Business Examiner

Dec. 1, 2008 at 2:24pm

Former WaMu employees eligible for assistance

Washington Mutual employees who are receiving layoff notices from JPMorgan Chase are also receiving information from state and local layoff-response officials about unemployment benefits and job-search assistance that are available to them.

Leaders from the state Employment Security Department's mass-layoff unit and the Seattle-King County rapid-response team met recently with JPMorgan officials to plan informational sessions that will supplement the company's own severance and employee-assistance efforts.

A series of one-hour sessions will be held on Dec. 12 for Washington Mutual employees who are being laid off in the next few months.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:30am

Around the Sound

Business-related events

Business owners not previously able to afford health insurance for their employees have a new tool available to them – government subsidies for employee health insurance. The state's Health Insurance Partnership combines public and private resources to help small employers and their employees purchase health insurance in the marketplace. A free educational workshop on HIP is being offered Thursday between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Phoenix Inn Suites in Olympia. Employers eligible for the subsidies are those: not currently offering health insurance; have between two and 50 employees; and have workforces that have half of their workers earning less than $10 an hour. The workshop is being sponsored by the Thurston County Chamber affiliated Chamber Benefit Services Fund, a leader in small business health insurance solutions. The event is held in cooperation with the Washington Health Care Authority and Choice Regional Health Network. Reservations are requested at (360) 357-3362 or www.ThurstonChamber.com.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its annual Holly-Jolly Christmas Auction on Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Great American Casino. For $20 admission, guests can enjoy a lovely plated lunch, visit with Santa, enjoy holiday music, as well as take advantage of shopping for family, friends, co-workers and employees in a casual setting. Reservations are required, call (253) 582-9400.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:18am

BE part of the conversation

Comment about the news

Visit BusinessExaminer.com and voice your thoughts on today's news and read comments from other people in the South Sound's business community. The BE blog also offers RSS functions so you can see only the local or industry business news that you want, as it happens.

Comments (1) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:14am

Pierce budget punches new holes for belt tightening

The core functions of Pierce County government will stay largely intact in a 2009 budget that reflects the current economic downturn and drop in tax revenue to fund those services.

The County Council unanimously approved its version of the $854.5 million plan last night.

"Our core services - public safety, criminal justice and transportation - were left whole in this budget," said Council Chair Terry Lee, who noted that road improvements scheduled for next year will continue as planned. "Unfortunately, that meant that our other departments and programs had to take a more serious cut."

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:09am

Nursing shortage continues in South Sound

When the economy is struggling and unemployment is on the rise, there is still one profession that is actively recruiting.

The Washington State Department of Labor reports that there are nearly 5,000 Registered Nurse vacancies today, and this could grow to 30,000, if nothing changes by the year 2020. There simply are not enough nurses to care for the growing number of patients. This shortage is only predicted to worsen in the coming decades. Locally, there are 241 Registered Nurse vacancies in Pierce County alone.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:07am

Blog Watch: road warriors

Tacoma's downtown blog has an item about the Dome District's thoughts about Sound Transit's plans for the train extension through the area. It makes for interesting reading about this changing neighborhood.

Kevin Freitas writes about the filming of the Toyota Commercial in downtown Tacoma last week. He also has pictures of the filming.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:06am

COFFEE BREAK: Holiday blessings or worries

The Business Examiner would like to know your thoughts about the upcoming holiday season. Are your primed for the deep discounts you will likely find in stores or are you wondering if you will have a paycheck by the time the credit card bill comes due? Are you trimming back on gift giving this year?

Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:18pm

COFFEE BREAK: down times

The weather is bad. The news about the local, state and national economy is bad. Retirement accounts are lighter.

The Business Examiner would like to know how you are feeling about your job and what you are doing to ease the stresses in your life.

To reply to the poll, send an e-mail to news@BusinessExaminer.com. Poll results will be published in Friday's BE Daily.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 18, 2008 at 1:49pm

TCC forum questions employers use of networking sites

Tacoma Community College's Center for Ethical Development kicked off a forum series today that examines business issues to promote ethical decisions in the workplace with a program titled "Internet Privacy? Ethical Implications of Social Networking."

