Monday, May 20, 2013

Turner Construction honored: Business notebook

By Plain Dealer business staff
on May 18, 2013 at 6:00 AM, updated May 18, 2013 at 6:04 AM

HONORS
Turner Construction Co.'s Ohio region led the company nationally in 2012 in partnering with minority- and women-owned business enterprises. A total of $206 million in contracts was awarded to such firms in 2012 in Ohio, which equates to 25 percent of Turner's volume of work. Turner Construction has an office in Cleveland. Point of Purchase Advertising International named Darko Inc. of Twinsburg a Display of the Year award winner in the semipermanent division for its Imaginext Castle Dragon for Fisher-Price Inc. at the Outstanding Marketing at Retail Achievement Awards competition. Entries were judged on design, innovation, interactivity and the proven ability to lift sales.
Paragon Consulting, an information technology consulting company in Mayfield Heights, and client Vitamix, an Olmsted Falls manufacturer of high-performance blending equipment, were awarded Sitecore Site of the Year -- North America program, in the Best Home Goods category. The award recognizes companies who have developed exceptional websites using Sitecore software.

OPENINGS
Kronheims Furniture will have the grand opening of its newest location, a 30,000-square-foot showroom in Mentor at 7590 Mentor Ave., the weekend of May 24. Go to kronheimsfurniture.com for more information.
District, a restaurant and bar at 1350 Euclid Ave., in Cleveland's theater district, has opened for business. District, which serves contemporary American cuisine, is co-owned and operated by Eric McIntyre and Seth Bromberg, owners of the Melting Pot restaurants in Lyndhurst and Fairview Park. For more information go to tinyurl.com/czx6aa7 or call 216-858-1000.

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/05/turner_construction_honored_bu.html

Overlake Hospital to lease space in medical pavilion

MAY 17, 2013 · UPDATED 7:56 AM

COURTESY PHOTO

Overlake Hospital will occupy floors 5 and 6 of the medical pavilion.

Overlake Hospital Medical Center has signed a lease for two floors of Overlake Medical Pavilion, a specialty medical office building located on the Hospital’s campus along 116th Street Northeast.

Approximately 200 hospital staff members will occupy floors five and six of the 190,000 square foot building. The Physician Specialty Clinic, human resources and marketing departments, the Overlake Medical Center Foundation and Auxiliaries, Overlake Medical Clinics support services and the Hospital’s financial planning, patient financial services and accounting departments will occupy the two floors.

Overlake Hospital Medical Center is the third building tenant. The Physician Specialty Clinic will move into the space in October. The other departments will move in throughout September. Currently, Proliance Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and Center for Prosthetics Orthotics occupy floor seven.

“We are thrilled Overlake Hospital Medical Center chose our facility to consolidate some of its outlying operations and expand its flagship location,” said Amy Poley, vice president of real estate investments for Healthcare Realty. “The hospital is a great addition to the team of premier medical providers we have here at Overlake Medical Pavilion.”

“Overlake Medical Pavilion is a natural fit for our staff,” said Overlake Hospital Medical Center’s Vice President of Professional Services, Sam Baxter. “We are able to relocate off-campus staff to the hospital campus to further unify our team and provide our patients with accessible care.”

Overlake Medical Pavilion is a Class A, nine-story, medical office building that is currently 35 percent leased.

http://www.bellevuereporter.com/business/207869171.html

Record-breaking class of 2013 Graduates from WGU Washington Today at Benaroya

Seattle, Wash. May 18, 2013 – WGU Washington’s second annual commencement ceremony is today, Saturday, May 18^th, at Benaroya Hall. More than 500 WGU Washington students will receive degrees this year from the state’s only accredited, online university, almost double last year’s class of 270. Graduates from around the state will gather to celebrate as Rep. Cyrus Habib delivers the keynote speech. Habib, who represents Washington’s 48^th district, lost his eyesight at the age of eight and is Washington State’s first blind lawmaker in more than 50 years and the first Iranian-American elected to state office in the United States.Habib, an accomplished pianist, will also perform Gershwin’s Summertime on the venue’s grand piano.

“Cyrus represents everything that WGU Washington stands for” said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten. “Undaunted in achieving his dreams, Cyrus’ joyous, uplifting and inspiring message will resonate with every student celebrating his or her fantastic achievement today.”

