excellence in safe food handling.

Only about 5 percent of the dining establishments inspected in 2009 met the stringent criteria established by the health department for the Silver Platter Award. To receive an award, establishments must comply with the state’s retail food code and consistently achieve excellent scores during food safety inspections conducted throughout the year.

“Once again, we want to acknowledge the efforts of operators who demonstrate a commitment to food safety in their restaurants,” said Regina Delahunt, public health director. “We are pleased that so many operators have performed so well during routine inspections.”

The Washington State Department of Health estimates that there may be as many as 1.5 million acute food-borne illnesses in Washington each year making food safety an important issue.

The 2009 Silver Platter Award recipients are:

•    Acme Café
•    Arby’s Restaurant on Samish Way
•    Barnes and Noble Booksellers
•    Bay Café in Birch Bay
•    Beaver Inn
•    Bellingham Senior Center
•    Camp Black Mountain
•    Camp Firwood
•    Camp Horizon
•    Cancun Mexican Restaurant
•    Chubby’s Diner
•    Ciao Thyme
•    Cost Cutter’s in Blaine – Deli
•    Cost Cutter in Ferndale – Deli
•    Cost Cutter on Sunset Drive – Deli
•    Costco Wholesale #19 – Pizza / Food Court
•    Curry House
•    Diablo Dining Hall – Cookhouse
•    Eagle’s Roost – Point Roberts Golf Club
•    El Rinconcito 2
•    Enjoy Sushi & Teriyaki
•    Fiamma Burger
•    Gigi’s Café & Pastries
•    Grace Café
•    Haggen on Meridian Street – Deli
•    Il Caffe Rifugio
•    India Grill Restaurant
•    Jack in the Box in Birch Bay
•    Jack in the Box on Sunset Drive
•    K-Mart – Snack Bar
•    La Fiamma – Commissary
•    Little Caesar’s in Ferndale
•    Little Caesar’s on Lakeway Drive
•    Main Street Bar & Grill
•    Mallard Ice Cream
•    McDonald’s in Ferndale
•    McDonalds on Samish Way
•    McDonalds on Telegraph Road
•    Muddy Waters, Inc
•    Mugshots
•    Oyiso
•    Papa Murphy’s in Ferndale
•    Papa Murphy’s on James Street
•    Peace Arch BBQ
•    Pioneer Catering – NVHS
•    Pizzazza
•    Rhodes Café
•    Robek’s Fruit Smoothie
•    Robek’s Fruit Smoothie & Healthy Eats
•    Rustic Coffee Bar
•    Seven Loaves Pizzeria
•    Sudden Valley Coffee Shop
•    Taco Bell on Sunset Drive
•    Taco Lobo
•    Torre Caffe
•    Whatcom Community College – Cafeteria
•    Web Locker

Seattle Magazine has named Multop Financial in Bellingham as a 2010 FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager. Seattle Magazine partnered with Crescendo Business Services to survey high-net-worth individuals and leaders of financial service industry companies on their satisfaction with wealth managers.

Wealth managers were evaluated based on criteria such as customer service and communication. They were also reviewed for any regulatory actions or customer complaints against them. A blue-ribbon panel of individuals from the finance service industry then commented on each wealth manager.

The final list represented less than 7 percent of all wealth managers in the Seattle area, and Multop Financial, with its 30 years of service in Whatcom County, made the cut.

Aiki Homes of Bellingham were recently awarded in the 2010 Built Green Western Washington Custom Home category.

The project was a home designed for safety, energy efficiency and sustainability. It and other entries from across western Washington were judged on energy testing, materials used, impact on the environment and amount of construction waste generated. LEED Platinum Certification is pending for the home. If granted, it would make it the first in Whatcom County.

The Built Green program is a non-profit building program of the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County in partnership with other Washington state agencies.The program seeks to promote environmentally friendly building.

The Aiki Homes house, the Holcomb Home, is located in Fairhaven.

Janelle R. Bruland, president and CEO of Management Services Northwest, has been named as the Washington State Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Seattle District office. Bruland’s focus on positive thinking has allowed her to remain open to opportunities that have created 15 years of growth and success for her company.

Management Services Northwest started in 1995 as a janitorial company with 10 employees providing clean-up services to approximately 10 office buildings in Whatcom County. The company motto of “We’ll take care of it!” created a company culture of positive energy, integrity, a high standard of excellence and a commitment to build long-term satisfied customer relationships.

