Chris Millsap, an award-winning real estate agent with over 30 years in the industry, has opened his own office in downtown Chelan. RE/MAX Advantage-Lake Chelan is a full service brokerage that offers extensive options to both buyers and sellers in the Lake Chelan Valley. The office is located at 212 E. Woodin, Suite B. For more information, visit www.pickLakeChelan.com

Nel Beukes has opened a new retail mattress store, Peninsula Mattress, at 13 Orondo Ave. in downtown Wenatchee.

Wenatchee Rotary’s club president, June Darling, presented a symbolic check, representing $70,000 worth of proceeds from the club’s recent successful car raffle, to WestSide principal Kory Kalahar at the Red Lion. The money will be used for a number of needs at WestSide, including a new innovative reading program and mobile computers. Wenatchee Rotary has undertaken a multi-year program of developing increased community support for WestSide High School, its programs, faculty and students.

Janice L. Brown, branch manager of American Pacific Mortgage, has completed her nine-hour WA SAFE Comprehensive continuing education required by the National Mortgage Licensing System for renewal of her 2012 federal mortgage license. She also attended First American Title School of Real Estate’s three clock hours of “Title, Escrow and Title to Real Property: Current Issues” class.

Wenatchee State Farm agents Tom Clark, Linda Sasseen and John White have been recognized by State Farm as members of the company’s 2010 Legion of Honor for excellence in business and quality service in meeting the needs of their customers. White earned the elite Crystal Excellence award for the ninth consecutive year, one of the highest honors attainable by a State Farm agent. The designation is bestowed on agents who have been named to the Legion of Honor in 20 of the past 25 years, or a total of 25 years. Clark and Sasseen were awarded the Golden Triangle award, which recognizes State Farm agents who have achieved Legion of Honor status at least 15 of the last 18 years, or 20 total years.

Gordon Schuster, FSS, LUTCF, MA of New York Life Insurance Co. recently attended the Premiere Executive Council meeting in St. Louis. While there, Schuster attended seminars in Guaranteed Retirement Income strategies, as well as minimizing the impact of the Income in Respect to a Decedent (IRD) tax upon beneficiaries. This tax is common with regard to IRAs 401(k)s and other qualified retirement plans.

Andrea Henn, Jenelle Esparza and Samantha Swangwan, front desk coordinators at Elements Salon & Wellness Spa in Wenatchee, recently completed a one-day Dermalogica training at Salon Services in Renton. The training included an overview of the entire Dermalogica line and hands-on product knowledge. Elements has sold Dermalogica products for a number of years.

Max Smith, store manager for Washington Tractor in Quincy, has announced that the company is now an authorized sales and servicing dealer of STIHL power equipment. Washington Tractor’s new line of equipment includes STIHL chain saws, trimmers, backpack and hand-held blowers, edgers, hedge trimmers and related outdoor power equipment. The company will also offer STIHL accessories, original equipment replacement parts, protective apparel, fuel mix and lubricants. Smith said that the store will offer complete service on all STIHL products, along with authorized STIHL warranty repair.

Dale Blair, Certified Athletic Trainer and Sports Medicine Fitness Instructor at Wenatchee High School, has been selected to give a feature presentation at the National Athletic Trainers Assn. (NATA) National Conference and Clinical Symposium in St. Louis in June 2012. The presentation, “Providing Top-Notch Customer Service in a Secondary School Sports Medicine Program: A Tool Kit for Success,” will focus on effective customer service strategies that have been used by leading businesses such as Disney, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Les Schwab and Pike Place Fish Market. The presentation will be part of a session that focuses on issues relating to the secondary school athletic trainer.

Dr. R. Terry Grubb, Wenatchee dentist, has been appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire to a four-year term on the Dental Quality Assurance Commission. Dr. Grubb has practiced in Wenatchee for over 40 years. He has served as president of the North Central Dental Society and the Washington State Dental Association and as second vice-president of the American Dental Assn. He is a fellow in the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Society, and has just completed a four-year term as regent for the 8th District of the American College of Dentists.

