Comings and goings

Rex Pinard has started First Draft CAD Services LLC, a new full-service drafting company in Corvallis. Pinard worked as a mechanical designer for the past 12 years for a local high-tech firm and holds a degree in drafting and engineering from Linn-Benton Community College. His expertise includes designing and drafting 3D components and assemblies, as well as 2D drawings.

Take a bow

Local business Witzke & Mendenhall was selected by Goldline Research as one of The Most Dependable Wealth Managers of The Northwest and Hawaii for 2008. The list of the Most Dependable Wealth Managers of the Northwest and Hawaii was published in the March 24 issue of Forbes Magazine.

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Wilbur-Ellis Co. of Monroe is one of 20 farm supply retail businesses that have been selected as Environmental Respect Award state winners for 2008. The Environmental Respect Awards, managed by CropLife magazine and sponsored by DuPont Crop Protection, are the agricultural industry's highest recognition for environmental stewardship among U.S. agricultural retailers. Winners were selected based on evidence of excellence in site design, in-plant storage and handling procedures, emergency preparedness and response, proper application and leadership in safety and stewardship among customers and employees.

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Rod Horton of Corvallis has been named Corporate Account Manager of the Year by Varco Pruden Buildings Inc., one of the nation's leading manufacturers of pre-engineered metal buildings. Horton is the corporate account manager for the 13 western states and the three western Canadian provinces. He has been with VP for 22 years.

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Bill Mercer, a financial adviser at Edward Jones in Corvallis, was invited to Edward Jones' annual Managing Partner's Conference in May at the firm's regional campus in Tempe, Ariz. The three-day meeting invites Edward Jones representatives whose offices are in the top 3 percent of sales for a discussion with James D. Weddle, Edward Jones' managing partner, on issues facing the firm and the financial services industry.

People on the move

Quan Lim has just joined the Keller Williams Mid-Willamette Market Center in Corvallis. Lim has a background in math and science education and is a graduate of Oregon State University.

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Bill Thallemer has been named vice president of student services and government affairs at Linn-Benton Community College effective June 2. Thallemer holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration and a master's degree in education and higher education/student personnel from the University of Mississippi. He also holds a bachelor of business administration in management from the University of Notre Dame and a master's certificate in Six Sigma from Villanova University. Thallemer previously was president of Lake Land College in Matton, Ill., and vice president for student services at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas.

Training & development

Dan Herbst recently recently received the professional designation GRI (Graduate, Realtor Institute) from the Oregon Association of Realtors. To receive the GRI designation, students must complete three week-long courses and pass exams. Herbst is affiliated with Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers of Albany.

News & notes

Dawn Wright, a professor of geography and oceanography at Oregon State University, has been appointed to the Ocean Studies Board of the National Academies. The board advises the federal government on issues of ocean science, ocean policies and ocean infrastructure.

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Marti Staprans Barlow, president of S&B Associates Inc., is launching her Digital City Guide in six Eugene hotels. The Digital City Guide is an in-house dedicated hotel channel and in-room concierge that welcomes visitors, promotes local businesses and attractions and provides information about hotel amenities and promotions. The Digital City Guide was started in Corvallis in 2004 and already operates in Corvallis, Newport, Bend, Albany, and Salem.

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Corvallis Tool Company in Philomath is enrolling in Oregon OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. The program provides an incentive for Oregon employers to work with their employees to find and correct hazards, develop and implement effective safety and health programs, and continuously improve. Corvallis Tool Company designs, engineers and installs custom machinery and controls for the veneer, plywood, and engineered wood industries.

Submissions

"Movers & Shakers" welcomes submissions of business news about local companies. News releases can be delivered to the front desk of the Gazette-Times, 600 S.W. Jefferson Ave.; faxed to 758-9505; e-mailed to news@gtconnect.com; or mailed to Business News, Corvallis Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 368, Corvallis, OR 97339.

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