Jan 19, 2012

Banner Bank

Banner Bank has hired Frank Spicer as vice president and relationship manager. He will be based in Seattle and handle commercial lending for business clients. Spicer has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, most recently as relationship manager at Frontier Bank. He also worked at U.S. Bank and Seafirst Bank/Bank of America. Banner has 89 branch offices and seven loan offices Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

College Cellars

Three College Cellars wines made by students at Walla Walla Community College's Enology and Viticulture program were awarded medals in the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The 2008 Walla Walla Valley Sangiovese and the 2009 Columbia Valley Syrah won silver medals. The 2008 Walla Walla Valley Governor's Red won a bronze. The wines were produced by students under the direction of instructor Tim Donahue. The school said College Cellars is the first teaching/commercial winery at a two-year college in the United States. Proceeds support the wine education program.

NAES Corp.

Issaquah-based NAES Corp., a provider of services to the energy industry, hired Debra Olson as vice president and general counsel. She has served as the chief legal executive for several energy industry organizations, including Areva Solar, Vestas Americas and Calpine Corp. NAES is owned by Itochu International.

Jan 18, 2012

Washington Athletic Club

The Washington Athletic Club hired Chuck Nelson as president and CEO. Nelson was VP at Sila Solutions and is a director with the Seattle Sports Commission. He previously played football for the University of Washington and spent 20 years as a radio and TV announcer for UW football. He replaces Jim Johnson, who is retiring after 15 years.

SonoSite

Bothell-based SonoSite, a bedside and point-of-care ultrasound business, said Marcus Smith has resigned as senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Anil Amlani, the current president and CEO of SonoSite's VisualSonics subsidiary, has been appointed the new chief financial officer of SonoSite. Amlani has led businesses for 20 years.

Washington State Bar Association

The Washington State Bar Association Leadership Institute announced its 2012 class of fellows. They are Alia Ahmed of Wong Fleming; Sharonda Amamilo of the Thurston County Office of Assigned Counsel; Louise Bowman of Microsoft; Mario Cava of the Law Offices of Kelley J. Sweeney; Dean Chuang of Crary, Clark & Domanico; James Curtis of the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office; Maria Diana Garcia of Columbia Legal Services; David Howenstine of Mills Meyers Swartling; Lauren King of Byrnes Keller Cromwell; Jeffrey Liang of the Law Offices of Jeffrey Liang; Sarah Kate Vaughan of the U.S. Attorney's Office – Western District of Washington; and Karen Denise Wilson of the Skagit County Public Defender.

Jan 13, 2012

Jordan Ramis

Vancouver law firm Jordan Ramis hired land use attorney James Howsley to its Dirt Law Practice Group as a shareholder. Howsley has experience in land use approval and permitting, annexations, code amendments and other areas.

Ray's Boathouse

Ray's Boathouse, Cafe & Catering hired Wayne Johnson as executive chef. Johnson has been executive chef of Andaluca Restaurant and Oliver's Lounge at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle since 1999.

Seattle Symphony

The Seattle Symphony named Stilian Kirov the Douglas F. King assistant conductor. Kirov currently serves as a conducting fellow and will begin his new role for the orchestra's 2012–2013 season. He succeeds Eric Garcia, whose appointment in June. Kirov will conduct the Seattle Symphony for the first time in an open reading session on Jan. 31 in Benaroya Hall.