Advertising

The Yakima Ad Club recently announced officers and board members for 2008-2009. Officers are Ryan Messer, local sales manager, KIMA-TV, president; Trina Nixon, art director, Smith, Phillips & DiPietro, secretary; Frank Orlando, production manager, Abbott's Printing, treasurer; and Jolie Grant, account executive, Charter Media, past president.

New board members are Marcie Larson, graphic designer, Horizon Distribution Inc.; and David Brower, promotion director, GAP Broadcasting.

Business development

The Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce recently recognized 28 community members for completion of the Leadership Yakima program. During the 10-month course, participants learn a variety of skills and processes to help them become effective and active civic volunteers.

Graduates of the program for 2007-2008 are Lisa Allison, MI Advisor, LLC; Broc Arndt, Yakima Bears Baseball Club; Kris Bell, Yakima Athletic Club; Kim Bersing, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital; Jeff Brantner, Yakima Greenway Foundation; Shelly Beuchler, Michelsen Packaging; Rick Camp, Kronos Micronutrients, LP; Elizabeth Carroll, Yakima Valley chapter of the American Red Cross; David Cobia, LeMaster Daniels; Mike Dooley, Wilbert Precast; Sara Ettl, Massage Associates of Yakima; Milt Ewing, Yakima County Juvenile Court; Margaret Filkins, Wellness House; Erin Fishburn, Perry Technical Institute; Jacob Hardy, American West Bank; Michael Hull, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital; Chris Keenan, Yakima National Bank; Chad Johnson, Shields Bag and Printing; Lisa Krous, Yakima Convention Center; LeAnn Leahy, Parker Youth and Sports Foundation; Joe Mann, Ron's Coins; Gay Parker, The Capitol Theatre; Amos Poe, All Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning; Debbie Rath, Central Valley Bank; Sandy Schuler, Banner Bank; Pete Shepard, Tree Top Inc.; Brian White, Washington state Department of Transportation; and Diane Young, U.S. Bank.

Education

The American Association of Community Colleges has awarded Stanley Flemming the 2008 Outstanding Alumni Award. Flemming, president of the Pacific Northwest University of Health Services, was one of five nationwide chosen for the award. Winners were chosen on several criteria including notable achievements, national recognition and philanthropic or public service activity that supports the community college.

Finance

Bank of the West has hired Barbara A. Hegstrom as a vice president and senior commercial relationship manager for the Eastern Washington commercial banking office in Yakima. Hegstrom, who has more than 34 years of banking experience, previously worked at Wells Fargo Bank, Key Bank of Washington and Seattle First National Bank. She is a graduate of Oregon State University.

Yakima Valley Credit Union has promoted several employees.

Karen Allan is the new director of branch operations. Allan has served in a variety of positions in her 23 years with the company, most recently branch manager and assistant vice president. She has a bachelor's degree from Eastern Washington University.

It has also promoted Scot McElrea as branch manager for its location on Fifth Avenue in Yakima. McElrea, who has 20 years of experience, has served in a variety of positions including branch manager for its westside branch. He has an associate degree in management and marketing from Yakima Valley Community College.

Cori Hammermeister is the new branch manager of the credit union's westside branch in Yakima. Hammermeister has been with the credit union for more than eight years, serving as assistant branch manager for the last five.

Insurance

Farmers Insurance has inducted several Yakima agents into its Topper Club. They are Zachary Hursh, Gerry McGree, Pamela Warren, Harry Crawford and Wayne Leavitt. The agents were recognized for outstanding sales achievements in 2007.

Health

Several employees at Sundown M Ranch recently received bachelor's degrees.

American InterContinental University awarded a bachelor's degree in business administration in health-care management to Mark Loes and Mike Plaisance. Loes, who is a lead counselor in the adult impatient treatment program, has worked for Sundown M since July 1998. Plaisance, a counselor in the ranch's youth program, has worked there since July 2002.

Westbrook University awarded a bachelor's degree in chemical dependency counseling to Gene Brown. Brown is director of the organization's youth program and has worked at Sundown M Ranch for 13 years.

The American College of Addiction Treatment Administrators has awarded Scott Munson with the Outstanding Achievement Award. Munson, executive director of Sundown M Ranch, earned the award for outstanding contributions in the field of addiction treatment, administration and management. Munson has been executive director since 1997.

Nonprofit

The Yakima Family YMCA has hired Robert Suarez as its controller. He previously worked as a Washington state revenue auditor. The YMCA has also promoted Ricardo Torres to the youth sports program coordinator position. Torres will direct the Eastside Sports Program.

Real estate

Lakemont Real Estate has hired Christina Hoover as a sales agent. Hoover has earned several real estate designations from the National Association of Realtors.

The National Association of Realtors has awarded Shannon Drew with the Graduate Realtor Institute designation. Drew, of Hometown Realty, earned the designation by attending a series of classes covering a variety of subjects including contract law, professional standards, sales and marketing, finance, and risk reduction.

* In Basket is a Monday feature noting personnel changes, additions and accomplishments of area business people. To have an item published, mail a brief announcement with a photo to the Business Desk, Yakima Herald-Republic, P.O. Box 9668, Yakima, WA 98909. Items also can be dropped off at our office at 114 N. Fourth St. in Yakima; faxed to us at 577-7767; or e-mailed to business@yakimaherald.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for the following Monday.