Brian Gunn, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Tribe’s attorney and lobbyist in Washington, DC, has been named as one of the National Law Journal’s “Minority 40 Under 40” for 2011. This recognition, of young lawyers from law firms, government agencies, academia and public interest organizations who have been particularly successful advocates, was announced Oct. 31 by the publication. Gunn, 38, has been the Colville Tribe’s federal lobbyist since 2004. He is a partner and the head of the Tribal Governments Practice Group at Drinker, Biddle and Reath LLP, an nationwide firm of 650 attorneys in 11 offices.

Lloyd Smith, a member of the Electric Toasters and Cascade Speakeasy Toastmasters clubs, was awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster award at the fall District 9 conference in Yakima Oct. 14-16. The award is the highest Toastmasters International award that a member can receive. It represents a combination of outstanding leadership and exceptional communication skills. Of the 4 million members who have participated in the Toastmasters International programs, less that 1% have achieved this honor. Smith is a retired teacher, debate coach and assessment coordinator from Eastmont School District.

Sgt. Brad Wilson retired from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office Oct. 31, after 31 years of service. Wilson started his career with the Sheriff’s Office in August 1980 as a Field Deputy and was one of 11 deputies for Okanogan County at the time. He was promoted to Sergeant, Chief Criminal Deputy and also served as Undersheriff under Sheriff Mike Murray. The last nine years, Wilson served as the North Central Washington Task Force Commander. Sheriff Frank Rogers said that during his career, Sgt. Wilson not only earned respect and admiration from the men and women he worked with but also from other agencies and the public that he has served.

United Way of Chelan and Douglas Counties announced the appointment of Don Gurnard to the position of board president during the October board meeting. Gurnard had been serving as vice-president and was appointed to fill the role of president after board president Kerrie Mitchell announced her resignation due to a move to Okanogan County. Gurnard is an associate at Partners Investment Network, Inc., a privately owned securities and broker/dealer with a branch office in Wenatchee.

Roxanne Bryant, branch manager of the Wenatchee Office of Stifel Nicolaus, was approved to fill a vacancy on the United Way of Chelan and Douglas Counties board of directors. Bryant will complete the three-year term of Karen Madison, who resigned from the board after seven years of service.

Emily Phillippi, a Physical Therapist Assistant (P.T.A.) with Biosports in Wenatchee, attended the “2011 World Aquatic Health Conference” Oct. 12-14 in Seattle. Classes included: Treating Type 2 Diabetes in an Aquatic Setting, Benefits of Aquatic Environment for Rehab of Osteoarthritis patients, Spine Rehab and Core Strengthening in the Aquatic Environment, Aquatic Programs for People with MS and Aquatic Rehab in Cardiopulmonary and Kidney Disease.

Frants Holm-Nielsen, after 27 years in the furniture business, has joined Icicle Broadcasting, Inc. Holm-Nielsen will entertain KOZI, KOHO and SMOOTH listeners with creative advertising. He can be contacted at frants@kozi.com.

Andrew Stewart has joined the Customer Care Department at Columbia Valley Community Heath (CVCH) as a Patient Access Manager. Stewart holds a master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University. His experience includes various leadership roles at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and at Resort Condominiums International (RCI) in Indianapolis and Phoenix.

Renée Hunter, Executive Director of TOGETHER for Drug Free Youth, was name Business Woman of the Year for 2011 by Wenatchee Business and Professional Women. Hunter has served as Executive Director of TOGETHER since the nonprofit agency was founded 18 years ago. In that time, she has established coaltions in eleven communities and school districts and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to support youth and families. Her efforts have been a positive influence in building a safe and healthy communities and she continues to be a role model and mentor for prevention professionals throughout our region.

