After a slow start during January, chief executive officer departures surged in February to a 17-month high of 132, 48 percent more than the 89 CEO changes announced a month earlier, according to the latest report about chief executive turnover from global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.

Last month's total was 61 percent higher than the 82 CEO changes recorded during February 2009. It is highest monthly total since 140 chief executives vacated their offices during September 2008, and may mark the beginning of an upturn in CEO turnover as companies shift their focus from survival to growth.

The Mason General Hospital Foundation is seeking nominations for individuals to be honored at its 13th annual American Business Women's Day Luncheon.

Every year, the foundation honors three outstanding businesswomen who are or were successful in their occupations, work or have worked in Mason County, and are active and volunteer in their community.

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace is currently 4.76 percent, down four basis points from 4.8 percent at this same time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fluctuated between 4.76 and 4.82 during the past week.

The rate for Washington dropped 5 basis points, from 4.82 percent to 4.77 percent.

Flow International Corp. reported consolidated revenue today of $45.4 million, an increase of 8 percent compared to $42 million during the fiscal 2010 second quarter.
 
This follows the previously reported 11 percent revenue growth during the second quarter compared to first quarter of fiscal 2010. Revenue in the year-ago third quarter was $48.7 million.

Eight of Spectrum Pension Consultants Inc.'s consultants have received new or additional credentials from the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries. They include: Angie N. Darby, Qualified Plan Administrator; Brian J. Downer, QPA; Adam R. Guy, QPA; Matt C. Olson, QPA; Elizabeth A. Zappola, QPA; Tony S. Doble, Qualified 401(k) Administrator; Scott R. Kaiser, QKA; and Pauline D. Woodman, JD QKA. In addition, Spectrum hired three managing consultants, Michelle Young, Amy Kennerly and Rob Taft, each of whom brings more than 15 years of industry experience to the firm.

Gail Snow of Liahona Travel & Cruises in Puyallup has been appointed to Results! Travel's 2010 Leadership Council. The council serves as the sounding board for travel agency owners and managers.

Applications for open positions on the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission are being accepted through the end of March. State health officials are especially interested in recruiting applicants for the open public member position.

In addition to recruiting a member of the general public, the state Department of Health is accepting applications for three positions to be filled by nurses.

Should the Wedge neighborhood become a historic district? The public will have an opportunity next week to provide feedback about the matter to the Tacoma Planning Commission.
 
The area of the proposed district extends from Division Avenue to South M Street to Sixth Avenue and to Sprague. The North Slope Historic District – established during 1994 and listed on the Tacoma, Washington and National registers of historic places – borders the proposed Wedge District.

On the heels of the first month of positive job numbers in more than a year, a new job-vacancy report provides further evidence that Washington's economic outlook may be brightening.

Job openings fell an estimated 2 percent between spring 2009 and fall 2009, according to Employment Security's Fall 2009 Washington Job-Vacancy Survey.

The Tacoma Rainiers will host a job fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 13 at the Hotel Murano. There are a number of different positions that need to be filled, including parking, ushers, concessions, gift shop and ticket takers.
 
Last year's job fair saw a record turnout of almost 800 people and 1000 applications. This year, the Rainiers will be looking to hire between 150 and 200 employees.

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation is one of three recipients for this year's "Leadership Legacy Award," given by the Center for Ethical Leadership. The foundation is being recognized for their work on the Youth Against Violence initiative.

The Community Foundation began meeting with a group of Pierce County funders and service providers during 2006 to explore the root causes of youth violence.

In an effort to counter consumer fraud, and to give Washington residents a way to report crooked businesses, the Department of Revenue, Department of Labor and Industries and several other agencies have established www.suspectfraud.com, which allows consumers to easily check to see if a business is registered before they sign on the dotted line.

The site also allows consumers to report cases of suspected fraud.

Federal Way is seeking applications from nonprofit and public agencies that plan capital projects to benefit city residents who are seniors, disabled, have special needs or qualify as low- and moderate-income. Applications for 2011-12 are due by 4:30 p.m. April 29.
 
