Nov 28, 2008

PRR

PRR, a Seattle-based public affairs and communications firm, hired Sean Baze as director of media relations and Dave Radford as account manager for marketing. Baze has 11 years experience managing media campaigns for private and public clients. Radford has eight years experience in communications and promotions.

Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson

The Seattle law firm of Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson hired Alexander Wu as an associate. He recently graduated from the University of Washington School of Law. Wu's practice will emphasize litigation services.

Piecora's NY Pizza

Daniel Piecora, CEO of Piecora's NY Pizza in Seattle, has been named chairman of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Region X Regulatory Fairness Board by acting SBA Administrator Sandy Baruah. The regional chairperson participates in national hearings where small business owners express concerns about federal regulations.

Nov 26, 2008

Athena Marketing International

Seattle-based Athena Marketing International, a marketing, business development and consulting firm, promoted Seattle executive Kyle Diercks to partner and chief operating officer. Diercks will guide growth and support global clients.

Center for Wooden Boats

The South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce awarded the Center for Wooden Boats its Non-Profit of the Year Award during its first annual awards and recognition breakfast, and presented Betsy Davis, executive director of CWB, with the Ambassador of the Year Award. The nonprofit award honors an organization that provides outstanding benefits to the community. The Ambassador Award recognizes an individual who donates time, talent or money to non-work related endeavors that support the growth of the South Lake Union neighborhood.

NCsoft West

Seattle-based NCsoft West, an international publisher and developer of online games, hired Dirk Metzger as vice president of marketing at NCsoft West. Metzger will oversee marketing in North America. He was the worldwide marketing director for Brash Entertainment and has been marketing director for NCsoft Europe. NCsoft is based in South Korea.

Nov 25, 2008

Safeco Insurance and Liberty Northwest

Safeco Insurance and Liberty Northwest, both Liberty Mutual Agency Markets companies, announced personnel changes. Rebecca Fann is vice president, Safeco Insurance, and Northwest regional general manager. Other new agency managers are Casie Bowers, representing Oregon and southwest Washington; Mark Cummings, representing eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana; and Angela Thompson, representing Alaska and western Washington. They will report to Fann. Guy DeCosterd and Ken Koehler are new regional vice presidents joining Liberty Northwest's commercial lines operations. DeCosterd will manage Alaska and western Washington, and Koehler will manage the Portland region. Both come to Liberty Northwest from Safeco Insurance.

U.S. Postal Service

Katherine S. Nash, a 29-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service and former postmaster of Seattle, has been named district manager of the Seattle District, which includes most of western Washington. Nash began her postal career as a letter carrier in Renton. The Seattle District serves almost five million customers.