The company has grown to handle its clients’ needs with services including bundled, proactive maintenance and repair work, vendor management and energy and utility enhancement programs. Services can range from landscaping, janitorial contracting, general repairs, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and tenant improvements.

Dimi Hartman, John Maurer and Dave and Sue Schwab have been recognized as leading performers in the highly coveted and prestigious Golf Savings Bank Chairman’s Club.

Dimi, Dave and Sue are located at the Barkley Village office. John is located at the Fairhaven office.

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry has announced that the Grand Marshal for the 2010 Ski to Sea Grand Parade will be the Lehmann Family, which owns Lehmann’s Home Appliance Center at 2001 James St. in Bellingham.

Lehmann’s Home Appliance Center has been serving Whatcom County since 1929. Ed Lehmann first founded the business by selling wringer washing machines door to door. The business has been passed down through three generations, and is currently owned by Ed’s grandson Terry Lehmann.

With a motto of “Selling the best and servicing the rest,” Lehmann’s has withstood the test of time and will soon be celebrating its 76th year in Bellingham.

“It’s an honor to be thought of this way,” Terry Lehmann said, “but we have three generations here and a longstanding presence in the community which really fits the parade theme: Whatcom County 2010-2020…Imagine the Next Decade.”

Ken Oplinger, president and CEO for the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber, said he is pleased to be able to honor the Lehmann family.

“The Lehmann’s years of service to this community, coupled with their new location in Bellingham makes this the perfect time to honor this outstanding family,” Oplinger said in a statement.

The Grand Parade will take place at noon on Saturday, May 29 in downtown Bellingham. Registration is available at www.bellingham.com.

The Henry Klein Partnership (HKP) architects received a Merit Award for the Guemes Island summerhouse. This represents their 13th design award from the Northwest Washington AIA Chapter in the last 10 years.

The Guemes Island Cabin is designed in the tradition of Finnish and Scandinavian summerhouses. It is designed to be a second home where owners can enjoy a more unencumbered lifestyle close to nature. The cabin’s floor plan features a central open space for living, dining and cooking, with a study and vanity bath at the south end and a bedroom and bathroom at the north end.

The award was presented at the Northwest Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ annual Design Awards at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon, Wash. on Dec. 7. Architects within the chapter’s four counties submitted projects under consideration for review. The design team for the HKP architects included David Hall, AIA, Design Partner and Adair Orr.

The Rotary Club of Bellingham recently presented cash awards to two nonprofits in Whatcom Country, based on need and value to the community.

Animals as Natural Therapy was awarded $500 for their group, which empowers individuals of all ages and victims of addiction and domestic violence through relationships developed with animal partners. The funds will be used to help support three students from Squalicum High School to each continue a new ten-week session.

The Mount Baker Youth Symphony received $1000 for their programs, which provide a stimulating environment for talented and gifted young musicians. The students are encouraged and challenged to develop to their fullest potential. The funds will be used to partially fund outreach school events and concert venue.

Gary Honcoop, co-owner and president of Roosendaal-Honcoop Construction, Inc., was honored Dec. 16 as Builder of the Year by the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County.

Honcoop, a longtime active BIAWC member, was commended for his commitment to the organization. Also, Honcoop has devoted many hours advocating for property owners on urban growth areas, limited areas of more intensive rural development (LAMIRDs) and land-use rights, according to the BIAWC.

Honcoop founded Roosendaal-Honcoop Construction, a Whatcom County general contractor, in 1979 with another lifelong Lynden resident, Roger Roosendaal. The company offers extensive experience in residential construction, both homes and remodels, as well as commercial, industrial and pre-engineered steel construction.

Its recent projects include the new Barron Heating & Air Conditioning facility in Ferndale, numerous Peoples Bank branches, the Liberty Park residential community in Ferndale, Northwest Indian College’s Center for Student Success and the Port of Skagit County’s South Yard Basin Building.

On Dec. 16, Pat Rose of Rose Construction, Inc., received the 2009 Remodeler of the Year Award from the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County.  The award recognizes Rose and her team of master carpenters for excellence in home remodeling.

Rose Construction, Inc. is one of the founding members of Master Remodelers Council of the BIA and has been providing whole house remodeling including kitchen and bath remodeling as well as additions to homes and repairs in Whatcom, Island and Skagit counties since 1986.