Connecting with people on the Internet has exploded through social and business networking sites in the past few years. This event focused on the ethical implications involved in posting information, altering or creating identities or examining social networking information to influence life decisions like hiring or student screening for college admission.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Education, Human Resources , Tacoma, Technology by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Nov. 12, 2008 at 11:35am

COFFEE BREAK: worker stress

The Business Examiner would like to know what sorts of concerns your workers have about the state of the economy and if those concerns are finding themselves in the workplace discussions more often than in previous months.

To reply to the poll, send an e-mail to news@BusinessExaminer.com. Poll results will be published in Friday's BE Daily.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 11, 2008 at 10:55am

State curator starts today

Steve Wyatt, who begins his new job as the first curator for the Washington State Heritage Center today, brings 20 years of experience to this new position.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Olympia, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Nov. 11, 2008 at 10:04am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Diane Bingaman has joined Landes Mertz & Co. as a tax manager. Bingaman has a broad base of compliance experience, including federal and multi-state individual and small business returns. Her specialized area of interest is not-for-profit organizations. She is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Capital Centennial Rotary Club. She is a 2008 graduate of LEAD Thurston County and currently serves as the treasurer for South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Nov. 4, 2008 at 11:59am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Venture Bank recently hired Tasha Wilkinson as a customer service representative at the bank's Eatonville Financial Center. Venture Bank also hired Jennifer Stanley as a customer service representative at the bank's Fircrest Financial Center.

Washington State University entomologist and eco-toxicologist John Stark has been named the new director of the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center. Stark succeeds Jon Newkirk who has been director of the center for the past four years. Newkirk recently resigned as director at the historic Puyallup facility but will continue his affiliation with WSU as director of the WSU Extension Western Center for Risk Management Education in Spokane. WSU Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences Dan Bernardo praised Newkirk for helping to set a new course for the 21st century at the facility that was established in 1894.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:55am

Blog Watch: street talk

The BIA blog for downtown Tacoma has a string about a national movement for "complete streets" that are designed for all types of users of all ages and abilities, pedestrians, cyclists, transit, trucks, cars, wheelchairs, skateboarders and other users. The post has specific examples of proposed changes for main streets around the city.

Crosscut.com has a chart of newspaper endorsements from around the state about key issues on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Olyblog.net has an ongoing roster of places to eat around the city.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:53am

COFFEE BREAK: Key election issue

The election is almost here. Many people have already voted thanks to the expansion of vote-by-mail programs. The Business Examiner would like to know what issue drove you to vote the way you did this election?

To reply to the poll, send an e-mail to news@BusinessExaminer.com. Poll results will be published in Friday's BE Daily.

Oct. 23, 2008 at 11:08am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Rainier Pacific has elected Bruce W. Valentine to the Board of Directors of Rainier Pacific Financial Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Rainier Pacific Savings Bank. Valentine will fill the vacancy created by the death of Robert H. Combs in June of 2008 and he will stand for election at the company's next Annual Meeting of shareholders.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Oct. 22, 2008 at 9:44am

Coffee Break: The home stretch

With just two weeks remaining in the election season, politicians across the board are stepping up their efforts to get your vote. Both the federal and local races are heating up, particularly surrounding issues that affect the nation's business communities.

The Business Examiner wants to know who you're voting for and why. Which county council, gubernatorial and presidential candidate would best represent you and your business?

Oct. 14, 2008 at 11:38am

Tacoma Chamber Expo runs today

The 124th annual Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber meeting and breakfast brought 700 local business people together at the Greater Tacoma Trade and Convention Center to hear about the economy and what the future may hold for the local business community.

Comments (1) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 13, 2008 at 11:22am

In this issue of the Business Examiner

The latest print edition of the Business Examiner is now in mail boxes and newsstands around the South Sound.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 8, 2008 at 6:05am

Are you a Fastest Growing Company?

