Apr 07, 2009

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

Rob Blethen has been named publisher of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. He has been associate publisher since September of 2008, and also was director of advertising for the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram. He will report to Seattle Times Washington Affiliate Newspaper President Michael Shepard. Blethen succeeds Larry Duthie. Duthie retired April 3.

State Department of Revenue

The Washington State Department of Revenue won both of the 2009 national awards announced by the Federation of Tax Administrators, one for its efforts to help taxpayers adjust to a major change to sales tax laws and another for innovative ethics training of its employees.

Workforce Development Council

Marléna Sessions will head the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. The nonprofit workforce “think tank” and grant-making organization oversees a large system of employment and training in Seattle and King County. She will replace outgoing Chief Executive Officer Kris Stadelman. Sessions has been chief operations officer. The WDC's budget will increase to include federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding intended to get Americans back to work and to provide youth with summer job opportunities.

Apr 03, 2009

Life Care Center of Federal Way

Life Care Center of Federal Way, a nursing and rehabilitation facility, hired Jennifer Crawford as executive director. Crawford has 12 years experience in health care, with eight years in long-term care.

Heavy Restaurant Group

Heavy Restaurant Group hired Dawn Smith as wine manager for three Bellevue restaurants slated to open mid 2009: Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, Barrio and Bliss. Smith spent three years with Canlis Restaurant and was recently sommelier and wine director at Bin Vivant at Kirkland's Woodmark Hotel.

Billing Revolution

Seattle-based Billing Revolution, a mobile payments and billing solutions company, hired Marc Saulino as vice president of business development. Saulino spent three years at Bango, a mobile Internet company.

Apr 02, 2009

Seattle Goodwill

The Seattle Goodwill board of directors has elected new officers to serve until March of 2010. John Hayduk of JTM Construction is the new chair and Michael Killeen of Davis Wright Tremaine has been named vice chair. Wayne Lau and Richard Pahre were reelected to serve another term. Lau is with Washington First International Bank and will be secretary. Pahre will be treasure. He is retired but formerly worked at Moss Adams.

Restaurants Unlimited

Restaurants Unlimited, an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, hired Norman Abdallah as chief executive officer and president. Abdallah was senior vice chairman and president of Amer Group, a $2 billion conglomerate of hotels, resorts, restaurants and real estate. Restaurants Unlimited operates 58 restaurants in 13 states including Washington. Restaurants include Palisade, Cutters Bayhouse, Palomino's and Stanford's Bar and Grill.

Randall PR

Randall PR in Seattle hired Sarah Silvernale. Silvernale spent the past two years in the California wine industry and worked for Balzac Communications & Marketing.