Chris Johnson has joined Northwest Computer as retail operations manager. Johnson was formerly operations manager for Circuit City in Bellingham and has a degree in business from Western Washington University.
RE/MAX Whatcom County ranks among top 500 agencies
RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc., ranks among the country’s top 500 real estate firms in closed transaction sides for the fourth consecutive year, according to the 2006 REAL Trends survey released in April.
RE/MAX Whatcom County was ranked 429th in 2006 with 1,408 closed transaction sides, which means it represented either the buyer or the seller in residential real estate transactions. RE/MAX Whatcom County is the only Western Washington agency with headquarters north of King County that earned a top-500 ranking.
RE/MAX Whatcom County, founded by Dean and Lori Reece in 1991, has grown to more than 100 Realtors. Its five offices are located in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Sudden Valley and Point Roberts.
Private Gardens Design in Top 50 Talent list
Bellingham landscape designer Susan Harrison has made the Top 50 Talent list in the April 2007 issue of Seattle-based Northwest Home and Garden Magazine.
Susan Harrison is president and principal designer at Private Gardens Design, Inc., a Bellingham landscape design and construction company established by her in January of 1990 and known locally for award-winning design, carefully planned and beautifully executed stonework, and an extensive plant palette. She is a certified member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers.
Washroom Wizard! certified as EnviroStar
EnviroStar certified restroom cleaning and odor control specialists Washroom Wizard! for a 4-star certification that recognizes businesses that manage and work to reduce hazardous waste. Owner Cynthia Powers said the company uses products with no negative impact on the environment, and has done so for the last 12 years of operation.
RE/MAX real estate team focuses on luxury properties
Two RE/MAX Whatcom County real estate agents have created the team of Daniels & Seguin, luxury home specialists, and are two of four agents in Whatcom County who have earned the designation of Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. They also have a combined total of more than 20 years of real estate sales experience that includes the marketing of large developments.
The Daniels & Seguin team includes a third real estate agent, Scarlett Bourcier, and a client-care specialist, Sandy Harper. All three agents also will continue to assist buyers and sellers of all Whatcom County properties through RE/MAX’s Lakeway office.
David Peterson named executive chef at Lakeway Inn
David Peterson, who has more than 13 years of restaurant and resort experience, has been named executive chef at Bellingham’s Lakeway Inn & Conference Center.
Peterson is directing all food-service operations at the Lakeway Inn, including The Oboe Café, Poppe’s Bistro & Lounge, on-site banquets and off-site catering. Peterson’s culinary background includes two years at The Enchantment Resort, a four-star restaurant in Sedona, Ariz. Since 1998 he has overseen kitchens and created menus at various Whatcom County restaurants, including Big Fat Fish Co., Fuego 542 and Boundary Bay Brewery.
Technology Alliance Group appoints executive director
Bellingham’s Technology Alliance Group appointed public relations chair of the board Anna Ehnmark as the organization’s first executive director. Ehnmark is co-owner of OpenAccess Network Services, LLC, a Bellingham-based Internet service provider. Previous to OpenAccess, Ehnmark was a founding member of a software consulting company and also worked for a non profit organization providing technical assistance to charitable groups.
Ehnmark received a master’s degree in International Business Administration and Economics from Umeå University, Sweden, and later earned an MBA from Western Washington University. Ehnmark grew up in Sweden and has also lived and worked in Spain and China, before moving to Bellingham in 1998.
Mason takes over as Century 21 sales manager
Steve Mason was named as Century 21’s new sales manager. Mason has been an agent with Century 21 Bay Properties for two years. He is active in both residential and commercial real estate sales. Mason has an extensive background in management and organization, and has acted as a consultant to a number of companies in the area.
New leadership at Mother Baby Center
Mother Baby Center (MBC), a not-for-profit organization that provides services to pregnant and post-partum women and their families throughout Whatcom County, has hired Linda Dorsett to manage their next phase of growth. Dorsett is a management consultant from EnVision Consulting, Inc. Mother Baby Center is hoping to expand their work by increasing the services and resources they can provide to families in need.
Lynn Bell receives state award
Lynn Bell, Western Washington University Facilities Management Administrative Services manager, was awarded the Washington State Combined Fund Drive (CFD) Sustained Excellence Award for 2006. Gov. Christine Gregoire presented the award on Jan. 31. Bell also became the reporting coordinator for Western and began participating on the Whatcom County CFD executive committee.
