Shaw joins national health study section

Wendy Shaw of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory was invited to join the Skeletal Biology Development and Disease Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health.

Shaw is a leader in answering questions about the formation of biominerals, such as enamel and bone.

Hansen joins Tri-City Orthopaedics

Dr. Uel D. Hansen has joined Tri-City Orthopaedics from his fellowship with Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.

He is board certified in orthopedic surgery and is fellowship trained in joint replacement surgery. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Army, with the 250th Forward Surgical Team in Afghanistan in 2010. His numerous decorations include a Purple Heart.

West Richland police chief leaves city

After six years as chief of police, Brian McElroy has left the city of West Richland to pursue new opportunities, according to a release from the city.

Under his leadership, the police department was reorganized, community partnerships were re-established, a training program was implemented and a new standard of accountability was instilled, the release said.

Capt. Ben Majetich will serve as interim chief until a new chief is appointed.

Trios Medical Group welcomes intensivist

Dr. Charanya Sivaramakrishnan, who goes by Dr. Krishnan, has joined Trios Medical Group’s intensivist team to provide critical care primarily to patients admitted to the intensive care unit at Trios Southridge Hospital, located at 3810 Plaza Way in Kennewick.

Prior to joining Trios, Krishnan completed a two-year fellowship in critical care medicine at Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai, New York. She received her medical degree from Kasturba Medical College at Manipal University in India and served as a post-graduate intern at Wenlock District Hospital in Magalore, India.

Dr. Krishnan completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, New York, serving as chief resident in her final year. She is board certified in internal medicine. Trios Health is the Kennewick Public Hospital District’s system of care serving the greater Tri-Cities.

AWB named Chamber of Year

The Association of Washington Business has been named Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in the newly established state/province category, becoming the first state chamber of commerce to win the award.

Finalists were evaluated through a multi-phase application process that examined key performance areas, including net revenue and membership retention. AWB’s entry highlighted the business association’s work establishing the AWB-Local Chamber Grassroots Alliance, which aims to strengthen ties between AWB and more than 60 local chambers of commerce throughout Washington.

AWB’s application also noted its contributions to the successful campaign that sought congressional reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. The judging panel also took note of AWB’s new strategic plan, its strong advocacy in the state Legislature and its engagement with thousands of members throughout statewide outreach tours.

AWB was founded in 1904 and has nearly 8,000 members representing 700,000 employees.

Rosenberg selected to rank of ASHRAE fellow

A building codes scientist at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been elected to the rank of fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

Michael Rosenberg was selected for his substantial contributions to the field of building energy efficiency. In developing the next generation of energy codes and standards for buildings, he led an effort to create and advance new methods for performance-based code compliance. This approach established a baseline and targets that encourage and reward good design choices for energy efficiency. It is considered one of the most significant changes in performance-based energy code compliance in 25 years. He also helped lead development of an energy simulation framework that tracks progress toward achieving ultra-low energy buildings to accelerate energy efficiency at the national level.

PNNL now has four active staff members who hold the rank of ASHRAE fellow. Rosenberg will be recognized with the rest of the new class of fellows in January at the ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las Vegas.

Beidler elected to state counseling board

Aphrodite Beidler, mental health counselor for Washington State University Tri-Cities students, was recently elected to the state Mental Health Counseling Association board.

Beidler received a master’s of education from the University of Edinburgh and a master’s of counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she also worked as a mental health counselor for several years.

Beidler works with WSU students to set goals, resolve inner conflicts and restore inner balance and mental health. The association works exclusively to meet the needs of licensed mental health counselors in the state. It is chartered through the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

Two local wineries, restaurant recognized

10Best.com, a digital division of the USA Today Travel Media Group, recognized three local wineries in its recent nationwide polls.

Hedges Family Estate was named the fourth top winery tasting room in the U.S. via a month-long readers’ poll. Prosser’s Alexandria Nicole also finished in the top 10.

Fiction @ J.Bookwalter, J.Bookwalter winery’s in-house restaurant, ranked as the seventh top winery restaurant in a similar readers’ poll, and was the only winery in the state to receive the recognition.

For the polls, a panel of experts partnered with 10Best.com editors picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

McDowell earns financial consultant designation

Roger McDowell, agent for New York Life, has been designated a chartered financial consultant by the American College, an accredited institution specializing in insurance and financial services education.

McDowell completed a nine-course professional curriculum and rigorous series of examinations to achieve the designation. He has been a New York Life agent since 1995 and is associated with the company’s Eastern Washington office in Kennewick. McDowell also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter and Life Underwriters Training Council Fellow designations. He is president-elect of the Columbia Center Rotary.

