Sep 20, 1995

Washington Natural Gas

Scott W. Forslund, founder and president of Pine Ridge Associates, a market research firm in Edmonds, has been named manager of consumer information for Washington Natural Gas. Forslund joins the gas utility from Seattle City Light, where he had worked since 1987, most recently serving on the strategic business project team. He also was media relations manager from 1991 to March 1995. His previous work includes positions with the former Pacific Northwest magazine, the Bonneville Power Administration and King Broadcasting.

REI

Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), a national retailer of outdoor clothing and gear, has promoted Barb Williams to a new product manager position in the merchandising department of its Kent administrative headquarters. She will be responsible for the outdoor categories of basic clothing, kidswear and socks. Williams began her career with REI in 1986 at the company's Spokane store and most recently served as a merchandising inventory analyst and project manager in its merchandising department.

Sea-Tac Int'l Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has received the Federal Aviation Administration's Award for Outstanding Safety Innovation for its low-visibility operations and for a demonstration project to reduce runway collisions. With the new technology, which allows pilots to maneuver in fog, the FAA approved Sea-Tac as the first airport in the country to allow takeoffs with visibility as low as 300 feet, compared to 600 feet at all other U.S. airports. Sea-Tac uses a computerized lighting and runway control system that guards against accidental incursions of aircraft and vehicle traffic onto an active runway, and allows properly equipped planes to land in extremely low visibility. The airport was also the first in the country to use an advanced radar system that helps locate and keep track of airplanes and other vehicles on the ground during low visibility conditions. According to Port of Seattle Commissioner Paul Schell, the new technology has helped Sea-Tac cope with a growing air capacity crunch by improving operations in weather conditions that slow operations at the airport nearly 40 percent of the year.

Sep 19, 1995

Fred Meyer

James C. Aalberg has joined Portland-based regional retailer Fred Meyer Inc. as vice president and treasurer. He succeeds Mike Don, who was promoted to senior vice president of strategic planning and asset management. Aalberg comes to Fred Meyer from West One Bank in Portland, Ore., where he was vice president and senior commercial lender. He has 20 years of finance, cash management and other treasury experience gained primarily in the banking industry. His experience prior to West One includes Security Pacific Bank, Rainier National Bank and The Oregon Bank. Fred Meyer reported 1994 sales of $3.13 billion and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FMY. At the end of the third quarter the company will have 136 stores in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Alaska, Montana and California.

Asia Grille by Leeann Chin

A new restaurant concept by award-winning restaurateur Leeann Chin opened at University Village in Seattle on Monday. The eatery, which features cooking styles from throughout Asia, offers indoor and outdoor seating for 140 people, and an open kitchen so guests can see meals being prepared. Asia Grille by Leeann Chin represents a significant step in growth plans for Leeann Chin Inc., which has operated restaurants, carryouts and supermarket express location in Seattle for 15 years. The company expects to open two to three Asia Grille locations in the area in the coming year, and will open one or two additional restaurants in the Twin Cities.

Continental Savings Bank

Keith Smith has been promoted to director of information systems at Seattle-based Continental Savings Bank. Smith joined Continental in 1994 as a software support specialist. He formerly held a similar position at a national mortgage company. In his new post, Smith will manage Continental's technology and information systems at its home office in the Two Union Square Office Tower in downtown Seattle, as well as its 16 residential lending branches Washington, Oregon and Hawaii and seven savings bank branches in Western Washington.

Anderson Consulting

Anderson Consulting, a global management and technology consulting firm, has promoted 25 employees. Ratna S. Anagol, Lisa L. Bockenstedt, Valerie S. Cleofe, Michael S. Cowden, James W. Dunkelberger, Brooke R. Ferrier, Julie S. Goodell, J. Mark Goris, C. Brad Gustafson, Tyson Hartman, Georgialee Held, Darin L. Hilliker, Kristine A. Jacobs, Erik A. Kastner, Timothy J. Klug, Eric A. Lafnitzegger, Greg P. Luethe, Neil A. Mefford, Joel D. Mezistrano, William H. Murray, Michael L. Nation, Seth E. Patton, Robert A. Schmieder, Raymund L. Suarez and Shani S. Trudgian were all promoted to consultant in the Seattle office.

Sep 18, 1995

Harborview Medical Center

Vivian Cary Jenkins, chief operating officer, and Joseph A. Marotta, administrative director of Radiology, Security and Commuter Services at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, have been advanced to fellow status in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), an international professional society representing over 30,000 healthcare executives. Fellow status is the highest level of professional achievement in the college. To obtain the designation, members must demonstrate their education, experience and leadership in the healthcare field over a period of several years, and complete a significant project on a subject related to healthcare management. There are currently 2,900 health care executives in the nation who have earned Fellow status, of which 294 are women.

Century 21

Craig Barone has been named business consultant for the Century 21 Northwest Region, which consists of 185 independently owned and operated real estate brokerage offices throughout Washington, Oregon and Western Idaho. Barone has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. He was previously vice president of franchise development for Qpoint International. A real estate agent in college, Barone opened his first Century 21 office in 1975, expanding to become the largest multi-office Century 21 brokerage in the state of Ohio. He also previously served as regional director for Re/Max of Ohio and as marketing director for Bellevue-based Re/Max Pacific Northwest. Barone will work in Century 21's regional office in SeaTac.

Seattle Schools

Joseph Olchefske has been appointed chief financial officer for Seattle Schools, succeeding June McHaney who resigned her position to launch a new business. Olchefske comes to Seattle Schools from Piper Jaffray where he was founder and managing director of the public finance department for the past 11 years. At Piper Jaffray, Olchefske acted as financial adviser and underwriter for such public corporations as the Port of Seattle, University of Washington, City of Seattle, and various cities and counties, assisting them with financial planning and bond issuances.

The Hotel Group

Amy Spain has been named director of sales for the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center-Everett, managed by Seattle-based The Hotel Group. Prior to joining the 249-room facility, Spain was a customer service representative for Accusystems in Seattle. Her background includes serving as director of sales for the Holiday Inn, Dayton Mall, Dayton, Ohio; and the Sheraton Greenway Inn, Phoenix, Ariz. She also has served as sales manager for the Doubletree Inn, located in Phoenix, and the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.