Sep 30, 1996

Graham & James

Graham & James/Riddell Williams, Seattle, has added Sharon Seung and Christian Montegut to its Corporate Finance Group. Seung practices corporate finance and securities law. Montegut's experience includes securities offerings, financings, corporate acquisitions, and public utility rate applications.

Metropolitan King County Council

Metropolitan King County Council Chair Jane Hague has been named chair of the National Association of Counties' (NACo) Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee. The committee, which consists of approximately 50-60 county officials from across the nation, focuses on air, water, and noise pollution control; solid and hazardous waste management and disposal; the preservation and proper utilization of water resources; energy; and the use of land resources, including comprehensive planning, coastal zone management, energy facilities siting and recreation.

US Bank

US Bancorp and Sun Capital Bancorp have signed of definitive agreement for US Bancorp to acquire Sun Capital Bancorp and its subsidiary bank, Sun Capital Bank, a three-branch banking operation with locations in Utah and Nevada, with approximately $70 million is assets. The acquisition is expected to be completed by year-end 1996, with conversion in the first half of 1997. John Allen will remain in charge in St. George, Utah, as district manager of the Southern Utah district.

Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Bank has opened its first office in Washington state located in Bellevue. Art Hiemstra, a technology banking specialist, will serve as senior vice president and manager for the Bank's Pacific Northwest Division. His responsibilities will focus on emerging growth companies throughout Washington, specifically in the Seattle area, in addition to continuing to manage Silicon Valley Bank's other office in Beaverton, Ore. Other employees include Jo Surbrugg and Jim Ellison as senior vice presidents and Geir Hansen as analyst.

Warm Products buys Jel-Cel-Lite

Warm Products, Inc., a manufacturer of home decor and sewing products based in Woodinville, has acquired the fiber processing and quilting operations of the Seattle based Jen-Cel-Lite Corporation, a former supplier. The Warm Company headquarters will be moved to the Jen-Cel-Lite building at 954 E. Union in Seattle. An existing Warm Window retail store in Lynnwood will be retained along with warehouse distribution centers in Baltimore and Antwerp, Belgium. An existing Jen-Cel-Lite retail store will be moved to a new location nearby.

Olympic Capital Partners

Brad Smith has become a principal of Olympic Capital Partners. Smith was a managing director in charge of the investment banking group for the western United States at Price Waterhouse in Los Angeles. Olympic Capital is a Seattle-based investment banking firm.

Sep 27, 1996

Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center

Roger Eigsti has been named the 1997 Honorary Chair for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Northwest Industry Partnership (NWIP). Eigsti is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Safeco Corporation. The NWIP links cancer research efforts to the community and regional business and industry leaders. The goal of the partnership is to unite these leaders as charitable partners who work together toward a common goal -- eliminating cancer.

Wells Fargo Bank

Wells Fargo Bank has hired Dean Thorp as it new Northwest Wells Team manager. He will coordinate the company's employee volunteer efforts in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Wells Fargo, which merged with First Interstate Bank in April of this year, is the nation's 9th largest banking company. Its Northwest Division includes 347 branches throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers

Mary Wieth, director of housekeeping for the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers, has received the ITT Ring of Quality Award. The award recognizes leadership and continuing contributions to process improvement and customer and employee satisfaction. Wieth was acknowledged for her total quality management (TQM) program. Under Wieth's leadership, Sheraton Seattle room attendants conducted TQM projects to research more efficient and cost-effective guestroom-cleaning methods. The Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers is located in downtown Seattle.

Washington State Convention & Trade Center

Robert Flowers has been appointed to the Washington State Convention & Trade Center (WSCTC) Board of Directors. Flowers is the senior vice president for the division of executive commercial real estate lending operations at Washington Mutual Bank. Phyllis Lamphere has been reappointed to the WSCTC Board. Other members include Frank Finneran, Dorothy Bullitt, Rick Bender, Gary Grant and Albert Rosellini.

Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association

Evelyn Davidson of Davidson's Highland Tree Farm has been elected president of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association (PNWCTA). Also elected were Julie Hoffman, vice president, Hoffman Trees; Don Douglass, Washington vice-president, Treeco; and Mark Sander, Oregon secretary-treasurer, Valley View Tree Ranch.