Jul 30, 2004

Allstate

Abraham

Sarwary

Allstate Insurance Co.'s Thomas Abraham opened an agency at 21010 108th Ave. S.E. in Kent. Allstate sells auto, property, commercial and life insurance. Abraham was with Farmers Insurance. Local representative Qasim Sarwary joined Allstate Financial Group and will work on variable annuity, variable life and mutual fund products. Sarwary is a broker dealer with Allstate Financial Services, whose main office is based in Lincoln, Neb.

Lane Powell

Two organizations selected Seattle-based Lane Powell Spears Lubersky for long-term legal services. Robin Dale, a former Washington state assistant attorney general with experience in aging and disability services, will lead the legal team for Washington Center for Assisted Living and the Washington Health Care Association. Lane Powell Spears Lubersky offers business, employment and litigation legal services.

Merit Financial

Kirkland-based mortgage and real estate company Merit Financial appointed Erik Anderson president. Company CEO and founder Scott Greenlaw will concentrate on strategic planning. New creative director Nathan Breskin-Auer has 10 years of design and Web experience, including work with Microsoft. Marketing analyst Brandon Taylor, who was with Nintendo of America, will acquire, analyze and manage market data.

Sheraton Bellevue Hotel

Lorne M. Burns is general manager of the Sheraton Bellevue Hotel at 100 12th Ave. N.E. Burns will oversee guest relations, marketing, and food and beverage operations. Burns was general manager of the Sheraton Guildford Hotel in Surrey, B.C. The Sheraton Bellevue Hotel is owned by MeriStar Hospitality Corp.

Puget Sound Regional Council

William J. McSherry, Jr. will be economic strategy advisor for Puget Sound Regional Council beginning in September. The council works on regional growth and transportation planning policies in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. He will lead an economic strategy for the counties that will be ready to put into practice next year. McSherry is vice president of public affairs and communications for the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Microsoft

Microsoft named Jim Lisiak a western region developer and director. Based out of the company's Bellevue office, Lisiak will work with customers and partners in 13 western states. Lisiak was a technology specialist manager for Microsoft's Northern California district and has more than 20 years of technology experience.

Jul 29, 2004

Northwest Business Bank

Browning

Gordon Browning joined Seattle-based Northwest Business Bank as chief financial officer. He will be responsible for lending, strategic planning, operations and staff development. Browning has 27 years of financial management experience, including chief financial officer for Bank NorthWest and investment supervisor for Whatcom County Treasurer's Office.

Parker, Smith & Feek

Bask

Seattle-headquartered insurance broker Parker, Smith & Feek added Marty Bask as shareholder. Bask is vice president and account executive, specializing in workers' compensation insurance.

Western Washington University

Norman

Arlan Norman, dean of the college of sciences and technology at Western Washington University, was appointed to the board of directors of the Washington Technology Center. Norman will complete the term of former board member Yash Gupta. The center was set up by the state legislature to channel resources to help companies create and market new products and technologies.

Key Technology

Key Technology appointed Charles H. Stonecipher and irk W. Morton to its board of directors. Board members Peter van Oppen and Gordon Wicher resigned. Wicher will continue as corporate secretary. Morton oversaw European manufacturing and sales operation and was appointed chief executive officer last year. Stonecipher was with Redmond-based Advanced Digital Information and was also an engineer at Boeing. Key Technology is headquartered in Walla Walla and manufactures automation systems for food processing and industrial markets. It has facilities in Washington, Oregon and the Netherlands.

Port of Everett

Port of Everett marina operations manager Dean Shaughnessy was elected president of the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers. Shaughnessy was vice president of the congress, which includes West Coast ports from California to Alaska, and Vancouver, B.C. The congress helps develop new marinas and harbors. Shaughnessy has worked at the Port of Everett for 25 years.