The commencement ceremony begins at 3 p.m with the following program:

Welcome and Opening Remarks: Chancellor Jean Floten
Commencement Address: Rep. Cyrus Habib, 48^th Legislative District
Graduate Speakers:
1. Connie Summers, Bothell
2. Cathy Johnson, Newport (Spokane area)
3. Julius Giron, Auburn
Conferral of Degrees
Rep. Cyrus Habib to perform Gershwin’s Summertime on grand piano
Closing Remarks: WGU President, Dr. Robert Mendenhall

For more information contact Jake Riddell at 206-512-0025,jake.riddell@wgu.edu, or Lee Keller at 206-799-3805,Lee@thekellergroup.com. Also, footage and sound from the ceremony and graduates will be available on Dropbox.

More About WGU Washington

WGU Washington was established by the Washington State Legislature on April 22, 2011. WGU Washington is state-endorsed and offers degree programs that are accredited through Western Governors University.

WGU Washington offers 50 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Health Professions, including Nursing. The university’s online, competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree. It’s non-profit and receives no money from the state.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and nationally accredited through the Distance Education and Training Commission (DETC). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank.

Bothell resident to speak at WGU Washington’s second annual commencement Saturday at Benaroya Hall

MAY 16, 2013 · 10:55 AM

Bothell resident Connie Summers will receive her Bachelor of Science Business and Human Resources Management degree on Saturday and will make remarks as one of three commencement speakers for the Western Governor's University (WGU) Washington at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle. Summers works in Boeing’s human resources department and recently overcame the loss of her daughter.

“We are so proud of Connie and all our students,” said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten, who will give the welcome and opening remarks.

Summers will be joined by more than 500 other WGU graduates at WGU Washington’s second annual commencement ceremony. This year’s class of graduating students is almost double last year’s class of 270.

Graduates from around the state will gather to celebrate their degrees as Rep. Cyrus Habib delivers the keynote speech. Habib, who represents Washington’s 48th district, lost his eyesight at the age of eight and is Washington State’s first blind lawmaker in more than 50 years. He is also the first Iranian-American elected to state office in the United States.

Habib, an accomplished pianist, will also perform Gershwin’s Summertime on the venue’s grand piano.

The commencement ceremony begins at 3 p.m.

WGU Washington’s innovative model of higher education is producing graduates with the skills to meet the advanced demands of today’s market. A recent Harris Interactive study shows that 100 percent of employers would not hesitate to hire another WGU graduate, 98 percent agree that WGU grads meet or exceed their expectations, and 98 percent consider WGU graduates equal to or better prepared than graduates of other universities.

http://www.bothell-reporter.com/community/207740941.html

Auburn man to speak at WGU Washington commencement

MAY 16, 2013 · 12:47 PM

Auburn's Julius Giron will be one of three speakers at the Western Governors University Washington's second annual commencement ceremony at Benaroya Hall on Saturday.

The ceremony begins at 3 p.m.

Giron will join more than 500 graduates, nearly doubling WGU Washington's inaugural graduating class. Giron will receive his bachelor of science degree in business management. He owns Northwest Languages, an interpreting and translation firm that specializes in helping native Spanish and Korean speakers understand medical communications.

"We are so proud of Julius and all our students," said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten, who will give the welcome and opening remarks.

Rep. Cyrus Habib (D-Kirkland, District 48) will deliver the keynote speech. Habib lost his eyesight at the age of 8 and is the state's first blind lawmaker in more than 50 years. He is also the first Iranian-American elected to state office in the United States.

Habib, an accomplished pianist, also will perform Gershwin's "Summertime" on the venue's grand piano.

"We are so proud of Julius and all our students," said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten, who will give the welcome and opening remarks.

WGU Washington was established by the Legislature in 2011. WGU Washington is state-endorsed and offers degree programs that are accredited through Western Governors University.

To learn more, visit washington.wgu.edu.

Gov. Inslee Signs SSB 5195 into law, extending State Need Grant to WGU Washington students

PRESS RELEASE

May 15, 2013, 8:13 p.m. EDT

OLYMPIA, Wash., May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Governor Jay Inslee signed SSB 5195 into law today allowing WGU Washington students with financial need access to the State Need Grant Program. Previously, the state-endorsed, online university was unable to participate due to technicalities in the original language of the law, enacted long before online education was so pervasive.

"This bill will give our students the same financial help that's available to other low-income Washingtonians who attend public universities, colleges, and commercial and trade schools in the state," said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten. "Our students are mostly mid-career adults, trying to make ends meet while they work, raise families, and go to school. To some students, the State Need Grant will give them the help they need to pay the rent and feed their families, and not have to choose between the two. Our students are very grateful to the Washington Legislature and Governor Inslee. The bill will play an important role in educating future generations of Washingtonians who seek the flexibility online learning provides."