The Northwest Washington Fair recently received a prestigious award for the Cargill Nutrena Small Animal Experience that made its debut in 2009.

The Northwest Washington Fair received an award for excellence from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, which has more than 3,000 members worldwide. The Cargill Nutrena Small Animal Experience was judged as best among fairs with attendance of 100,001-250,000 in the category of new programs that promote agriculture.

The Cargill Nutrena Small Animal Experience was organized by Debbie Vander Veen and the Barn Buddies 4-H Club, which is led by Lacey Vander Veen. It enabled fairgoers to get close to a variety of small and newborn animals, including ducks, rabbits and piglets. The award was presented to Debbie Vander Veen on Dec. 1 during the IAFE convention in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Cargill Nutrena Small Animal Experience previously received the Whatcom County 4-H Civic Experience Award, plus the Black and White Award for excellence from Washington State Fairs Commissioner Patricia Myers.

“The Cargill Nutrena Small Animal Experience was a huge hit with families and young children,” said Jim Baron, manager of the Northwest Washington Fair. “We’re very grateful to the Barn Buddies 4-H Club for contributing to this popular exhibit.”

The Northwest Washington Fair will celebrate its 100th year Aug. 16 to 21, 2010. For more information, call (360) 354-4111 or visit www.nwwafair.com.

The city of Bellingham and the Opportunity Council have been awarded $500,000 for energy efficiency credit enhancement through the Washington State Energy Program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These funds will be combined with existing commitments of $750,000 to seed a loan program for energy efficiency projects as part of the local Community Energy Challenge.

Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire announced award recipients on Wednesday, Dec. 23.

The Community Energy Challenge is an initiative designed to create jobs, increase energy efficiency, and reduce utility bills in homes and small business throughout Whatcom County. Essential to its success has been partnerships formed among governments, nonprofit organizations and utility providers.

The credit enhancement grant award announced by Gregoire will make possible a key component of the challenge, reducing financial barriers to energy efficiency by providing for a loan loss reserve fund, which will motivate significant private investment in energy efficiency projects.

The award will build on three prior grants awarded to the city of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and to the other six cities of Whatcom County through the U.S. State Department of Energy, Washington State Department of Commerce and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

This brings the total loan loss reserve fund to $1.25 million. The fund will reduce risks for financial institutions, extending eligibility for energy efficiency loans and providing preferential terms for borrowers.

The Community Energy Challenge is committed to facilitating energy efficiency as an investment in the local community, said Shawn Collins, Community Energy Challenge manager at the Opportunity Council.

“With credit enhancement through this program we aim to make energy efficiency more accessible to more people than ever before. And at the same time we anticipate creating about 35 new jobs,” he said.

Tara Sundin, special projects manager for the city of Bellingham, said the best part has been bringing together so many players in Whatcom County, such as the city of Bellingham, Whatcom County, Opportunity Council, Sustainable Connections, Energy Efficiency Finance Corporation, Puget Sound Energy and Cascade Natural Gas.

“The real highlight of this process has been the powerful partnerships we’ve built; All seven cities, the county government and many other agencies and businesses are collaborating to establish this fund,” Sundin said.

The Whatcom County Association of Realtors (WCAR) recently honored Michele Boudreau of RE/MAX Whatcom County and Rob Greenlund of Bank of the Pacific.

Both Boudreau and Greenlund were instrumental in organizing WCAR’s first Whatcom Giveathon, a free event that took place on Dec. 16 and helped 22 local nonprofits.

Boudreau was named WCAR’s Realtor of the Fourth Quarter. She has been a Realtor for eight years and at RE/MAX Whatcom County in Bellingham the last six years. Boudreau is an associate broker for RE/MAX Whatcom County and has earned the Certified Residential Specialist designation. She also serves as secretary for the WCAR board.

The WCAR selected Greenlund as its Affiliate of the Fourth Quarter. Greenlund has been with Bank of the Pacific for five years and is a senior real estate loan representative for its Lakeway office in Bellingham. He serves on WCAR’s golf tournament and bowling tournament committees that raise funds for WCAR and Whatcom County food banks, respectively.

For more information about WCAR, call (360) 671-5477 or visit www.wcar.net.

There were several qualified finalists for the Professional Woman of the Year award, but in the end, there can only be one.

Last month, Debbie Gann, owner of Home Attendant Care Inc., was named the 2009 winner of the Professional Woman of the Year award by Whatcom Women in Business.

