Apr 07, 1998

Western Industrial

Seattle-based Western Industrial Painting Inc. has won an Excellence Award from the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America for its efforts in providing a safer place to work for its employees. Western Industrial is a marine and industrial sandblasting and painting contractor.

Locke approves tax breaks for cleanups

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Gary Locke has signed legislation that provides tax incentives to encourage faster cleanup of contaminated sites. House Bill 2051 had passed both houses of the Legislature unanimously. Jerry Smedes, president of Bothell-based Smedes & Associates, was instrumental in getting the legislation passed this year as a lobbyist for the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC). "We have worked for this legislation for the past two years," Smedes said. "By reducing the overall cost of cleanup, this bill encourages property owners to clean up toxic waste sites and put these lands back into productive use." The legislation does two things: it gives all property owners who clean up their sites a sales-tax exemption; and it gives a business-and-occupation tax break to environmental firms that provide investigation and cleanup services. The B&O tax rate has dropped from nearly 2 percent to 0.471 percent of gross revenues for cleanup-related work. "This legislation will help move cleanups along faster by making them more affordable," said Mary Burg, manager of the Department of Ecology's Toxics Cleanup Program. "That's good for business, good for the environment and good for public health." Ecology's voluntary cleanup program allows property owners to clean up their sites on their own and submit the cleanup results to Ecology for approval. About 90 percent of cleanups in Washington are done independently. Until now, cleanup contracts have been charged sales tax unless the site was listed on Ecology's Hazardous Sites List. According to Smedes, this created an unfair advantage for property owners who waited until their sites were formally listed by Ecology before they cleaned them up. "The new law levels the playing field," Smedes said. "It provides incentives to clean up, rather than rewarding delay." The tax breaks will go into effect July 1.

EVS forms new subsidiary

SEATTLE -- EVS Environment Consultants Inc. (EVS) has announced the formation of EVS Solutions Inc. (ESi), a wholly-owned subsidiary that will provide environmental consulting services to the private sector. EVS will continue to do environmental work for a wide spectrum of clients, including local, state and federal government agencies. "We see this as an opportunity to better tailor our services to our clients' needs as our company grows," said Dr. Robert N. Dexter, president of both companies. Dr. D. Michael Johns has been named director of operations of ESi. Ann Corcoran is CEO of EVS. Both EVS and ESi provide environmental management and technical services in evaluating water and sediment quality, ecological and human health risks, and natural resource damages. Both companies specialize in the research and development of environmental policy, resource-management strategies, and biological-effects testing. Established in 1979, EVS has more than 100 employees in offices in Seattle, New York City, Oakland, Calif., Vancouver, B.C., Indonesia and Thailand.

HAZWOPER trainer needed in November

PORTLAND -- The Oregon chapter of the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) is requesting proposals from qualified firms to provide an eight-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) refresher class. The class will be offered in conjunction with the Responsible Environmental Management Conference (REMCON), which is set for Nov. 17-18 in Portland. Interested firms should contact Alice DeVault at NEBC--Washington for a complete copy of the request for proposals. Her phone number is (206) 528-3410.

NEBC offers marketing seminar in Oregon

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Northwest Environmental Business Council--Oregon is offering a two-part marketing seminar on Wednesday, April 15 in Beaverton, Ore. The first part of the seminar, "Maximizing Your Marketing Efforts," is set for 9 to 11 a.m. Speakers include: Randi Freidig of The Freidig Group, who will speak on "Building Lasting Business Relationships"; Fred S. Fox of Global Exhibit Marketing, who will speak on "Trade Show Tactics for Success"; and David Welsh, NEBC executive director, who will encourage NEBC members to "Give Your Association a Workout." The second part of the seminar, "Marketing to Industry," is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Panelists include: Carla Yetter, environmental manager of SEH America Inc.; Jim Krahn, program director of the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association; and Susan Aha, environmental engineer with Freightliner Corp. (invited). The moderator will be Andrew Franklin of Century West Engineering. The "Marketing to Industry" panel discussion will reveal the future environmental needs of SEH, the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association and Freightliner. This segment of the seminar will include lunch. The cost of both parts of the seminar and lunch is $50 for NEBC members and $60 for non-members. The cost is less for people who attend only one portion of the seminar. The seminar will meet at the Greenwood Inn, 10700 S.W. Allen Blvd., Beaverton. To register or receive more information, call Kristin or Juliet at (503) 227-6361.

Apr 06, 1998

Cole & Weber

Cole & Weber has hired two new employees in the Seattle advertising/public relations office: Jay Christensen, interactive account executive, and Heidi Flora, senior art director. Ed Lisieski has been promoted to interactive senior art director. Christensen will be working on the Visio interactive account. Flora will be working on the Boeing account. Lisieski will be working on Nestle, Texas Instruments/Digital Light Processing, K2 Skis, Intrawest Resorts and the University of Phoenix accounts.

TCI Media Services

TCI Media Services has integrated new client services -- promotions, research and sports programming -- under one umbrella called the Client Resources Group. Stacey Malone is research manager. Malone previously served as marketing research consultant at Fisher Broadcasting in Seattle. Heidi Carroll was promoted to promotions coordinator.

Reed McClure

Reed McClure shareholders Earl Sutherland and Bradley Grisham have been named to the Seattle law firm's three-member executive committee. Stuart Allen is president of Reed McClure. Allen focuses on bankruptcy law, commercial litigation and transactions with an emphasis on the travel industry.

Orion Capital

Orion Capital Corp. will acquire Grocers Insurance Group, a specialty insurance holding company serving the grocery and food service industry, which is currently owned by Portland-based United Grocers Inc. Grocers Insurance Group operates in 31 states.

American Meter & Appliance

American Meter & Appliance, a Seattle-based provider of coin-operated laundry equipment and home appliances, recently celebrated its 40-year anniversary. American Meter & Appliance, founded by Gene and Inky Merlino, is run by son and daughter Jim and Jean Merlino, president and general manager.

Yakima County

Yakima County Development Association New Vision recently hired D.J. Batch & Associates in Seattle to market Yakima County as a prime location for Puget Sound manufacturers expanding or relocating operations. Batch will be responsible for contacting manufacturers. Donna Batch, principal of D.J. Batch, recently served as a manufacturing broker with the City of Seattle in developing an industry workforce training program.

Pacific Rim Resources

Pacific Rim Resources hired a new research director, Bruce Brown, Ph.D., who will direct research to support Pacific Rim Resources' public involvement, program development and marketing initiatives. Brown was formerly evaluation coordinator with the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health. The Seattle-based firm focuses on public affairs and communications.