Dec 24, 1997

Weber Marketing Group

Weber Marketing Group, a Seattle-based marketing communications agency, has hired Steve Berberet as senior art director. Berberet will be developing creative concepts and graphic designs for both traditional and digital communications. Berberet was most recently art director at Walter Dorwin Teague Associates and owner of StudioBe.

Coffman

Rick Amble has rejoined Coffman Engineer's Seattle office as an electrical designer. He is currently working on projects for AT&T Wireless and for the Yakima Herald. Kris Swanson has joined the staff as a structural designer, and has begun work on the design of two new Nordstrom Department Stores. Jerry Veatch has joined Coffman as a CAD drafter.

Dec 23, 1997

Microsoft

The employees of Microsoft nationwide have contributed more than $4.2 million in their annual giving campaign. With a company match, more than $8.4 million will go to charities across the nation. In the past, the bulk of the money has gone to United Way of King County, whose campaign goal this year is $55.5 million dollars.

Renton Technical College

Renton Technical College has added a new one-year training program titled "Computer Network Technician." Students enrolled in the program will be trained in how to set-up and operate network servers including web servers for several operating systems. Students will also learn PC workstation training and support, and how to install and configure user programs.

Start getting ready for GLOBE '98

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- GLOBE '98, a conference and trade fair on business and the environment, is set for March 18-20, 1998 at the World Trade Centre in Vancouver, B.C. This year's event will focus on "The Business of Keeping Kyoto Promises." Senior government officials from the U.S. and Canada will provide an update on how Kyoto commitments are being met. GLOBE '98 will highlight the greenhouse gas reduction strategies of major corporations around the world, including British Petroleum, Westcoast Energy and Royal Dutch Shell. Emissions trading, voluntary agreements for reducing emissions, eco-taxes and "airshed management programs" also will be discussed. "Kyoto discussed reduction quotas for the countries involved," said John Wiebe, president and CEO of the GLOBE Foundation. "GLOBE '98 will provide the necessary intelligence to make meeting those quotas possible." GLOBE '98 will feature a variety of energy and fuel alternatives, including:

• the Ballard Fuel Cell, a zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell engine that converts natural gas, methanol or hydrogen fuel into electricity without combustion;
• Turbodyne engine systems that reduce vehicle emissions;
• and DynaMotive's BioMass Refinery, a patented flash-heating process that converts biomass into energy.

Dec 22, 1997

Western Washington University

Western Washington University has received a $1.9 million in computer software from Microsoft, the largest gift Western has received from a single source. It includes the latest NT server and more than 4,550 licensed software packages.

Microrim Inc.

Abacus Software Group and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Microrim Inc. have named Mary T. Kohler as chairman of the board and CEO. Kohler is leaving her position as president and COO of Napersoft Inc., a developer of document management software. Kohler will head both Abacus and Microrim, and plans to strengthen the executive team by bringing in key players for sales, marketing and business development. Microrim, located in Bellevue, develops productivity-enhancing database management systems.

Dec 18, 1997

Interactive Objects

Interactive Objects, a Redmond-based developer and marketer of modular software development tools and communications system consulting systems, has added Daren Kloes to its executive staff as vice president of marketing. Kloes will oversee the development and implementation of the firm's strategic marketing initiatives. Kloes formerly served as product marketing manager for FourGen Software.