Who’s News
March 13, 2012
Issaquah chamber CEO completes Academy program
Matthew Bott
Matthew Bott, the CEO at the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, was among 33 chamber executives to graduate in February from Academy, a professional development program presented by the Western Association of Chamber Executives.
Academy is an interactive, three-day training program regarding chamber management essentials, designed for today’s chamber executives and staff professionals.
The program provides training regarding association management, economic development fundamentals and best practices in membership marketing, social media and strategic leadership.
Who’s News
March 6, 2012
Sister hand therapists join rehabilitation center
Certified hand therapists Stephanie and Sheila Yakobina have joined Proliance Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, 510 Eighth Ave. N.E., Issaquah.
The sisters graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, with their Bachelor of Science degrees in occupational therapy in 1994. In 1998, they completed a hand therapy fellowship at Texas Women’s University, in Houston. They became certified hand therapists in 2001.
After moving to Washington in 2006, they returned to TWU to earn their master’s degrees in advanced hand therapy.
The duo are past recipients of the American Society of Hand Therapists’ Presidential Award and the President’s Gold Award.
Who’s News
February 28, 2012
School stocks up through Honda Auto Center
During Honda Auto Center of Bellevue’s annual business meeting, workers did team-building exercises. Ten teams were tasked with finding items at the Factoria QFC and coming the closest to spending $100.
After the event, Honda Auto Center donated more than $2,000 in food and supplies to Tiger Mountain Community High School.
“Our staff, along with the QFC staff and their customers really enjoyed this activity and knowing that we are donating all of this food to a great cause makes it that much better,” said Mike Lavigne, Honda Auto Center of Bellevue general manager.
Who’s News
February 21, 2012
Boys & Girls Club receives $2,500 from Farm Rich
Farm Rich donated $2,500 to the Sammamish EX3 Teen & Recreation Center of the Boys & Girls Club of King County on Feb. 10.
The donation was made during the Farm Rich “Snack Shack” tour, which has been visiting Washington sites in the greater Seattle area as part of a national sampling program.
Who’s News
February 14, 2012
Renee Chaffin serves as Senate page
Sen. Cheryl Pflug and Renee Chaffin
Renee Chaffin, a sophomore at Skyline High School in Sammamish, recently participated in the Senate Page Program during the third week of the 2012 session. Chaffin was sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Pflug (R-Maple Valley).
The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to get firsthand experience working in the Legislature. Pages get a variety of experiences in their weeklong stay in Olympia, including running errands, delivering mail and paging in the Senate Chamber. Pages are also taught about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process.
Chaffin was one of 17 students chosen to participate last week.
“Renee was a delight this week,” Pflug said. “I am grateful for her passion, and it was exciting to see her passion for government.”
Who’s News
February 7, 2012
Kathleen Huckabay named board member of EBC
Eastside Baby Corner recently named Kathleen Huckabay as its newest board of directors member.
Huckabay, a Sammamish resident and former councilwoman for the city, is a financial advisor with US Bank.
Eastside Baby Corner helps children by providing basic necessities so that its partners — schools, social service agencies, food banks, hospitals — can help families become stable, safe, housed, fed and employed.
Who’s News
January 31, 2012
Brian Ruggles is named athlete of the month
Brian Ruggles
Senior Brian Ruggles was named Issaquah High School Booster Club Red Robin Athlete of the Month.
Ruggles is swim team captain. His coach, Laura Halter, wrote in her nomination letter that Brian “has been an outstanding leader so far this season. He is hard working and very dedicated to his sport training in the off-season almost daily. He leads by example in and out of the pool, always demonstrating good sportsmanship and respect for all other athletes, coaches and volunteers.
“He appreciates everything that people do to make our program successful and he is a main ingredient in that success. The younger athletes look up to him and really enjoy his sense of humor and attitude.”
He has been a district qualifier for the past three years and a state qualifier last year, and is on pace to do so again this year. Ruggles has also been involved in many activities, such as the Issaquah Youth Advisory Board for the past three years. He is serving as the Outreach chairman and is in charge of publicity for all of the board’s events.
Ruggles has helped tutor the high school physics review session and also tutored other students in Spanish, math and general homework. He earned his lifeguard certification and worked last summer as a lifeguard and swim instructor, as well as helped coach some team practices. Ruggles has also won a contest for the design of his K’nex roller coaster model.
Who’s News
January 24, 2012
Sleep Country collects record donations for foster children
Sleep Country USA, with contributions from the Issaquah location at 730 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite C110, collected a record number of donations for foster children in the Northwest.
In the Sleep Country Foster Kids Program’s sixth year, the company obtained more than 101,000 items and $141,000 in cash donations to help area foster children and their families replace worn out clothes and shoes, attend summer camps, obtain tutoring and counseling, and participate in other extracurricular activities. The company also raised a record-breaking $125,000 in its annual spring fundraiser, The Pajama Bowl.
Sleep Country is currently collecting new pairs of pajamas for kids of all ages at Sleep Country stores throughout the Northwest in its annual Pajama Drive through Feb. 26. Learn more at www.sleepcountry.com.
Who’s News
January 17, 2012
Issaquah business recognized as top wealth manager
William Gevers (front) and his staff at Gevers Wealth Management LLC
The current issue of Seattle Met magazine honored Issaquah-based Gevers Wealth Management LLC as one of the premier wealth advisors in the greater Seattle area.
William (Willy) Gevers, of Issaquah, founded the wealth management firm in 2005. Gevers was previously a principal for one of the region’s largest financial planning firms before moving his company to Issaquah.
The firm provides retirement and wealth planning and investment-management services focusing especially on the special needs of corporate executives. Gevers Wealth Management has also provided on-site classes and education for executives and managers at corporations and organizations.
Who’s News
January 10, 2012
Local truck driver is recognized for safety milestone
Cheryl M. Wilson, of Issaquah, has been recognized by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association for eight years of safe, accident-free driving of a commercial tractor-trailer.
Wilson has been driving professionally for eight years and currently hauls general freight.
The OOIDA Safe Driving Award Program is sponsored by Shell Rotella and is designed to recognize and reward OOIDA members for their safe, accident-free years while operating a commercial vehicle. Safe driving awards are available to all eligible OOIDA members who qualify based upon the number of years for which the member has operated a commercial vehicle without being involved in a preventable accident.
