RICHARD GUSHMAN
Gibbs & Olson announces internal ownership transfer
Longview-based civil engineering and land surveying firm Gibbs & Olson has announced an internal ownership transfer. Richard Riley and Robert Hitt, longtime owners, are stepping down with the fourth generation of employee-owners taking their place. Richard Gushman has been appointed as the new president and CEO.
“These changes represent a benchmark in our strategic planning and ownership transition plans,” said Gushman. “We look forward to the next phase. I’m optimistic about our future and expanding our services with innovative ideas that broaden our expertise to better serve our clients.”
Gushman started with Gibbs & Olson more than 23 years
ago and has served as vice president since 2003. In addition to
his VP duties, he has managed multi-million dollar projects
with a demonstrated ability to identify and implement cost-effective solutions for a wide range of complex technical issues, the firm said.
JOHN SAUER
On Line Support has announced the promotion of John Sauer to vice president of sales and marketing. Sauer previously held the position of sales manager.
Sauer has worked for the Vancouver-based technology support company since 2010. He is a local resident and involved with the community through the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County.
MARK ESHELMAN
Mark Eshelman has joined HomeStreet Bank has a reverse mortgage loan officer.
The company said Eshelman will be based out of HomeStreet’s Vancouver Lending Center, located at 2100 SE 164th Avenue Suite F-103.
ELIZABETH SCOTT
The Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) has hired Elizabeth Scott as its new research analyst.
As a research analyst, Scott will specialize in the facilitation of CREDC’s business recruitment and expansion operations by providing customized project research to clients.
DERRICK OLSEN
Regional economic development organization Greater Portland Inc has hired of Derrick Olsen to serve as vice president of regional strategy and coordination.
Olsen joins Greater Portland with more than 17 years of experience managing international trade, investment and political issues. Thirteen of these years were spent as a foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State in Latin America, Asia and Washington, D.C. Most recently, Olsen was a global investment strategist at Business Oregon.
In his new role, Olsen will lead the region’s implementation of the Greater Portland Export Initiative, the annual update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and will provide coordination and project management services to the region’s economic development community.
SAMANTHA ITKIN
Samantha Itkin of Vancouver has been awarded a Volunteer Leave Award from Wells Fargo. She will begin a seven-week long project in July at Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington in Portland. She is one of 21 Wells Fargo team members across the country to receive an award this year.
The Volunteer Leave Award enables recipients to take up to four months off, while still receiving full pay and benefits, to focus on a community-based volunteer project of their choice.
Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington (JA) empowers young people to own their future economic success through hands-on programs that promote work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Itkin has been volunteering for JA for almost six years. She estimates she has taught about 15 JA classes about financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship to students of all ages at many Vancouver schools.
“Ever since I was a kid it was a dream of mine to be a teacher,” said Itkin, who also serves on JA’s Vancouver advisory council. “It’s always been a passion of mine, to work with kids. I possess the desire to make a difference in children’s lives.”
Itkin will use her seven-week award to volunteer at JA’s three summer day camps for students ages 10-14. She will also help the organization develop marketing materials for a traveling program aimed at middle and high school students.
“I’m really excited that Wells Fargo has this opportunity for its employees to participate with nonprofits like ours,” said Barbara Smith, JA’s director of programs. “Samantha has been a long time volunteer for us and I’m very excited to have her on the team for the summer. She has a passion for giving back to the community and building a stronger community around her workplace and where she lives. She is helping prepare the business leaders of tomorrow and giving them useful tools that they will be able to use.”
