Sep 24, 1996

Quality Classics

Quality Classics has hired Jill Radel as the new communications manager and Bob Stelton as the new shipping manager. Radal, formerly with Ocean Kayak, Inc., will be responsible for managing customer service, inside sales and marketing. Stelton previously worked for Computech. Located in Renton, Quality Classics designs wearable art and gifts.

Young Entrepreneurs' Organization

The Seattle Chapter of the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO) has made the following appointments to its board for the 1996-97 business year. Michael Miller, president, Capital Planning Corporation; Lindsey Schwartz, education chair, Cucina! Cucina!; Phillip Erickson, education chair, Ocular Instruments; Peter Holland, membership chair, Teletronics Management Services; Mark Blumenthal, forum chair, Blumenthal Uniforms & Equipment; Michael Mayes, treasurer, Mayes Testing Engineers; Jay Glass, marketing chair, MarketAbility. YEO is an international organization for business owners under the age of 40.

PTI announces new office, staff additions

BELLEVUE -- PTI Environmental Services has announced the addition of new staff members and the opening of a new office in Washington, D.C. The Bellevue-based firm recently hired Thomas Redd as an environmental engineer. Thomas is a registered professional engineer with eight years of experience in environmental engineering and management. He has a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia, a master's degree in environmental engineering from Utah State and an M.B.A. in environmental management from the University of Washington. PTI opened its Washington, D.C. office in August. David Ludwig recently joined PTI as a principal. He will work out of the new office. Ludwig received his doctorate in systems ecology from the University of Georgia. He specializes in ecological risk assessment and ecotoxicology. The Washington, D.C. office is PTI's fourth branch office. Other branch offices are in Lake Oswego, Ore.; Boulder, Colo. and Waltham, Mass.

Med-Tox receives AIHA accreditation

KENT -- Kent-based laboratory Med-Tox Northwest has received accreditation from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for airborne asbestos analysis. AIHA is known for its stringent airborne asbestos quality control program. Carol Evans, laboratory manager at Med-Tox, is a graduate of the University of Washington's Department of Engineering. In addition to analytical services and surveys, Med-Tox Northwest provides abatement specifications and air monitoring.

Indian graves damaged by dam, court says

PORTLAND (AP) -- A Klamath Falls man who built a dam on his ranch to enhance wildlife habitat and provide irrigation has been indicted on charges he illegally excavated an Indian archaeological site. A federal grand jury last week indicted Oliver R. Spires, who owns car dealerships in Klamath Falls and Lakeview and built the Rivers End Dam in 1994 on his ranch 25 miles north of Lakeview. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian L. Sullivan said the charges allege Spires illegally excavated U.S. Bureau of Land Management property neighboring his ranch in the course of building the dam. The land included old Indian graves. After the discovery of human bones in the dam, the Klamath Tribes, the Fort Bidwell Indian Community in California and Wilson Wewa Jr. of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs sued to have the dam torn down. Lawsuits were filed against Spires, the dam contractor and the federal and state officials who approved the dam. Spires' attorney, David V. Marshall of Seattle, said Spires is innocent of the charges. "The bottom line is the federal authorities were fully aware of what was going on at that site, and it was their project," Marshall said. "They're using Oliver as a scapegoat for the fact that they're getting heat for granting the permits in the first place." Spires sued the federal government last year after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revoked his permit to build the dam, which was built with funding help from state and federal wildlife agencies. Spires said last year if he had known about the graves, they could have moved the site of the dam. Spires bought the Rivers End cattle ranch in 1992 and spent $350,000 on the dam, which was designed to enhance wetlands for fish and wildlife and provide irrigation for the ranch. Another $135,000 came from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ducks Unlimited, a nonprofit group that works to improve waterfowl habitat. Spires remained free and was expected to appear in federal court in Portland in late October for arraignment.

B.C. rivers recommended for heritage status

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Five of British Columbia's most outstanding rivers are being recommended to the provincial government for provincial heritage status. They are the Atnarko, Bella Coola, Horsefly, Kechika and Kettle. "It's important that we do all we can to manage and protect all rivers," said Mark Angelo, chair of the B.C. Heritage Rivers Board. "But some rivers have exceptional values that warrant extra attention." Last year, the board recommended the first seven rivers to be designated under the new B.C. Heritage Rivers System -- the Fraser, Skagit, Stikine, Adams, Babine, Blackwater and Cowichan. The government officially endorsed the recommendation last spring, a move that ensures a higher profile for the rivers but not outright protection. The eventual goal is to designate a total of 20 British Columbia rivers that display outstanding cultural, recreational and environmental values. Angelo said the declaration of heritage status is already paying dividends, citing the preservation of 670 acres on the Cowichan River and 14,820 acres on the upper Adams River during the past year. "It can result in positive action," he said. "It creates an awareness of how special our rivers are."

Sep 20, 1996

The Rockey Company

The Rockey Company has promoted Joe Quintana to senior vice president and Tim Zenk to vice president. Quintana joined the company in 1991 and specializes in managing complex public affairs issues for a wide range of corporate and government clients. Zenk, formerly a senior public affairs consultant at Rockey, has been with the company since 1995 and focuses his practice on environmental problem solving. Based in Seattle, the Rockey Company provides consulting services in public relations, public affairs, marketing communications, investor relations, and graphic design. The company also has offices located in Spokane and Portland.

Sep 18, 1996

Kvichak Marine Industries

Kvichak Marine Industries of Seattle has delivered seven new Bristol Bay gillnetters, exceeding its production run of 1995. Kvichak made some changes to this year's production, including re-engineering the boat for computer-controlled plasma cutting to ensure construction precision and consistency. The new design now packs 20,000 pounds of fish "under the boards."