Britain elected secretary

Kennewick mayor pro-tem, Don Britain, was elected secretary of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Board of Directors. Britain will serve on the association’s executive committee and is in line to become vice president, and then president.

Britain has served on the AWC board since 2014. He represents district At-Large #3, which includes cities east of the Cascade Mountain range.

Britain was elected to the Kennewick city council in 2009 and re-elected in 2013.

Petersen attains certification

Jeffrey Petersen, CEO of Petersen Hastings, was named as a Certified Board Advisor (CBA) by the Center for Strategic Business Integrity.

The CBA designation is granted to select individuals for acting as director of and/or as a key advisor to corporate boards. Each CBA must meet standards of the Center’s certification program including character, relevant experience and accomplishments demonstrating they are equipped with the skills and ethics necessary to direct a modern corporate enterprise.

Petersen is the current chair of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center board of directors and a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Columbia Industries announces board members

At its 52nd Annual meeting, Columbia Industries announced its board leadership for the 2016-2017 year: Board Chair, Gary Long; Vice Chair, Jaime Devore; Treasurer, Ron Nelson; Secretary, Steve Conley; Special Projects, Ron Williamson; and Past Chair, Pat Turner. Outgoing board members Joel Ockey with Waddell and Reed and Steve Beckman with Yoke’s Fresh Markets were recognized for their service. Eric Van Winkle of Van Winkle Firm LLC was recognized as a newly elected board member.

Rep. Walsh receives award

Representative Maureen Walsh was selected to receive a Crayon Award from the Early Learning Action Alliance (ELAA) in recognition of her leadership and achievements in early-learning policymaking. Walsh serves as the ranking Republican on the House Early Learning Services and Human Services Committee.

The ELAA is a coalition of more than 50 organizations that support and advocate for investments in early-learning programs in Washington State.

Zacha honored for 25 years

Franklin PUD recently honored Jim Zacha for his 25 years of service. Zacha started with Franklin PUD in 1991 as a Journeyman Lineman. He was promoted to Line Foreman in 2005. Zacha began his career in the electric industry in 1977 as an Electrical Groundman for Zacha Construction in Corvallis, Mont.

Petersen Hastings named top adviser

Petersen Hastings, a Kennewick firm, has been named to the Financial Times 300 (FT 300) Top Registered Investment Advisers. The list recognizes top independent Registered Investment Advisor firms from across the U.S. This is the third annual FT 300 list, produced independently by the Financial Times Ltd., in collaboration with Ignites Research, a subsidiary of the FT that provides business intelligence on the investment management industry. Pre-screened applicants were invited to apply for consideration based on their assets under management. Out of more than 1,500 firms, 300 were chosen for this honor.

Scholarships awarded

The Columbia Center Rotary Club announced its scholarship winners for the 2016-2017 academic year. Ten high school graduates received $2,000 each, one recipient received $1,500 to continue his college education and two students received financial awards for tools needed to pursue jobs and/or apprenticeships. The scholarship winners are Makenna Behrens, Southridge High School, who will attend Western Oregon University; Odalys Gonzalez, TriTech Skills Center, who will attend Columbia Basin College; Brianna Hunting, Southridge High School, who will attend Pacific Lutheran University; Cinthia Llamas, TriTech Skills Center, who will attend Eastern Washington University; Natalie Mullen, TriTech Skills Center, who will attend Washington State University; Daniel Perez, Jubilee Leadership Academy, who will pursue a career as a professional welder; Shelby Randall, Southridge High School, who will attend Eastern Washington University; Igor Sloboda, TriTech Skills Center, who will attend Columbia Basin College; Allie Stites, Southridge High School, who will attend Brigham Young University; and Yessica Cancino Valdovinos, TriTech Skills Center, who will attend Washington State University. Travis Rybarski will continue his education at Columbia Basin College, pursuing a degree in psychology. Elijah Gomez and Miguel Rodriquez, both from TriTech Skills Center, received $500 each for use in tools and equipment.

Mahler named SCORE’s top mentor in the U.S.

In an annual report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers, P. Simon Mahler helped launch 91 businesses that employed more than 900 people in 2015. This is the most by any SCORE mentor in the nation. In second place was a mentor from Pennsylvania who launched 27 businesses.

Mahler, who has been a mentor at the Mid-Columbia Chapter of SCORE for the past three years, estimates that in 2015 he spent 2,000 hours, drove 110,000 miles and mentored more than 4,000 individuals to achieve 91 launched businesses.

Gov. Inslee makes local appointments

In June, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Bryce Humpherys of Prosser to the Adult Education Advisory Council for a term that ends Oct. 9, 2017. He also appointed Pasco’s Andrew Klein to the Building Code Council through Jan. 5, 2019. Jean Ryckman, also of Pasco, was appointed to the Judicial Conduct Commission through June 16, 2020. For more information about state board and commission appointments, visit governor.wa.gov/boards-commissions.

Hartliep joins Stokes Lawrence

Erika Hartliep has joined the law firm of Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore & Shore as counsel in its Litigation and Agriculture practice areas. Hartliep joins the firm after serving as staff attorney to Senior Judge Edward Shea with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington for 14 years.

Hartliep will work in Prosser and Yakima, assisting clients in a broad range of matters, including commercial and employment disputes.

Benton County creates position

Shyanne Faulconer joined the Benton County Commissioners office as community programs and public relations coordinator in June. Her focus will be on implementation of the public safety sales tax and associated initiatives, managing contracts, outreach and auditing of the program. She will grow into the role of the County’s communication specialist.

Faulconer is a 2016 graduate of Whitworth University in Spokane with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. She graduated with cum laude honors.

Rep. Newhouse honored

The Independent Bakers Association recently honored Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) with its Horst G. Denk Legislative Service Award during its annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Newhouse was recognized for his continued support of pro-manufacturing legislation and support of key issues relating to the baking and food industry. The Horst G. Denk award is given annually to two members of Congress.

Wyatt celebrates 30 years

Franklin PUD recently honored Bob Wyatt, Engineering Manager, for his 30 years of service. Wyatt started working for Franklin PUD as a Field Engineer in April 1986 after working for almost 13 years at D. Hittle & Associates. Wyatt plans to retire in September.

Morrison, Sanders elected

In June, the Executive Board of Energy Northwest elected officers, including one from the Yakima Valley and another from the Mid-Columbia. Sid Morrison, of Zillah, will continue his role as chair of the board. He has served on the executive board since 2001. Morrison is also the current chair for the Yakima Basin Storage Alliance and the former chair for the board of trustees at Central Washington State University. He is a former legislator, senator and state representative.

Lori Sanders, of Kennewick, will continue as board secretary. She has served on the board since 2010. She also serves on the Benton County Public Utility District board of commissioners. Sanders is the owner and president of Energy Incentives Inc., a consulting firm that focuses on conservation and renewables. The executive board sets the policies that govern the operations of Energy Northwest. All officers will serve a one-year term.

Cpt. Harpster appointed

Law Enforcement and Corrections Agencies appointed Pasco Police Captain Jeff Harpster to the Legislative Task Force on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras. Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and State House Speaker Frank Chopp appointed Harpster.

The task force was created as a result of House Bill 2362, passed in the last legislative session that dealt with the use of law enforcement body cameras. The task force is charged with finding and reporting recommendations for the use of body cameras. It is made up of law enforcement; legislative members and representatives of the Governor’s office; local governments; the Washington Coalition for Open Government; the news media; the Washington State Commissioners on African American Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs and Hispanic Affairs; immigrant/refugee communities; victim advocates; tribal communities; and the public. The task force must have a report completed by December 2017.

AWBI announces Leadership Washington graduates

The Association of Washington Business Institute’s (AWBI) second class of Leadership Washington graduated at the association’s annual meeting in June.

The 2015-2016 graduating class included Karen Blasdel, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories; Emily Braunwart, Grant County Economic Development Council; Mark Brunner, Landau Associates Inc.; Cara Coon, Umpqua Bank; Eric Johnston, SCJ Alliance; Daniel Kittle, Lane Powell; Michael Malott, State Farm Insurance; Sean Moore, State Farm Insurance; Austin Neilson, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Marie Thomas, Energy Northwest.

Leadership Washington is used to cultivate and educate the next generation of Washington industry leaders. The program was launched in 2014. Each year the new class, sponsored by Battelle, kicks off at AWB’s annual fall Policy Summit. The course runs for nine months, in seven sessions across the state.

Dade Moeller reaches milestone

Dade Moeller, a NV5 Company, reached two million hours without an occupational safety and health administration recordable injury in May. Dade Moeller reached the one million hour mark in January 2013. Dade Moeller provides worker safety and radiation protection services and is headquartered in Richland.

Long appointed to board

The Kennewick Public Hospital District board of commissioners appointed Gary G. Long as the newest board member in June. Long retired from Benton PUD after 30 years of service, holding positions including director of operations and assistant general manager. He is a 35-year resident of the District and an active rotary member.

Trios Health is the Kennewick Public Hospital District’s system of care serving the greater Tri-Cities. The District operates two hospitals: Trios Women’s and Children’s Hospital in downtown Kennewick and Trios Southridge Hospital. The District also runs eight Trios Care Centers and three Urgent Care Centers.

Stottlemyre joins Cornerstone Wealth Strategies

James A. Stottlemyre has joined Cornerstone Wealth Strategies in Kennewick. He is a well-known wealth advisor with extensive experience in financial advice and planning, and retirement income planning. The addition of Stottlemyre will allow Cornerstone Wealth Strategies to expand the services it offers, including advanced retirement planning strategies.

Stottlemyre has been in the financial services industry since 2003. He spent more than 20 years at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories as a senior scientist and manager. He also spent time as an independent consultant.

Numerica hires, promotes employees

Numerica Credit Union has hired Troy Clute as vice president of its Home Loan Center. Clute has more than 19 years of experience in the finance industry. He will oversee lending mortgage sales and operations in Spokane, North Idaho, the Wenatchee Valley and Tri-Cities.

Lisa Nelson has joined Numerica as its business development manager for the Tri-Cities. Nelson, most recently with the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, will work with business partners and special interest groups to help support overall credit union initiatives.

Neilan McPartland was promoted to branch manager at the Numerica’s Richland branch. McPartland has been employed with Numerica since 2013 and was previously branch manager at the Pasco branch. He has more than seven years of experience in the finance industry.

Frontier Communications hires Collins as Senior VP

Craig L. Collins joined Frontier Communications as Senior Vice President of commercial sales and operations for the company’s west region. He will lead commercial business development and expansion incentives for California, Oregon and Washington.

Collins has more than 24 years of senior leadership experience in the communications and technology industry. He has served as a co-chair of the Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing and as a board member of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications.

Rolph retires

Franklin PUD recently honored Angela Rolph, Financial Analyst II, for her 30 years of service. Rolph started her career at Franklin PUD in 1986 in customer service. Over the years she held various positions in the customer service and accounting departments. Management, employees and customer-owners have appreciated Rolph’s work as a public servant and good steward of the District’s resources. She retired June 30, 2016.

Wine industry elects officers

At the 2016 National Grape and Wine Policy Conference, the Winegrape Growers of America (WGA) elected Todd Newhouse as board chairman. Newhouse is the owner of Upland Vineyards in Outlook. He serves as the board chair for the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG).

During the conference, WineAmerica elected Martin Clubb of L’Ecole No. 41 in Lowden for the position of vice chair. Clubb is also a member of WAWGG.

WGA and WineAmerica co-host the National Grape and Wine Policy Conference each year in Washington, D.C. The conference attracts wine leaders from around the country to weigh in on the most pressing public policy issues affecting growers and wineries.

TCCH names new directors

In June, Tri-Cities Community Health (TCCH) announced Saul Valencia, MD as Medical Director and Caleb Ledford, ARNP as Assistant Medical Director.

Dr. Valencia is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, his medical degree from the University of Washington and completed family practice residency training in Yakima.

Ledford completed his nurse practitioner training at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. He worked in interventional cardiology at Swedish Heath and Vascular Institute in Seattle as well as Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Kadlec Regional Medical Center before joining TCCH in 2014. He will provide coaching, mentoring and training in evidence-based care, quality care initiatives, compliance with regulatory requirements and innovative approaches to the delivery of clinical services.