Jan 02, 1996

Washington Insurance Association

Four of the state's largest property/casualty insurance companies have formed the Washington Insurance Association to help shape public policy on behalf of the buyers and sellers of personal insurance lines. The non-profit organization's founding members -- Farmers, Progressive, SAFECO and State Farm -- provide personal lines insurance to nearly half of Washington's residents. The association began operating today and will name a president later this week.

Berkshire Life Insurance Co.

Diana L. Burlew has joined The Berkshire Associates, the Seattle area agency of Pittsfield, Mass.-headquartered Berkshire Life Insurance Co., as a representative. Burlew, who provides insurance and financial services, has 16 years of business management and marketing experience. She specializes in the creation and implementation of practical financial plans for business owners, professional and executives.

Providence Health System

Richard Barwinski has been named director of business development for Providence Health System, Puget Sound. Prior to joining Providence, he was regional director, senior vice president, management services division, at National Medical Enterprises (now Tenet Healthcare Corp.) in Fairfax, VA.

West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau

The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) has presented its L.J. Markwardt Award to Bradley Shelley, executive vice president of the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau, Portland. The award is handed out annually for distinguished contributions leading to improved design in the field of wood engineering. Shelley was recognized for his work on methods of establishing lumber strength properties and design values. The West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau is a national, non-profit lumber grade rule writing and inspection agency.

Dec 29, 1995

Kibble & Prentice

David Prentice, Chuck Jenner, Robert Bale and Jim Keene have been named vice presidents in the Casualty Insurance Division of Seattle-based financial services firm Kibble & Prentice.

Vintage Northwest

Hidden Cellars, a winery dedicated to Mendocino wines, has selected Vintage Northwest Inc. to handle its U.S. sales. The Seattle-headquartered sales and marketing firm for premium beverages serves as the national marketer of wines from McDowell Valley Vineyards and Mount Konocti from California; Covey Run Vinters, Gordon Brothers Winery and The Hogue Cellars from Washington; Firesteed Cellars and Knudsen Erath/Erath Vineyards from Oregon. Hidden Cellars, a nationally distributed brand, has more than doubled its sales in the past five years and is now producing approximately 30,000 cases annually.

Knight International

Knight International Limited, a Seattle-based international marketer of sheepskin and leather products, has completed agreements with Sawyer of Napa, Calif., and Arndey of Wisconsin which give the combined companies one of the broadest lines of shearling and leather fashion apparel in North America. Knight's licensing agreement with Sawyer allows the Seattle company to manufacture and market Sawyer and other related trademarks. Sawyer is a passive investor in two apparel-related businesses and operates and supplies factory stores. The company will continue in these ventures. Pete Rogers, who has headed Sawyer's coat division since 1980, has joined Knight as part of the deal. He will be joined by Paul Deutschman, who has come back to Sawyer in charge of sales and marketing for the East Coast. Knight also has completed an agreement with midwest manufacturer Ardney Leather and Sheepskin that will provide U.S. production for Knight and Sawyer.

CREW luncheon

Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Northwest will be holding a luncheon on Jan 10 at the Harbor Club, 801 Second Ave., 17th Floor, Seattle, WA. The luncheon will feature Ron Crockett, President of Northwest Racing and developer of the new Emerald Downs horse racing facility in Auburn. He will talk about the stumbling blocks and ultimate successes in developing a state of the art facility as well as site selection, the extensive environmental process and the components of Emerald Downs. Registration is at 11:45 a.m., $22.50 for members and $30 for non-members. For more information contact CREW at (206) 441-3966

Preservation leadership forums

Historic Seattle Preservation & Development Authority is sponsoring a series of four Preservation Leadership Forums to be held Feb. 8, 15, 22 and 29, from 7 - 9 p.m., at the Good Shepherd Center 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N in the Wallingford Neighborhood. Participants will learn how to become involved in the historic preservation process. The series includes: Neighborhood uniqueness, understanding an influencing neighborhood development, neighborhood action and preservation, and new ideas for neighborhood preservation. The forums are designed for individuals concerned and interested in historic preservation and how to facilitate historic preservation projects at the neighborhood level. The cost for all four sessions is $20. For more information call 622-6952.

SODO

South of The Dome Business Association (SODO) represents business and property owners from the Kingdome south to 100th St. S.W. and from the Duwamish east to I-5 freeway. SODO is working of the following issues: Street repair and construction; protection against crime and vandalism; The "Clean up" Initiative; the stadium alternative committee; and the Duwamish coalition. Informative monthly membership meetings, newsletters, issue papers, advocacy and community relations programs and other services are some of the benefits of a membership. For more information, call 292-7449.