Nominations are now being accepted online for the South Sound's annual Fastest Growing Companies recognition program.

Fastest Growing Companies are defined as having strong growth in revenue and wage expense from fiscal years 2005 through 2007. Results are collected, calculated and verified confidentially by Moss Adams, the 12th largest accounting and consulting firm in the United States.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Education, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 7, 2008 at 10:25am

Showcase set for day of business networking

Thurston County Chamber's Business Showcase set for tomorrow is ready to offer South Sound businesses with the opportunity to network with each other, learn about products in the marketplace and attend sessions on ways to improve their operations.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Human Resources , Lacey, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 3, 2008 at 8:31am

Speak up: BE wants your opinion

The Business Examiner would like you to take five minutes out of your day to help us grow and improve our BE Daily service.

It is our goal to provide timely and relevant news coverage, while making the BE Daily interesting and valuable for our readers and advertisers. The information you provide in the survey link below is invaluable in helping us reach that goal.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 30, 2008 at 2:34pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

St. Joseph Medical Center has received the prestigious Consumer Choice Award for the 10th straight year for being identified as a preferred hospital in Tacoma by an independent survey of area residents by National Research Corp. Winners of the Consumer Choice Award from 190 markets across the U.S. were announced Sept. 29 by National Research Corp., an independent company that measures health care performance and improvement. The list of winners also was published in the current edition of Modern Healthcare, an industry publication.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 30, 2008 at 1:48pm

State's minimum wage will increase

Washington's minimum wage will jump 48 cents to $8.55 an hour beginning Jan. 1, an increase required by a voter initiative passed 10 years ago that set the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index for the greater Seattle area.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Sep. 30, 2008 at 10:46am

Boat servicer expands in downturn

Commencement Bay Marine Services, a full-service boat repair and haul-out service on the Thea Foss Waterway, has announced it will expand its workforce from the recently closed Olympic Boat Center.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 25, 2008 at 10:58am

Women of Influence event held

View pictures from the BE's event

The Business Examiner celebrated its sixth annual Women of Influence class last night at Clover Park Technical College's Sharon McGavick Student and Conference Center. The program recognized outstanding female leaders in the South Puget Sound.

Pictures of the event can be viewed here if you missed the event or want to relive it. The recognition program will also be the subject of next month's South Sound Business Report broadcast, which airs on a number of channels throughout the South Sound.

Sep. 25, 2008 at 10:42am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

St. Mary's Vestry, the Lakewood church's governing body, recently announced the call of a new rector, the Rev. Kendall Haynes. Haynes will begin his duties on Oct. 1. For the past 22 years, the Rev. Kent McCulloch served St. Mary's as its rector. Fr. McCulloch retired in September 2007.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Sep. 17, 2008 at 2:11pm

L&I plan calls for comp hike of 3 percent

The Department of Labor & Industries today proposed a 3 percent increase in 2009 workers' compensation rates. Average premiums would go up by just under 2 cents per hour worked.

Sep. 17, 2008 at 11:19am

COFFEE BREAK: investment worries

With all the bad news from Wall Street these days about billion dollar firms going into bankruptcy or falling into governmental receivership, the Business Examiner would like to know how comfortable you feel about your own financial situation.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 15, 2008 at 12:02pm

October retirement deadlines loom

October is an important month for business owners interested in setting up SIMPLE or SEP retirement plans for their employees.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Human Resources , Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Sep. 11, 2008 at 1:02pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognition

Christy Patterson has been promoted to corporate services officer at Olympia-based Heritage Bank. Patterson has more than 15 years of banking experience and joined the bank in 2003 as the human resource specialist. The bank also promoted Amber Jenson to human resources officer. Since joining Heritage Bank in 1999, Jenson held positions including customer service associate, financial services associate and senior human resources specialist.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Human Resources , Lewis County, Olympia, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Sep. 9, 2008 at 10:32am

