The Bellingham Business Journal

Rice Insurance recently hired five employees: Ian Ovenell, Amber Lindsey, Rebecca Sparks, Larissa Granger and Andrea Hale.

Ovenell, who was hired as Rice Insurance’s IT manager, was born and raised in Skagit County. He  attended Bellingham Techinical College, pursing a computer networking degree and is currently furthering his education in the field.

Lindsey is the new receptionist at Rice Insurance and new to Bellingham. After graduating with honors and earning her degree in interior design, Lindsey was able to move from Vancouver, B.C., to Washington to live with her husband and their dog.

Rice Insurance is expanding its Adult Family Home program, and hired Sparks to head that department. Sparks has more than 25 years of customer service management experience, marketing and public relations experience and a well-rounded financial background.

Granger, a graduate of the University of Oregon, joined Rice Insurance as the commercial lines assistant in May 2010. She is new to the insurance industry, but brings years of experience in professional office environments.

Hale, who moved to Washington four years ago, is a new member of the personal lines team at Rice Insurance. She has six years of experience specializing in commercial and personal lines insurance.