Feb 08, 1996

U.S. Department of Transportation

Andrew S. Billick has been named the new regional administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Alaskan Region headquartered in Anchorage. Billick has been manager of the Federal Aviation Administration's Airway facilities division since January 1994. The division has responsibility for the installation and maintenance of all air navigational facilities in Alaska. Billick began his FFA career in electronics in McGrath, Alaska, in 1956 and has held progressively more responsible positions in Alaska and the Southwest Region. In addition to his work as manager for Airway Facilities, he has also worked as a manager in the Air Traffic, Logistics, and Management Systems Divisions.

Seattle University

A total of $66.8 million was raised during eight years by the Seattle University for the 21st Century Campaign, the second capital campaign in the Jesuit university's 105-year history. Funds from the campaign will pay for a number of future improvements including:

Insurance Women's Association of Seattle

The Insurance Women's Association of Seattle announced the association's 1996 public relations award winners at its annual banquet. Cheryl Westberg, of GRE Insurance Group, who was named the association's Rookie of the Year in 1993, was named Insurance Woman of the Year; Susan Lacy, of Safeco Insurance, was named Chairwoman of the Year; and Kay Cole, of Grange Insurance Association, was recipient of the Gladys Main Inspirational Award. GRE Insurance Group was named Employer of the Year for its support of the association.

Pope & Talbot Inc.

Pope & Talbot Inc., a Portland-based paper, pulp and wood products company, has named Abram Friesen group vice president, Wood Products Division. Friesen has been responsible for the company's Canadian sawmills since he joined the company in 1987. In his new position, he will be responsible for all wood products operations in the United States and Canada. He replaces Michael Flannery who has been promoted to president of the company.

MorseMcFadden Communications Inc.

MorseMcFadden Communications Inc., a Kirkland-based public relations agency specializing in advanced technologies, has hired Kerri Karvetski and Bridgitt Arnold as account managers, and Kimberly Carroll as an account coordinator.

Feb 06, 1996

Vander Houwen

Kelly Traw has joined Vander Houwen Public Relations in Bellevue as an assistant account executive. He previously worked in marketing and sales at Festivals, Incorporated on Mercer Island, promoting the Coffee Fest trade shows across the country. Before moving to Seattle, he held marketing positions with First Financial Management Corporation in Boston, and with American Lawyer Newspapers Group In New York City.

Toll Free Cellular

Charles C. Hunter has been named vice president of business development and general counsel for Toll Free Cellular (TFC), a locally-based company providing cellular services which plans to expand nationally in 1996. Hunter, a 15-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, negotiated the first nationwide cellular service agreement. He was also involved in many of the early comparative hearings in which the initial cellular licenses were awarded and was instrumental in establishing the "nonwireline" alliances that dominated the second and third tier markets nationwide. For the last six years, Hunter has served as a consultant to companies on the legal, regulatory and legislative issues affecting the telecommunications industry.

Regional Transit Authority

Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel has been elected chairman of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority Board and King County Councilmember Greg Nickels and Tacoma City Councilmember Paul Miller have been elected to serve as vice chairs. Drewel becomes the second person to chair the RTA in its two-and-a-half year history, succeeding Bruce Laing, a former King County Council member who retired from public office at the end of 1995. Drewel also chairs the Transportation Policy Board of the Puget Sound. Drewel takes on the position as the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Board is beginning the detailed work of crafting a new regional transit ballot proposal to submit to the voters this fall. The RTA 's first effort, a $6.7 billion regional bus-and-rail proposal, was defeated at the polls last March. The agency is currently circulating for public comment a hypothetical example of a transit plan that could be completed within 10 years at a cost of about $3.5 billion.

Pacific Utility Equipment Co.

Pacific Utility Equipment Co., offering municipal products in its centers of Portland, Ore., Seattle, Spokane, West Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Norco, Calif., and operating a repair center in Sparks, N.V., has appointed Michael J. Prentice to the position of municipal sales representative and William J. Dalke to the position of environmental specialist. Prentice will be responsible for municipal sales within the Portland service center and Dalke will be responsible for green waste recycling equipment sales at the same center.

Graphic Associates

Graphic Associates, an Eastside graphic design firm, has added Rachael Colbo to its team of designers. Colbo was most recently a designer at Southern University's Office of Publications and Graphic Design in Baton Rouge, La. She joins Graphic Associates with experience in the design of publications, brochure, and annual reports.

Haskell Corp.

Heavy industrial and commercial construction contractor Haskell Corp. says 1995 was its best year ever in safety performance. Workers at Haskell logged in over 250,000 hours without a lost-time injury. The company's overall accident rate has been reduced to 3.2 (the state industry average per 200,000 hours is 22.4). Haskell says the improvement in its record is the result of a four-year company-wide effort on safety and loss control.