McClatchy announces further staff cuts

The South Sound's largest newspapers, The News Tribune and The Olympian, have announced another round of staff changes at the dailies.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 9, 2008 at 10:26am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Woodstone Credit Union has announced it is making a donation of $1,700 to the Mike McIntosh Memorial Scholarship Fund. This is the second year that Woodstone has raised funds to honor Pastor McIntosh and his place in the south King County community. The moneys raised are enough to pay tuition costs for two qualified applicants to attend Advancing Leadership, an affiliate of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce. The donation came about when Woodstone recently made a pledge to donate $20 for each member of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce who attended the August "Business After Hours" meeting hosted at Woodstone's headquarters. Pastor McIntosh was a founding member of Advancing Leadership.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 8, 2008 at 5:16pm

Boeing machinists on strike

After two more days of negotiation, Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers were unable to reach an agreement Friday on a new collective bargaining agreement, covering nearly 27,000 employees mainly in Washington, Oregon and Kansas. Boeing machinists' began to strike at midnight Friday.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Sep. 5, 2008 at 9:21am

State gives funds to improve workforce

The state's Employment Security Department awarded $5.7 million to the Tacoma-Pierce County workforce development council to help workers polish their skills and find better jobs through June 2009. The region's allocation decreased by $480,000 compared to last year.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:08am

Accounting, IT hiring to be flat

A net 1 percent of chief financial officers in the Puget Sound expect to add accounting and finance staff during the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a recent Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index. While 7 percent of executives surveyed plan to add staff during the quarter, another 6 percent anticipate reductions in personnel. The majority of respondents, 85 percent, foresee no change in hiring.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Education, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:06am

Jobs was mixed picture in August

Today's National Employment Report from Automatic Data Processing shows employment decreased by 33,000 in August. The report is based on actual payroll data and measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 2, 2008 at 12:13pm

SPEEA: Boeing risks 787 delays

The Boeing Co.'s public acknowledgement that outsourcing is causing problems with the 787 program is lip service until action is taken to correct problems created by a global network of suppliers and inexperienced workers, according to the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, IFPTE Local 2001.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, South King County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Aug. 28, 2008 at 12:52pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

West Sound Workforce has awarded Caron Long the July 2008 employee-of-the-month honor. Long serves as an accounts payable specialist. In her nomination Long's supervisor said, "Caron is an exceptional employee. She is fast and accurate, solution oriented and positive. Caron's attitude and quality of work are just what our company looks for in an employee." Long was honored by West Sound Workforce with gifts, an award certificate and floral arrangement at her local awards celebration.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Human Resources , Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 27, 2008 at 1:08pm

COFFEE BREAK: Class act

With students heading back to school, the Business Examiner would like you to think back to your own classroom days and come up with the best lesson you ever learned during those years. Was it to be organized and do the work? Was it that cheaters prosper? Was it that geometry is applicable to everyday life?

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 27, 2008 at 11:02am

State takes action on health workers

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of multiple health care providers within the state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of providers who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Workforce by News Room | Email News

Aug. 25, 2008 at 11:04am

BE Reader Survey

Dear BE Daily Subscriber,

Please take five minutes to provide your feedback on the BE Daily.

The Reader Survey contains 28 questions that are about you, your business and the BE Daily. Your feedback will guide us in creating new features as well as ensuring the news and information we send you is relevant and easy to use.

Click here to take survey

Thank you for being a BE Daily reader and for your valuable feedback! If you have already submitted your questionnaire, thank you!

