May 12, 2003

Ferrellgas Partners

Ferrellgas Partners of Liberty, Mo., has acquired the propane operations of Pettit Oil Co. Pettit has offices in Tacoma, Hoquiam, Shelton, Forks, Port Angeles and Port Townsend. The acquisition is Ferrellgas' 60th since becoming a publicly traded company in 1994. Ferrellgas has operations in 45 states.

Helix BioMedix

Daniel O. Wilds and John C. Fiddes have joined the board of directors of Bothell's Helix BioMedix. Wilds is the president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors of Northwest Biotherapeutics. Fiddes is a consultant to the biotechnology industry, with over 20 years experience in drug discovery and development, recently serving as chief executive officer of Tao Biosciences. Helix BioMedix is an early-stage biotechnology company developing and commercializing bioactive peptides.

EverTrust Financial Group

EverTrust Financial Group named Robert G. Wolfe to its board of directors. Wolfe is currently a general partner with Northwest Venture Associates, and part owner and managing member of Phillips Real Estate Services. He previously served as president and chief financial officer of Canada's GT Group Telecom.

White House

Two Washington residents, Roger Carstens and Richard Mitchell, have been named to the White House Fellows Program. Carstens is a U.S. Army major and company commander from Spokane. Mitchell is an architect and attorney with Dorsey & Whitney. The White House Fellows Program was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 to provide first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the federal government. Fellows serve one year as paid assistants to members of the cabinet and senior White House staff.

May 09, 2003

HomeStreet Bank

HomeStreet Bank named Thomas Hanly and Kaycee Krysty to its 14-member board of directors. Hanly is chief financial officer of Frank Russell Co. and serves on Russell's operating committee. Krysty is president of Tyee Asset Strategies and president and CEO of Laird Norton Trust Co.

City of Renton

Dennis Culp has been appointed community services department administrator for the city of Renton. Culp has served as Renton's facilities director since February of 1999 and was previously director of facilities for CB Richard Ellis in California. Culp replaces Jim Shepherd who retired last month after 21 years of service to the city. The community services department administrator is charged with providing recreation, library, human services programs, parks and facilities, and undisturbed natural areas to the city.

Nostrad Telecommunications

Seattle's Nostrad Telecommunications has changed its name to Skunk Work Technologies. The company manufacturers industrial waste water treatment systems, specializing in electro coagulation for water processing, water treatment and water recycling.

CIT Small Business Lending

CIT Small Business Lending Corp. was honored as Minority Lender of the Year by the Small Business Administration Portland District for regional lending in the Portland area. The SBA presents the award to small business advocates and lenders that have demonstrated high regard for customer service and have successfully used SBA loan programs to grow and expand minority-owned businesses. CIT's principal offices are in New York City and Livingston, N.J.

Washington State University

Alexander Li, Washington State University associate professor of chemistry, has been awarded a $240,000, three-year Beckman Young Investigator award. Li is one of 20 scientists across the nation that the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation recognized in its effort to encourage research in chemistry and life sciences. Li, who came to WSU from Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2000, is noted for molecular design, materials synthesis and functional nanosystems. His recent work relates to the development of bio-sensors.