Oct 03, 1996

Labtec Enterprises

Labtec Enterprises, a Vancouver-based computer speaker manufacturer, has received the Washington Technology Fast 50 Award. Labtec ranked 12th in the honors presented by Deloitte & Touche which recognize the firms that have achieved the highest percentage of revenue growth over the past five years. Labtec appointed Randy Lervold senior vice president of North American sales. He was director of sales and marketing for the consumer electronics division at Allsop, Inc.

WEDFA

The Washington Economic Development Finance Authority (WEDFA) has completed its transition to an independent entity in September. The authority formerly received staffing support from the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). WEDFA has hired its first employee, Jonathan Hayes, as interim revenue bond programs manager. Its new offices are located at 1000 Second Avenue, Suite 2700, Seattle. WEDFA was developed to create innovative approaches to the problem of unmet capital needs. It issues both taxable and tax-exempt nonrecourse revenue bonds.

Esterline Technologies

Robert Cremin has been appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Esterline Technologies. Cremin will hold overall corporate responsibility for Esterline's 13 subsidiaries and will oversee the activities of the company's group vice presidents. Esterline manufactures engineered products for the commercial aircraft, aerospace and defense industries; automated equipment for the production of printed circuit boards and metal fabrication; and instrumentation for quality and process control.

Christensen O'Connor

John Johnson has joined the law firm of Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness as Of Counsel. Johnson previously was a partner with Graybeal Jackson Haley & Johnson. He will continue his practice of intellectual property law emphasizing chemical, biotechnical, biomedical and mechanical patent and trademark prosecution, licensing and litigation.

Totem Ocean Trailer Express

Assistant terminal manager Caroline Higgins has been promoted to Fairbanks manager at Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. (TOTE). TOTE is an Alaska steamship company that operates three roll-on/roll-off trailerships exclusively in the Alaska trade between the ports of Tacoma and Anchorage.

Frontier Bank

Everett-based, Frontier Bank, has received top rankings from two major rating bureaus. Bauer Financial Reports, Inc. has upgraded Frontier from a four-star to a five-star rating. Veribanc has designated Frontier as a "Blue Ribbon Bank," a designation awarded to institutions that demonstrate exceptional attention to safety, soundness and financial strength. Frontier Bank has recently opened its 17th office in Lake City, the first in the Seattle market.

Oct 02, 1996

GeoEngineers, Inc.

Gayle Guadarrama has joined the firm of GeoEngineers, Inc. as corporate marketing director. Guadarrama will be responsible for improving communication throughout the firm's six Pacific Northwest offices, helping with the planning of the firm's future and enhancing the firm's image in the community. She will work out of the Redmond office. GeoEngineers is a 150-person firm offering diverse geotechnical, environmental, geologic, and ground water consulting services.

Stone Construction Equipment, Inc.

Chris Perkins has been appointed as manager of the technical services department at Stone Construction Equipment, Inc. His new responsibilities will include, managing the technical services reps; developing a computerized diagnostic trouble shooting discipline; developing service school curricula; and implementing customer service school programs. Stone Construction Equipment designs, manufactures, and markets light construction equipment.

Penwest, Ltd.

Edmund Belsheim, Jr. is leaving the law offices of Bogle & Gates to join Penwest, Ltd. as vice president of corporate development, and general counsel. In his new position, Belsheim will help with the development and implementation of Penwest's near- and long-term strategic initiatives.

Metropolitan King County Council

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Greg Nickels has been appointed by Governor Mike Lowry to represent elected county officials on the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission. The Commission recommends sentencing standards and ranges to the State Legislature and studies key indicators that influence both adult felony sentencing and juvenile justice.

BHP Coated Steel Corporation

BHP Coated Steel Corporation will establish its head office at the site of its new steel finishing facility in Kalama, Washington. All head office functions, including marketing and sales, logistics, finance, human resources, and information services will be located at the site. BHP Steel will also relocate its wholly-owned subsidiary, BIEC International, Inc. from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Kalama. BIEC manages the international licensing of BHP's proprietary metallic coating technology and associated trademarks. The Broken Hill Proprietary Co., Ltd. (BHP) is one of the world's largest diversified resources companies with operations in more than 50 countries and over 100 years of experience in the resources industry. The company's headquarters are in Melbourne, Australia. BHP Steel is one of BHP's four main businesses. The others include BHP Minerals, BHP Copper, and BHP Petroleum.

International Absorbents Inc.

International Absorbents Inc. has elected Geoffrey Lawrence as director and has named him president, chief executive officer and director of Absorption Corp., the company's operating subsidiary. Lawrence joins the company from Impact Systems, Inc. of San Jose, California. International Absorbents Inc. develops, manufactures and markets patented and proprietary, cost-effective sorbent products derived from recycled, renewable materials.

Washington Savings League

Patrick Sheaffer, president and chief executive officer of Riverview Savings Bank, has been elected chairman of the Washington Savings League. Gary Sirmon, president of First Savings Bank of Washington, has been elected as vice chairman. The Washington Savings League is an Olympia-based trade association representing the savings banks and savings & loans operating in Washington state.