Business - Business News

POSTED: Sunday, Jun. 28, 2009

Five local State Farm agents recognized for excellence

Five local State Farm agents have been recognized by the insurance and financial services company for excellence in business.

All have achieved various designations within State Farm's 2008 Legion of Honor.

Glen Friedl and Jim Harber have earned the Crystal Excellence award, one of the highest honors awarded by State Farm. It is bestowed on agents who have achieved Legion of Honor status at least 20 of the last 24 years, or a total of 25 years. The two Bellingham business owners are among only 10 State Farm agents in Washington State to receive this award.

Joe Treat of Bellingham and Billy Slesk of Ferndale have each attained the honor of Silver Scroll, having been named to the Legion of Honor at least 10 of the last 12 years.

Tim Slesk, also of Bellingham, received the Bronze Tablet award for his tenure in the Legion of Honor at least five of the last six years.

HENDRICKS HONORED BY EDWARD JONES

Brett Hendricks of Edward Jones recently won the firm's exclusive Pacesetters Award for his outstanding performance within the first three years of his career at Edward Jones.

Hendricks was one of only 199 financial advisors out of the firm's more than 12,000 to receive the award.

Hendricks' office is located at 8874 Bender Road, suite 106, Lynden.

BUTLER ATTENDS DEFENSE LAWYERS CONFERENCE

Robert Butler of The Law Offices of Robert D. Butler in Bellingham attended The Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers annual conference in Lake Chelan on June 11-13.

Butler was one of six speakers at the annual conference. Butler presented on using public records in criminal defense cases. WACDL has more than 1,000 members, consisted of private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, and related professionals committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal justice system.

Butler is just finishing his first year on the board of Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

LOCAL WINDOW DESIGNER'S WORK FEATURED AT EXPO

Debby Lodder, owner of Edwards Drapery & Interiors, was one of only 11 designers selected to create vignettes for the 2009 International Window Coverings Expo, presented May 13-16 in Atlanta.

Lodder, who has earned the designation of Specialist from the Window Fashions Certification Program, was given a hypothetical client. She then designed and fabricated a vignette featuring the latest window fashion products and trends.

"I also received some great training from industry leaders and learned about new trends and products in the window fashions industry, including environmentally friendly window coverings and fabrics that improve indoor-air quality," Lodder said.

Edwards Drapery & Interiors, based in Everson, specializes in sales, design and installation of custom window coverings, including drapes, valances, blinds, and shades. The company serves residential and commercial clients, as well as churches, schools, libraries and other facilities with special needs. For more information, call (360) 966-4142 or visit www.edwardsdrapery.com.

VANDER VEEN JOINS OLTMAN FINANCIAL

Dennis Vander Velden recently joined Oltman Financial Services, specializing in life insurance, medical and disability insurance, and annuities.

Vander Velden is a graduate of Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, and has also operated as a licensed general contractor. He can be reached at 734-3960.

CURTIS EARNS GREEN CERTIFICATION

Casey Curtis from Aiki Homes has earned the Certified Green Professional designation through the National Association of Home Builders.

This identifies her as someone with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction.

Aiki Homes is a Built Green and ENERGYSTAR Certified builder that has been building resource-efficient homes in Whatcom County since 1992.

MOSS ADAMS' SODERBERG PASSES CPA EXAM

Sara Soderberg, audit senior at Moss Adams LLP, has passed the Uniform Certified Public Accounting examination.

Individuals must pass the exam in order to qualify for licensure as Certified Public Accountants.

Soderberg earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from Metropolitan State College of Denver in December 2005, and started her career at Moss Adams January 2006. She has more than three years of public accounting experience and primarily works in the firms' Financial Institutions industry groups.