Ryan Mathews recently completed recertification as a Washington State Lead Risk Assessor with Fulcrum Environmental Consulting, Inc. Mathews’ responsibilites as a risk assessor include determining the presence and risk of exposure in quantifying levels of potential lead contamination. Fulcrum provides lead exposure hazard reduction plans, interprets analytical results and issues certificates of lead inspection and compliance. Fulcrum has six Washington State certified Lead Risk Assessors, more than any other firm in Central and Eastern Washigton.

Shannon Clesceri of Columbia Valley Community Health was recently selected to receive a monetary Academic Scholarship from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation, underwritten by the J.J. Keller Foundation. This scholarship will assist Clesceri as she continues to pursue her educational goals. She is part of the human resources department and has held various, progressive titles.

Ruth Schurger has joined the administrative team at Healthy Options at Home as business office manager. Healthy Options provides home care services in Chelan and Douglas counties. Schurger has worked as an office manager in an assisted living community and as a bookkeeper at a local senior center. She is also a certified medical technologist, having attended Abilene Christian University in Texas.

Sandy Noe has been appointed by Aflac’s state office to the position of Veteran District Coordinator. Noe will oversee associates to ensure superior customer service to clients. She will assist clients with billing issues and customer assistance. Noe has been with Aflac for 21 years with offices in Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Moses Lake and Othello.

Geordie Romer of Windermere Real Estate recently received his Real Estate Managing Broker’s license. The Managing Broker’s license requires 90 clock hours in instruction and passing natioinal and state exams. Romer has been a Real Estate agent since 2004 and specializes in vacation home sales in the Leavenworth market.

Heidi Huber and Kara Velazquez have opened a new home furnishings store, Out on a Whim, at 135 N. Wenatchee Ave. The store features antiques and consignment furniture. For more information, you can contact them at whimwenatchee@gmail.com.

The Washington State Music Teachers Association District V Conference was held Oct. 7-8. The event featured a recital by Dr. Yelena Balabanova Oct. 7 at the Omak Performing Arts Center and a workshop and Master Class Oct. 8 at the studio of Roz Nau in Tonasket. Dr. Balabanova presented the workshop on Building Blocks for Strong Students: New ways to teach Artistry, Technique and Creativity. Ken Hunnicutt, Ken Morley, Linda Butler, Teri Rappe, and her student, Kathy Wagers, attended.

Linda Butler of the Washington State Music Teachers Assn. participated in the Sonatina-Sonata Festival at Central Washington University Oct. 22 in Ellensburg. Her student, Rachel Mahre, received an honorable mention. Butler also attended and volunteered at the Outstanding Student Competition at CWU Nov. 5.

Jenny Sorom, RD, has been named Director of Nutrition Services at Central Washington Hospital. Sorom was hired by CWH in 1995 as a Clinical Registered Dietitian and served a Patient Nutrition Services Supervisor before being named Director.

Rick Graybill has joined Mortgage Advisory Group in Wenatchee as a mortgage advisor. He has over 20 years experience in the mortgage industry and most recently was branch manager for PacWest Mortgage in Wenatchee for nine years. Graybill was born and raised in Wenatchee and still enjoys the outdoor recreation it has to offer.

Connie Nelson and Erin Long, both of Wenatchee, recently became independent consultants with Tastefully Simple, a national direct sales company featuring more than 60 delicious, easy-to-prepare foods. As independent business owners, they can offer delicious food samples at home taste-testing parties, along with easy ideas for everyday meals, recipes, serving suggestions and fun. For more information, visit tastefullysimple.com

Kaci Ramsey has been promoted to Nurse Clinician and Infection Preventionist at Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH). Ramsey has been a member of the medical department at CVCH since 2003. She earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Wenatchee Valley College and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Washington State University Tri-Cities. Ramsey has practiced nursing for the last 10 years, functioning as Charge Nurse in Long Term Care, Nurse Case Manager in Internal Medicine and Family Practice and as a Nursing Supervisor.