Emily West
General Manager
ewest@BusinessExaminer.com

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Emily West | Email Emily

Aug. 21, 2008 at 11:47am

People on the move

Promotions and recognition

The Puyallup South Hill Rotary has announced the following new officers: Carole Axtell, president; Kellie Monette-Chapman, secretary; Keriann Cockrell, assistant secretary; Stan Ausmus, treasurer; Shan Vipond, financial reporting; Curtis Thiel, past president; and Edd LaVille, president-elect. Other board members include Terry Harman, Dudley Yamane, Don Miller, Cindy Estep, Shane Klingenstein, Karen Fisher, Jane Hostvedt, Jerome O'Leary, Michelle Strom, Karen Hansen, Kim Rushing, Shawn Manley and Eric Zawilski.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Human Resources , Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Aug. 7, 2008 at 11:13am

Prisons want to do business

The Department of Corrections is looking for businesses to operate in prisons and provide offenders with job skills that help them live crime-free lives after they return to their communities.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 1, 2008 at 10:41am

Coffee Break: gizmo responses

The Business Examiner asked readers to talk about the one gizmo or gadget that they couldn't live without. Here are some of the responses:

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 23, 2008 at 11:24am

BE's 40 Under Forty photos are online

The Business Examiner's sold out 40 Under Forty event last night recognized outstanding South Sound business and community leaders under the age of 40.

Jul. 22, 2008 at 11:01am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Meta Dooley is the new senior vice president for strategic planning and business development for Franciscan Health System, one of the largest private employers in the South Puget Sound region that includes St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma and hospitals in Federal Way, Lakewood, Enumclaw and Gig Harbor. Her appointment was announced July 15 by Franciscan President and CEO Joe Wilczek. She will direct system-wide strategic planning, business plan development for service lines and facilities, and advocacy for the 6,300-employee organization that is based in Tacoma and has hospitals, medical clinics and other care facilities in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 21, 2008 at 8:56am

Around the Sound

Business-related events

Chehalis Neighborhood Holloway Springs, located at 196 Wind River Drive in Chehalis, will be the site of the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce's AM Mixxer at 7:30 a.m on Tuesday, July 22. Visit www.ChamberWay .com.

The Tacoma Chamber's Good Morning! Power Networking Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, will include a presentation on "How to Increase Sales During a Tough Economy." The event will be held at La Quinta Inn & Suites Conference Center, 1425 East 27th St. Tickets are $25. Visit tacomachamber.org.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Olympia, Pierce County, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 18, 2008 at 11:48am

Residents are savvy about ID theft

A recent poll conducted by PEMCO Insurance suggests that while the state has one of the highest per-capita rates of identity theft in the nation, Washingtonians are aware of the risks and are taking the precautions necessary to prevent identity fraud.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 16, 2008 at 1:52pm

COFFEE BREAK: Gas pains

The Business Examiner would like to know what business owners and managers are doing to control fuel costs for themselves and workers. Some firms are switching to four-day work weeks to cut commute times, while others are adding ride share incentives to their benefits package. Others are adding surcharges to cover costs.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:17pm

Unemployment rate up slightly in June

Washington's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.5 percent in June, up from May's rate of 5.3 percent, according to the state Employment Security Department.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:07pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Cornerstone Financial Strategies LLC, a financial planning and investment management firm in University Place, has hired J.B. Wilson. A recent business graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Wilson completed a year-long internship with Cornerstone before joining the firm full-time as client service manager.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 11, 2008 at 9:24am

BE's 40 Under Forty event is sold out

Read about honorees on line

The Business Examiner's 40 Under Forty event, scheduled for later this month, is sold out. The event will recognize outstanding South Sound business and community leaders under the age of 40.

Jul. 9, 2008 at 8:47am

COFFEE BREAK: Summer productivity

Confession time. With the sun out more often than not these days and everyone else seemingly taking vacations, how much work are you getting done?

