People in business
• Mark Matthias, owner of Vancouver-based Beaches restaurants, is being honored as an “outstanding volunteer fundraiser” by the Oregon-Southwest Washington chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The Beaches Charity Fund has raised more than $1.45 million for nonprofit groups in Southwest Washington. Matthias and other recipients will be recognized at a Nov. 17 luncheon at the Portland Hilton in Portland.
• Dean Potter has been reappointed to the Washington State Real Estate Appraiser Commission. He has served on the commission since 1996. Potter is president of Dean Potter & Associates Inc., a real estate appraisal and consulting company in Vancouver.
• Tabitha Presser was promoted by Columbia Credit Union to vice president/branch manager of the Washougal branch. Prior to her promotion, Presser was assistant branch manager of the Cascade Park branch.
• Gwen Schwartz has joined the Fort Vancouver National Trust as its new director of development. Schwartz worked at the Providence Health and Services Foundation in Oregon for more than 10 years in fundraising and special events. She also has nonprofit experience in strategic planning, marketing and development.
• Gayle Smith has been hired by Columbia Credit Union as vice president-branch manager of the Battle Ground branch. Smith has 27 years of credit union experience. She most recently served as a local branch manager for a regional credit union.
• Three people have won terms on the board of the Parks Foundation of Clark County. New voting members are Syble Crow, executive office and risk manager for the Vancouver Housing Authority, who has served as an ex-officio board member since 2010; and Jim Luce, former chair of the Washington Energy Siting Council and former assistant general counsel for the Bonneville Power Administration. Matt Bisturis, an associate attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, was re-elected to the board.
• The Vancouver Score chapter has elected a new board, effective Oct. 1., with Jan Harte named chairwoman. Other officers are Gary Villella, vice chair; Bill Dwyer, secretary; and Dee Clingan, treasurer. Score is a nonprofit association of volunteers dedicated to helping small business start, grow and achieve goals through education and mentoring.
The Columbian welcomes submissions about Clark County residents or businesses, as well as regional business events. Information must be received by noon of the Tuesday preceding the intended Sunday publication date. Send to mary.ricks@columbian.com or fax 360-735-4491. Sales awards are not published.
