Aug 18, 2006

HR Resource

Barb Walker has joined HR Resource as an employee benefits consultant. Snohomish-based HR Resource specializes in helping employers manage employee benefits.

Maxwell PR Studio

Maxwell PR Studio has promoted Jen Scott to account director. Scott was previously a senior account executive. Maxwell PR Studio is an independent public relations firm based in Portland.

Preston Gates & Ellis LLP

Suzanne Thomas has joined Preston Gates & Ellis LLP's Seattle office as a partner in the labor, employment and benefits practice. She has more than 20 years of experience in employment litigation, employment contract issues, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property disputes and mediation. Preston Gates & Ellis is a full-service law firm with 11 offices in the United States and Asia.

North Coast Life Insurance

Robert J. Ogden will become North Coast Life Insurance Co.'s president and CEO. North Coast Life Insurance is based in Spokane.

Columbia Virtual Academy

The Valley, Orient and Curlew school districts in northeastern Washington have collaborated to form the Columbia Virtual Academy, which offers individualized online education to any Washington student at no cost to the family. Global Student Network, which provides virtual curriculum in 42 states and nine countries, supplies the online courses. Student/teacher contact is made at least once a week and the work can be done anywhere through an Internet connection.

Aug 17, 2006

BluWater Consulting

BluWater Consulting has named Kelly Bell business development manager. BluWater is an IT consulting and staffing firm based in Kirkland.

Washington Wine Commission

The Washington Wine Commission selected Seattle Publishing to produce a database with contact information for 400 wineries, 350 wine grape growers and 30,000 vineyard acres in Washington state. The commission promotes the state wine industry. Seattle Publishing specializes in database development.

Attorney General of Washington

Former senior counsel Jon Ferguson will return as chief of the new complex litigation division in the state attorney general's office. Ferguson will be responsible for managing the emerging complex litigation division.