Business - Business News

POSTED: Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008

Vance appointed as Visiting Fellow at WWU

Anneliese Vance has been appointed as a Visiting Fellow at the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University for the 2008-2009 academic year.

While at WWU, she will investigate the investment strategies of importing and exporting firms within the Cascadia border region as they adjust to new border security measures. When completed, her research will offer a comparative assessment of supply chain integration and strategy in two key North American borderlands regions - Cascadia and the Niagara region in southern Ontario and western New York.

During her tenure at WWU, she will also teach two courses: Economic Geography and Topics in International Business.

She received her doctorate in Geography from the University at Buffalo in 2008. She has published extensively on the impact of border policies on the Canada-U.S. commercial relationship in borderland regions.

JAMES INDUCTED INTO TOPPER CLUB

Richard James, Farmers Insurance Agent of Bellingham, has been inducted into the Farmers' Topper Club.

James has been recognized by Farmers for outstanding sales achievements in 2007 as well as the past 19 years. Farmers regard its Topper Club agents as the best quality agents for service and sales in auto, homeowners, life, and business insurance products.

James represents Farmers Insurance locally at 1252 Ellis St and has been in business in the area for 25 years. About 5 percent of all agents reach Topper club.

FIRM NAMES NEW DIRECTOR

Teresa Bosteter is the new director of association operations for Landmark Real Estate Management, LLC.

Her new position will include full-service management, dues and special assessment collection, regularly attending association board meetings, providing monthly financial reports and assisting the various boards with the day-to-day operations of their associations.

Bosteter began managing associations in 1996. She is currently working on obtaining her broker's license, as well as continuing her education to earn more professional designations through the Community Associations Institute, a national organization dealing with regulations and all other management aspects concerning condominium and home owner associations.

For more information, contact general manager Gosha Bikker, 738-1022. More information can be found at www.visitlandmark.com.

VISSER JOINS LARSON GROSS

Kelli Visser has joined Larson Gross as team leader and manager in their Lynden office.

Visser is a long time resident of Whatcom county and graduated Magna Cum Laude with an accounting degree from Western Washington University. She has spent the past seven years in public accounting, most recently as a senior tax manager where she specialized in tax planning and compliance for manufacturing and distribution companies. Visser is also in the process of earning her Master's of Science taxation degree through Golden Gate University.

For more information on Larson Gross p.l.l.c. visit www.larsongross.com or call 1-800-447-0177.

AAA WASHINGTON HIRES NEW AGENT

Michele Scholl has been hired by AAA Washington as an insurance agent at its Bellingham service center at 4280 Meridian St.

She can be reached at 733-2740.

Scholl will specialize in personal-lines insurance including auto, home and life, customizing programs for clients.