People
Mark Brinkman and Dennis “Doug” Douglas have been chosen as the recipients of the Washington State Veterans of Foreign Wars Gold Medal award winners for their consistent, outstanding work in public safety. Douglas has been a member of the Lynnwood Fire Department since 1979. His colleagues call him one of the hardest working and best respected firefighters in southwest Snohomish County. Brinkman, who has been with the Lynnwood Police Department since 1996, is known statewide for his ability to detect impaired drivers.
Jaclyn Cogdill of Everett, a nurse at Swedish Hospital Medical Center in Seattle, has received a Nurse of Experience and Excellence award, and also was recognized as an outstanding obstetric nurses for 2007. Cogdill, a graduate of Cascade High School and Shoreline Community College, has been a nurse at Swedish since 1981.
David Yung has been appointed vice president and general manager of Intermec Technologies’ Asia Pacific region. Yung is a technology veteran with more than 20 years of management experience in the region. Intermec is based in Everett.
Dr. Gordon Brandt has been promoted to president of Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. of Bothell. Brandt previously served as executive vice president of clinical research and medical officers. Dr. Steven Quay will remain the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.
Business news
United Country-Whidbey Pacific Realty of Langley had third-quarter sales that moved the company into United Country’s President’s Round Table Award level. The office, located at 11042 Highway 525 in Langley, is owned by Konda Kearton, who can be contacted at 360-321-4701 or online at www.whidbeyislandwa-realestate.com.
Skylark Writing Studio is the newest tenant at the Bayview Corner Cash Store on south Whidbey Island. The store is a retail establishment, arts venue and community space owned and operated by Goosefoot, a nonprofit organization
seeking to enhance local commerce.
Education
Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics has earned full accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Worldwide 554 business schools have achieved the association’s accreditation.
State-approved continuing education and basic electrical and plumbing courses are available in January and February in Everett, offered by the Construction Industry Training Council of Washington. Register online at www.citcwa.org or 425-454-2482.
A free workshop for owners of new and small businesses is set for 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Everett Public Library, 2707 Hoyt Ave., Everett. Offered by the state Department of Revenue, the class will help participants learn about taxes, reporting classifications, deductions, tax incentives, sales tax collection and record-keeping requirements. To register, go online to www.dor.wa.gov or call 425-356-4800.
Country Living Expo and Cattlemen’s Winterschool is set for Jan. 19 at Stanwood High School. Presented by Washington State University Extension, more than 50 classes will be offered. To register and find out more, go to www.skagit.wsu.edu or call 360-428-4270. Register by Jan. 14 for $45.
News notes
Snohomish County is set to receive an $85,000 grant from the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development for the launch of a program to help families manage personal finances. The project will provide for training to more than 500 clients.
Washington’s minimum wage increases 14 cents to $8.07 an hour beginning Jan. 1. The state’s minimum wage applies to workers in both agriculture and nonagricultural jobs, although 14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, or $6.86 an hour. Free posters about minimum wage and worker rights are available from the Department of Labor and Industries by calling 866-219-7321 or by download at Wages.Lni.wa.gov.
Workers’ compensation rates are set to increase 3.2 percent in 2008. Labor and Industries administration said the increase is necessary to partially cover wage and health care inflation. Individual employers could see their rates go up or down, depending on their recent claims history and any changes in the frequency and cost of claims in their industry.
Meetings
WSA, Washington’s technology association, meets for a networking session, 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 17, Valhalla Bar and Grill, Kirkland. For information, e-mail info@wsa.org.
Good deeds
Everett-based clothing retailer Zumiez recently donated 120 winter jackets, blankets and knit caps to the St. Vincent de Paul flood relief work in Lewis County.
Businesses in Langley on Whidbey Island have kicked off what they hope will become winter traditions that are already boosting community spirit. Hurt financially by storms in 2006, a merchant and community team led by Mary-Elizabeth Rosenberg transformed Langley into a “winter wonderland” with lights decorating nearly every building in town. Activities of the season, designed to increase business during off-peak months, have included a winter market, a parade and a community dinner.
More than a dozen teenagers living at the Cocoon House shelter in Everett were treated recently to a Christmas party presented by Cycle Barn’s Harley-Davidson of Seattle dealership in Lynnwood. The teens received new leather or textile jackets, were served a spaghetti dinner and opened several gifts. Employees of the company donated more than $600 worth of gifts and decorations, the company donated the jackets, and members of the Great Northwest HOG Chapter board of directors volunteered to serve as waiters.
Haggen Food &Pharmacy and TOP Food &Drug stores are collecting donations for the 12th annual Warm Coats for Kids campaign, which starts Thursday. The Warm Coats for Kids campaign is seeking new or gently worn coats, hats, scarves and mittens, which will be distributed through local social service agencies. Area stores include TOP Food &Drug, 21900 Highway 99, Edmonds; TOP Food &Drug, 1605 S.E. Everett Mall Way, Everett; TOP Food &Drug, 1301 Ave. D, Snohomish; Haggen Food &Pharmacy, 3711 88th St. NE, Marysville; Haggen Food &Pharmacy, 20115 74th Ave. NE, Arlington; Haggen Food &Pharmacy, 8915 Market Place NE, Lake Stevens; Haggen Food &Pharmacy, 26603 72nd Ave. NW, Stanwood.
Send your Business FYI news and color photos to Mike Benbow, business editor, The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206, by fax at 425-339-3435 or by e-mail at economy@heraldnet.com.
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