Other finalists were: Stephanie Artino from Metcalf Hodges, Audrey Borders from Borders & Sons Quality Roofing, Jennifer Dorr from Washington Campus Compact, Lori Reece from Re/Max of Whatcom County, and Sarah Rothenbuhler from Birch Equipment Company.

Anny Havland, president of the Whatcom Women in Business, said finalists were chosen for being outstanding business leaders, mentors, and contributors to the local community.

“We were so excited and proud of all the finalists. They were all amazing, powerful and encouraging women and it was a really hard decision,” Havland said. “We want to congratulate Debbie. We are so thrilled for her.”

Gann volunteers a lot of her time for local organizations, but most notably she is vice chairwoman of the Alzheimer Society of Washington, past president of the board at Elder Service Providers, and was a founding member of Excellence NW. She also gives regular educational briefings on senior services available in Whatcom County.

Gann said receiving the award has given her a lot of perspective regarding her work.

“I truly believe that this award is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I am very appreciative to my staff who nominated me. I have the honor every day of surrounding myself with great people,” Gann said.

The Bellingham Business Journal recently had a chance to catch up with Debbie Gann to talk about community involvement, mentorship and staying ahead of the game.

The Bellingham Business Journal: How did you feel when you found out you were nominated for the award?

Debbie Gann: I was very surprised. I had no knowledge of the fact that I had been nominated until I was called and told that I was a finalist. I was also very honored because it was my staff here at Home Attendant Care that nominated me for the award.

BBJ: What did you think when you heard that you won?

DG: I was in total disbelief and shock. I was stunned. I just sat there and couldn’t move. A friend of mine actually had to come pull me out of my chair because I was supposed to go up on stage.

BBJ: Community involvement is a big part of this award, why is it important for a businessperson to get involved in the community?

DG: I think that community involvement is a very natural part of what I do. I work with seniors and I think it is absolutely invaluable to do as much as possible to educate them on all the different services that are available for them in the community and to support them in having choices. I also have a real belief in helping women and children in the community. It does take a village to raise a family and support each other.

BBJ: How do you remain a leader in your field?

DG: I have to stay as educated as possible. I worked on the governor’s task force to review caregiver training. I need to keep abreast of everything that is going on. I meet with people at the hospital to find out what changes in policy are happening. The more information I can get, the more valuable I can be to others when they ask questions.

BBJ: What role has mentoring played in your career?

DG: Actually I would say one of the biggest gifts this process gave me is the ability to look at my work and see it in the form of mentorship. I work really hard to make those around me thrive and I do it very naturally just as who I am, so this was the first opportunity I have had to look at some of those things I’ve done and some of the impact I have had on people and look at that in that way. It is just a very natural part of who I am.

BBJ: Has it changed how you will proceed with your work now that you see that?

DG: Maybe in how I appreciate it. I truly am a caregiver. It’s more of a personality type than a profession.

BBJ: Is there any advice you would give aspiring Professional Women of the Year?

DG: My daughter once wrote: “In the mind’s eye you cannot achieve greatness, but in your heart’s eye, you can.” Always look at others through your heart’s eye and see in what unique way you can help them. Whether it’s a potential client or a friend in need, if we focus with our hearts and listen with our hearts, we have a greater ability to help.

BBJ: Has this award changed how you look at any other aspect of your work?

DG: I don’t know that I took the opportunity to see myself as a leader. I do what I do. I am a caregiver. I don’t have a bunch of letters after my name. I just do this from the heart everyday.

The Bellingham Business Journal

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry held its fifth annual awards banquet at the Best Western Lakeway Inn & Conference Center on Dec. 9. The banquet was attended by 300 dignitaries from across Whatcom County, and featured a silent auction with proceeds going to local charities and the Whatcom Chamber Foundation.

Ken Oplinger, president/CEO of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said the event was an “outstanding evening.”

“Over 300 people enjoyed a great meal and outstanding auction benefiting Marianne’s House, Womencare Shelter and the Whatcom Chamber Foundation,” Oplinger said. “We were very pleased to honor two great local businesses, Boundary Bay Brewery and the Bellingham Wal-Mart, as well as two long-time contributors to our community, Phyllis Self and Brian Griffin.”

Brian Griffin, insurance broker at Griffin Insurance for more than 30 years and founding member of Unity Insurance, was honored as the chamber’s Man of the Year.

