Advertising

The Yakima Advertising Federation has selected Rob Phillips for the Silver Medal Award. The organization gives the award to a professional who has a history of giving back to the advertising industry and the community.

After graduating from Washington State University in 1978, Phillips began his advertising career working in advertising sales. He is now part owner of Yakima advertising firm Smith, Phillips & DiPietro.

Banking

Baker Boyer Bank has hired several new staff members for its business banking team in its Yakima office.

They are Chris Sentz, vice president of business banking; Melissa Fernandes, business banking officer; and Megan Fadness, banking manager. The staff will provide services and products to businesses for their loan and banking needs.

Insurance

Silva Martin, a Yakima agent with Farmers Insurance, has completed the Careers Agents Course at the University of Farmers, the insurance group's national training facility in Agoura Hills, Calif. The five-day course is designed to help its agents gain skills that help them better meet the needs of their customers.

Travel

The Airporter Shuttle has hired Warren Gay as regional operations manager for Central Washington Airporter operations out of Yakima. Gay has 38 years of experience in local fire departments, most recently as fire chief in East Valley.

* 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 509-577-7767; or e-mailed to business@yakimaherald.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for the following Monday.