ROBERT OKADA
Johnson Bixby & Associates (JBA), a financial planning firm with offices in Vancouver and Longview, recently announced the hiring of Robert “Bob” Okada, a Chartered Financial Analyst.
In his new role, Okada will lead the committee responsible for formulating JBA’s investment outlook by conducting ongoing investment research and staying abreast of economic trends. Other aspects of his position are to provide portfolio analysis and to serve as an educational resource for both staff and clients.
Previously, Okada worked as portfolio manager at the Okada Group (where he was also the principal) and O2 Capital Management. He has also served as vice-president in Smith Barney’s mortgage products group and with Salomon Brothers as a fixed-income specialist, helping to develop the company’s Asian capital markets presence.
Okada earned his degree in business administration – finance from the University of Washington.
JOSEPH VANCE
Joseph Vance, an attorney at the Vancouver office of Miller Nash Graham & Dunn LLP, has been named to the 2015 Washington state Super Lawyers list. The annual publication is based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
Vance is chair of Miller Nash Graham & Dunn’s Vancouver litigation team. He has represented clients in a wide variety of complex litigation in both state and federal court in Washington and Oregon.
Prior to joining Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, Vance was a partner of Davis Wright Tremaine.
ART McCALLUM
The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Riverview Community Bank, has named Art McCallum as its 2015 Business Person of the Year.
McCallum owns and operates the Sixth Avenue Commercial Center in Camas. The center opened in 2006 and is home to a number of commercial tenants including iQ Credit Union, Verizon Wireless, The USPS, Shell Gas and the Coffee Shaq.
McCallum is an active volunteer in the community and is a speaker, trainer and consultant for the National Guard and Army Reserve.
BRIAN PATTERSON
The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF), which is based in Vancouver, recently announced the addition of Brian Patterson to its board of directors.
Since 2006, Patterson has served as president of United South and Eastern Tribes (USET), an organization dedicated to enhancing the development of federally recognized Indian Tribes, improving the capabilities of Tribal governments, assisting its Member Tribes in dealing effectively with public policy issues and serving the broad needs of Indian people.
“I am honored and excited to serve on the board of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation,” said Patterson. “We have an opportunity to shed light on critical issues that affect Indian Country and Native communities through the powerful impact of arts and cultures. I believe that we can use the vital and unique resources of this organization to promote humanity and to preserve cultural and social values that lead to the healing of our communities.”
Based in Spokane, Patterson is also a senior strategist for the Blue Stone Strategy Group.
ANNE SIBLEY
Anne Sibley, business insurance account manager for Davidson & Associates Insurance of Vancouver, has been appointed to the Liberty Mutual Frontline Advisory Council for a two-year term.
Sibley is a Certified Insurance Counselor and Accredited Advisor in Insurance. She joined Davidson & Associates Insurance in 2012 and has 33 years of experience in the insurance industry.
Her participation in the Liberty Mutual Frontline Advisory Council will enable Davidson to provide candid and constructive feedback to Liberty Mutual on topics including claims, risk control and online service, the firm said.
15 agents in the Northwest region were selected for the council.
BRIAN LUSBY
Brian Lusby, a senior at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (VSAA), was recently presented with the Prudential Certificate of Excellence for volunteer service. In addition, Lusby received the President’s Volunteer Service Award and a letter of congratulations, both signed by President Barack Obama.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have given of themselves to better both their communities and their country. The Prudential Spirit of Community awards program recognizes top middle and high school students in each state whose actions contribute to the health and vitality of their local communities. The certificate Lusby received signifies that he is among the top ten percent of all Washington state applicants.
Lusby is the current president of the Southwest Washington Red Cross Youth Council. He is a qualified CPR/First Aid instructor and instructs others in blood borne pathogens, professional rescue, healthcare provision, and wilderness survival. In addition, Lusby helped prepare activities and an agenda for the recent Leadership Development Conference for high school students, held at Camas High School.
TOM MEARS & TAMI NESBURG
Long-time Burgerville leader Tom Mears and Regents Bank regional executive Tami Nesburg have been appointed to the Executive Committee of Identity Clark County, a nonprofit business advocacy group that brings a business voice to community development.
Mears will serve in an at-large capacity of Identity Clark County, which he helped form in 1993. Nesburg will serve as secretary, succeeding Lance Killian of Killian Pacific who will continue to serve on the board of directors.
Mears has been a part of Burgerville USA for nearly 50 years. He began as a management trainee in 1966, became president and CEO in 1982 and was named chairman in 2008.
Nesburg has more than 30 years of regional banking experience. She now serves as executive vice president and regional manager of Regents Bank, a division of Grand Point Bank, after previously serving in a regional leadership capacity for Umpqua Bank and as a commercial lender with Northwest National Bank.
ANTON HASAN & ALEKSEY LIKHONIN
Clackamas-based Jack Howk Plumbing/Rescue Rooter recently honored a pair of Vancouver employees with awards.
Anton Hasan, a service technician with the company since 1991 and a Vancouver resident for more than 30 years, recently the company’s Safety Award.
20-year Vancouver resident Aleksey Likhonin, a plumber with the company since 2011, received the company’s Review Buzz Award for outstanding customer service.
“We wanted to take a moment to publicly recognize the outstanding employees that make up our company,” said Kerry Frederickson, the company’s general manager. “The integrity and professionalism that they exhibit every day is what has kept our dedicated customers loyal for more than 40 years. It is an honor to work with them.”
DONALD NIELSEN & BRIAN TAYLOR
Fuel Medical recently announced the addition of two clinical advisors: Donald Nielsen, Ph.D., and Brian Taylor, Au.D.
Nielsen, Fuel’s new audiology university advisor, and Taylor, Fuel’s new audiology clinical advisor, are seasoned executives with more than 60 years of combined industry experience.
In their new roles, in addition to creating education- and research-based materials for Fuel and its members, they will consult with clinics regarding business development strategies and holding continuing education events.
“We’re very excited to welcome Donald and Brian to the Fuel Team,” said Shawn Parker, Fuel co-founder. “They’re bringing an impressive set of skills that are not only going to benefit Fuel but also our members. As industry thought leaders, their addition illustrates our continued focus on bringing the best in clinical education to our members.”
Based in Camas, Fuel Medical provides customized patient education materials, marketing collateral and business services to multi-specialty physicians.
DEVIN GUSTAFSON, BEN LINZY, MIKE MERRILL & SARAH KNOLES
WRK Engineers, a Vancouver-based structural engineering company focused on structural engineering and seismic design, recently announced a group of new hires and an employee achievement.
The firm has hired Devin Gustafson as a marketing coordinator. In his new role, Gustafson will be working to refine and focus the firm’s marketing and business development efforts to support WRK’s current clients and grow new relationships in their target markets.
The company also hired Ben Linzy, an engineer with seven years of experience in the commercial, industrial and residential sectors in the Pacific Northwest. In his new role, Linzy will be working as a design engineer to support WRK’s growing roster of clients.
Additionally, WRK Engineers hired Mike Merrill as an accounting administrator. Merrill brings more than 20 years of heavy-civil construction business and administrative management experience to the Vancouver-based firm, plus five years of small business ownership experience. In his new role, he will be managing the firm’s financial duties as well as the human resources duties to assist in WRK’s continued growth.
Lastly, WRK announced that Sarah Knoles, a professional engineer at the firm, has passed the California Professional Engineer exam and is now a registered civil engineer in the state of California. Knoles holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from Portland State University and has two years of experience with multiple projects across Oregon.
