People Watching Feb. 2010

Everett Mall Manager Linda Johannes has retired after 30 years of service. During her tenure, Johannes has seen major changes in retail spending and the advent of many new technologies. She also was there to guide the mall, its tenants and shoppers through many facelifts and remodels. Her presence will be missed by many local businesses. Johannes’ last working day was Jan. 15.

Snohomish County Employee Susan Thornton has been named to the International Public Management Association’s Publications Advisory Board for 2010. Thornton, a senior employee relations analyst in the county’s Human Resources Department, was selected from a host of national and international candidates for the position. Thornton has been employed with Snohomish County for more than 22 years and is an involved community member.

WHPacific recently hired Mike Horton as Director of Transportation in the Olympia office. Horton brings over 32 years of experience as a transportation engineer, with 30 years in various positions within WSDOT. He has expertise in federally-funded projects, State Highways, local agency transportation projects and specializes in the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance requirements. Horton will provide senior-level oversight and management of transportation projects in the Olympia area as well as participate in business development. His goals include assisting local communities with transportation improvements that meet the needs of their citizens.

Gov. Christine Gregoire has appointed Gigi Burke to Everett Community College’s Board of Trustees. A former owner and vice president of Crown Distributing, Burke has more than 20 years of business leadership background.

She served as a Washington State Regional Transportation Commissioner, and was a member and past president of the Washington Beer and Wine Wholesaler’s Association, on the Snohomish County Executive Advisory Board, City of Everett Charter Review Committee, and Mountain Pacific Bank Board of Trustees.

Burke is also a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County Board of Trustees, Greater Everett Community Foundation Board, Providence Regional Medical Center General Children’s Association Guild, and other organizations and has received many awards. Burke will replace trustee Nancy Truitt Pierce, who completed her third term in 2009 after serving on the board since 1998. Burke’s own term is from 2010 through 2014.

Cascade Bank, the principal operating subsidiary of Cascade Financial Corporation has promoted Courtney Hashimoto to senior vice president and special assets team leader. Hashimoto joined Cascade in 2008 as a commercial lending officer, after working in the field for more than 30 years, including the last ten years in credit administration. He works out of the bank’s corporate headquarters in downtown Everett.

Hashimoto is an active member of several trade organizations including the Seattle Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and the Seattle Mortgage Bankers group. Outside of work, he is involved in supporting his community through the Plymouth Congregational Church and United Way. He resides in the Seattle area.

Mountain Pacific Bank has announced the addition of Dr. David Burgstahler to its Board of Directors. The bank said they appreciated his academic perspective gained from along tenure at the University of Washington. Burgstahler specializes in managerial accounting, financial reporting and disclosure, and earnings forecasts. He has also served the UW Business School as Acting Dean and as Associate Dean for Masters Programs and Executive Education. Burgstahler has been repeatedly recognized with both research and teaching awards.

Everett Bone &Joint has announced that Dr. Todd Havener has successfully attained a Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand. This certification is only given to surgeons who have demonstrated qualifications in hand surgery beyond those expected of orthopedic surgeons. To qualify, a surgeon must have been in practice for at least two years following formal training, hold operating privileges at an accredited hospital and have successfully passed required examinations. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery administers testing and awards the certification.

HWA GeoSciences Inc. has hired Brian Coker as a construction field inspector. With more than 11 years experience in the construction industry, Coker inspects the placement of soils, concrete, asphalt, anchors, and masonry for municipal, residential, commercial, and light industrial projects. He enjoys being an inspector and using his observation, analytical, and communication skills to help clients build their projects safely and properly. Currently, Coker is inspecting construction at Lift Stations 7 and 8 in Edmonds.

Jennifer Koval has been selected to manage KeyBank’s new branch in the Canyon Park area of Bothell. The branch is nearing completion and is expected to open February 16th, 2010. Koval began her career at Home Savings of America in 1992 as a teller. Since that time, she has been a personal banker, securities broker and branch manager. For the past 3 years, she has managed the KeyBank branch at Mill Creek. Koval also holds life and disability insurance licenses and has specialized training and experience in commercial credit analysis and individual retirement accounts. She continues to pursue professional development training through the University of Phoenix.

Kelli Owen, PE, senior transportation engineer at Reid Middleton, receives the 2009 June Rosentreter Spence Award from the American Public Works Association’s Washington Chapter. Owen has been an engineer with Reid Middleton for 26 years and an active member of American Public Works Association since 1987, serving as director in 1997. She specializes in roundabout design and has been project manager on a number of award-winning roundabout projects and been involved in more than 130 roundabout projects nationwide.

Zonta Club, a service organization recognized for improving the status of women both locally and globally, has honored club member Joan Thomasson of Mukilteo as the Founder’s Day recipient for 2009. Thomasson was recognized for her 18 years of service to Zonta as well as her years of volunteer service to many community organizations. Thomasson is the Operations and Maintenance Manager for Woodinville Water District and serves as a Commissioner for Mukilteo Water and Waste Water District.

On November 20th, 2009 the Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound presented Diane Jochimsen, MS, CFP with the 2009 Professional Service Award in recognition of her contribution to FPA of Puget Sound and the financial planning community. Jochimsen is president of White Raven Financial Services located in the Sisco Heights area of Arlington, Washington. She offers securities and investment advisory services through KMS Financial Services, Inc.

J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate was recently named one of real estate’s most influential leaders by Inman News. Inman News is considered a leading source of independent real estate news and information for the industry. According to the editors at Inman, the Inman 100 list “reflects the industry’s best and brightest, who have risen to the challenge posed by a battered economy and housing hardships on an immense scale. Scott was chosen for his continued leadership and contributions to the real estate industry. He was acknowledged for his commitment to driving forward new technologies and concepts that further establish John L. Scott as one of the most innovative real estate companies in the nation.

IntegrIT Network Solutions, Inc. has announced that Julie Rice will join the executive team as VP of Business Development. She will spearhead business development and marketing activities to advance IntegrIT Network Solution’s penetration to small businesses looking to save money and put their focus back on their business by optimizing their company’s IT systems.

Rice has more than 20 years of experience in sales operations, marketing, and general management. She has a strong track-record of success in developing sales and marketing programs at start-up, technology-based companies, most recently with Myrio Corporation, which was acquired by Siemens AG in 2005, and later became a part of the joint venture, Nokia Siemens Networks, in 2007.

Cascade Financial Corporation. The parent company of Cascade Bank, has announced that Lars Johnson has left the post of CFO. The company, that reported a profitable fourth quarter is now looking to fill the vacancy. Senior vice president and controller Terry Stoll will hold the interim position.

PCSI Design has said that it has been hiring strategically to boost its chances of winning government contracts or landing projects in 2010. The newest employee in this plan is Debra Straume, an International Trade Compliance officer with more than 15 years in compliance, risk assessment, regulatory procedures and more.

According to officials, Straume is on board to help companies understand and implement government regulations which can assist them in exporting products and technologies. Compliance challenges can often stall projects, result in penalties and shut down businesses. Straume is already pursuing new business for PCSI Design, leveraging her compliance skills and background.