o The Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council has hired four new employees.
Justin Evers is the organization’s integration coordinator, a new position that will bring WorkSource’s employment services directly to individuals through organizations serving them. Evers worked for the Longview Police Department as a project manager, and more recently, with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he assisted veterans in attaining employment.
Chelsea Jackson, youth initiatives manager, will develop strategies and programming in the community to expose youth to training and employment opportunities. Before joining the SWWDC, Jackson was transitions program coordinator at Innovative Services NW, assisting foster youth to transition to independent futures.
Lee Ann Lawrence, employer services manager, will assist employers with funding and training resources for existing employees and connect them with WorkSource services to recruit and hire skilled workers. She has a history of workforce development experience in the Portland metro region.
Julia Maglione, communications manager, is responsible for public relations, the organization’s websites, social media, development of printed materials, special events planning and collaborating with partners across the region to inform businesses and individuals of funding and employment training opportunities. Her prior positions include program manager in Clark College’s Corporate and Continuing Education department.
o Vancouver affordable housing advocate Leah Greenwood has been honored as a Friend of Housing by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Greenwood was hired in 2008 as housing development manager for Affordable Community Environments. She soon became executive director and led a merger with REACH Community Development, an Oregon affordable housing developer. Greenwood is now ACE Housing Development Project Manager at REACH.
o Key Property Services Inc. has named Lori Hausler its new residential sales manager. Hausler comes to the agency with seven years of experience and she is qualified to provide first-time homebuyer classes. Hausler will oversee all aspects of Key Properties’ real property sales.
o Matthew J. Peters has joined Coldwell Banker Commercial Jenkins & Associates as an investment broker specializing in retail properties and high-profile net leased assets in the state of Washington. Peters was a residential real estate agent for eight years and later worked in commercial real estate with the Portland firm Marcus & Millichap.
o Eric Shelton, general manager of the Olive Garden in Vancouver, has been presented with the company’s Michelangelo and Renaissance awards. An Olive Garden veteran of 11 years, he is one of four selected from more than 800 general managers nationwide to receive both awards this year. The awards recognize managers who create a positive culture where guests and team members are warmly welcomed and treated with respect.
o Ron Trujillo, who drives paratransit for Vancouver-based Golden Chariot Specialty Transport, was named the 2013 Paratransit and Contracting Driver of the Year by the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association.
o Nikki Wiggins of Vancouver was one of 16 exceptional nurses from across Oregon recognized recently at the third annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year awards breakfast. Wiggins is a critical care nurse at OHSU’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. A selection committee reviewed 364 nominations for the honor.
Other business news
o Prestige Care Inc., providing senior care in Vancouver, has earned the 2013 Diversity Spirit Achievement Award from the Diversity Recruiters Network. Prestige Care received the award for its exemplary support of diversity and inclusion through continuous and active outreach efforts to recruit staff from multicultural and diverse communities.
New business news
o The Clark County Skills Center’s restaurant, “A Touch of Class,” is now open to the public. The restaurant, on the Skills Center campus at 12200 N.E. 28th St., Vancouver, opens for breakfast and lunch on the Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays that the Skills Center is open. The restaurant is managed and operated by the students enrolled in the Skills Center Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts program.
The Columbian welcomes submissions about Clark County residents or businesses, as well as regional business events. Information must be received by noon of the Tuesday preceding the intended Sunday publication date. Send to mary.ricks@columbian.com or fax 360-735-4598. Sales awards are not published.
Justin Evers
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Chelsea Jackson
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Julia Maglione
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