NCMA meeting

The Puget Sound Chapter of the National Contract Management Association is holding a Feb. 18 dinner meeting featuring a workshop on how to write winning bids and proposals by Trish Bourdage of Ecology & Environment Inc. The event will also include a speech by Pat Riordan, commercial contracts manager at Boeing, on how to negotiate commercial terms and conditions with the Department of Defense. The workshop begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and Riordan's speech at 7 p.m. The location is Schumusky's All City Diner (423 Airport Way, Renton). Cost of dinner is $15. All are invited to attend. To make a reservation, contact Paula Huls at (206) 773-7173. For further information, contact Ken Cooper at (206) 237-9906 or Bill Burnett at (206) 773-5623.

Construction cost estimating, bidding

University of California Berkeley Extension is offering a two-day seminar in Seattle on construction cost estimating and bidding. The Feb. 12-13 program will include: how to quantify elements of risk; how to use proven bidding strategies; how to factor uncertainty into profit forecasts; how and where to include overhead in cost estimates; how to plan for productivity variables; how to deal with adjustments to estimates; and how to optimize crew size and structure. The course has been approved for credit by the American Association of Cost Engineers Certification Board. It will be held at the Mayflower Park Hotel (405 Olive Way). Cost is $945 per person, or $845 per person for three or more. To register, call (510) 643-1492. For further program information, call (510) 642-6117.

AGC meeting

Robert Spector, author of "The Nordstrom Way," will be the guest speaker at the Feb. 12 AGC of Washington Seattle District dinner meeting at Latitude 47 on Lake Union. Spector will discuss the pivotal role client service plays in transforming the objectives and attitudes of a company to create new and return business. The evening will kick off with a 5:45 p.m. reception, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost of the reception and dinner is $25. The reception only is $5. Reservations must be made by noon on Feb. 8. For further information, contact Kathy Cicero or David Sween at the AGC, (206) 284-0061 or (800) 562-2868.

CSI meeting

The monthly meeting of the Construction Specifications Institute is scheduled for Feb. 15 at the Meany Tower Hotel in Seattle's University District. This month's topic will be specifications for the West Point treatment plant. Speakers will include Judy Cochran, West Point project manager; Henry Cody, engineering manager; and Jim Benedict, construction manager. The event will run from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost of dinner is $20. To make reservations, call (206) 382-3393.

Improving storm water quality

"Use of Constructed Wetlands for Improving Stormwater Quality" will be offered Feb. 20-21 by the University of Washington College of Engineering Professional Programs. Class will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days. It will be held at the Shoreline Conference Center in North Seattle. Course topics will include project planning considerations, capabilities of constructed wetlands, design and installation criteria and guidelines, operation and maintenance criteria, and case studies and exercises. The course will also include a field trip. It will be taught by Dr. Richard Horner, an environmental engineering and science researcher and consultant. Cost of the course is $345 (or $315 if postmarked, faxed or telephoned by today). For further information, or to register, contact Engineering Professional Programs, University of Washington, 3201 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103, (206) 543-5539, fax (206) 543-2352.

DBE workshops

The state Department of Transportation has scheduled several DBE workshops for February at 6770 E. Marginal Way S. in Seattle. "Project Management" will be presented Feb. 8 by Mike Myette of INCA Engineers; "Construction Management" will be presented Feb. 15 by Karen Harmes of BACE Company; "Contract Law" will be presented Feb. 22 by Chuck Greenberg of the Triad Law Group; and "Doing Business with Primes" will be presented by Janiece Thoresen of David A. Mowat Company. All will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. For further information, contact WSDOT DBE Support Services, South Seattle Community College, Caryn Johnson, (206) 768-6857; or Mary Brown-Mason, (206) 768-6856.

Public works construction project management

TRANSPEED is offering a two-day course on public works construction project management in Seattle. Topics of the Feb. 15-16 class include design/construction process; responsibilities and authorities; records, reports and documentation; analysis and function of specifications; laws and public agency contracts; construction safety; preconstruction operations; construction planning and scheduling; measurement for payment; construction materials/workmanship; changes and extra work; claims, disputes and arbitration; risk allocation; project closeout; lien protection; self-assessment as a project representative; and construction operations. Class will be held both days 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $180 for public agency staff and $330 for others. For further information, contact Engineering Professional Programs at (206) 543-5539 or Jim McManus, TRANSPEED program manager, at (206) 543-3747.

Energy management in government buildings

The Association of Energy Engineers is holding a two-day seminar on energy management in federal, state and local government buildings. The event will be held Feb. 22-23 in Atlanta. Participants will improve their understanding of how building systems utilize energy and how to pinpoint where potential savings may be found. Registration fee is $595 for AEE members and government and nonprofit agencies. Non-members pay $695. For further information, contact AEE, 4025 Pleasantdale Road, Suite 420, Atlanta, GA 30340, (770) 447-5083, ext. 210, fax (770) 446-3969.

