Dec 23, 2008

Virginia Mason Medical Center

Virginia Mason Medical Center has hired three new physicians. Catherine Edwards is practicing in family medicine at Virginia Mason Winslow. James Lee is working in cardiology. Pedro Trujillo is working in rheumatology. Lee and Trujillo are working at both the Seattle Main Campus and Virginia Mason Federal Way.

Westward Seafoods

Seattle-based Westward Seafoods hired Rick Dutton as president, effective Jan. 1. Dutton was president of surimi seafood manufacturer Trans-Ocean Products of Bellingham. He is replacing Greg Baker. Westward Seafoods is a processor of seafoods from the North Pacific, with production facilities located in Alaska and corporate offices in Seattle. Trans-Ocean and Westward Seafoods are United States subsidiaries of Maruha-Nichiro Holdings of Tokyo.

Cedarbrook Center

The Cedarbrook Center, a meeting center on 18 acres in SeaTac, is now available throughout the year without restrictions for corporate meetings and retreats as well as weddings, banquets and other special events. Cedarbrook was built as Washington Mutual's leadership development center and had previously been available to non-WaMu employees only on select days. Seattle-based Columbia Hospitality operates Cedarbrook Center.

Dec 19, 2008

Lane Powell

Michaela A. Albon has joined Lane Powell as counsel to the firm in the Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Practice Group. She has more than 20 years managing legal and regulatory affairs for financial institutions, from handling government, regulatory and other external affairs to negotiating and drafting complex financing agreements. She also has experience in consumer credit, mortgage, and other financial services regulation. Albon worked with Washington Mutual as senior vice president and general counsel of home loans.

Washington State University

Six members of the Washington State University faculty and administration have been elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The honorees are Elson S. Floyd, president of the university; Howard D. Grimes, vice president for research; Michael D. Griswold, dean of the College of Sciences; Guy H. Palmer, director of the School for Global Animal Health; Bryan K. Slinker, interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine; and James P. Kehrer, dean of the College of Pharmacy.

Fred Hutchinson

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientists Denise Galloway, Ph.D., a microbiologist, and Gerald Smith, Ph.D., a geneticist and microbiologist, have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Election is an honor bestowed by their peers.

Dec 18, 2008

The Bravern

French homewear retailer LTJ Arthur will open its first West Coast location at The Bravern in Bellevue, next September. Arthur is known for luxurious underwear, pajamas, robes and loungewear. The Bravern is a new development with an outdoor shopping area.

Avalara

Avalara, a Bainbridge Island-based provider of end-to-end sales, use and VAT tax automation business solutions, hired Bryan Wiggins as vice president of marketing and promoted Andrea Anderson to vice president of inside sales and customer loyalty. Wiggins has 25 years experience in marketing and public relations and was recently at Watson Furniture. Anderson has been with Avalara for two years.

Vertafore

Bothell-based Vertafore, a provider of market-leading software and services to the insurance industry, hired Jeff Groh as senior vice president and chief financial officer.