Griffin led efforts to build the downtown parking garage, plant street trees, and install crosswalk bollards. He led the planning and development effort for the Fairhaven Village Green, raising close to $500,000 for its development and for the crafting of the Dirty Dan sculpture. More recently, his efforts to help develop Bellingham Depot Market have paid off tremendously, providing the Bellingham Farmers Market and the community with a unique public space that is quickly becoming a community icon.

Phyllis Self, board member of the Whatcom Literacy Council, Planned Parenthood, the YWCA, the St. Joseph’s Community Council, and many more organizations, was honored as the chamber’s Woman of the Year.

Most notably, Self has served for 10 years on the Whatcom Community College Board of Trustees, and continues as a member of the foundation board, where she currently chairs its development committee. She has also been a visible patron of the arts. She co-chaired the task force to raise money to restore the Mount Baker Theatre and served on its board. She also co-chaired the Bellingham 2000 arts celebration, the Bellingham Arts Commission and the Campaign for the Arts.

The Large Business of the Year award went to Wal-Mart. The Small Business of the Year award went to Boundary Bay Brewery.

Amy Jones, public relations manager for Boundary Bay, said they were honored to receive the award.

“The success of our business has always been deeply rooted in and connected to this community that we are lucky enough to be a part of,” Jones said. “We believe that an important part of our work at the brewery is to build strong ties with the customers and the community at large, making the Bellingham community a stronger one because of it.  To be honored by that community with this award means a great deal to us.”

Bellingham’s progressive multimodal transportation planning program received top honors last week, winning the 2009 American Planning Association/Planning Association of Washington award for Transportation Planning in Washington State, for the city’s Multimodal Transportation Concurrency Program, adopted by City Council in December 2008. The award was presented Friday, Nov. 13, at the APA/PAW annual conference in Vancouver, Wash.

Transportation concurrency is a part of Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA), requiring cities to adopt level of service standards and performance measures to ensure that the transportation system can keep up with growth in the community. If there is too much growth for the transportation system to handle, then development permits cannot be issued. Most cities have adopted standards based on traffic counts that focus only on automobile transportation.  In 2009, Bellingham adopted new level of service standards and performance measures that include sidewalks, bike lanes and transit riders, as well as automobiles.

The Multimodal Transportation Concurrency Program is designed to help Bellingham achieve comprehensive plan goals directing growth to urban villages and to complete sidewalks and bicycle lanes throughout the city. Bellingham’s innovative program has been profiled in several transportation publications and the city has received inquiries from planners all over North America who are interested in adopting similar programs.

“Providing mobility and connectivity options for all users is priority for the city of Bellingham, and we are honored to be recognized as a leader in transportation planning,” Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike said in a statement. “This innovative work is the result of staff expertise and council leadership, and will be a model for communities in Washington and across the nation.”

APA representatives will visit Bellingham to formally present the award at the Dec. 7 Bellingham City Council regular meeting.

North Cascades National Park has selected an image by Bellingham photographer/writer John D’Onofrio as the winner in the Park’s 2009 Photography contest. The picture, depicting a hiker on Sahale Arm in the park’s Cascade Pass area will be used on the park’s home page at www.nps.gov/noca.

D’Onofrio is a freelance photographer whose work has been utilized by the ABC and NBC television networks and the Bellingham-Whatcom County Tourism bureau. He is the founder of the Bellingham Photography Collective and has had his images published in numerous calendars and magazines and exhibited in various galleries including the Seattle Museum of History and Industry and the National Parks Gallery.

His work can be seen at www.jdonofrio.com.

Orphalee Smith, CPA was honored at a special awards luncheon at the 2009 American Society of Women Accountants (ASWA) Joint National Conference.

ASWA, a national professional organization, announced Orphalee Smith as the winner of the Influential Woman of the Year award. Smith, the Northwest Region winner, was one of six regional semifinalists.

The award recognizes individuals whose accomplishments and achievements distinguish them in the financial industry; who have demonstrated leadership and mentored others in their industry; and who are committed, involved, and contribute to their communities. Smith is a founding member of the local chapter of ASWA (1978) and in March of 2009 was inducted into YWCA Northwest Women’s Hall of Fame.

Ferndale-based Management Services Northwest, Inc. has once again made the list of fastest-growing private companies compiled by the Puget Sound Business Journal. The business was honored at an invitation-only event which drew more than 500 people to the Washington State Convention Center on Oct. 15.