The city expects to have $289,505 available through its Community Development Block Grant program to help groups buy and improve community facilities, housing projects and other real property, and finance selected economic development and other projects.

Complaints against regulated energy companies increased 35 percent during 2009, while telecommunications complaints dropped 20 percent, state regulators reported today.

The state Utilities and Transportation Commission's Consumer Protection Help Line opened more than 900 complaints against regulated electric and natural gas companies for customers with billing disputes, disconnect threats, customer service issues and other various concerns.

Allen Realtors will be conducting free home buying seminars at 7 p.m. tomorrow and 1 p.m. March 14 at their office in Lakewood. Information will be available about the local real estate market, the home search and buying processes, and financing. Call 582-6111 for more information.

Nonprofit organizations will be shown how to effectively use the rapidly growing Internet social media to benefit their organizations in a special workshop from 9 a.m. to noon March 10 at Thurston County Community Television, 440 Yauger Way SW, Olympia. The South Sound Partners for Philanthropy will host the workshop, "There's An App for That: Social Media and Community Development" presented by Laurie Cirivello. Seating is limited.  Call TCTV at (360) 956-3100 to purchase tickets. The training is free to South Sound Partners for Philanthropy member representatives. Member organizations can send additional staff for $12.50 each. Non-member tickets are $25. Click here for more information.

Find out who is "walking the talk"and rising to the top by supporting employee health and wellness programs and doing their part in health care awareness.

Eight WorkWell designation awards will be presented during the fourth annual Healthy Breakfast Showcase, scheduled for 7:30 to 10 a.m. March 23 at the Hotel Murano, 1320 Broadway, Tacoma.

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index rose during February for the sixth consecutive month. The index now stands at 93.5, up from January's 93.2. During the past six months, the index increased by 13.4 percent (annual rate), the highest six-month growth rate since 1994.  

"The continued rise in the ETI suggests that job growth is about to begin," said Gad Levanon, associate director of macroeconomic research at The Conference Board. "The past two jobless recoveries in 1991 and 2002 were a result of a continuous decline in manufacturing employment. This time, the strong recovery in manufacturing production has already led to two consecutive monthly increases in manufacturing employment. We are likely to see this trend continue over the next several months, which will contribute to overall job growth."

The Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau has selected international tour and travel, social media and culinary tourism as the topics for its Spring Industry Expert Panels.

The event is scheduled for 8:30 to 10 a.m. April 8 at the Pierce County Environmental Services Building, 9850 64th St. W., University Place. Admission for TRCVB members is $10; nonmembers $15.

Environmental Science students at Clover Park Technical College, in conjunction with Pierce County Solid Waste and LeMay Enterprises, conducted a "waste audit" yesterday at the Lakewood Campus.

"This gives students a truly hands-on view of municipal solid waste,"  said Kathy Smith, Environmental Science instructor. "It's an excellent demonstration of what we can do in our homes and businesses."

Individual help with foreclosure issues will be available to the public during a free workshop from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 6 at the Evergreen College Tacoma Campus, 1210 6th Ave. Attendees should bring current photo identification and Social Security Number, last two years of W-2s and most current tax return; last two pay stubs and two months worth of bank statements; and complete file for first and/or second mortgage. More information is available at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov and www.mortgagehelpnow.org.

Lift your glasses and toast to a fun-filled evening of jazz and wine at the 7th Annual Old Town Jazz & Wine Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. March 6 at Slavonian Hall,  2306 N. 30th St., Tacoma. Proceeds from the festival and silent auction will support the Tacoma Old Town Park Performance Stage Project, headed by the Old Town Business and Professional Association, with the goal of building a permanent outdoor performance stage in Old Town Park. Click here for more information.

Weidner Apartment Homes of Kirkland has purchased The Cove apartments in Federal Way from Prometheus Real Estate Group for $23 million.

The 20-acre, 312-unit complex is in the West Campus neighborhood, which is linked to The Commons shopping complex and Twin Lakes by the BPA trail.