02/13/12 In Basket

Agriculture

* Holtzinger Fruit Co. in Yakima has promoted Scott Hanses to CEO. Hanses, who has 30 years of experience in the state's fruit industry, previously served as vice president.

The company has also hired Lawna Wyatt as its vice president of fruit procurement and grower relations and Sandra Steineke as its director of merchandising. Wyatt previously worked as the director of fruit procurement at Tree Top and vice president of fruit procurement at Harry and David in Medford, Ore. Steineke, who has more than 20 years of merchandising and marketing experience, also worked at Harry & David.

Construction

* The American Society of Concrete Contractors has elected Mike Poppoff first vice president of its board of directors. Poppoff is president and owner of Poppoff Inc. in Moxee.

Education

* The Perry Technical Foundation has added Larry Kraft to its board of directors. Kraft, a 1977 graduate of Perry's machine technology program, is owner of Cascade Quality Molding in Yakima.

Environmental consulting

* Jeremy Lynn of Fulcrum Environmental Consulting Inc. has completed a two-day training course to become a Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead. Coursework included one day in class learning concepts and applications and one day of field training. Lynn's certification allows him to provide oversight at construction sites for stormwater management and soil erosion.

Government

* The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council has awarded Susan Knotts the Certified Public Professional Buyer designation. Knotts, a buyer for the combined purchasing division of the city and county of Yakima since 2003, met rigorous education and experience requirements and passed a four-hour exam to be awarded the designation.

Health

* Lynne Evans recently graduated first in her class at the Bluestone Academy of Massage in Ellensburg. Evans is in the process of starting her own private practice in Yakima, which will offer massage services and other healing and relaxation techniques.

* The Vision for Independence Center has added Megan Rutschilling to its board of directors. Rutschilling is a vision specialist and orientation and mobility instructor for ESD 105. She has a bachelor's degree in sports and recreation and a master's degree in education, with a specialty in teaching the visually impaired, both from Ohio State University.

* 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 emailed to business@yakimaherald.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for the following Monday.