Feb 06, 2001

Optimedia

Callahan

Polit

Optimedia, the Seattle-based media planning and buying division of Paris-based Publicis Group S.A., announced that both Kari Callahan and Johanna Polit have been promoted to associate media directors. Callahan was formerly a media supervisor and works on several accounts, including Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Times, Washington State Lottery and Emerald Downs. Polit was formerly a media supervisor and works on accounts such as VoiceStream Wireless, Eagle Hardware & Garden and Washington State Tourism.

Wells Fargo

Abtahi

Wells Fargo's business banking group has hired Massoud Abtahi as a business banking manager to serve businesses in the south Seattle area. Abtahi is responsible for serving the financial needs of businesses that have annual sales of up to $20 million. He began his career with Wells Fargon in 1995 where he worked as a market development officer and a commercial loan officer before assuming his new position.

Boullioun Aviation Services

Boullioun Aviation Services announced that its purchase by Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (WestLB) of Dusseldorf/Munster, Germany, was finalized after gaining regulatory approval. Boullioun, which has offices in Bellevue, Singapore and London, leases aircraft to airlines for itself and in collaboration with its affiliate, Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise. The two companies' combined portfolios contain 71 aircraft with a total market value of $2.6 billion. Together, the two companies have 99 aircraft on firm order valued at more than $5 billion, plus options. The acquisition by WestLB will secure Boullioun's growth plans as it takes delivery of 61 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft over the next eight years.

Acadio

Acadio Corp., a Seattle-based e-learning solution provider for small to mid-size organizations, announced the promotion of Narendra Pathipati to president and chief operating officer, from executive vice president, CFO and COO. Pathipati will assume the lead role in the day-to-day management and growth of the company. Pathipati was senior vice president of corporate development and strategy for Weirton Steel Corp., where he created the company’s first four start-ups, including co-founding the e-commerce venture MetalSite.net, a pioneer in business-to-business commerce over the Internet.

Wovie/Sierra Systems

Wovie, a media entertainment studio in Olympia, and the Seattle office of Sierra Systems are working on their first joint project, a contract with King County. The project entails designing, building and implementing new Internet/Intranet sites for King County’s Procurement Division and Contract Services Division, as well as helping the division identify strategies for e-procurement and e-commerce. Sierra Systems’ Seattle office will coordinate the project and build the sites. Wovie will design the user interfaces and information architectures

Heery International

Heery International has made several promotions in its Seattle office. Jimmy Jones, Shawn K. O'Sullivan, Debi E. Smith and Mitchell J. Stein have all been promoted to the position of associate. Heery International is a full-service design, engineering and construction management firm with over 1,100 employees in 30 offices worldwide. The Seattle office is home to 75 construction managers, move managers, designers and planners.

WGA

The Washington Glass Association has elected its new officers and board of directors for 2001. The officers include: Bonnie Fay of Northwestern Industries, president; Mike Ball of the Glaziers & Glassworkers Local Union No. 188, vice president; Ed Howell of Hartung Glass Industries, secretary; Greg Barnhart of Pacific Glass & Door, treasurer; and Jerry Larson of Larson's Glass, past president. The board of directors include: Mark Casper of DeaMor Associates; Bill George of General Storefronts; Steve Klein of Morse Industries; Chris Rogstad of Window Tech; and Gary Towndrow of RGA Architectural Sales. Maryanne Howell continues as the association's executive director.

SeaCon

SeaCon LLC of Issaquah has won a national safety award from the Associated Builders and Contractors. The local contractor and developer won a "Merit Award" in the "50,000-100,000 Work Hours" category. It will be presented March 9, during the association's national convention in San Antonio