The CFD is a Washington state public employees and retirees workplace giving program. Since 1984, the CFD has given over $74 million to more than 3,100 organizations such as the National Park Foundation, Whatcom Humane Society and the National Wildlife Federation.
Northwest Honda appoints Miller to sales position
Longtime Whatcom County resident Mike Miller has just accepted a position as a sales consultant at Northwest Honda in Bellingham.
Miller has six years of experience as one of the top salespeople at a Bellingham car dealership. He also has attended seminars on financing, leasing, safety features and commercial sales.
Coyle named account representative for Cascade Radio Group
Al Coyle has been appointed an account representative for the Bellingham-based Cascade Radio Group.
A Whatcom County native, Coyle has six years of experience in media sales. He is a member of Whatcom Young Professionals and the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce. Coyle also volunteers in assisting local high-school track and cross-country teams.
Coyle develops marketing campaigns and promotions for clients of radio stations KGMI, KPUG and KBAI. KGMI emphasizes local and national news and talk shows. KPUG focuses on game broadcasts of local high schools, University of Washington and Seattle’s professional teams, as well as local and syndicated sports talk shows. KBAI plays “good-time oldies” and broadcasts Western Washington University football and basketball games.
Cheryl Fischer promoted to assistant vice president at Banner Bank
Banner Bank has promoted Cheryl Fischer to assistant vice president at the Lynden branch. Fischer will continue to serve as Lynden’s branch manager.
Fischer has more than 15 years of banking experience and joined Banner in 2006. Prior to that, she worked for Bank of America as a retail branch manager and as an account executive specializing in home mortgage accounts at Wells Fargo.
Ahern joins CCg, Inc.
Caitlin Ahern has joined CCg, Inc. as media coordinator. Ahern comes to CCg from SPIE where she was employed as an editorial assistant. Her previous experience includes work for Vanity Fair Magazine and Gotham Inc., an advertising agency in New York where she worked on the Maybelline Cosmetics account. She is originally from Somplace, Virginia.
Peoples Bank hires Gena Stremler as real estate loan representative
Peoples Bank has hired Gena Stremler as real estate loan representative at the bank’s Bellingham Home Loan Center located at 4183 Meridian Street in Bellingham.
Stremler joins Peoples Bank with 15 years of mortgage lending experience. In her new position, she will be responsible for offering her customers a wide range of mortgage services, including first-time homebuyer programs, construction loans, and purchase and refinance loans within Whatcom County. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Western Washington University and she is an active member in the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County.
McCoy travels to Washington, D.C. for live telecast
Judy McCoy, co-owner and administrative manager of Camtec Precision, Inc., a precision tool and die shop in Bellingham, traveled to the Boos Allen Hamilton Company in Washington, D.C., April 23 and 24 to serve as the on-site facilitator for the 20th Anniversary presentation of the 2007 Annual Briefing for Administrative Professionals telecast around the world. This live satellite-training event held during Administrative Professionals Week is devoted to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of administrative professionals.
McCoy, a 17-year member of the Bellingham chapter, had served in officer positions at the chapter and division levels prior to election to the international board in 2001. McCoy is also a long time member of the Women’s Professional Network and was named Professional Woman of the Year in 1998 by Whatcom Women in Business.
New chief executive at St. Joseph Hospital
Nancy Steiger will be the new CEO and chief mission officer of St. Joseph Hospital and the PeaceHealth Whatcom Region as of July 1. Steiger will succeed Nancy Bitting, who is retiring after 10 years with the Whatcom Region. Steiger comes to St. Joseph from San Mateo (Calif.) Medical Center where she is CEO of a 509-bed public hospital, nursing facility and clinic operation.
In her new role, Steiger will oversee the region’s healthcare operations, medical staff relations, foundation, development and long-range strategic planning. Steiger’s achievements include the development of a foundation and creation of one of the most advanced public clinic operations in the Bay Area.
Bellingham RE/MAX Agent receives “Most Referred” award
Michelle Clark, an associate broker for RE/MAX Whatcom County, has been named among the top three “most referred” real-estate agents in Bellingham. The Most Referred Real Estate Agents, Inc., commissioned a survey of more than 75,000 agents, asking whom they would recommend if they were no longer selling real estate.
