Feb 17, 2021

Bellevue Chamber

The Bellevue Chamber has launched the New Executives program aimed at young professionals in the two through six year mark in their career. The program builds business skills, connects participants with senior executives and entrepreneurs, and creates long-term relationships with a core group of peers across several industries. Seattle University and Tombolo, in addition to leaders in the community, have partnered with the chamber to provide experts and resources for the program, which runs from March 9th through June 15th. For applications or more information, visit the chambers website at bellevuechamber.org/educate/new-execs/.

Mason Transit

Gwerder

Trina Gwerder has been named Mason Transit Authority's Employee of the Year. Gwerder has worked at Mason Transit Authority for 14 years, starting out as a shelter monitor. As one of three operations supervisors, she plans, supervises and coordinates transit schedules and services. In addition, she supervises about 34 drivers. Staff nominate fellow employees for Employee of the Year every February. Mason Transit leadership and the Employee Engagement Committee team select the recipient based on employee nominations.

PEMCO

PEMCO Mutual Insurance announced that Denice Town has joined its executive team in the newly created position of corporate governance officer, following her more than 40 years of service at the Seattle-based insurer. Town joined PEMCO in 1978 and has held several positions over her tenure, most recently serving as the company's corporate secretary, where she worked with senior managers, the executive team and PEMCO's board of directors. Town currently serves on the board of directors for the Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, and oversees a charitable foundation she founded with her husband, Patrick.

People's Bank

The shareholders of People's Bank of Commerce and Willamette Community Bank approved their proposed merger. Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Willamette Community Bank will merge with and into People's Bank of Commerce, with People's Bank of Commerce surviving the merger. The consummation of the proposed merger remains subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Founded in 1998, People's Bank of Commerce is headquartered in Medford. Willamette Community Bank is headquartered in Albany and was founded in 2003.

Feb 12, 2021

Mason Transit

Trina Gwerder has been named Mason Transit Authority's Employee of the Year. Gwerder has worked at Mason Transit for 14 years, starting out as a shelter monitor. As one of three operations supervisors, she plans, supervises and coordinates transit schedules and services. In addition, she supervises about 34 drivers. Staff nominate fellow employees for Employee of the Year every February. Mason Transit leadership and the Employee Engagement Committee team select the recipient based on employee nominations.

Bellevue Chamber

The Bellevue Chamber has launched the New Executives program for young professionals in the 2-6 year mark in their career. The program builds business skills, connects participants with senior executives and entrepreneurs, and creates long-term relationships with a core group of peers across several industries. This year, in addition to leaders in the community, Seattle University and Tombolo have partnered with the chamber to provide experts and resources. The schedule for the year is as follows: March 9th CEO Day, March 23rd Decision Making, Apr 6th Communication Enhancement, April 20th Financial Wellness, May 4th Relationship Building, May 18th Leading People, June 1st Civic Engagement and June 15th Community Involvement. For applications or more information, see https://bellevuechamber.org/educate/new-execs/.

Feb 11, 2021

JND Legal Administration

JND Legal Administration, a legal management and administration services provider serving plaintiff and defendant firms, corporations and government entities, hired Shandarese (Shandy) Garr as vice president of operations. Garr has over 25 years of experience in class action administration. Garr served as both vice president of securities and Midwest operations at Garden City Group. Garr is a former administrator for the National Association of Shareholder & Consumer Attorneys and has been a Mobilization for Justice board member since 2016. JND was founded in 2016 by Jennifer Keough, Neil Zola and David Isaac, and has offices in Washington, California, Minnesota, New York and Washington, D.C.

Ekata

Seattle-based Ekata, a provider of digital identity verification data, announced that in 2020 the company grew its global customer base and revenues, gained momentum in the financial services and payments sector, expanded its product portfolio, and drove growth in Europe and Asia-Pacific through its global offices and data infrastructure despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic lead to an increase in demand among global eCommerce providers for customer onboarding and fraud prevention solutions. In addition, a rapidly changing regulatory environment in the financial services and payments industry has led to increased demand for identity verification solutions, particularly in pre-credit-card-authorization use cases in Europe, according to CEO Rob Eleveld.

City of Bellevue

The city of Bellevue is presenting a series of virtual events for Black History Month, including a museum exhibition and panel on the history of racism. Now through March 31 the public is invited to explore a virtual adaptation of the American History Traveling Museum: The Unspoken Truths. The traveling museum is a collection of artifacts and information detailing elements of the history of racism in the U.S. and the Pacific Northwest, and sharing the experiences and innovations of the Black community. Museum creator Delbert Richardson chose select artifacts from his traveling exhibit to share as part of the virtual museum experience being presented in partnership with the city of Bellevue. On Feb. 18 a panel discussion will feature leaders in the community who will discuss the historical and current impacts of race in our communities. Registration information is available at https://bellevue-blackhistorypanel.eventbrite.com.