Yearsley named platinum medalist

Sonja Yearsley of Sonja Photography in West Richland was named a platinum medalist during the Professional Photographers of America’s 2016 International Photographic Competition.

A panel of 46 jurors from across the U.S. selected the top photographs from nearly 5,700 entries. Yearsley was one of 61 platinum photographers of the year.

Her work will be on display Jan. 8-10 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. PPA is the largest international nonprofit association created by professional photographers, for professional photographers.

Oten named general manager of Chukar Cherries

Tim Oten has returned to Chukar Cherries as its general manager.

During Oten’s time as Chukar’s former information technology director, he saw the company through the majority of its growth into a Northwest food icon.

He will work both on site at the company’s headquarters in Prosser and on a consulting basis. Oten has a business degree in management information systems from Washington State University and is a native of Eastern Washington.

Pasco chamber recognizes new board members

At its annual Sunshine Meeting in September, the Pasco Chamber of Commerce announced new members of its board of directors: Jason Jones, Express Employment Professionals; Katie Copeland, Windermere Group One; and Nona Diediker, HDR Engineering Inc.

Each board member will serve a three-year term.

Lance Hobson was recognized for his service as board president 2015-16, Randy Hayden with the Port of Pasco was named supporter of the year and McCurley Integrity Dealerships was honored as business of the year.

Ag Association Management was given the Momentum Award for its work on Eastern Washington Ag Expo.

Derek Brownson with Community First Bank will serve as the board president for 2016-17.

Hirt appointed to electrotechnical commission

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Evelyn Hirt has been appointed by the U.S. National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission as technical adviser to IEC technical committee TC 113, Nanotechnology for Electrotechnical Products and Systems.

Hirt is with PNNL’s Office of Lab Planning and Performance Management. She will fulfill the roles of Technical Advisory Group chair and will serve as the head of delegation for the USNC when attending IEC TC meetings.

The USNC/IEC serves as the focal point for U.S. efforts to develop and implement standards for the electrotechnical industry.

PMH Medical Center names new CEO

Craig J. Marks is the new chief executive officer for PMH Medical Center in Prosser.

Marks has more than 30 years of hospital administration experience, most recently as president and CEO of Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas, California.

A fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Marks received his undergraduate degree in hospital/business administration from Concordia College in Minnesota and his master’s in hospital and healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota.

PMH Medical Center is a full-service nonprofit medical center.

Swanton joins Forest2Market as manager

Joel Swanton has joined Forest2Market as manager of its western region market sales.

He will work from an office in Kennewick and serve customers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, northern California and British Columbia.

In his new role, Swanton will act as supply chain expert and adviser to existing and prospective customers, and advise forest products industry participants on the use and integration of Forest2Market products and services into their businesses.

Swanton received a bachelor’s of science in forestry from the University of Maine, and has more than 30 years experience in all phases of the wood fiber supply chain, from forest operations and procurement to certification and forest policy.

Association of Realtors names new members

The Tri-City Association of Realtors recently announced its new members: Solomiya Parkhotyuk, Century 21 Tri-Cities; Philip Souza, Adamas Realty; Sean Rae, Windermere Group One; Laverne McGrath, Berkshire Hathaway Central; Michelle Walker, ReMax Professionals; Margaret ‘Maggie’ Coleman, ReMax Professionals; Stacey Abney, ReMax Professionals; Pauline Dennis, EverStar Realty; Elizabeth Christensen, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson; Tara Kentch, Markel Properties; Thea Garza, Celski and Associates; Brent Shindehite, Desert Hills Realty.

Diana Montes of Zion Properties reactivated her membership.

PNNL staff elected to state science academy

Two scientists at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have been chosen to join the Washington State Academy of Sciences.

Suresh Baskaran and Jun Liu will join other scientists and engineers from across the state being recognized for outstanding scientific achievement and leadership.

Academy members provide expert analysis to inform public policy-making, and work to increase the role and visibility of science in Washington state.

Baskaran is the chief science and technology officer for energy and environmental research at PNNL. He is responsible for directing science and technology investments to deliver solutions for the nation’s most important energy and environment challenges. His research is reflected in 50 technical papers, 10 U.S. patents, a spark plug resistor technology that was put into full-scale production by industry, and an R&D 100 award for automotive emissions control in 2001 given by R&D Magazine for the most technologically significant new innovations of the year.

Liu is a Battelle Fellow and division director for energy processes and materials research at PNNL. He serves as the director of the DOE Battery500 consortium. He is a Fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Materials Research Society and has received two R&D 100 awards. He was among the top one percent of authors cited by other researchers worldwide in 2014 and 2015, and was one of the most cited materials scientists in the world. He as named Battelle Distinguished Inventor in 2007 and PNNL Inventor of the Year in 2013.