This is the second year Management Services Northwest has made the list. This year it moved up 11 spots to No. 37.

At the awards event, all 100 companies that made the list were honored and the rankings were announced. The 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies were listed, with select companies profiled, in a special publication of the Business Journal on Oct. 16.

The Fastest-Growing Private Companies program was launched 15 years ago by the Puget Sound Business Journal to identify and recognize companies speeding to the top of their industries. To be eligible, companies must: be privately held and headquartered in Washington; have at least $500,000 in net revenue in 2006; show an overall growth from 2006 to 2008 fiscal years; and agree to have their CPA confirm their net operating revenues with Puget Sound Business Journal and accounting partner Grant Thornton.

Since 1995 clients have trusted Management Services Northwest with the care and maintenance of their real estate assets.  Management Services provides total facility services, and can expertly take care of properties from the roof to the parking lot.

The Whatcom County Association of Realtors (WCAR) recently honored Joe Laudenbach of Sterling Real Estate Group and Tammy Walker of First American Title.

Laudenbach was named WCAR’s Realtor of the Third Quarter. He has been a Realtor for seven years and at Sterling Real Estate Group in Bellingham the last four years. Laudenbach has served on the local association’s board of directors the past three years and the board of the Washington Association Realtors the last two years. He also contributed to the committee that planned the celebration of WCAR’s 100-year anniversary last year.

The WCAR selected Walker as its Affiliate of the Third Quarter. Walker, Whatcom County manager for First American Title, has 18 years of experience in title insurance. She was co-chair of this year’s WCAR golf tournament fundraiser, has helped present the organization’s spring conference and has supported many of its other events.

WCAR, founded in 1908, has a membership of approximately 730 Realtors, 50 brokers and 40 affiliates. WCAR provides continuing-education classes for members and information for prospective buyers and sellers of real estate. It also conducts fundraisers that benefit Habitat for Humanity, local food banks and other local charities.

The Master Remodelers Council of Whatcom County, a division of The Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, awarded top remodelers with Remodeling Excellence Awards last month. These awards recognize remodelers that follow good business practice and excel in their fields.

Credo Construction won an award for a Residential Exterior Remodel over $25,000, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen won an award for  Residential Kitchen Remodel $60,000 to $125,000, and Rose Construction won three awards in the categories of Residential Kitchen Remodel under $30,000, Residential Bath Remodel $25,000 to $75,000, and Residential Addition $75,000 to $150,000.

HB Hansen Construction Inc. won two awards for best Commercial Remodel $100,000 to $250,000 and for Commercial Remodel over $250,000.

Each company received an honorary trophy as well as recognition for their accomplishments at September’s BIAWC meeting. If you are interested in entering a project for next year, please contact Diana Bailey at: dianab@biawc.com for more information. The BIAWC congratulates the winners for their standard of excellence.

The Harris Square Condominiums at 10th Street and Harris Avenue in Fairhaven, has won first place in the 2009 Whatcom in Bloom Awards, Apartment/Condo Complex division. The award is sponsored annually by Whatcom County Parks and Recreation and the Bellingham Herald.

Landscape Committee Chair, Amy Electra Squires, owner of Studio 910 Salon, said the association invested in landscape improvements two years ago. Some original plants were kept while adding many perennials and spreading ground covers for long term effect and drought tolerant ground cover was planted along Harris Avenue. Alan Green of Green Thumb Landscaping installed and maintains the grounds.

“We were happy and surprised to get the award,” Squires said. “We put a lot of effort into an environmentally-friendly, attractive garden space around the buildings. It has been a pleasure watching it come to maturity.”

For more information, contact Amy Electra Squires at Studio 910 Salon at 671-4100.

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry has announced the 2009 winners for Green Business and Non-Profit of the Year awards. The 2009 Non-Profit of the Year is the Womencare Shelter and the 2009 Green Business of the Year is Earth First Lawn Care.

Womencare Shelter was established in 1979 to provide safe, confidential, emergency shelter and support services to women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. Womencare Shelter is Whatcom County’s only 24-hour domestic violence help line and 24-hour crisis intervention for survivors of domestic violence, their family, friends, or co-workers. Individual and group advocacy-based counseling is available. They also offer legal, medical and financial referrals.

