RICHARD MELCHING
Community Foundation names president
Richard Melching has accepted a permanent position as president of the Community Foundation in Vancouver. He was part-time interim president since July and was a board member prior to filling that role. Melching retired as Evergreen School District’s superintendent in 2005 and was later a consultant in executive coaching, board development, strategic planning and project management. He is on nonprofit boards including Clark County Early Learning Fund, Evergreen School District Foundation and Marathon Education Partners. He was chair of the Coalition of East Vancouver Communities and was on the boards of the Columbia River Economic Development Council and the Children’s Center, and was on the Vancouver Police Chief’s Advisory Committee.
RON FREDERIKSEN, DOUG NESS
CREDC awards two
Ron Frederiksen and Doug Ness recently received the Pillar of Excellence in Economic Development award from the Columbia River Economic Development Council.
Frederiksen is president of RSV Construction Services Inc. in Vancouver. He was awarded for supporting expansion of existing businesses and his leadership of CREDC’s ongoing capital campaign. He will serve the council as past chair.
Ness is vice president of finance for The Columbian in Vancouver. He is retiring from the CREDC board. Ness led CREDC’s Blue Sky committee, and worked as chair.
KELLY WALSH
Schwabe attorney named ‘Rising Star’
Kelly Walsh has been named a Rising Star in the Winter 2008 issue of Washington Law and Politics, already released. The title went to outstanding attorneys 40 years old and younger who have practiced law for 10 years or less. Walsh practices commercial and business litigation at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt in Vancouver and was a deputy district attorney in Deschutes County, Ore. She is involved with community organizations including YWCA Clark County, where she founded SafeChoice Legal Clinic for domestic violence victims. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University in Bozeman and a juris doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Ore.
HELEN DEVERY
CREDC elects Devery
Helen Devery has been elected to the board of directors of the Columbia River Economic Development Council. Devery manages a planning team at Vancouver-based JD White, a division of Berger/Abam Engineers Inc. She has an undergraduate degree from Glasgow University in Scotland and Master of Arts degree from Miami University in Ohio. She is a member of the American Planning Association and is involved with Affordable Community Environments and the Clark County Community Pride Design awards committee.
DAN FOSTER
Reuters ranks Foster as top adviser
Dan Foster was recently named a top US financial adviser by Reuters AdvicePoint, a program that lets financial advisers communicate with a community of investors. Foster is a senior financial adviser with Ameriprise Platinum Financial Services in Vancouver.
SHARON K. LIEN, MIKE LOWRY
Bank of Clark County adds VP, courier
Sharon K. Lien is Bank of Clark County’s new vice president and business relationship officer in Vancouver. Lien is active with Woodland Rotary, Woodland Chamber of Commerce, Ridgefield Business Association and Friends of the La Center Museum.
Mike Lowry is the newest member of the bank’s courier service team in Vancouver. Lowry worked for the Pacific Northwest Region of the US Forest Service for 35 years before retiring as an Emergency Operations Manager in 2004. He attended Central Oregon College for three years while studying Forestry Management.
JAMES GASPAR, TIM CROSS
First Independent fills two positions
First Independent Bank in Vancouver has filled two positions in its newly-formed community banking department for small businesses.
James Gaspar has been promoted to vice president. Gaspar has a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in economics and mathematics from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Tim Cross has been named branch support manager and assistant vice president. He has more than 10 years of experience as a business development officer, cash management expert and branch manager.
BOB MIRCOVICH
Riverview promotes Mircovich
Bob Mircovich has been promoted to vice president and sales manager of Riverview Mortgage with Riverview Community Bank in Vancouver. He has 15 years’ experience as a mortgage broker. Mircovich has received awards from the Clark County Association of Realtors including Affiliate of the Year, Freeman Keller and Golden Key awards for outstanding service. He fundraised for the Epilepsy Foundation and Relay for Life.