The Washington State Academy of Sciences has grown to 264 members since its inception in 2005.

Medical Society re-awarded accreditation 

The Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Committee of the Washington State Medical Association recently completed a re-survey of the Benton Franklin County Medical Society and granted a six-year accreditation with commendation, the highest accreditation status awarded by the WSMA.

WMSA accreditation aims to assure that continuing medical education activities meet the high standards of the requirements for accreditation.

BFCMS is a nonprofit professional membership organization that was established in 1946 to improve the health of the community and enhance professional satisfaction of physicians through advocacy, education and collegiality.

Petersen Hastings adds staff, announces certification

Jerrie Kulesza has joined Petersen Hastings in Kennewick.

As a client service liaison, Kulesza will provide services and administrative support to the company’s client base.

Benjamin Tanke has joined the firm as associate retirement plan adviser. In his role, Tanke will provide services and advice to retirement plan trustees and retirement plan participants. He has a bachelor’s of business administration from Washington State University, licenses in long-term care and life and disability benefits, as well as Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses.

Kevin Floyd, registered investment adviser with Petersen Hastings, has earned the chartered financial analyst designation.

Employers, investment professionals and investors use the CFA charter as the standard by which to measure the competence, integrity and dedication of investment professionals. CFA designation candidates must agree to follow CFA ethics codes for professional conduct, pass CFA exams and have four years qualified work experience and investment decision making.

Petersen Hastings is a registered investment adviser. As a primary fiduciary, the firm serves investors with complex financial needs.

Washington Trust Bank adds commercial team member

Ben Cox has joined the commercial team as a relationship manager at the Kennewick branch of Washington Trust Bank.

Cox comes to Washington Trust with more than 10 years of experience in the banking industry, including five years as a relationship manager.

Cox will be responsible for working with high net-worth individuals to help them achieve their financial goals.

KSD names Staff Excellence Award winners

The Kennewick School District recently recognized nine coworkers and a community volunteer with its Staff Excellence Awards for going “above and beyond in supporting students and education.”

Naw Su Su Tun Moses, community volunteer, was named Outstanding Partner of the Year.

Horse Heaven Hills Middle School Principal Diana Burns was named Administrator of the Year.

Judy Vo, dean of students and instructional coach at Edison Elementary, was honored with a Creativity in Curriculum award.

Eric Veach, network administrator at the KSD Administration Center, Jan Lenkersdorfer, bus driver, and Kristi Lakey, secretary of Highlands Middle School, were named Staff Support Persons of the Year.

Stephanie Weyh, ESL teacher at Eastgate Elementary, was named Certified Specialist Teacher of the Year.

Joan Marble, third-grade teacher at Ridge View Elementary, was named Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Matt Patterson, language and arts reading teacher at Desert Hills Middle School, was named Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Teresa Urrego, Spanish teacher at Kennewick High, was named High School Teacher of the year.

All winners were nominated by district employees.

Second Harvest earns four-star rating

Second Harvest has been awarded a four-star rating by Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year.

“Only 4 percent of the charities we evaluate have received at least six consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that Second Harvest Inland Northwest outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Second Harvest Inland Northwest apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness,” said Charity Navigator President and CEO Michael Thatcher in a release.

Richland business certified by state DOT

Total Site Services has recently been certified with the state Department of Transportation as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Woman Owned Disadvantaged Business Enterprise company.

TSS is a locally-owned general contractor based in Richland with a civil division. The company performs civil site work, concrete and carpentry on its projects.

For more information, call Shane Picker 509-845-9526, Shannon Toranzo 509-371-1000 or Lisa Chapman-Rosa 509-947-4554.

Davis joins BBB as marketplace director

Kirstin Davis has joined the Better Business Bureau as marketplace director for Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

Davis grew up in Spokane and is a graduate of Gonzaga University. She will host and attend community and private sector events, provide educational workshops and be a liaison for BBB to the local community, businesses and media.

BBB Northwest serves more than 14 million consumers in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and western Wyoming.

Dramis appointed to medicine, surgery board

In August, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Shannon Dramis of Kennewick to the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery.

She will serve a five-year term.

Kadlec respiratory therapist earns credential

Andrea Gilbo, registered respiratory therapist with Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, has achieved the Adult Critical Care Specialty credential, the first respiratory therapist at Kadlec to do so.

The credential signifies a therapist has received advanced skills and knowledge in addressing general critical care areas including changes in patient status, recognizing and managing sepsis and end-of-life care. Gilbo has been a registered respiratory therapist for nine years, serving seven of those at Kadlec.