Oct 21, 2003

Washington State Dental Association

The Washington State Dental Association elected new officers and members to its board of directors. The new officers are Mark V. Walker, president; Lawrence R. Lawton, president-elect; Dan Middaugh, vice president; and Robert R. Shaw, immediate past president. The new members are Michael D. Aslin, Dexter E. Barnes, Albert Bird, Sue Weishaar and Rodney B. Wentworth.

Cascade Financial

Carol K. Nelson, president and CEO of Snohomish County-based Cascade Financial Corp., was named to U.S. Banker Magazine's list of 25 Women to Watch. The list ranks the 25 most powerful women in banking and finance today. Since Nelson joined the bank in 2001, Cascade has had 11 consecutive quarters of record profitability and growth.

Seattle Financial Group

Seattle Financial Group, a network of financial services including Seattle Mortgage and Seattle Savings Bank, named Gary Carlson chief administrative officer. Carlson is responsible for overseeing the organization's financial operations, including activities conducted under Seattle Mortgage, Seattle Savings Bank, Seattle Escrow and Seattle Capital. Carlson is the former vice president of U.S. Bank's Metropolitan Commercial Banking division.

Western Washington University

Western Washington University named Barbara Audley executive director of the Extended Education and Summer Programs. EESP offers education and human services degrees in Seattle, Oak Harbor, Everett and Bremerton; as well as on-campus professional development, youth education and Elderhostel programs. Audley has 35 years of experience in university outreach and adult education.

American West Steamboat

American West Steamboat Co., a Seattle-based cruise line, promoted John Hein to president and Gary Sorrels to senior vice president of operations. Hein has been with the company since 1996, most recently as general manager. Prior to his promotion, Sorrels was the vice president of passenger services.

Aecon Buildings

Aecon Buildings in Lynnwood has hired Rick LaSharr and Paul Cronin as project managers. LaSharr is putting his 15 years of industry experience to work heading up projects for Green River Community College and the Low Income Housing Institute. Cronin has nearly 20 years of experience. He is overseeing expansions of the Coeur d'Alene Casino and Coeur d'Alene Hotel in Idaho.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Council

Stephen Davey of the Woodland Park Zoo has achieved "Building Operator Certification -- Level I" status from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council. Davey received the certification after a year of training and project work in building operations.

Oct 17, 2003

Watermark Credit Union

Watermark Credit Union, a not-for-profit credit union based in Seattle, opened a new branch in Bellevue that replaces a smaller branch formerly located in the Eastgate area. The branch is located in the Kelsey Creek Shopping Center, 15015 Main St.

GiftCertificates.com

GiftCertificates.com, a Seattle-based company that provides gift certificate products and services, hired Kathy Gersch as vice president of business and merchant development. Gersch is the former vice president of finance, strategic planning and marketing at Nordstrom.

Qpass

Qpass, a Seattle-based software company, named Jim Medick vice president of technical operations. Medick, who has more than 20 years of technology experience, will oversee the operations and quality services groups.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named Rubicela Acosta director. Acosta is the president of Hispanic America Group, a Hispanic consumer marketing consulting firm. The chamber elected Lourdes Sampera to a second term as president.

Lynden International

Lynden International, a division of Seattle-based Lynden Air Freight, appointed Randy Prevette director of European business development. Based in the Atlanta, Prevette will coordinate Lynden's worldwide sales efforts. Lynden also hired Jim Burt as district manager in the Boston office, and Danny Ragar as an account executive in the Dallas office.