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 8, 2008 at 11:19am

Women of Influence being sought

The Business Examiner is seeking nominations for its annual Women of Influence award program. The publication and event recognizes outstanding female leaders in the South Sound. Honorees are selected by an independent panel of judges who review the applications and nomination forms and make selections based on the nominee's impact in the South Sound business community.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 7, 2008 at 9:54am

Around the Sound

Business-related events

The Kent Chamber's Policy Makers and Business Leaders meeting will feature Beth Tan, Environmental Engineer with the City of Kent. The free meeting is set for 1p.m. Tuesday at the New York Life Conference Room of the Kent Chamber.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 7, 2008 at 9:41am

Small business hiring slows

The US small business economy appears to be making more extensive use of independent contractors instead of adding workers to their payrolls. The SurePayroll Contractor Index ended June at 3.54 percent, up from 3.52 percent in May and 3.50 percent in April. At the end of 2007, the Contractor Index stood at 3.45 percent.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 1, 2008 at 12:59pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Venture Financial Group CEO Ken F. Parsons was recently appointed to a three-year term on the Independent Community Bankers Association's Nominating Committee. Parsons has just finished his elected term as national treasurer and member of the Executive Committee of the organization. The committee is responsible for recommending and carrying out policies that directly affect the nations 8,000 community banks.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 17, 2008 at 9:57am

Dropout rate causes losses in state

A national education think tank has determined that if the high school dropouts from Washington's class of 2008 had instead earned diplomas along with their classmates, the state's economy could have benefited from an additional $7.3 billion in wages, taxes, and productivity during the working lives of those students.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Education, Human Resources , Lewis County, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 16, 2008 at 12:51pm

FISHBOWL: Driving into business

Patricia Haines wishes she knew earlier on in life that her gifts lie with teaching others. The president and CEO of Tacoma-based "A" Driving School Inc., Haines teaches traffic safety education, defensive driving and provides private driving lessons to pupils of all ages who need to get a license or brush up on their skills at seven locations throughout Western Washington.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jun. 4, 2008 at 10:26am

COFFEE BREAK: Frustration

The Business Examiner would like to know what kinds of things frustrate you in your job that could be fixed, but never is.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 4, 2008 at 10:23am

Tech, accounting hiring seems optimistic

A net 10 percent of chief information officers in the greater Tacoma market expect to hire information technology professionals in the third quarter of 2008, according to the most recent Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report. Some 11 percent of executives surveyed plan to add staff during the quarter and 1 percent anticipate reductions in personnel. The net 10 percent increase is up a point from the area's second-quarter 2008 forecast.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Human Resources , Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 3, 2008 at 11:12am

People on the Move

Promotions and recognitions

Jason L. Adams, vice president of revenue cycle for MultiCare Health System, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation's leading professional society for healthcare leaders. Adams came to MultiCare from Wellspring Partners, a health care financial services consulting organization, last October. In other MultiCare news, the health system has received the Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Washington. Multiple Sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and body and stops people from moving. MultiCare provides the highest level of care through leading-edge technology, the most qualified professionals and comprehensive treatment options.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lewis County, Pierce County, Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jun. 2, 2008 at 2:54pm

Accuracy of unemployment benefits continues to improve

The accuracy of unemployment benefit payments, administered by the state's Employment Security Department, has improved by roughly 5 percent during the past three years according to agency reports. The accuracy rate was 93.8 percent in 2007, up from 93.3 percent in 2006 and 89 percent in 2004.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jun. 2, 2008 at 2:07pm

Local trucking company hit with lawsuit

The Seattle law firm Bendich, Stobaugh & Strong filed a class action lawsuit today in Pierce County Superior Court against Interstate Distributor Co., an international trucking company headquartered in Tacoma.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 2, 2008 at 11:09am

Online job vacancies weaken

There were 3,795,400 online advertised job vacancies in May, a decline of 579,000 or 13.2 percent from the May 2007 level, according to The Conference Board Help-Wanted OnLine Data Series, released today. This is the third consecutive month of declines for the nation as a whole, year-over-year. In May, there were 2.5 advertised vacancies posted online for every 100 persons in the labor force, down from a high of 2.9 in May 2007.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 2, 2008 at 9:23am

WaMu splits chairman, CEO jobs

Washington Mutual is the latest ailing firm to split the roles of chairman and chief executive officer. The Seattle-based bank has removed Chairman Kerry Killinger in a move company officials said is part of an overall effort to return WaMu to profitability. In April, shareholders voted to ask Killinger to give up his role as chairman, as the bank continued to take a financial beating.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Human Resources by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jun. 2, 2008 at 8:26am