“It is so exciting to be recognized by the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry” said Kirsten Hammer, executive director for the Opportunity Council.

Ken Oplinger, president/CEO of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber said he was very pleased to announce Womencare Shelter as the 2009 winner.

“This organization gives a tremendous amount to the community, and we are happy to be honoring them this year,” Oplinger said.

Earth First Lawn Care’s mission statement is “changing the industry one lawn at a time.” The company boasts the use of environmentally friendly lawn care equipment and techniques.

“We offset all of our carbon emissions making us 100 percent carbon neutral. Our goal with each property is to create healthy, thriving landscapes using organic practices and applying safe, eco-friendly products,” said James Rowe, owner of Earth First Lawn Care.

Oplinger said Earth First is a more than deserving recipient of the Green Business of the Year award.

“This innovative company deserves to be recognized for their efforts in helping our environment,” Oplinger said.

For more information about Womencare Shelter,  call (360) 671-8539 or visit www.womencareshelter.org. For more information, about Earth First Lawn Care, call (360) 813-0040 or visit www.earthfirstlawncare.com.

These awards along with the Large and Small Businesses of the Year, and the Man and Woman of the Year Awards will be announced at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet on Dec. 9 at Lakeway Inn and Conference Center. For ticket information, contact the Chamber at (360) 734-1330.

Washington state is just ranked second on the Forbes.com annual “Best States for Business” list, which is up from a No. 3 ranking in 2006. This year, Virginia was ranked No. 1.

The magazine ranks all 50 states and the ranking measures six vital categories for businesses: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. Business costs that include labor, energy and taxes are weighted the most heavily.

Soon after the ranking was released, Gov. Chris Gregoire, released a statement.

“I am delighted that Washington increased its position in the Forbes.com rankings. Our high ranking is a testament to Washington’s strong workforce training programs, our schools, the ingenuity of the state’s companies, our superior global ties and our desirable quality of life,” Gregoire said in a statement.

Washington ranks No. 1 in the country for its growth prospects and No. 3 for overall economic climate. However, the state ranked No. 27 for business costs and No. 24 for quality of life.

To see the entire list, click here.

Illustrator Rick Mullen was chosen for an Award of Excellence for the second time by the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) and will be included in the organization’s 24th annual exhibition this October in Miami.

For the past 24 years, ASAI has presented Architecture in Perspective, an annual international competition and exhibition of architectural illustration. This year, a distinguished jury selected 50 award winners and six special award winners from over 500 entries.

Mullen’s winning image, a watercolor rendering of the San Juan Passage residential development in Anacortes, Wash. designed by Donald Powers Architects in Providence, R.I.,  was one of the 50 award winners that will become part of the exhibit in Florida and travel to various venues through 2010.

Clean Air Lawn Care has been nominated to be Entrepreneur Magazine’s Emerging Entrepreneur of 2009.

The company has a commitment to being green, setting high ethical and environmental standards, and being an example to others.

For more information on Clean Air Lawn Care Bellingham, contact Rob Brulotte at (590) 314-9023.

Industrial Credit Union recently presented $1,000 scholarships to four students: Agbeko Petty, Tianna Schneider, Kelly Alleen and Karen Cooke.

Petty graduated in 2009 from Ferndale High School, where she was a student body officer and sports editor of the school’s newspaper. She is attending the University of Washington this fall to study business and marketing.

Schneider is enrolled at Whatcom Community College and plans to become a para-educator. She graduated from Mount Baker High School, where she was president of the Red Cross Club and competed in track and field.

Cooke, a working mother after graduating from Ferndale High School, is returning to school at Bellingham Technical College to earn an administrative assistant degree. Cooke said enhanced knowledge of computer programs would make her a more valuable employee.

Alleen is seeking a master’s degree in applied anthropology from Northern Arizona University. She previously attended Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University.

Industrial Credit Union, founded in 1941, is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution that is owned and controlled by its 21,000 members. For more information, call (360) 734-2043 or visit www.industrialcu.org.

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Tim Villhauer, AAMS recently received the Jack Phelan Award for his outstanding sales and service efforts over the past year. Villhauer’s office is located at 1200 10th St., Suite 102 in Historic Fairhaven.

“When you work for a firm that is known for its outstanding service, it’s quite an honor to be singled out for your service record,” Villhauer said.

Only 3,229 of the firm’s more than 12,000 financial advisors received the Jack Phelan award. Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom.