PROMOTION

• Juliette Fernandez has been promoted to chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Pacific Region, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, including America Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. She is currently the project leader for the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes four refuges along the Columbia River. Fernandez will begin her tenure later this year, working with a team of professionals to protect the wildlife in the region.

AWARDS

• Two Richland companies, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, were among 10 employers in the state who received recognition for hiring people with disabilities. The Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment hosted its 32nd annual Governor’s Employer Awards on Oct. 18 at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton.
• Veolia, a Hanford contractor, has received the top ranking in an annual listing of the largest U.S. environmental services companies for the fourth year in a row. The list is compiled by Engineering News Record, an industry trade publication.
• Bruce and Lorrie Ratchford, owners of Apollo Mechanical in Kennewick, won an award for their support of the Seafair event in Seattle, and Water Follies in the Tri-Cities. The recognition came during an H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Series’ event celebrating the 2024 season champions and highlights at a recent banquet at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent. The Ratchfords also sponsored the U-27 driven by the winningest driver in H1 Unlimited history, Dave Villwock, making Apollo Mechanical a primary supporter of the sport of hydroplane racing, H1 Unlimited said.
• Two high school students from Richland have been named National Merit semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Colin Shen and Audrey Xu from Hanford High School earned the recognition by being in the top 1% of students nationwide who took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
• Tamra Simundson, a fifth-grade teacher at William Wiley Elementary in West Richland, has earned the Gesa Credit Union Local Heroes Grant Award, receiving $1,000. This award goes to individuals who help build a stronger community. Simundson will be using the money to buy reusable notebooks called Wipebooks for her students.
• Cheyenne LaViolette, a broadcasting teacher at Hanford High School in Richland, won the Teacher of the Year at the 2024 All-American High School Film Festival. The award recognized her impact on students’ education in the film and broadcasting fields. LaViolette was selected from a pool of accomplished educators.
• Lourdes Health is listed among best hospitals by the U.S. News & Worlds Report. Lourdes was listed as a high performing hospital for hip fracture, knee replacement and pneumonia. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
• Trios Health is listed among best hospitals by the U.S. News & Worlds Report. Trios was listed as a high performing hospital for heart attacks. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
• Richland FFA earned accolades at the National FFA Floriculture Career Development Event held during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Team members Lachlan Bradley, Jordan Jelinek, Abbey Bobbett and Madelyn Hawley represented the club, winning second place in the team competition. Additionally, Abbey Bobbett earned seventh place in the individual competition.