Housing market trends

The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties is presenting "Market Trends 2000, Housing Trends Today and Tomorrow." Participants will learn how to: target the potential of their markets, recognize demographic changes and key buyer profiles; advertise, promote and merchandise; use the right model home presentations and selling approaches; and identify product design, features and detailing that add value and generate high-impact. Seminar presenters will be Evan Barrington, Clark Rector and Bill Webb. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 15. It will be held at the Doubletree Suites Hotel (16500 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila). Cost is $95 for Master Builders members and $125 for non-members. For further information, contact MBA at (206) 451-7920 or (800) 522-2209.

Stormwater runoff manual

As a result of a two-year study of residential stormwater runoff, the University of Washington's Center for Water Resources Management has created a manual for on-site stormwater management. The manual provides information about the value of such management plus practical tips on site evaluation and system design. Entitled "On-site Residential Stormwater Runoff Alternatives," the report covers infiltration systems, multipurpose detention systems, modular pavement, soil amendment and landscaped areas. Stormwater issues have become more important in the lower Puget Sound region as natural forests and ground cover are converted to lawns, paved streets and buildings -- all of which increase runoff.

Citizen conservation awards

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on Saturday issued awards to five citizens, a nonprofit group and a corporation for their conservation efforts. Recipients of the Volunteer of the Year award were Debbie and A.J. Fisher of Kent, who have been involved in numerous conservation projects over the years. She is a founder and officer of the Rainier chapter of the National Audubon Society, while he is a member of the chapter's Wetlands Mitigation Committee. The Landowner of the Year award went to Intalco Aluminum Corp., which owns about 1,300 acres of land bordering the Department of Fish and Wildlife's Lake Terrell Wildlife Area. The land has a 40-acre pond with bird nesting islands; the company also has provided about 900 acres for wildlife and public recreation. Teacher Lee Young, of Kalama, was named Educator of the Year for his work at Kalama Middle and High School. He has used fishing trips with students to teach them about fishing and fish habitat. The Tacoma-based conservation group Clover Creek Council received the Organization of the Year award. The group has worked to improve fish habitat in the Chambers/Clover Creek watershed.

Ecology grant for Cowlitz composting

The state Department of Ecology has awarded a grant of $233,438 to Cowlitz County to build a yard waste composting site at the Cowlitz County Landfill. The facility is designed to improve the county's existing wood waste diversion efforts by providing a composting site for grass clippings and leaves. To encourage residents to use the composting facility, fees will be only half of the usual dumping charges at the landfill.

Recycling effort recognized

The King County Commission for Marketing Recyclable Materials has been recognized by the National Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability for its recycled product promotion, "Get in the Loop." The Get in the Loop program recruited over 850 Western Washington retailers to participate in a four-month promotion of recycled products. During the promotion sales of those items rose by 27 percent. The council will list the Get in the Loop program in its database of 1,600 replicable examples of effective environmental solutions that government agencies, companies, environmental organizations and civic groups can use in their own communities. Other programs in the index range from energy efficiency measures and water and resource conservation to hazardous waste management and protection for endangered species.

Environmental public involvement

The state Department of Ecology has released its calendar of public meetings for February.

• Feb. 6: Annual hazardous waste generator workshop. $22. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Best Western Bayview Inn, Bremerton. Information and registration: Vicki Sutton, 649-7085.
• Eastern Regional Citizen's Advisory Committee Meeting for Toxic Cleanup. 12:30 p.m. At Ecology's Eastern Regional Office, Spokane. Information: Dave Powell, (509) 456-4461.
• Feb. 8: Annual hazardous waste generator workshop. $22. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel, Sea-Tac. Information: Vicki Sutton, 649-7085.
• Public hearing on amendments to the Northwest Air Pollution Authority regulation affecting Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties. 1:30 p.m. at the Skagit County Adinistration Building, Mt. Vernon. Information: Lydia Blalock, (360) 407-6860.
• Public hearing on the amended regulations II and III developed by the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency for King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. At 1100 Union St., Suite 500, Seattle. Information: Lydia Blalock, (360) 407-6860.
• Feb. 13: Generator update workshop. Covers reports, changes in regulations, manifesting and other ways to assess waste. $15. 1 to 5 p.m. at the Department of Ecology, Southwest Regional Office, 510 Desmond Dr., Sawyer Hall, in Lacey. Information: message phone, (360) 407-6357.
• Feb. 14: Chehalis River Council Public Seminar. Concerning the 100 percent wastewater recycling project underway in Yelm. 7 p.m. in Swede Hall, Rochester. Information: Dave Palmer, (360) 273-8117.
• Feb. 15: Public meeting on the Public Involvement Network. Covers risk assessment at DuPont/Northwest Landing, other issues. 9:30 a.m. to noon in the offices of Citizens for a Healthy Bay, Ninth and Broadway, Tacoma. Information: Dolores Mitchell, (360) 407-6057.
• Feb. 16: Nisqually River Council. Meeting. 9 a.m. to noon; place to be arranged. Contact Peter Moulton, (360) 407-6783.
• Feb. 25: Environmental Information Fair. Covers sources and control of pollution in the Puyallup River watershed. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the South Hill Mall, Puyallup. Information: Leslie Ryan, 338-2429.