FISHBOWL: Potter uses others skills to help women

Andy Lewis-Lechner has worked as a grants manager for Washington Women's Employment and Education for just one year, but said he was bitten by the nonprofit bug shortly after graduating from college 10 years ago.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Human Resources , Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

May. 27, 2008 at 11:14am

Fishbowl: Highlighting the latest in tech

After graduating with a degree in journalism from Western Washington University, Justin Hall went to work for the high-tech public relations firm Sterling Communications.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Pierce County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

May. 19, 2008 at 1:23pm

FISHBOWL: life is colorful in printing

Lisa Low has spent the past 10 years working for The Chronicle Printing Division in Centralia. The 150-member company is a division of Lafromboise Communications Inc. The Chronicle newspaper, as well as The Nisqually Valley News in Yelm, the Orting Gazette, and Centralia's Sign Pro and Cornerstone Media gather under Lafromboise Communications' umbrella.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lewis County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

May. 15, 2008 at 3:27pm

People on the Move

Promotions and recognitions

Thurston County District Court Judge Brett Buckley recently was named Judge of the Year by the Misdemeanant Corrections Association. Buckley has been a strong supporter of community-based domestic violence prevention and mental health and DUI treatment programs which focus on individual responsibility in holding perpetrators accountable for their behavior.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Education, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 30, 2008 at 11:41am

Help ads fell sharply in April

There were 3.6 million online advertised job vacancies in April, a 16.4 percent decline from the April 2007 level, according to The Conference Board Help-Wanted OnLine Data Series released today.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Pierce County, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 30, 2008 at 11:21am

Puyallup juicer faces harassment claims

The Puyallup Jamba Juice Co. store faces a sex discrimination lawsuit filed today by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The local shop of the national chain of juice, smoothies and health snacks was under investigation, which concluded that it allowed the manager of the Puyallup store to sexually harass several female employees, many of whom were teenagers.

Comments (1) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 30, 2008 at 11:19am

COFFEE BREAK: Communication

Reader poll

Everyone hates company meetings, largely because they aren't run very well. But people also want to be included in decisions that affect them. That requires meetings to talk about the issues of concern.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 29, 2008 at 1:11pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Smith Barney has announced that John R. Mitchell has joined the Evergreen Harbor Group in the Gig Harbor office. Mitchell was a financial advisor at the firm's Silverdale office.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Human Resources by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 24, 2008 at 2:51pm

BE's Top Places to Work honored

The Business Examiner's annual Top Places to Work event was held last night to honor outstanding workplaces around the South Sound.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Human Resources , Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 24, 2008 at 10:32am

Businesses continue to feel health pains

A recent survey conducted by online payroll service SurePayroll found that more than half of small businesses, 56 percent, do not offer a company healthcare plan to employees, with most stating that doing so would be too costly. The survey also indicates that when it comes to ideas for a solution and the government's role in health care, there is no clear agreement, but the candidates' stances on the issue will have a huge impact on the small business owner vote.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2008 at 11:33am

Survey: small business optimism low

Optimism among small business owners is at the lowest point in the six-year history of the OPEN from American Express Small Business Monitor.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Human Resources , Startups/Minority Businesses, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 22, 2008 at 12:43pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Don Lloyd, Development Director for Rushforth Construction in Tacoma, has been named by the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 as Rotarian of the Year. Lloyd was cited for his commitment to the club through service on the board and sponsorship of 32 members, and for his community involvement. Lloyd is past president of the Tacoma club, has chaired the Heart Walk and is presently chair of the Tacoma Lutheran Home Board of Trustees.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Human Resources , Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 21, 2008 at 12:39pm

FISHBOWL: Marketer values small-town

Sean Lewis, director of marketing and communications for Puyallup-based Absher Construction Co., said he found his calling through an ad in a local newspaper.


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