The Yakima Advertising Federation has given Genipher Messer a 2007 Silver Medal Award. Messer, vice president of sales and marketing for The Field Group, was cited for her outstanding contributions to the local advertising industry.
Agriculture
The Washington Association of Grape Growers recognized several industry leaders during its annual conference in Kennewick.
Local award winners were:
* Dick Boushey, owner of Boushey Vineyards in Grandview, received the Industry Service Award for two decades of perennial crop production that has produced wine grapes sought by many boutique wineries.
* Stan Clarke was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his energy and dedication to the industry, as the coordinator for the Institute for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College, as well as a industry consultant. Clarke, who was a former wine columnist for the Yakima Herald-Republic, died in November.
In addition, the association appointed Todd Newhouse of Upland Estates Winery in Outlook to its board of directors. It also elected Brenton Roy of Oasis Farms in Prosser board chair and Doug Merkle from Four Feathers Fruit Co. in Sunnyside board treasurer.
Finance
Banner Bank has given Roberta Gabbard one of its 2007 Banner's Best awards. Gabbard, a vice president and commercial loan officer for Banner Bank in Yakima, was one of 37 employees from across the Pacific Northwest to earn the award. The recipients were recognized for their exceptional performance in exceeding personal and bankwide goals and delivering superior customer service.
Insurance
COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services has named Janet Richardson to its All American team. Richardson, an agency manager in Yakima, is among a group of more than 300 agents and agency managers who earned the award. This is the fourth time she has been named an All American, which is given to agents and agency managers who have excelled in identifying insurance products and financial solutions that fit the needs of their clients. Richardson was also named to the COUNTRY Executive Club, which includes the top 3 percent of agents and the top 10 percent of agency managers for overall achievement.
Law
The Yakima County Prosecutor's Office has hired Stefanie Weigand as a senior deputy prosecutor in its corporate counsel division. Weigand graduated from Indiana University School of Law at Bloom-ington in May 2002. She has worked for the Washington State Attorney General's Office in Olympia, representing the state Department of Corrections in civil lawsuits, and as a federal law clerk.
Shipping
FedEx Freight has recognized Timothy Trammel of Yakima and Fred Jones of Naches for working for at least 20 years without a preventable accident. The pair was among 259 FedEx Freight drivers nationwide who were recognized.
* 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.
E-mail 
Print
Weather/Forecast
