Apr 04, 1997

WHaM Communications

WHaMCommunications, a Seattle public relations and marketing firm, has promoted Pete Pedersen to account supervisor. Pedersen will oversee strategic planning and account management for WHaM's consumer products group.

Virginia Mason

The Virginia Mason Foundation has appointed Chrisina Bailet as assistant director for major gifts and Melody Burson as assistant director for capital gifts. Bailet's responsibilities will include management of the annual women's luncheon and speaker series sponsored by the Virginia Mason Women's Advisory Council, the memorials program and assistance with other major gifts. Burson will be writing grant proposals to corporations, foundations and government agencies for the medical center's programs.

Worthington Insurance

E.R. "Rusty" Young, a principal of Worthington Insurance, has been elected president of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West (IBA-West) for 1997. IBA-West provides legislative, judicial, regulatory and industry advocacy on behalf of its members.

MWW/Savitt

MWW/Savitt, the West Coast office of MWW/Strategic Communications, Inc. has expanded its strategic communications services by developing a practice area focusing on corporate responsibility. The firm's corporate communications division provides counsel on specific issues related to: the environment; equal opportunity and diversity; work and family life; labor and human rights, global sourcing and community relations. Rosanne Marks has been promoted to senior vice president of the firm, sharing the leadership with Kathy Savitt.

U.S. Bank

Five U.S. Bank managers have been named to the company's 1996 "Council of Excellence," a program recognizing top performers. Gena Emerson, of the Navy Home Port branch; Jackie Frazier, Burlington; Howard Hagen, vice president and manager of the bank's Evergreen district; Martin Oldfield, Issaquah; and Mike Stenchever, vice president and manager of the bank's North Snohomish district.

LifeSpan BioSciences

Seattle-based LifeSpan BioSciences, Inc., an early-stage genomics company, announced it recently completed a multimillion-dollar equity financing from private investors. Proceeds from the investment are helping to run a new 12,000 square-foot laboratory facility in downtown Seattle. The financial backers and the amount of the private placement were not disclosed. Founded in September 1995, LifeSpan is applying its proprietary genes discovery technology to identify the top one percent of possible targets for therapeutics and diagnostics among the 100,000 genes in the human genome.

Apr 03, 1997

Essential Foods

Essential Foods, a Seattle natural food company, has promoted Adam Hewey to general manager and has hired Dan Bernard as sales and marketing coordinator.

HMG

Hunt Marketing Group (HMG), a Seattle-based direct marketing agency, has hired Janet Somero, art director; Heather Mann, account coordinator; Wes Sparling, art director/production artist; and Brandi Beard, receptionist. In addition, HMG has promoted Nancy Sabol, senior account executive; Megan McNamara, art director; Amy Leff, copywriter and Christa Nielsen, junior copywriter.

Hostelling International

In recognition of Seattle's growth in the international business and travel-related industries, Hostelling International Seattle and Bell Harbor International Conference Center will hold the first Seattle International Travel Day. The event will take place on November 2, at the Bell Harbor Conference Center.

McCann/Seattle

The Seattle advertising agency of McCann/Seattle has hired Ed Cotton as director of account planning. Cottom most recently worked in London as planning director of Magic Hat, a specialist youth communications agency. Creative director Jim Walker has been promoted to general manager.

Washington Business Week

Washington Business Week, a week long "business camp" that teaches kids about business and economic concepts, business issues and the concept of teamwork, will be offered during five different sessions between June 22 and Aug. 16. The sessions will be take place at Gonzaga University, Central Washington University and Western Washington University. Applications must be submitted by May 2. Students may register through the web site at http://www.wbw.org. For more information contact the Washington Business Week at (800) 686-6442.