Mar 19, 1996

Metropolitan Catering

Rick Prosser has been appointed director of sales for Metropolitan Catering. Prosser will manage a sales team of six event planners whose primary focus will be corporate entertaining and special events.

The Portola Group, Inc.

The Portola Group, Inc., a California-based investment counseling firm serving families and individual investors, is opening a new office at Carillon Point in Kirkland. As part of its expansion Portola has hired John Parkey as vice president and portfolio manager. Joining Parkey are John Christianson as vice president and portfolio manager, and Kevin Fitzwilson as a third portfolio manager in the new office.

Primus Communications

Seattle-based Primus Communications Corporation has hired James Robb as senior vice president of worldwide sales. Robb will manage Primus' worldwide sales efforts and expand its direct sales organization to meet high demands for the company's products. Previously Robb served as senior vice president of sales and marketing for FourGen Software, Inc. Primus develops problem-resolution and knowledge-sharing software that helps technology companies implement Solution-Centered Support, a new support strategy developed in conjunction with the Customer Support Consortium.

McCann-Erickson Seattle

Samie Barr has been promoted to vice president at McCann-Erickson Seattle. Barr joined McCann in 1990 as an account coordinator and most recently acted as account supervisor. Prior to McCann she worked at Cole & Weber.

PacifiCare of Washington

PacifiCare of Washington, a managed healthcare organization, has promoted Suzanne Daly to provider relations manager and Kevin Brown to sales manager. Daly will be responsible for provider contract administration, provider services and credentialing for the state of Washington. Brown will oversee commercial sales and marketing functions for the state of Washington.

Mar 15, 1996

Seattle Solid Waste Utility

Vernon Connally has been named Field Operations Director for the Seattle Solid Waste Utility. He will oversee the City's two Recycling and Disposal Stations, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, and the monitoring of old landfill sites.

Toll Free Cellular

David A. Marques has been named director of carrier relations for Toll Free Cellular, a locally-based company responsible for launching the nation's first toll and airtime-free service for cellular telephone users. As director, Marques will be instrumental in developing and managing relationships with cellular carriers and other wireless service providers nationwide.

WHaM Communications

Michelle Klingman has joined Seattle-based WHaM Communications as an account coordinator. She will be conducting media relations, consumer product marketing, special event coordination and sponsorship development for clients Cascade Clear, Beaverton Foods, Stockpot Soups, Partners Crackers, Big Head Coffee Cola, Liberty Orchards and Sweet Charlottes. Previously Klingman worked for Austin Kelley Advertising in Atlanta as an account coordinator.

Piranha Productions, Inc.

Piranha Productions, Inc., a full-service post-production and editing studio, has expanded its capabilities to include QuickTime VR. QuickTime VR is Apple Computer's newest virtual reality product allowing users to control 3-D images of objects of their personal computers. With QuickTime VR, Piranha can use either photographs or computer-rendered images to create a movie.

Elgin DDB and Elgin Syferd Public Relations

Five new staff members have joined Elgin DDB and Elgin Syferd Public Relations. Joining Elgin DDB's creative department are Greg Brown as art director and Chris Halas as a copywriter. Steve Sommers has been hired as an assistant planner and buyer in Elgin DDB's media department. Three promotions have also been announced within Elgin DDB. Leann Ebe is now vice president/account supervisor, Jerry Grant was promoted to vice president/director of broadcast production, and Suzanne Dwyer is now a media planner and buyer. Elgin Syferd Public Relations (ESPR) has added two new staff positions in its Emerging Technologies Group to help manage the agency's rapidly increasing high-tech client base. Laura Bridenback has been hired as a senior account executive and Rick Keller joins ESPR as an administrative assistant.

Columbia Resource Group

Columbia Resource Group (CRG), a Seattle-based national and international event and destination management company, has merged with their competitor Presitige Events. The companies will operate as one under the name Columbia Resource Group (CRG). The merger makes CRG one of the largest event and destination management companies in region. Five Prestige employees, including its president, Catherine Springman, will join CRG at its Seattle head quarters.

Y Design

Yonezawa Design has changed its name to Y Design. The firm is still located at 1109 First Avenue, Suite 212, Seattle.