May 31, 2002

Pino Consulting Group

Stephen Pino has established Pino Consulting Group in Portland. Pino Consulting offers negotiation and mediation services to the healthcare industry. Pino, as principal consultant, most recently held the position of director of provider contracting relations at Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland.

University of Idaho

The University of Idaho's National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology has been awarded $2 million for research and education on national transportation issues. The institute was one of 10 centers awarded funding under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The award will allow the institute to expand its traffic signal workshop, establish a new workshop for students interested in clean vehicle technology and plan a national conference in 2003 on using traffic control systems to move vehicles more efficiently and save energy.

Washington Health Foundation

Robert Gelder is the new director of development and Elizabeth Floersheim is the new director of quality at the Washington Health Foundation. Gelder has previous experience working with Hopelink in Seattle and most recently was employed in New York. Floersheim, a registered nurse, previously held positions at PRO-West and Northwest Hospital. The Washington Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health in Washington.

Northwest Hospital

Northwest Hospital has established a medical exchange with Ukraine to train doctors in advanced cancer detection techniques. Galina Moskalenko, a histologist from a teaching hospital in Ukraine has completed training and a second histologist will be trained later this year. The American Ukranian Medical Project is the sponsor and is donating cancer detection equipment to Ukraine.

Washington Supreme Court

The Washington Supreme Court named Kay Newman state law librarian. Newman was the Spokane Law Library director since 1996. Newman will replace interim librarian Tim Fuller who is the reporter of decisions for the Washington Supreme Court. The court also unveiled an addition to its Web site where pending court dates can be located. The site can be accessed at www.courts.wa.gov/calendars.

May 30, 2002

Meridian Technology Group

Meridian Technology Group hired Neil Griffiths as vice president of client development. Griffiths will work with clients in all Meridian's markets including Portland, Seattle, Phoenix and San Francisco. Griffiths worked for 11 years with Electronic Data Systems in Plano, Texas, most recently as president of its credit union industry group. Meridian is an information technology and software engineering consulting company based in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Da Vinci Gourmet

Jonathon Thomas joined Da Vinci Gourmet as vice president of sales and marketing. He will manage the domestic sales division. He was director, national sales/marketing for Sara Lee Coffee & Tea in Chicago. Da Vinci operates a plant and offices in South Seattle. Its syrups, sauces and confections are marketed in 40 countries.

Financial Consulting Solutions Group

Karyn L. Johnson is a new project manager for Financial Consulting Solutions Group. Johnson was with the management consulting division of Black & Veatch. Financial Consulting specializes in municipal financial, economic and management consulting and is based in Redmond.

Cowlitz County Superior Court

Gov. Gary Locke appointed Jill Johanson to the Cowlitz County Superior Court bench. Johanson is a prosecutor for the city of Kelso and previously worked as deputy county prosecutor and assistant city attorney for Longview. She succeeds Judge Don McCulloch, who is retiring after 20 years on the bench.

TalkingRain Beverage Co.

TalkingRain Beverage Co. named Tanis Vye Mihalynuk to a new position: in-house nutrition consultant. Her background includes nutrition and wellness education, teaching and clinical experience. She is currently seeking a doctorate in nutritional sciences from the University of Washington. Preston-based TalkingRain produces bottled waters and juices, including its newest product VitaRain.

Country Insurance & Financial Services

Brent C. Radcliff and Andrew J. Cornett have been named agents after completing Country Insurance & Financial Services' New Agent School. Radcliff will work from his office at 2122 164th St. S.E. in Lynnwood and Cornett will work from an office in Town Center Two in Vancouver