Business - Business News

POSTED: Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008

Music teachers select Bellingham chapter president

Piano teacher Mary Walby has been elected president of the Bellingham chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers Association.

Walby oversees the duties of the chapter's multiple committees that bring educational and performing opportunities to students and teachers in Whatcom County.

Walby says the incredible depth of experience within the group continually impresses her. Members are primarily private teachers as well as faculty from Western Washington University. One of Walby's goals during her term as president is to increase the diversity of the group's membership.

Walby has more than 25 years of experience teaching and performing. After completing piano studies at Washington State University, she moved to Bellingham and established her local studio. In addition to providing piano instruction, Walby provides music for weddings and other special events.

To learn more about Bellingham piano teacher Mary Walby, including the music teachers association or lessons for children and adults, ages 7 and up call (360) 527-9626 or visit www.bellinghampianolessons.com.

AGENTS AWARDED DESIGNATION

Four agents from Sterling Real Estate Group were recently awarded the Certified Negotiation Expert designation.

This designation is achieved by real estate professionals who have obtained formal training in the art of negotiation.

Brian and Shenandoah Myrick, Nancy Nelson and Valerie Hauter are all working at Sterling's harbor office at 2620 N. Harbor Loop, Suite 17 in Bellingham.

Sterling Real Estate Group is owned by Phil Dyer. John Lowmon is the designated broker.

For more information, call 756-0021 or visit www.sterlingrealestate.biz.

REALTOR NAMED AS SPECIALIST

Joe Laudenbach, a Whatcom County Realtor has been awarded the Certified Residential Specialist Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists.

Laudenbach is a sales associate with Sterling Real Estate Group in Bellingham. He is an active member of the Whatcom County Association of Realtors. Laudenbach also serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Realtors Association.

WHITTLE ATTENDS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Holly Whittle, a financial consultant with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Whatcom County, recently joined more than 400 women in the financial services industry to learn and network at the Women in Insurance and Financial Services 2008 National Conference in Chicago.

Whittle has 5 years of professional experience in the insurance and financial services industry. She is with Thrivent Financial's Sierra Northwest Regional Financial Office, and serves Lutherans and their family members in Bellingham and the surrounding communities by providing financial guidance and solutions to help them achieve their financial goals.

RICE INSURANCE PROMOTES MCCLOUD

Roxanne McCloud has been promoted to insurance producer at Rice Insurance LLC.

McCloud joined the company in November of 2004 as a customer service representative in the commercial department.

In her new position McCloud will be selling both personal and commercial lines of insurance.

TWO APPOINTED AT EVERGREEN

Evergreen Team Concepts has appointed Paula Weaver and Joe Beaulaurier to management positions at the Bellingham-based company.

Weaver has been named chief learning officer, responsible for the development and presentation of ETC's proprietary programs. Weaver previously has implemented training and certification programs in high-tech, international and academic sectors. During her faculty tenure at The University of Texas at Arlington, she was a co-founder of The North Hills School, recently honored as the 12th-best high school in the country.

Beaulaurier, ETC's chief marketing officer, will expand its training programs and resources into new and existing marketplaces, both locally and worldwide. Beaulaurier has more than 20 years of experience in financial services, mainstream media publishing, technology and Internet-based companies.

Weaver and Beaulaurier also are assisting clients through ETC's 2010 Service Initiative, which is designed to raise the skill levels of owners, leaders and all employees as businesses prepare for opportunities that arise around the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C.

Evergreen Team Concepts offers onsite training and online consulting, as well as seminars led by professionals from throughout the country. Its Bellingham offices are located at 3600 Meridian St. For more information, call 647-6922 or visit www.etcwa.com.

PAIR EARNS CERTIFICATION

John Bateman and Bryant Mattson, operations managers for Barron Heating and Air Conditioning, recently earned certifications for testing the efficiency of duct sealing in homes and buildings.

The Performance Tested Comfort Systems certification ensures customers that Bateman and Mattson are qualified to test duct systems and make appropriate recommendations for improving their energy efficiency.

The PTCS certification qualifies Barron Heating customers for financial incentives from Energy Star Homes Northwest, Puget Sound Energy and public utilities that receive funding from the Bonneville Power Administration's Conservation Rate Credit.

Bateman has more than 30 years of experience related to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, including the last six years at Barron Heating. Mattson has been with Barron Heating for 13 years and has more than 20 years of experience.

Barron Heating, founded in 1972, specializes in heating and air-conditioning systems, serving residential and commercial clients in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Snohomish counties. The company is located in Bellingham at 4176 Meridian St. until its new Ferndale facility is completed in 2009. For more information visit www.barronheating.com.

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