Dec 13, 1996

Stoel Rives

The law firm of Stoel Rives LLP has added six new lawyers to its Seattle office. Sarah Mack joins the firm's Land Use Group as a partner; Laura Smiley joins the Corporate, Finance & Securities Group and International Group as Of Counsel; Kent Fischmann joins the Intellectual Property Group as Of Counsel; Juliana Kehl also joins the Corporate, Finance & Securities Group and International Group; Mona Bentz joins the Litigation Group; and Lee Brunz joins Real Estate Group.

The Freeland Group

Eighteen area business executives have joined forces to form The Freeland Group (TFG). Headquartered in Bellevue TFG is a broad based, management consulting firm focused on the growing, small-to-mid size companies of the Pacific Northwest. Some of the issues focused on include accounting, communications, marketing, operations, recapitalization and strategic planning. The firm positions itself on making consulting services affordable to these businesses.

Mutual Travel

Mutual Travel has expanded its business by opening a new Northend Travel Center in Mill Creek. The new facility offers clients a full menu of travel services including business, vacation, meeting and incentive travel as well as the technology tools needed for current corporate travel management programs. Greta Fridlund will act as client services manager for the new office. She will manage all aspects of Mutual Travel's service program for Northend companies and will be the key contact for potential new accounts. The new office is located in the Mill Creek Office Park at 16000 Bothell-Everett Highway. The phone number is (206) 379-5600.

House of Representatives

State Representative Velma Veloria, Washington State's first Filipino-American legislator has been chosen by the President of the Philippines to receive the Presidential Award for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. The award is given in recognition of Veloria's contributions to progress and development in the Philippines and for exemplary service in helping to promote the interests of the Filipino community overseas. It is also given to recognize the honor brought by Filipinos overseas to the Filipino nations through outstanding professional accomplishments. This year Veloria has worked to enhance trade, tourism and cultural exchanges by initiating efforts toward a formal sister-state relationship between Washington and the Philippine Province of Pangasinan. Veloria has also been elected ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Trade and Economic Development for the 1997-99 term.

McCann-Erickson/Seattle

The ad agency McCann-Erickson/Seattle has received a second contract extension with the Washington State Lottery campaigning for its "Scratch" and "Lotto" game products. The contract has been renewed through June 1998.

The Salvation Army

Collections in the Salvation Army's kettles is down 24% this holiday season while the needs in King County remain. The familiar red kettles, attended by bell ringing door people will be gone as of Christmas Eve, leaving little time for collections to be made. The Salvation Army is asking for donations to help provide its services of meals and gifts to families in poverty. Look for the red kettles at local stores or donations may be mailed to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 9219, Seattle, WA 98109.

Cushman & Wakefield

Robert R. Larsen has been named a director of Cushman & Wakefield of Washington, Inc. He has been with the company for 11 years. Larsen is a financial services group broker in the Seattle office. He specializes in providing real estate advisory services to users, investors and owners. His experience includes acquisition, consulting, development, disposition, leasing and valuation. Larsen most recently completed lease negotiations on 274,000 square feet of office space at Equity Valley Office Center in Renton and 84,000 square feet at Everett Mall Office Park.

Colliers International

Arvin L. Vander Veen, vice president with Colliers Macaulay Nicolls International, received the SIOR designation awarded by the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, an international association of professional commercial real estate brokers. To earn the designation Vander Veen had to complete at least seven years creditable experience in industrial real estate, pass a written examination and demonstrate professional ability, competency, ethical conduct and personal integrity.

Seattle Hilton loan, remodel

GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation announced that Joseph E. Kimm, Jr., vice president and branch manager of the Seattle office has arranged $22.5 million in permanent financing for the Seattle Hilton. The Seattle Hilton is a 237-room, 17-story first class hotel in downtown Seattle. The hotel is presently undergoing over $2 million of interior design improvements, including completely refurbished rooms and lobby areas. R.C. Hedreen Co. is the borrower for this project.

CREW Northwest

The membership of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) -- Northwest has elected the following to two-year terms on its Board of Directors: Anita Albright, president; Diane Gamache-BoSanco, president-elect; Gretchen Young, secretary/treasurer; Sally Alhadeff, vice president for education; Deborah Berg, vice president for programs; Angelia Harlow, vice president for special projects; Barbara Lansche, vice president for membership; Tracy Lent-Anderson, vice president for newsletter; Lois Townsend, vice president for marketing/publicity; Pam Murry, NNCREW delegate; Lisa Verner, NNCREW delegate. The newly-elected board members have named the following as their committee chairs: Karen McIver, Newsletter; Britt Nelson, education; and Christine Freerks, marketing and publicity. Lisa Verner has been named director of communications by the NNCREW Board of Directors.

Building amenities include wine consultant

Beginning in December, The U.S. Bancorp Tower will provide wine consultant services, provided by Karen Hinsdale of The Cellar Door. According to Ron Foster, senior vice president U.S. Bancorp, "U.S. Bancorp is continually seeking opportunities to maintain a cutting edge level of amenities for our tenants. Personal wine services provide our very busy tenants with easy access to a pursuit that will enhance their leisure time."

Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae, the nation's largest source of home mortgage funds, has purchased a $1 million note from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (HFC) to help give approximately 500 families in Washington access to affordable mortgage rates.

Coldwell Banker

Coldwell Banker Bain Associates announced the addition of four sales associates to its Bellevue office: Margo Mansfield, Jennifer McFarland, Janeen McLaughlin and Mike McLaughlin.

Emerald Heights

Emerald Heights, a continuing care retirement community in Redmond, was selected as one of the top 20 retirement communities in the nation by New Choices magazine. A subsidiary of Reader's Digest, New Choices magazine is published for the 55+ reader with and estimated readership of 1.8 million nationwide. Emerald Heights was the only Washington state continuing care retirement community to make this list. Emerald Heights provides residential living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care to more than 450 residents.