Jan 13, 1997

WSDOT

Norm Alberg has been appointed to the position of manager of program management for the Washington State Department of Transportation's Northwest Region office in Shoreline. Alberg will be responsible for managing transportation programs for the six-county region from the Canadian border to the King/Pierce County line. He will also oversee the region's Information Technology Center, which is responsible for the operations of the computer system for the region.

MorseMcFadden Communications, Inc.

MorseMcFadden Communications, Inc., a Kirkland-based public relations firm specializing in advanced technologies, has hired Paige Ziegele as an account coordinator. Prior to joining the staff at MorseMcFadden, Ziegele interned for a U.S. Congressman, produced a marketing and public relations plan for the City of Gainsville Training and Development office, and was an account coordinator for Ketchum Public Relations in Atlanta.

1997 Master Recycler Composter

Applications are now available for the 1997 Master Recycler Composter volunteer training sponsored by the Snohomish County Public Works, Solid Waste Management Division. The course will be taught at North Middle School in Everett from March 4 - April 15. The course includes instruction, a field trip, a free manual, demonstrations and hands-on experienced with composting, recycling, worm bins, waste prevention, smart shopping, household hazardous waste, and solid waste systems. There is no charge for the training. Participants must pledge to return 40 hours of community outreach within one year in Snohomish County. For an application call (206) 388-6489 or (800) 562-4367, ext. 6489. Notification of acceptance into the training will begin February 1. Applications will be accepted up until the training date, on a space available basis.

Jan 10, 1997

Fred Hutchinson

George and Jane Russell of Frank Russell Company will be honored with the 1997 E. Donnal Thomas Medal of Achievement, sponsored by the Northwest Industry Partnership (NWIP) for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The Russell's will be presented with the medal at the NWIP's E. Donnal Thomas Medal of Achievement Award Dinner on Saturday, June 14, 1997. The Medal of Achievement is presented each year to individual(s) who characterize Thomas' inspirational leadership, dedication, and contribution to change that benefits mankind. Thomas, director emeritus of the Clinical Research Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, was awarded the 1990 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation.

Port of Tacoma

Jack Fabulich has been named president of the Port of Tacoma Commission for 1997. Fabulich is a 20-year veteran of the commission. Other Port Commission Officers for 1997 are: Richard Marzano, vice president; Clare Petrich, secretary; Jerry Thorpe, assistant secretary.

RTA

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is seeking fifteen volunteers to serve on a citizen's panel that will monitor the RTA's progress as the regional transit system recently approved by voters is implemented. The RTA is requesting letters of interest from citizens with specific skill or experience, and who are willing to serve for a minimum of two years on the Citizen Oversight Panel called for in "Sound Move", the 10-year regional transit system plan approved by voters in November. The Oversight Panel will monitor the RTA's performance and provide recommendations to the Transit Authority Board regarding its commitments to the public in a number of policy areas, including budget and financial management, adherence to schedules, public participation in the plan's implementation, evaluation of project alternatives and review of the annual independent performance audits of the RTA. Applicants must be registered voters who either live or work within the RTA district boundary and have experience in one or more of the areas of panel responsibility including general management, financial management, audit processes, public facilities and services, government or public policy. Letters of interest must be received by January 21 and should be addressed to: Bob Drewel, Chair; Regional Transit Authority; 821 Second Ave., MS-151; Seattle WA 98104. More information about the RTA and the Citizen Oversight Panel selection process is available by calling the Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority at (206) 684-6776 or (800) 210-4900.

Nichirei Corporation

Nichirei Corporation (Nichirei) of Tokyo, Japan, has announced the formation of a new company, Passport Cuisine International (PCI), that will focus on marketing restaurant-quality Asian appetizers and meals-to-go to retail delis, warehouse membership clubs, and distributors serving the rapidly growing Asian restaurant market. PCI will be headquartered in Seattle effective January 20, and will continue a business that was formerly part of Nichirei Foods America (NFA). PCI will market products currently sold under the Passport Cuisine, Nichirei, and Bento Express brand names. The decision to create two separate businesses offer the opportunity for each company to specialize in its specific market. NFA will now focus on expanding distribution of its surimi seafood products to foodservice customers, as well as to retail meat and seafood departments. Other Nichirei companies include Sea Watch International, Sun Husker Foods, and Tengu. Nichirei products are distributed throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan to a full range of retail, food service, membership club, industrial, and export customers.

Raven Industries

Raven Industries, Inc. has merged with Norcore Plastics, Inc. of Tacoma. Norcore Plastics, a private company located in the Port of Tacoma, is a manufacturer of large industrial storage tanks and piping. Norcore, with revenues of about $10 million, is one of the largest manufacturers in the U.S. of thermoplastic and dual laminate tanks and piping. In recent years Norcore's major market has been the semiconductor industry where Norcore's tanks are used for handling high-purity chemicals and liquids. Other markets include mining, paper and pulp, and the chemical process industries. Approximately 25 percent of Norcore's revenues are export sales. Raven Industries, a $150 million public company, is a diversified manufacturer based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The company supplies plastic, electronic, and special apparel products to well defined niche markets where it maintains a dominant position.