JEANNE BENNETT
Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council names new executive director
Jeanne Bennett has been hired as the executive director of the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) – an organization that provides resources and leadership to promote education and workforce strategies that help build the economic fabric of the region.
Bennett has been the executive director of the Mount St. Helen’s Institute for the last four years. In that position, she was responsible for program administration, fundraising, partnership development and overall administration of the organization.
From 2002 through 2007, Bennett was responsible for the youth workforce programs operated by ESD 112 and funded by the SWWDC. She also spent four years working for former Congressman Brian Baird in his Vancouver office and four years with Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse in Oregon.
“Jeanne brings a wealth of collaborative and creative energy to the SWWDC that will be important to our future development,” said Dale Lemmons, CEO of Interstate Wood Products and chairman of the board of the SWWDC. “We are thrilled to resume our working relationship with her.”
The SWWDC covers Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties.
MATT LEE
Opsahl Dawson Certified Public Accountants is now owned by Matt Lee, the firm recently announced. Lee joined the company in 2010 as manager of its Vancouver office.
Prior to joining Opsahl Dawson, Lee held positions as a manager of a local CPA firm, a CFO of a multi-national business, a division controller of a Fortune 500 company and as a business owner.
Lee also serves as head of the Vancouver Symphony’s finance committee.
SHANE BOWMAN, ADRIAN CORTES, PHILLIP JOHNSON & LISA WALTERS
The Battle Ground City Council recently welcomed the following new councilmembers: Shane Bowman, Adrian Cortes and Philip Johnson. All three were sworn in and took their seats at the dais at a city council meeting earlier this month.
Also at the meeting, the city council elected Lisa Walters to serve as mayor and Shane Bowman to serve as deputy mayor.
The new members of the council join continuing members Michael Ciraulo, Lisa Walters, Alex Reinhold and Bill Ganley.
MEGAN MCDONAGH
Lake Oswego-based IBI Building Consultants has hired Megan McDonagh to work out of its Vancouver office as a business manager.
McDonagh has a background in advertising and marketing and recently served as the Vancouver Business Journal’s lead designer. She also has experience in the nonprofit sector, having worked with the Arc of SW Washington and Share.
LISA LITTLETON & PAT SCOTT (not pictured)
The Southwest Washington Contractors Association (SWCA) recently announced the addition of two new members – Lisa Littleton (Twice the Light Inc.) and Pat Scott (Olson Engineering Inc.) – to its 2012 Board of Directors.
Littleton and Scott were elected at the board’s regular meeting in November. The following members of the 2012 executive board were also elected at that meeting: Dan Goff (DK Contracting LLC) as president; Ron King (3 Kings Environmental Inc.) as vice president; Joe Currie (JWC Construction LLC) as secretary; Sheri Clark (NW Natural) as associate vice president; Tyler Young (NW Accounting Professionals LLC) as treasurer; and Amy Davis (West Coast Bank) as past president.
The 16-member Board is charged with carrying out the goals of the association’s strategic plan, including increasing member benefits and continuing to offer quality professional development opportunities for the industry.
In 2011, the SWCA grew from 185 members to over 255.
LYNN SAMUELS
Columbia River Mental Health Services (CRMHS) recently named Lynn Samuels its new executive director. Samuels assumed her responsibilities on January 3.
Previously, Samuels served as CEO of Lifeline Connections for five years. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field with specific skills related to effective and innovative administration, clinical supervision and the development of new programs and new funding.
CRMHS provides professional mental health services for schizophrenia, bi-polar disease, depression, anxiety, chemical dependency, stress management, grief, child and family therapy, employment services, and NorthStar methadone dispensing clinic. It serves more than 7,000 children, families and individuals in Clark County each year.
