Banking

Columbia River Bank has promoted Taylor Thompson to a commercial lending officer position at its Sunnyside branch. Thompson, a recent graduate of the bank's Management Training Program, has worked at the bank for more than a year.

The Yakima Valley Credit Union has selected new board and committee members. Board officers are Tom Garrison, chairman; Michael Meyer, vice chairman; Jerry Kobes, secretary. Terry Morgan was chosen as a new board member.

Members of the board's supervisory committee are Doug Partlow, chairman; Kenneth Flaks, vice chairman; Suzanne Mackey, secretary; and Vickie Fitch.

Members of the credit committee are Oren Callihan, Frank Johnson, Dee Miller, Mike Reynolds, Imelda Castillo and Rick Ringer.

Members of the nominating committee are Don Davidson, Judie Sanderson and Kathy Franz.

Construction

Fickel & Son Construction Inc. has promoted Garth Covey to its lead carpenter position. Covey, who has more than four years of carpentry experience within the company, specializes in framing and custom finish work in homes and residential and commercial remodeling. The Selah High School graduate also has two years of training at the Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center in its firefighting and construction programs.

Education

Fraud, the journal for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, has invited Robert E. Holtfreter to write a column. Holtfreter, a professor of accounting and research at Central Washington University, will write on issues related to identity theft and fraud.

Health

The Health Within Wellness Center has hired Rhonda Haffner, Breanna Brown and Danielle Carrillo to its staff. Haffner is a licensed holistic mental health counselor with more than 20 years of field experience. Brown is trained in reflexology and is completing additional training at the Seattle Reflexology and Massage Center. Carrillo, a licensed massage therapist and certified aromatherapist, is a graduate of the Ashmead College School of Massage.

Insurance

Several local Farmers Insurance agents and managers were recognized during the company's district agent awards reception held earlier this month. Award winners included Gerry McGree for District Agent of the Year, Commercial Agent of the Year, Fire Agent of the Year and FIE Auto Agent of the Year; Ginger Tyler for Rookie of the Year; Randy Wesselius for Leader of the Year; Wayne Leavitt for Life Agent of the Year and FFS Agent of the year. Agents Abel Mendez, Ron Sidwell, Sharon Dwinell, Harry Crawford, Rachel Bennett, Robert Benner and Daniel Williams were also recognized.

Farmers Insurance Group has also recognized Wayne Leavitt and Gerry McGree as 2007 Champions, one of the highest achievements within the company. The designation is awarded to the top 1 percent of Farmers agents in the country for excellence in customer service, high level of performance, production and overall agency operations. 

Nonprofit

Amy Zook joins the Wellness House for an internship on its client advocate team. Zook earned the internship through a placement program at Washington State University, where she will graduate from in May after completing the internship. She has more than seven years of experience as a certified life coach and registered counselor in Sunnyside.

Psychology

Seattle Pacific University has awarded Joy D. Staley with her doctorate degree in clinical psychology with a specialty in health psychology. To earn the degree, she completed an internship at the department of psychiatry inpatient unit at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Staley, who has nearly 40 years of experience, is currently a licensed psychologist at the Center for Counseling & Psychotherapy in Yakima.

Real estate

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates has awarded Kim Turnquist of Prudential Almon Realty with the Legend Award during the company's sales convention in New Orleans earlier this month. Turnquist earned the award by winning the Chairman's Circle Award multiple times during her association with Prudential Real Estate Affiliates.

* In Basket is a Monday feature noting personnel changes, additions and accomplishments of area business people. To have an item published, mail a brief announcement with a photo to the Business Desk, Yakima Herald-Republic, P.O. Box 9668, Yakima, WA 98909. Items also can be dropped off at our office at 114 N. Fourth St. in Yakima; faxed to us at 577-7767; or e-mailed to business@yakimaherald.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for the following Monday.