Apr 17, 2001

Parker LePla

@newsbrief:Parker LePla, a Seattle-based brand development and public relations firm, announced three promotions. Lisa Geschke-Sawyer, Muriel Guilbert and Sunshine Morrison were all promoted from strategists to account directors. Geschke-Sawyer has 12 years of experience in public relations and joined the firm three years ago. Guilbert has 10 years of international marketing experience and was marketing communications manager for a U.K.-based firm prior to joining Parker LePla. Morrison has been with the firm for three years and has more than seven years of marketing and public relations experience.

Vander Houwen

@newsbrief:Ann Melkessetian has joined Vander Houwen Public Relations in Bellevue as a public relations intern for the spring quarter. Currently a junior in the University of Washington's communications program, Melkessetian is the student chapter president of the Association for Women in Communication, co-chair of the upcoming Public Relations Student Society of America's career fair, and a Mike Jordan Scholar.

Spokane International Airport

@newsbrief:Spokane International Airport announced that Big Sky Airlines has moved its ground operations from Gate 21 on Concourse "C" to the Big Sky Airlines counter next to America West in the main terminal building. The change follows an announcement in February of a codeshare between the two airlines. As part of the agreement, America West adds Big Sky Airlines as a partner to its FlightFund frequent flyer program

Rafn Co.

The Rafn. Co. of Bellevue has promoted Sharen Borgias to business unit operations and client relations director for the Special Projects team and Heather Beaulieu to business unit operations and client relations director. Borgias has been with Rafn for 13 years, serving as a team leader, project manager and senior project manager. She holds a bachelor's degree in interior design from Western Washington University. Her projects at Rafn include the CC Filson Building, Saint Stephens Church and Spazzo restaurant. Beaulieu has an engineering and liberal arts education from the University of Washington. She joined Rafn 11 years ago and has been a team leader, project manager and senior project manager for the multi-housing team. A sampling of her projects includes the Shumway Condominiums, Cascade Court and the Morrison Hotel.

Apr 16, 2001

PRR

PRR, a Seattle-based public affairs consultancy, announced that Keri Shoemaker has joined the firm as an account executive in its public relations group. Shoemaker has worked at Kirkland-based HomeGrocer.com as both a marketing coordinator and public relations specialist.

The KMC Group

The KMC Group, a Bellevue-based technology public relations firm, announced the promotion of Eric Wiegers to vice president. Wiegers brings more than 20 years of communications experience in public relations and journalism, and over the past several months, has been integral in enhancing the firm's business practices while providing account management.

Qbeo

Qbeo, a North Bend-based provider of imaging technology and interactive television services, announced Nick Neumann has joined the company as vice president of interactive television. Neumann, a former executive for The Golf Channel and Lifetime TV, will be responsible for the marketing and selling of QBeo’s interactive TV imaging solution to broadband distributors such as cable, DSL and wireless providers.

Pacific Northwest Bancorp

Pacific Northwest Bancorp announced that all 55 of its banking subsidiary financial centers are now operating under the Pacific Northwest Bank name. Customers of Pacific Northwest Bank are now able to conduct all of their financial service business at any of its 55 centers, or 60 full-service ATMs located in 18 counties throughout Washington.

Smith Tractor

Smith Tractor & Equipment Co. announced that Ralph Gilbert has joined the company as sales and branch manager for the Tacoma and Montesano locations. Gilbert will be responsible for supervising all sales activities at these locations as well as implementing a company-wide strategic initiative of deploying an automated sales force using digital computer technology.

Gilbert’s background includes 12 years of John Deere dealer operations for Rush Equipment Center in Houston as well as eight years as a general contractor specializing in site work and excavation.

Smith Tractor & Equipment Co., one of the West’s largest equipment dealerships, operates seven branches in Western and Central Washington. Primarily a John Deere dealer, the company sells and rents machinery and attachments, and provides parts and services for the construction, forestry, asphalt and utility industries.

Grove

Stephen Cripe, Grove senior vice president and CFO, announced that David Hull has been appointed director, trade finance. Hull’s responsibility will be to seek out new financial tools to create a competitive advantage for Grove and its partners.

Grove distributes its products in more than 125 countries on six continents and has manufacturing and product development facilities and partners in North America, Europe and Asia.

Pacific Utility Equipment Co.

Roy Goecks, president of Pacific Utility Equipment Co., announced the addition of Curt Clawson at its Reno service center in the capacity of service/rental coordinator. Clawson comes to Pacific Utility with a background in customer service, having spent the past 15 years at Portland General Electric Co. His main focus will be on supporting the service department in the clerical, data entry and phone areas.

Pacific Utility Equipment Co. is a Portland-based equipment dealer with branches in Seattle, Spokane and a used equipment division in Tacoma

Smith Tractor

Smith Tractor & Equipment Co. announced that Ralph Gilbert has joined the company as sales and branch manager for the Tacoma and Montesano locations. Gilbert will be responsible for supervising all sales activities at these locations as well as implementing a company-wide strategic initiative of deploying an automated sales force using digital computer technology.

Gilbert’s background includes 12 years of John Deere dealer operations for Rush Equipment Center in Houston as well as eight years as a general contractor specializing in site work and excavation.

Smith Tractor & Equipment Co., one of the West’s largest equipment dealerships, operates seven branches in Western and Central Washington. Primarily a John Deere dealer, the company sells and rents machinery and attachments, and provides parts and services for the construction, forestry, asphalt and utility industries.

Grove

Stephen Cripe, Grove senior vice president and CFO, announced that David Hull has been appointed director, trade finance. Hull’s responsibility will be to seek out new financial tools to create a competitive advantage for Grove and its partners.

Grove distributes its products in more than 125 countries on six continents and has manufacturing and product development facilities and partners in North America, Europe and Asia.

Pacific Utility Equipment Co.

Roy Goecks, president of Pacific Utility Equipment Co., announced the addition of Curt Clawson at its Reno service center in the capacity of service/rental coordinator. Clawson comes to Pacific Utility with a background in customer service, having spent the past 15 years at Portland General Electric Co. His main focus will be on supporting the service department in the clerical, data entry and phone areas.

Pacific Utility Equipment Co. is a Portland-based equipment dealer with branches in Seattle, Spokane and a used equipment division in Tacoma