NEW HIRES

• Dr. Valerie Fredrickson has joined Trios Health as a family medicine provider in Kennewick. She attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences and then completed her family medicine residency at Trios Health. Fredrickson will see patients at the Trios Care Center at Chavallo and will treat patients for a variety of conditions, including hypertension, chronic and acute illnesses, preventative health, immunizations and vaccines, diabetes and more. She attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences and completed her family medicine residency at Trios Health.
• Raul Sital has joined Heritage University’s board of directors. He is the assistant superintendent of operations and supports for the Pasco School District. Sital also has worked as a teacher at McLoughlin Middle School, a program teacher and manager at Discovery Middle School and as principal of New Horizons and Pasco high schools. He earned his teaching credential at Central Washington University and master’s in teaching and learning degree from Heritage University.
• Lindsey Hueer and Max Martin have joined the Association of Washington Business’ government affairs team. Hueer is the association’s new expert on labor, employment law and immigration. Martin will lead legislative advocacy on tax and fiscal policy.
Hueer worked as a government relations advocate for the Association of Washington Cities and as staff counsel to the Washington House of Representatives focused on labor and employment issues. She started her career in private practice, representing self-insured employers in workers’ compensation cases. Hueer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School. Martin previously served as the director of government affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington. He also ran his own business supporting lobbyists and clients and was a legislative assistant for the firm Carney Bradley Spellman. Martin holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University. 
• Rebecca Reinhard has joined Trios Gastroenterology at Trios Care Center Southridge in Kennewick. She treats patients for a variety of conditions, including acid reflux, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding and digestive diseases. Reinhard graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree and attended Texas A & M University for undergraduate studies.
• Keith Johnson is the new public defense director for Benton County, effective January 2025. He’ll replace the interim director, Larry Ziegler. Johnson most recently served as the city manager in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He also previously served as the county administrator for Franklin County from 2015-22, overseeing a diverse range of departments, including public works, county roads, building and planning, information services, facilities management, human resources and payroll management.
• Randelle Fuller has joined Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates as a physical therapist. She has more than 20 years of physical therapy experience.
• Alex Boecker has joined Visit Tri-Cities as a marketing communications manager. She has a background in tourism, including a degree in hospitality and tourism management from Central Washington University. Boecker previously worked as the marketing director for the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce and served as the branding and public relations expert.
• Matthew Carrol has joined L’Ecole No 41 winery as national sales manager. He will be responsible for sales in 21 markets, including Connecticut, Delaware, Minnesota, New York, Washington, D.C., and more. Carrol began his wine career in the fine dining and hospitality trade, and he most recently spent more than three years with Skurnik Wines & Spirits, where he managed sales across nine states.
• Dr. Zhiqing Xing has joined the Good Shepherd Health Care System in Hermiston as an orthopedic surgeon. He has 15 years of patient-care experience and specializes in adult reconstructive surgery. Xing has a medical degree from Peking University Health Science Center in China and is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
• Dolores Broeske has joined Harborstone Credit Union as senior vice president and chief people officer. Broeske spent more than 30 years with HAPO Community Credit Union, including four years as the president and chief executive officer. At Harborstone, she’ll create focus around workplace engagement, enhance talent development opportunities and guide culture initiatives. Harborstone has branches in King, Pierce and Thurston counties.
• Blue Mountain Council of Scouting America raised $17,000 at its first annual fall gala and auction. The event was held at CG Public House on Oct. 12 and featured Eagle Scout, world record holder and motivational speaker Aaron Linsdau.
• Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo donated $11,942 to support local cancer prevention efforts as part of its Tough Enough to Wear Pink Program. The funds will support organizations such as the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation, Prosser Memorial Hospital Foundation and Grace Clinic. Over the past 16 years, the fair has donated more than $224,000 to help uninsured community members in the fight against breast cancer.
The fair also donated $2,834 to Second Harvest Tri-Cities. This contribution is equivalent to providing 14,170 meals to those locally in need. The donation comes from the fair’s initiative of donating $2 from a portion of adult admission tickets sold on opening day.
• Jeff Kendall has been named interim president of AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear, which has an office in Richland. The position was previously held by Joe McBrearty, and Kendall will be assuming the role of president until AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear finds a permanent president. He previously was recruited and appointed by the governor of New Mexico to lead all environmental policy and regulatory affairs for the state, including those related to all private and federally regulated facilities.
• Lisa Beaton has been appointed as Kennewick’s new deputy city manager. She steps into this role following the departure of former Deputy City Manager Dan Legard. Beaton has 24 years of experience working for the city of Kennewick, starting as an assistant city attorney in October of 2000.
• Eric Veach has earned the certified education technology leader credential. He is the director of information technology at the Kennewick School District and has earned this credential by passing a rigorous exam. Veach has demonstrated a commitment to bringing 21st century technology into schools.

GRANTS

• STCU has awarded $20,000 in grants to 100 randomly drawn educators, including several from the Mid-Columbia region. The grants are $200 each, and educators may spend them on anything that enhances students’ classroom experience.
Local winners are:

Educational Service District 123: Danelle Simpson, Candy Mountain Academy.

Kennewick School District: Samantha Rivera, Horse Heaven Hills Middle School; Ashley Maxwell, Kamiakin High School; Caitlin Almaguer, Kennewick High School; James Arslanian, Sage Crest Elementary School; Adriana Chavez, Southridge High School; and Jennifer Coe, Sunset View Elementary School.

Kiona-Benton City School District: Andria Phanthavong, Kiona-Benton City Elementary School.

Pasco School District: Gina Taylor, Columbia River Elementary School; Julie Estes, Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary School; and Salvador Bobadilla and Tifanny Macias, Stevens Middle School.

Prosser School District: Millea DeAngelo, Keene-Riverview Elementary School; and Jennifer Harris, Prosser High School.

Richland School District: Juliana Pryor-Gilles, Hanford High School; Sarah Garza, Sacajawea Elementary School; and Victoria Nelson, Tapteal Elementary School.