Nov 28, 2000

Absolute Future

Absolute Future, a Bellevue-based developer of secure communications systems, announced that it has named Scott Whitmore vice president, sales and marketing for its SafeMessage secure messaging product. Whitmore joined the company in July as a consultant to the sales and marketing team with responsibilities for developing the sales and marketing plan for the SafeMessage product launch. He joined the company full time last month in his current role.

FizzyLab

FizzyLab, a Seattle-based developer of automated information delivery solutions for online businesses, announced that Rip Warendorf was appointed senior vice president, business operations. Warendorf, a former executive at Corbis and iVillage, brings to FizzyLab more than 15 years of sales and business development experience in the technology and publishing industries.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless, a national wireless communications provider, has named D.J. Hulet as vice president of sales operations for the Northwest area. Hulet is responsible for leading the company's integrated sales and distribution efforts across all four regions in the Northwest area. She is a 23-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, most recently serving as customer service general manager for BTCellnet in the United Kingdom.

Lithia Motors

Lithia Motors of Medford, Ore. announced that it has completed the acquisition of Columbia Center Ford in Tri-Cities. In October of last year Lithia completed the acquisition of a Dodge store, and in May of this year Lithia acquired a Honda store in the same market area. With this most recent acquisition, Lithia now operates 107 franchises in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho and South Dakota. Lithia sells 26 brands of new vehicles at 50 stores and over the Internet at http://www.lithia.com

Nov 22, 2000

Integra Telecom

Smith

Harold Smith has joined Integra Telecom as director of activations where he will oversee design, provisioning and activation of new customers and services in Washington. As part of its "local serves better" strategy, these pooled resources are located at Integra's Kent headquarters. Smith brings 22 years of telecommunications experience to Integra Telecom. He joins the company after 10 years with MCIWorldcom serving in various roles from switch technician to technical services manager.

Foci Technologies

Simonson

Foci Technologies, a Seattle-based developer of e-business transaction management software, has appointed Michael Simonson as vice president of business development. Simonson served as global account executive with Natural Microsystems. At Foci he will be responsible for building the company's strategic alliances in the business-to-business e-commerce mid-market.

Catching the Butterfly.com

Catching the Butterfly.com, a Puyallup-based online vintage and modern-day used clothing Web site, is now open for business. Opened by Tenika Morrison, the site features old and new dresses, t-shirts, jeans and pants, sweaters, accessories and home decor with more additions such as vintage baby clothing to be added in the near future. All items are priced under $30. The Web site is located at www.catchingthebutterfly.com or by calling (877) 536-5471.

Nov 21, 2000

GA Design

Yeh

GA Design, a Bellevue-based graphic design firm, hired Ping Yeh as a Web designer. Yeh has more than five years of experience developing Internet, Intranet and e-commerce Web sites. Among several sites she has developed are sites for Marshall Erdman & Associates, an architectural firm, and Techline Furniture.

Daigle Design

Candace Daigle

Geoff Daigle

Candace and Geoff Daigle of Daigle Design, a Bainbridge Island graphic design and Web communications company, have been selected as members of the advisory board to Northwest College of Art. The college is located in Poulsbo and concentrates on studies in graphic design, multimedia and fine arts.

Shandwick International

Shandwick International, a company that provides reputation management for technology-based clients, hired Tony Jacob as group director and Nicolaas Groenveld-Meijer as senior account executive in the company's Seattle office. Jacob will help manage the company's Microsoft TV account team. He has more than 11 years of experience in corporate communications, media relations and public affairs. Meijer will work on the company's CourtLink account team. He has more than 10 years experience as a lawyer, reporter and media relations specialist.

Burkett, Burdette & Van Kampen

Al Van Kampen, Lee Burdette and David Burkett announced the formation of their law firm, Burkett, Burdette & Van Kampen. The firm was formed through the merger of Van Kampen & Associates and Burkett & Burdette. Van Kampen's practice focuses on intellectual property, antitrust and health law. Burdette's concentrates on medical malpractice and professional negligence cases. The emphasis of Burkett's practice is business litigation and appellate practice.