People in business
• Joey Fuerstenberg became president and owner of Vancouver Granite Works on Jan. 1. He is the third-generation family owner of the business, previously owned by his parents, Bruce and Vicki Fuerstenberg. A 1994 graduate of Oregon State University, Fuerstenberg has been with the company for 19 years and is currently president of the Pacific Northwest Monument Builders Association.
o Sterling Bank has certified Summer Arbogast as a small-business professional. Arbogast manages Sterling’s Hazel Dell branch, 8015 N.E. Highway 99. To receive this certification, Sterling bankers must complete a series of small-business training courses and must demonstrate knowledge of small-business loan and cash-management solutions, and sales proficiency.
• Brian Willoughby has been hired by Kaiser Permanente as a communications consultant who will focus on internal communications for the health care provider’s hospitals and clinics. Willoughby will report the corporate office near the Lloyd Center. He previously worked as a communications and public relations specialist for Legacy Health System at the Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. Willoughby is a former Columbian reporter.
o Chad McMurry of Olson Engineering Inc. has earned his water rights examiner certification through the Washington State Department of Ecology. The designation gives McMurry credentials to prepare proof examinations to help landowners complete the state’s water rights process for new applications or changes to existing water rights. McMurry also does other work pertaining to water right applications.
• Dr. Mauricio Chavez has joined Vancouver Eye Care, 3200 Main St., and will provide oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery and cosmetic eyelid and brow surgery. Chavez earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago in 2003 and completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in 2007.
o Jeremy Kushner and Dawn Bell recently have received new appointments by the Building Industry Association of Clark County. Kushner, president of RailPro Railing Solutions in Vancouver, will serve as a subcontractor director on the local organization’s board. Bell, a loan officer at HomeStreet Bank, has been appointed as a supporter director on the local association’s board and will serve as a state director on the board for the state group, the Building Industry Association of Washington.
• Wells Fargo has appointed executive vice president Tracy Curtis its new regional president for Oregon and Southwest Washington, effective immediately. Curtis, a Wells Fargo executive vice president, oversees the customer service, sales and community involvement activities of about 1,500 employees at 129 bank branches. She is based in Portland.
• The Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools has added two people to the board for 2013/2014: Danette LaChappelle, senior vice president marketing/facilities/chief communications officer for iQ Credit Union, and Ryan Hart, district director for Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Butler. Hart is an alum of Vancouver public schools and has a master’s degree in education from Oregon State University. LaChappelle has served on the foundation’s marketing committee for the past three years.
• The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce has added Carroll Bernard, a new government contracting counselor, to the team. He will serve as the Southwest Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center representative and have an office at the Chamber’s 11th and Broadway location.
New business
• Flash Freeze Dreamery opened in December at 155 N.E. 192nd Ave., Vancouver. The ice cream shop uses super fast freezing properties of liquid nitrogen to create individualized homemade ice cream, frozen custard, gelato, frozen yogurt and frozen nondairy desserts. There are nearly 100 flavors and mix-ins available.
• Income tax servicing firm H&R Block has opened a new office in Battle Ground at 11 N.W. 12th Ave., Suite 109. The company says it offers services to help clients navigate an increasingly complex tax code.
• Krystal’s Champagne Lounge has opened at Fourth Avenue and Dallas Street, Camas. Local brewer Heathen Brewing and wines from around Clark County and surrounding area will be available, as well as, fondues, meat and cheese plates and chocolates. www.krystalschampagnelounge.com.
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.
