Apr 20, 2004

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Rik Jenkins is general manager of Ruth's Chris Steak House at Bellevue Square. Jenkins comes from the Seattle steak house where he also served as general manager.

Fisher Communications

Seattle-based Fisher Communications announced David D. Hillard has retired as chief financial officer. Fisher appointed Robert C. Bateman, 41, to succeed him. Hillard joined the company in 1979 and has served as senior vice president and chief financial officer since 1996. He will remain as senior vice president and assistant secretary until fully retiring in early July. Bateman was employed by Applied Microsystems from 1999 to 2003. Fisher has 10 network-affiliated television stations and 27 radio stations.

See Sound Lounge

Community Capital Development, the Seattle Women's Business Center and the Seattle District of the Small Business Administration will host the grand opening of the See Sound Lounge on April 30 at 115 Blanchard in Belltown. See Sound Lounge is owned and operated by Kristi Anderson and Bryce McKamey, who are principals of Urbane Renders.

Versaly Entertainment

Bellevue-based Versaly Entertainment, a wireless new media company, appointed Nogi Asp chief financial officer. Asp has 16 years' experience with technology companies and was chief financial officer of Seattle company BSquare Corp.

Microsoft

Microsoft appointed Connie Young as partner account manager of its Pacific Northwest district. Based in Bellevue, Young will work with Microsoft's strategic partners in Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Oregon.

Apr 16, 2004

Board and Commission appointments

Gov. Gary Locke announced Thuy Vu of Olympia has been reappointed to the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. Steve Lindstrom of Olympia is business development consultant and lobbyist for the Capitol Furnishings Preservation Committee. Ben Barstow of Palouse was reappointed to the Commission on Pesticide Registration. Carolyn Purnell of Seattle was reappointed to the state Board of Community and Technical Colleges.

Burke Museum

The Burke Museum on the University of Washington campus has added three board members: David Towne, Darcy Paschino and Roxanna Augusztiny. Towne was director of the Woodland Park Zoo and has a long background in public administration. Paschino is vice president and country manager for U.S. Bank, and develops strategies for Europe and Russia. Augusztiny has more than 30 years' of museum experience.

Atlantic Street Center

Seattle-based Atlantic Street Center received a $50,000 grant from the Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation. The grant will help the center with fundraising and public relations.

Atlantic Street Center aims to help families and communities raise healthy children. It provides counseling, leadership development programs, tutoring and recreational activities. For more information, contact (206) 329-2050 or ascinfo<@>atlanticstreet.org.

Point B Solutions Group

Seattle company Point B Solutions Group, a professional services firm specializing in project leadership, is opening a practice in Phoenix. Point B has grown from three to 145 associates in Seattle, Portland and Denver. The firm provides services to companies including Microsoft, Boeing Employees Credit Union and Mentor Graphics.

Umpqua Bank

Roseburg, Ore.-headquartered Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corp., is opening a loan production office in Bellevue. Umpqua will make commercial loans at this location while it seeks a permanent site for a flagship Umpqua Bank retail store in Bellevue. The new Bellevue facility at 800 Bellevue Way N.E. will also include the brokerage services of Strand, Atkinson, Williams & York, also a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings.

Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland

Kevin J. Collette, a lawyer with Seattle-based Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, was recognized by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. Collette is a corporate attorney with more than 23 years of experience. He speaks on franchising strategies, trademark protection and registration, licensing and e-commerce.