Maestro Northwest GIS, a start-up company specializing in geographic information systems, has been formed by partners Lauren Erickson (in photo) and Daniel Tepper in Bellingham's Fairhaven district. The firm produces maps related to farm management, property planning, and trail planning.

Village Books in Fairhaven, a participant in the On Demand Books program, has joined dozens of bookstores across the nation in an alliance with HarperCollins on Espresso Book Machines® (EBM).

Appliance Depot in Bellingham has promoted Thoren Rogers to the director’s position. He had served about five years as a job coach and operations manager.

Bellingham at No. 2 and Mount Vernon at No. 17 appear in The Washington Post on-line list of "25 best cities for independent businesses." 

Mayor Kelli Linville, the first woman mayor in Bellingham history, will make her first address to the local business community Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce 'State of the City' breakfast. Register here to attend. Linville started her first business day today meeting and greeting. She set as one of her highest priorities the meeting of every City employee as soon as feasible.

Stephen Frank and Paul Woodcock received the annual William J. Dittrich Award this week from the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation. Lauren Erickson, executive assistant with the foundation, said in a telephone interview, "The award has been given since 2000, and represents dedication to upholding the value or parks and recreational opportunities in Whatcom County…upholding the legacy of Mr. Dittrich.”

by John D'Onofrio

David Syre, one of Whatcom County's best-known - and most-controversial - businessmen has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in Seattle.

Syre, the driving force behind the construction of Bellis Fair Mall and the Resort at Semiahmoo, is the owner of Trillium Corporation, a Whatcom County-based development and timber company that he started in 1974. According to his attorney Gayle Bush, Syre expects all of his creditors to be paid in full.

With 16 inches of new snow in 24 hours, and snow continuing to fall (thank you, El Nino), Mt. Baker Ski Area revealed on its website this morning that it opened for 7-day operations on Friday (Nov. 18) – two days earlier than 2010. Read the snow report, and hours of operation on the MBSA site.

All those nightly lane and ramp closures and reduced speed limits on I-5 north of Burlington up to Lake Samish have gone away for the winter, as a $20 million improvements project hibernates until good weather next spring. Results of the ongoing work this year include a smooth ride replacing the familiar bumpiness of many years past, according to a news release from Washington State Department of Transportation.

A day after news of Whatcom County’s top employer reorganizing and eliminating more than 80 positions, the second-largest employer in the county revealed in a story in the Bellingham Herald editions Tuesday that it would add 60-80 positions during restructuring.

BP Cherry Point gains the positions, according to The Herald report, through shared positions of plants in California and Texas that will be sold by the end of next month. In January 2012, Stacy McDaniel will take the Cherry Point plant’s top position of plant manager, moving up from production manager and replacing Jeff Pitzer who was promoted within the BP upper management.

A big shoe has dropped at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, and the echo can be heard through many different hallways. Reducing 81 full-time positions, including 17 non-nursing layoffs, the medical center in Bellingham announced first to its staff and then to media a "sustainability initiative” that will result in a $9 million reduction in operating costs. In addition to restructuring of several positions and a partial hiring freeze, PeaceHealth St. Joseph – Whatcom County’s largest employer – accepted its offering of early retirement from 33 employees.

Further, the hospital will implement changes in nurse shifts (to 8 hours), pharmaceuticals purchasing, usage of supplies such as blood products and linens, reduction of redundant staffing in Cardiovascular Service, and will close one of four interventional labs.

With its expansion plans moving forward, Boundary Bay Brewery has given official titles to its kitchen management team of (l. to r. in photo) Ilana Knudsen, Sean Hedman, and Matt Hansen.

Saturna Capital Corporation, a U.S. investment management company based in Bellingham that advises three major funds, was recognized with six awards at the recent Mutual Fund Education Alliance's 2011 Star Awards Celebration in Chicago, one of which highlighted its St. Paul’s Academy.

Valerie Stafford, Janelle Bruland also earn top awards in Skagit, Puget Sound

Gwyn Howat, an operations manager for Mt. Baker Ski Area based in Bellingham, was named Whatcom Women in Business’ 2011 Professional Woman of the Year at its annual banquet in late October.

Bruland, CEO and president of Management Services Northwest in Ferndale, was selected 2011 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year by the WBO (Women Business Owners), covering the Puget Sound as a networking organization for women entrepreneurs.

Mark Bergsma, a Bellingham-based photographer for more than 30 years, has opened a gallery to introduce fine art on canvas that blends photography with impressionism. "impressionism has woven its influence into new works on camera that I am creating,” Bergsma said in a news release. Mark Bergsma Imaging is located inside Donette Studios on Hannegan Road where Bergsma will be available Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. He encourages appointments.

Banner Bank promoted Cheryl Fischer, who manages the retail department of the North Sound Division, from vice president to senior vice president. She has been with Banner Bank the last five years of her 20-year banking career.

Granite Precasting & Concrete, Inc. in Bellingham earned Platinum recognition, and eight regional companies earned Gold in the "2011 Partners for Clean Air Awards” presented annually by Northwest Clean Air Agency in Mount Vernon. Each company will receive its award at the NW Clean Air Agency’s monthly meeting Oct. 13.