Alcoa, which owns Alcoa Intalco Works in Ferndale, announced Jan. 24 it has received the 2013 Catalyst Award, which honors recruitment, development and advancement of women in the workplace.
Alcoa's initiative "Building Opportunities for Women in a Hard Hat Company" showcases how Alcoa broke down barriers in a male-dominated industry and achieved greater gender representation through an aggressive diversity agenda, according to a press release.
"At Alcoa Intalco Works, our employees drive our success. And the best strategy to win the war for talent is to offer an inclusive work environment where people feel valued and can grow and build their careers. We work hard to create that culture every day, and as a result, we hire and retain the best," said Barry Hullett, Intalco Works plant manager.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS AT WHATCOM DREAM
Julie Guay, Renee Bliss and Bill Bliss have joined the board of directors of The Whatcom Dream, a non-profit organization that supports financial literacy, according to a press release. The Whatcom Dream's mission is to lower the poverty rate in Whatcom County through financial skills training.
Julie is executive director of Blue Skies for Children. Renee works with Christ the King Church's benevolence team. Bill is a chemical engineer.
The agency has also moved to 1710 Kentucky St., in the Roosevelt Community Church building.
The Whatcom Dream is a community-based organization committed to helping people reach their dreams through financial literacy. The organization's mission is to lower the poverty rate in Whatcom County, Washington.
For additional information about The Whatcom Dream contact Trudy Shuravloff at 360-319-3759.
STEVES SPEECH FUNDS BELLINGHAM PTSA
Five hundred people attended travel expert Rick Steves' Feb. 12 speech at Bellingham High School on "Europe through the Back Door."
Ticket sales for the event raised more than $2,200 for the Bellingham High School PTSA, according to a press release from event sponsor Village Books.
MATRIX SERVICE COMPANY DONATES FORKLIFT
Bellingham's Matrix Service Company recently donated a forklift to Bellingham Technical College, according to a college press release.
BTC's need for a forklift became urgent when one of its two existing forklifts became inoperable. Multiple programs require the use of a forklift, such as construction, HVAC, diesel, automotive, machining, electro mechanical technology, and electronics to move lab equipment and materials and the forklift certification course requires it for its classes. BTC facilities and shipping departments also use forklifts to receive loads, and store materials for all campus services.
"BTC's programs require high-tech, up-to-date expensive equipment. These types of gifts make a huge difference," said Patricia McKeown, BTC president. "Our industry partnerships and relationships are an integral part of our college's success - thank you Matrix."
The school's press release said Matrix has been a long-time supporter of BTC, donating funds to support student scholarships as well as program equipment, leading the BTC Foundation to approach the business for help with the forklift.
"The Matrix management team and I were happy to be in a position to help," said Jim Ryan, Matrix Service Company president and BTC Foundation board member.
"A few days after inquiring, we got a call saying that they had a forklift that they were willing to donate to BTC. This generous donation greatly eases the financial burden of BTC by eliminating the need to purchase or rent a forklift. It arrived last week to rave reviews from our facilities team, thanks to Marshall Judy at Central Welding Supply, who helped navigate the logistics of this donation," said Dean Fulton, BTC Foundation executive director.
Matrix Service Company provides construction and maintenance services for oil, gas and chemical industries.
Out and About is published Mondays in The Bellingham Herald. Reach Executive Editor Julie Shirley at 360-715-2261 or julie.shirley@bellinghamherald.com.
Reach JULIE SHIRLEY at julie.shirley@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2261.