Clark has 20 years of real estate experience and is based in RE/MAX’s Lakeway office. She has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative and Certified Residential Specialist designations and is a graduate of the Realtors Institute.
Northern Economics, adds full-time staff
Bill Schenken, MBA, accepted a full-time job offer this March to become the fourth consultant in the Bellingham office of Northern Economics, Inc. Schenken started with Northern Economics as an intern in January 2006 while completing his MBA in Sustainable Business at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute.
Moss Adams LLP welcomes new staff
Virginia Cronin received her bbachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Central Washington University. She is a staff accountant.
Casey Holloran received her bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in Spanish from Western Washington University in 2007. She is a staff accountant.
Jay Liu received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Washington State University in 1998. His recent experience includes the last three years working at a national public accounting firm. He is a senior accountant in the business assurance department.
Crystal R. Volk received her bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in French from Gonzaga University in 2002, and is a staff accountant in the business assurance department. She transferred from the Moss Adams Tacoma office.
K&K Industries promotes Sperry to general manager
Local part-cutting and manufacturing company K&K Industries promoted Robert Sperry to general manager. Sperry worked as a laser programmer and in inside sales since 2004 and has more than 10 years of experience in the cutting business.
Sammeth joins Lynden Therapy Specialist
Michele Sammeth, MPT, has recently joined Lynden Therapy Specialist, at the Bellingham office. She previously resided in Seattle, where she worked for the past 12 years at an out-patient orthopedic clinic.
Michele graduated with honors from the University of Puget Sound with a Master of Physical Therapy degree in 1992. She has experience working with a variety of conditions and injuries. She utilizes an eclectic approach to treatment, based on her 15 years of continuing education, as well as her experience.
Pioneer Ford GM completes management program
Pete Wolkin, general manager and co-owner of Pioneer Ford in Lynden, recently completed a one-year dealership management course. Wolkin graduated from the Dealer Candidate Academy of the National Automobile Dealers Association. The specialized training curriculum is designed to improve the skills of owners and high-level management at dealerships.
Haggen systems administrator graduates from USC program
Norris Johnson, senior systems administrator for Haggen, Inc., graduated April 25 from a 14-week management program at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Johnson completed the Food Industry Management Program at USC’s Marshall School of Business. The program, sponsored by the Western Association of Food Chains, is designed to develop general management skills, leadership qualities and communication expertise.
Johnson, a graduate of Washington State University, joined Haggen, Inc., in 2003 as a systems administrator and then was promoted to his current position at corporate headquarters in Bellingham.
Barron Heating adds personnel, wins award
Bellingham-based Barron Heating & Air Conditioning has added several new staff members. Barron Heating was the only Washington state business to earn a Silver Medallion Award for sales and service from Jaccuzzi. The 35-year-old, locally owned company now employs 105 people and serves customers in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan and Island counties.
Forrest Schandel and Carol Kvangnes have joined the sales team of the company’s two stores, Backyards and Fireplaces For Your Home, in Mt. Vernon. Kvangnes comes with 12 years of sales experience in backyard design and furnishings. New sales associate Elsie Snow has a background in interior design. Chris Hallgrimson has been hired as a new warehouse manager, bringing with him an extensive background in inventory, warehousing and delivery.
Cathryn Shepherd, in management at the two stores since they opened two years ago, has been promoted to retail store manager for both stores. She is now responsible for purchasing and merchandising, customer service and sales staff.
Former Mt. Vernon operations manager, Chris Baisch has been promoted to Barron’s/Backyards corporate sales manager. Baisch has worked for the company for three years and is now responsible for sales budgets and strategies, marketing and personnel.
In addition, two new residential HVAC Specialists have been hired for Bellingham’s Barron Heating & Air Conditioning, including Wes Diskin and Grant Albert. Albert’s specialty is indoor air quality.
Banner Bank promotes Graves in Blaine
Banner Bank promoted Anne Graves to assistant vice president at the Blaine branch. Graves will continue to serve as Blaine’s branch manager. Graves joined Banner Bank in 1997. She also has served as a teller, operations assistant and customer service manager.
Emily Weiner opens communications business
Emily Weiner has opened a business, in her own name, which offers writing, editing, proofreading, research, publicity and data presentation services.