Current students and people considering returning to school from all over the state will benefit from this new law. That includes Tricia Elsner of Federal Way. She's a single mother of triplets, each with varying degrees of behavioral challenges; two of the 17-year-old boys have autism. Another is Jay Castro of Seattle. He's dealing with several, chronic health issues while working two jobs and going to school fulltime. For Tricia, Jay, and so many others, State Need Grant assistance would ease significant financial strain and help them on their path toward achieving their dreams of a college education.

WGU Washington's innovative model of higher education is producing graduates with the skills to meet the advanced demands of today's market. A recent Harris Interactive study shows that nearly 100 percent of employers who have hired a WGU graduate would not hesitate to hire another, 98 percent agree that WGU grads meet or exceed their expectations, and 98 percent consider WGU graduates equal to or better prepared than graduates of other universities.

Saturday, May 18, a record number of students - 543 - will graduate from WGU Washington in its second annual commencement ceremony at 3:00 pm at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. WGU Washington was created by the Washington State Legislature in 2011 and currently has 4,425 enrolled students from all over the state.

If you'd like more information about the bill's passage, or would like to speak with a student from your area or WGU Washington Chancellor Floten, please contact Jake Riddell at 206-512-0025, jake.riddell@wgu.edu, or Lee Keller at 206-799-3805, Lee@thekellergroup.com.

About WGU Washington

WGU Washington offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Health Professions, including Nursing. The university's online, competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree. It's non-profit and receives no money from the state.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, the Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank.

*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).

Follow WGU:http://www.facebook.com/wgu.eduhttp://www.linkedin.com/companies/western-governors-universityhttp://twitter.com/wguhttp://www.youtube.com/WesternGovernorsUnivhttp://news.wgu.edu/news/news.xml

Contact for media inquiries: Jake Riddell - Public Relations Manager (206) 512-0025 jake.riddell@wgu.edu

Contact for enrollment information: 877.214.7004washington.wgu.edu

SOURCE WGU Washington

http://rt.prnewswire.com/rt.gif?NewsItemId=DC15266&Transmission_Id=201305152013PR_NEWS_USPR_____DC15266&DateId=20130515

The Museum of Flight Names Star After Seattle Southside Tourism Executive

At Annual Meeting, Museum Honors Katherine Kertzman with Star Named in Her Honor for Years of Dedication to Tourism Industry

Trip Switzer from The Museum of Flight awards Katherine Kertzman with a start named in her honor.

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/05/13/4857773/the-museum-of-flight-names-star.html#storylink=cpy

Published: May 13, 2013

SEATTLE — Katherine Kertzman, Executive Director of Seattle Southside Visitor Services (www.seattlesouthside.com), the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Des Moines, Kent, SeaTac and Tukwila, received a star named in her honor from The Museum of Flight.

The Seattle Southside Annual Tourism Networking Meeting was hosted at The Museum of Flight in the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Trip Switzer, Vice President of Development for the Museum, acknowledged Katherine as a shining star in the tourism industry, gave thanks to her dedication to the Seattle Southside region, and presented Kertzman with a certificate of registry naming a star in her honor.

"Katherine grew this program (Seattle Southside Visitor Services) to become a nationally awarded destination marketing organization. She has served as the co-chair of Washington State Destination Marketing Organization, she sits on the executive board of the Seattle Sports Commission, she was integral in getting Washington Tourism Association off the ground and now she is on the edge of more greatness with the Tourism Promotion Area," said Switzer during the presentation. "She is a mentor and cheerleader to her staff; she is well respected by her peers across the tourism industry as an innovative thought leader. Katherine is currently earning credits to become a Certified Destination Management Executive through Destination Marketing Association International."

The star, located at RA 129.6856956 and Declination -32.78669113, is named in honor of Katherine Kertzman. The official record, listed in the Universal Star Catalog, is copyrighted with the government of the United States of America and was dedicated May 1, 2013.

About Seattle Southside Visitor Services

Seattle Southside Visitor Services (SSVS) is the leading tourism and marketing organization in South King County. The program, offered jointly by the cities of Des Moines, Kent, SeaTac, and Tukwila, is responsible for competitively marketing the area as an ideal travel destination for tourists who wish to explore Western Washington. For more information, please visit www.seattlesouthside.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130513006674/en/