People in Business
The Bonneville Power Administration recently recognized five employees who live or work in Clark County for its internal Administrator’s Excellence Awards program. Recipients of the award were nominated by their peers and evaluated on criteria such as excellence in their field, technical achievement, community outreach and service as an “unsung hero.” They were honored at an April 17 ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Portland.
Brian Ross of Vancouver received the BPA’s Special Service Award for his work as a civil engineer. Ross is an Aerotek contractor who works for the BPA Transmission Engineering Policy and Governance. He received the award for his efforts to improve engineering, construction safety and efficiency.
Melanie Smith of Vancouver, a public utilities specialist, received the agency’s Unsung Hero Award. A native of Whitefish, Mont., Smith received a bachelor’s degree in administration and supply and logistics from Portland State University in 2004.
Eric Heredia, an electrical engineer in the transmission operations planning office at the agency’s Dittmer Control Center in Vancouver, received the utility agency’s Eugene C. Starr Award for Technical Achievement. Heredia, a high-voltage transmission expert, “played a critical role in the rapid integration of wind energy at BPA, particularly in the development of coordinated voltage controls, and helped lay the foundation for industry best practices,” according to a news release.
Dan Nunez of Vancouver received the award for Workplace or Technology Innovation. Nunez focuses on asset management for the Bonneville Power Administration. After extensive research, Nunez “developed a sophisticated yet implementable methodology for determining the criticality, health and risk of hundreds of thousands of transmission assets.”
Adam Cummings of Vancouver received the Special Service Award for his role in the BPA’s effort to determine whether to extend the Columbia Basin Fish Accords. For a decade, the agreements provided states and tribes more than $900 million to implement projects for salmon, steelhead and other wildlife. “Cummings provided significant technical support that informed BPA’s decision to extend the agreements,” according to a news release.
The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce and Riverview Community Bank named Aaron Lutz of Lutz Hardware their Business Person of the Year, while Sue Bossman was named Citizen of the Year. Lutz is a third-generation owner of Lutz Hardware, emcees the Camas Days Parade and Bathtub Race, and is involved with Boy Scouts. Bossman regularly volunteers with the Children’s Home Society of Washington delivering food to the homeless. They will be honored by the chamber at the annual award banquet on June 5 at the Camas Meadows Golf Club.
Tamara Gunter, a deputy city clerk for the city of Battle Ground, was honored with a President’s Award of Distinction by the Washington Municipal Clerk’s Association. She has worked for the city since 2008. Her regular duties include records management, administration of employee benefit and wellness programs and support of recruitment and labor relations. Last year, she was suddenly tasked to oversee the Parks and Recreation Department, which included managing the Battle Ground Community Center, senior center, facility rentals and community events for six months. Gunter earned the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk and is working toward a Human Resources Certified Labor Relations Professional Certification.
Stewart Millager was promoted to the chief operating officer of 64 Audio, a manufacturer of in-ear monitors based in Vancouver. Millager was hired at the business in 2017 and led the research and development team. For more information, visit www.64audio.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 Monday publication date. Send to lyndsey.hewitt@columbian.com or fax 360-735-4540. Sales awards are not published.
