POSTED: Thursday, Mar. 25, 2010

Bowen named senior VP at Whidbey Island Bank

Whidbey Island Bank announced today that George Bowen has been named senior vice president and commercial region manager in Whatcom County.

Bowen will be based at the Northwest Branch, 920 West Bakerview in Bellingham. Raised on a small dairy farm in Whatcom County, Bowen brings more than 39 years of banking experience to his new position.

Bowen holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Western Washington University. Bowen is also a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School (associated with the University of Washington).

Bowen's professional and civic affiliations include Rotary, Hospice, St. Joseph Hospital Foundation and St. Joseph Hospital Governing Board.

Whidbey Island Bank is a full-service bank, serving local Northwest communities in 18 locations across Island, San Juan, Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish counties. The bank was established in 1961 to provide lending, deposit, transaction and investment services to individuals and businesses. The bank is a subsidiary of Washington Banking Company.

KRUMDIACK JOINS LAUNCHING SUCCESS

Kristen Krumdiack has joined Launching Success Learning Store of Bellingham as corporate administrator to manage store accounting and back office operations.

Krumdiack is a merit scholar and recent graduate of the Master of Professional Accounting from Western Washington University. She also received her bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration at Western. She previously interned with Metcalf Hodges, P.S., and Larson Gross P.L.L.C., and has served as administrator and treasurer for Love in the Name of Christ.

Launching Success Learning Store has Northwest Washington's largest selection of educational materials for teachers, homeschoolers, and parents and is located at 133 Prince Avenue, east of Meridian just one block north of Bakerview. Find them online at www.LaunchingSuccess.com or call 527-2641.

Launching Success Learning Store is a locally owned, independent business not affiliated with a regional or national chain.

LEARNING SUCCESS HIRES TURNER

Former Bellingham business owner Evelyn Turner recently joined Launching Success Learning Store as its manager of community relations.

Turner was owner and certified ServSafe Food Manager at The Easy Entree in Bellingham. Prior to creating this business, she was director of technical support and developer consulting in North, Central and South America for software product lines at Autodesk Inc.

At Launching Success Learning Store, Turner will serve institutional customers and direct community support activities such as cooperative fund raisers and special events. In addition, Ms. Turner will lead in the store's marketing and web sales programs as a social media specialist.

WINDERMERE HIRES KRAEMER

Windermere Real Estate has hired Ivan Kraemer as a sales associate to its Bellingham (Bakerview) office.

Kraemer has more than 40 years experience in the Pacific Northwest marketplace. As a real estate broker, Kraemer has represented both individuals and corporations in land acquisitions and the sale of investment properties. Kraemer is also an experienced real estate developer, guiding projects from conception and financing through to construction and final sale. At Windermere Real Estate - Bakerview, Kraemer will focus on commercial properties.

Windermere Real Estate-Bakerview is located at 515 W. Bakerview Road. For details, call 734-7500.

TAYLOR JOINS NEIGHBORHOOD MORTGAGE

Lori Taylor has joined Neighborhood Mortgage's lending team and has since passed the state exam.

Taylor brings 11 years of lending industry experience. She is an active Member of the Bellingham and Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, and recently contributed to the United Way and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Taylor specializes in residential financing, specifically helping first time homebuyers.

For details on the company, call 671-8044.