Weiner handles large or small communications projects, including press releases, annual reports, narratives and the graphic display of statistics. She collaborates with designers or works independently for clients.
She was news editor of Cascadia Weekly from March 2006 to January 2007, and wrote and copy edited for The Bellingham Herald from 1997 to 2005. Weiner taught courses in the presentation of data (maps, charts and diagrams) for Western Washington University from 1993 to 1997. She produced maps and charts for The New York Times from 1978 to 1990.
Angell and Richardson honored at award luncheon
State Street Insurance agents Carl Angell and Scott Richardson were honored at the NW Insurance Council Annual Award luncheon. Both agents have spoken at schools and community meetings about insurance topics for more than 25 years.
Sterling Builders marketing director completes class
Marie MacWhyte, Sterling Builders’ marketing director, recently completed a two-day Green Built class sponsored by the Building Industry Association.
Sterling Real Estate Group hires Richard Baila
Sterling Real Estate Group has added Richard Baila to the company. Baila had been an independent businessman in Bellingham since 1971. He is currently the vice president for the Certified Residential Specialists organization, and he has also served as treasurer of the Washington Association of Realtors.
Rystrom completes training in childhood/adolescent weight management
Jan Kincaid Rystrom of Haggen, Inc., recently earned a certificate of training in childhood and adolescent weight management from the American Dietetic Association.
The program is designed to educate professionals about weight management care. The program also covers nutrition guidelines for healthy eating for children and adolescents.
According to the ADA, approximately 10 percent of children ages 2-5 and 15 percent of children ages 6-11 are overweight.
Rystrom is manager of Haggen’s WellAware classes, as well as a certified diabetes educator and a nutritionist. She will be presenting classes this summer on shopping practices, menu planning and cooking skills that enhance a healthy lifestyle. The classes will be open to children, adolescents and parents.
Five agents join RE/MAX Whatcom County’s Bellingham office
Five real-estate agents recently joined the Lakeway office of RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc.
Pete Coy, a Whatcom County agent since 1980, has real-estate experience with homes, commercial buildings and vacant land. A former president of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Coy has earned an MBA as well as the designations of Certified Residential Specialist and Accredited Buyer Representative.
Bernd Werny, an agent since 1999, focuses on residential properties and the needs of senior citizens. He also has a background in restaurant ownership and management.
Michele Boudreau has six years of real-estate experience and recently moved north from La Jolla, Calif. The highly competitive real-estate market in the San Diego area sharpened her skills at marketing listings, she said. Boudreau also has broker licenses in Washington and California.
Two former contractors will use their construction knowledge to help buyers and sellers. Ron Kulman spent 25 years as a general contractor specializing in log homes, new construction and remodeling projects. Mark Lawrence has 20 years of experience in public and private construction.
Local agent honored by COUNTRY
COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services Agent Ryan Grams of Bellingham has earned a position on the organization’s distinguished All American team. Grams is among a group of 372 top COUNTRY agents and agency managers who qualified for the award. COUNTRY has more than 2,000 agents and agency managers in 14 states. He has been named an All American four times. All American is awarded each year by COUNTRY to agents and agency managers who have excelled in identifying insurance products and financial solutions that fit the needs of their clients.
Thomas expands professional training
Misty Thomas, interior designer and organizer with Home Artistry attended the 2007 Annual Conference and Organizing Expo of the National Association of Professional Organizers April 24-27 at the Minneapolis Hilton and Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Thomas was one of more than 900 delegates to this year’s conference.
Business Bank hires IT manager
Brian Fannin has recently been hired as IT manager for Business Bank of Skagit and Whatcom Counties. Fannin’s many certifications include Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer 2003, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator 2003 with Security Specialization, and Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist. Fannin’s recent experience is in the design and creation of computer networks, and has established numerous IT solutions for businesses in Skagit & Whatcom County. Fannin is also a US Navy veteran and a musician in a local band.
Tourism bureau hires marketing intern
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism hired Wendy Carpenter as the spring marketing and public relations intern. Carpenter’s responsibilities at the bureau include working with local and national media to promote the region as a desirable travel destination, tracking media publicity and assisting with key marketing projects such as the bureau’s award-winning Roadtrip Programs that promote travel packages throughout the region.
