August 2012
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Who’s news in Bellingham & Whatcom business Deets, Stamps join Chmelik Sitkin & Davis law firm Katherine Deets and Matt Stamps are now principals in the Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. law firm in Bellingham. Deets joined the firm in 2004 after graduating from the Seattle University School of Law. Katherine Deets Her practice focuses on business transactions, estate planning and probate. Deets is a member of the YWCA board of directors, and she is also on the Northwest Estate Planning Council. Stamps joined ChmeMatt Stamps lik Sitkin & Davis P.S. in 2006. He graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 2004. His practice emphasizes commercial and construction litigation, as well as insurance coverage and insurance defense.
Wells Fargo names new regional business bank manager Holly Oakley has been promoted to business banking manager for Wells Fargo in northern Washington, according to Raymond Baer, the bank’s Washington business banking area manager.
Oakley will oversee operations at Wells Fargo business banking offices in Everett and Bellingham, directing about 11 team members. As a financial services veteran with 26 years of experience, Oakley previously worked as a learning and development consultant training Wells Fargo business bankers across the nation. She has also worked as a principle business banking relationship manager in Everett, along with stints as a credit analyst and customer service manager. Oakley has lived in Snohomish County for 25 years. She received a bachelor’s from Western Washington University.
Tepker hired as assistant VP at People’s Bank Kevin Tepker has joined Peoples Bank as assistant vice president and commercial loan officer at the Barkley Financial Center. Tepker has more than 12 years of commercial lending expertise. He holds a bachelor’s from Illinois College in Jackson, Ill., and has lived and worked in Whatcom County since 2002. Kevin Tepker In addition to working with great people, he said the thing he enjoys most about working with businesses is the opportunity to partner with decision-mak-
ers and help businesses reach goals. Outside of work, Tepker volunteers with Wade King Elementary, coaches youth soccer and is a court-appointed special advocate for children. “I’m pleased to announce that we have added Kevin Tepker to the Whatcom business banking group,” said Terry Daughters, the bank’s senior vice president/Whatcom business banking team leader. “Having a credit and business development background, Kevin will be a wonderful addition to our team. His strong banking and commercial lending experience is a great asset to our customers.”
WWU astronomer hypes Mars rover from mission control Brad Snowder, manager of the Western Washington University Planetarium, joined a NASA team of 25 social-networking mission specialists publicizing the Aug. 5 landing of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover. Snowder will spend three days at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. He will be in the lab’s mission control center during the entry, descent and landing of the rover. While there, he will create live mission status updates on social media sites and platforms. “I’m still in a little bit of shock,” said Snowder, after learning he would join the team. wThe Mars mission will study whether the Gale Crater area of the planet has ever supported habitable environments. It is part of a larger study of the Martian surface and atmosphere. Snowder, who refers to himself as a “space geek,” has managed the WWU Planetarium since 1995. He also teaches astronomy at WWU and at Whatcom
Community College in Bellingham.
Local attorney honored for rights advocacy Whatcom County homeless-rights advocate Page Chance has been given the Access to Justice Advocacy Award by the Washington State Bar Association. The bar’s Access to Justice Board recognized her “tireless efforts on behalf of lowincome and vulnerable people,” and her “inspirational and enduring commitment to equal justice for all.” Chance has worked since August 2007 as a homeless disability benefits advocate for LAW Advocates, an organization of Whatcom County attorneys who volunteer their time to give civil Page Chance legal aid to low-income residents. During her time with the organization, Chance has provided help, including information and referrals, to more than 100 people each year. Last year, she helped nearly 40 people complete disability benefits applications. Along with community partners, Chance also helped bring 15 people out of homelessness.
McAuley joins advisory on Puget Sound cleanup The Puget Sound Partnership has added Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael McAuley as one of two new port representatives to its Ecosystem Coordination
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