May 11, 2007

The Herbfarm

Ron Zimmerman and Carrie Van Dyck, owners of Woodinville restaurant The Herbfarm, said Executive Chef Jerry Traunfeld will be opening his own restaurant in Seattle in 2008. Traunfeld, author of two books on cooking with herbs, was inspired on a recent trip to central Asia to create a different kind of restaurant. He will remain at The Herbfarm until a replacement is found.

Slalom Consulting

Seattle-based Slalom Consulting, a national business and technology consulting firm, promoted Darren Alger to the newly created position of vice president of strategic accounts. Alger has been with the company for four years.

Puget Sound Energy

Puget Energy and its utility subsidiary, Puget Sound Energy, promoted Eric M. Markell to executive vice president and chief financial officer, Bertrand A. Valdman to executive vice president and chief operating officer and Kimberly J. Harris to executive vice president and chief resource officer.

REI

Seattle-based Recreational Equipment, Inc. plans to open a 29,000-square-foot store in Asheville, N.C., in the fall of 2008. It will be at the Biltmore Park Town Square, a new mixed-use village.

Spiration

Redmond-based Spiration, a developer of medical technology for the lungs, hired Nancy Hill as vice president of marketing. Hill was with Zaltana Stategies, a consulting firm she founded.

May 10, 2007

Destination Hotels & Resorts

Destination Hotels & Resorts hired Peggy Hawkinson and Kristi Klein as national sales managers at Suncadia, a resort 80 miles east of Seattle. Hawkinson worked with Altres, Inc. Klein was with Hotel Max in Seattle. Both will be based in the Bellevue office. Destination Hotels & Resorts is headquartered in suburban Denver.

Capitol Hill Housing Improvement Program

Mayor Greg Nickels is seeking candidates for the Capitol Hill Housing Improvement Program Board of Directors. The group develops, owns and manages buildings for low and moderate income households. Nickels will appoint one person to a three-year term. To be considered, send a resume and letter of interest by May 21 to Rebecca Hansen at Rebecca.Hansen@Seattle.gov. For more information, call Chuck Weinstock at (206) 329-7303.

WSU College of Business

Washington State University's College of Business National Board of Advisors hired David Grant, former president and CEO of Shurgard Storage Centers, in the two-year position of chair. Grant graduated from WSU in 1976 and has been involved with the school since then. He replaces Scott Carson, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The National Board of Advisors fosters closer ties between the College of Business, its alumni, students and the business community.

U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration recognized Davis Cortinas in its Region 10 Business Journalist Award. Cortinas is the publisher of the Spanish-language newspaper La Voz and is the founder of the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.