Carpenter, a Woodenville, Wash. native, is currently a senior at Western Washington University working toward a communications major. She has also worked at Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, and she will graduate at the end of 2007.
New executive director for the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra
Mary Kay Robinson was announced as the new executive director of the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra. Robinson received her undergraduate degree in Music Education and taught middle and high school music. After a return to school to receive her MBA, she made a career change and spent 20 years in the banking industry, most recently in management with Washington Mutual.
Robinson is also dedicating her marathon run in the inaugural Bellingham Bay Marathon on October 7 to raising money for the Symphony and its educational outreach programs.
McNamar joins Fairhaven Realty
Nanc McNamar joined Fairhaven Realty as a realtor. Born and raised in Seattle, McNamar worked for the University of Washington School of Medicine for nearly twenty years and moved to Bellingham in 1998. In 2004, they moved to the big island of Hawaii where McNamar got her real estate license before returning to Bellingham.
Awards and Anniversaries
Amana Income Fund receives award
Amana Income Fund, managed by Nicholas Kaiser, president and portfolio manager of Saturna Capital Corporation, has received a Lipper 2007 U.S. Best Equity Income Award. The fund was chosen from 180 funds in its category for demonstrating consistently strong risk-adjusted returns compared with peers. The Amana Funds are designed for Muslim Americans who wish to invest according to Islamic principles (sharia).
KGMI receives regional award
Bellingham’s news-talk radio station, KGMI 790 AM, was awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast in the 5-state northwest region for 2006. This is the second year in a row that KGMI has received this award.
The Radio-Television News Directors Association selected KGMI based on a submission of a 3-hour newscast anchored by Brett Bonner and Jacqueline Cartier. The morning news on KGMI includes both local and national news, sports and weather. KGMI competed against other radio stations in both small and medium-size cities in the 5-state region that includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.
Dyrland reaches 20 years as Farmers agent
Erik Dyrland, local Farmers Insurance Agent, celebrates 20 years in business this year. Dyrland, born and raised in Bellingham, has been a top-producing agent for Farmers and has the third largest agency in Washington state.
Dyrland has been named to Farmers’ programs such as Presidents’ Council, Topper Club, Championship Status and Elite Commercial Agent – the only agent north of Everett to achieve this standing.
Northwest Computer named Microsoft ‘Gold’, Intel ‘Premier’
Microsoft Corporation has named Bellingham’s Northwest Computer a Gold Certified Partner. The Gold Certification recognizes advanced competencies in networking infrastructure solutions and customer service.
In addition to receiving the Gold Certified status from Microsoft, the company has been named an Intel “Premier Provider” for the fourth year in a row. The Premier Provider designation is awarded to only 300 Intel dealers out of more than 10,000 in North America.
Terra Organica celebrated 10th anniversary
Terra Organica, which opened in 1997 as North America’s first all organic grocery store, celebrated its 10th anniversary with on April 28.
Laserpoint Awards & Promotions celebrates 10 years
Laserpoint, owned by Randy and Kathy Cross, will be celebrating 10 years in business. Co-owner Randy Cross stated that “hitting that 10 year mark is huge. This year, Laserpoint has expanded their business and hired Chris Oates as the office manager.
Mad Dash Bicycle Courier celebrates 15 years in business
Mad Dash Bicycle Courier Service celebrated it’s 15th year of operation on Earth Day, April 22. Owner Laura Henkel said she attributes her continued success to the professionalism, dedication and dependability of her staff. She also believes there is a strong commitment of sustainability in the Bellingham community to support small and local business.
Mad Dash is a bike only courier service operating year-round in Bellingham, with four riders who operate within Bellingham’s city limits. The current route is approximately 35 miles with delivery areas including Fairhaven, Lakeway, Roeder, Barkley, Downtown and Meridian.
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro wins “Golden Ladle” award
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro won the 2007 “Golden Ladle” award for the best of show soup. The results stem from a formula of voting that combined balloting of the event’s attendees and a 12-member panel of judges.
The fourth annual Soup for Shelter event was held on Saturday, April 29, at Depot Market Square and in Boundary Bay’s beer garden. The event benefits the programs of Northwest Youth Services that provide shelter, housing and support services for runaway, homeless and abused children and youth.
