Mar 02, 2005

Columbia Bank

Columbia Bank added Tom Mahaffee as vice president and equipment finance manager, based in Tacoma. He has 30 years of experience including work as a regional credit manager. Carol Smith is a vice president and commercial banking officer and replaces Pat Kauppila, who recently retired. Smith has 22 years of banking experience and was a lecturer at the University of Maryland in Nuernberg, Germany.

Dorsey & Whitney

International law firm Dorsey & Whitney announced Nelson Dong of its Seattle office was named as a vice president of the Washington State China Relations Council. Dong is a co-chair of Dorsey's Asian law practice group and a technology business lawyer. The council is a Seattle-based China-related trade promotion group. Professor David Bachman of the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies, will be the group's president.

UtilX Corp.

Seattle-based UtilX Corp. hired Jack Stel as vice president of international business development. Stel will develop and lead international operations that already provide services to utility and telecommunications customers.

Boise State University

Richard L. Frisch was named vice president for university advancement at Boise State University. Frisch was president of the Washington State University Foundation and WSU vice president of development.

ShoreBank Pacific

L. Randolph Todd joined Ilwaco-based ShoreBank Pacific as senior vice president, chief credit officer. Todd has more than 20 years of financial industry experience and replaces John O'Phelan, who will focus on the bank's work with fisheries and seafood-related industries in the coastal region. ShoreBank will open a new lending office in Federal Way. Randal Shipley will lead the office, managing commercial lending in the South Puget Sound, Grays Harbor and Olympic Peninsula markets. ShoreBank has moved its Olympia office to 33801 First Way S., Suite 291 in Federal Way. The bank is headquartered in Ilwaco, Pacific County.

Three-Five Systems

Tempe, Ariz.-based Three-Five Systems promoted David A. Prunier to vice president and general manager for its Redmond manufacturing operation. Prunier was general manager for the Seattle site operations of contract manufacturer Plexus.

Biotechnology & Biomedical Association

The Seattle-based Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association selected Jack Faris as president. Faris replaces Ruth Scott, who is retiring. The association is a nonprofit with 400 members, including research institutions, biotechnology and medical device companies, and other businesses with an interest in the life sciences.

Mar 01, 2005

Honda, Toyota of Seattle

Chris Smyth joined Honda of Seattle as finance and insurance manager in the downtown Seattle dealership located on Olive Way and Boren. Toyota of Seattle hired Dani Hatcher as finance and insurance manager in its downtown Seattle dealership on Eighth Avenue and Blanchard. Toyota of Seattle appointed Michael Loney general manager.

Downtown Seattle Association

The Downtown Seattle Association hired Asia Rau as events producer. Rau will manage breakfast forums, holiday events and the Out to Lunch Summer Concert Series. Rau produced events for Bellevue Downtown Association and for the University of Washington Alumni Association.

Washington State University

Keith J. Jones is the new director of the Office of Intellectual Property Administration at Washington State University and will work on turning results of university research into economic development opportunities in the private sector. Jones is also executive director of the WSU Research Foundation. WSU currently has 180 active patent or biomaterials licenses to 65 companies. Jones was director of commercialization in life sciences for Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties. Washington State Research Foundation is a non-profit based in Pullman.

Dorsey & Whitney

International law firm Dorsey & Whitney announced Nelson Dong of its Seattle office has been elected a vice president of the Washington State China Relations Council, a China-related trade promotion group based in Seattle. Professor David Bachman of the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies, will be the group's 2005 President. Dong is a co-chair of Dorsey's Asian law practice group.