“I am saddened to receive this notice, but understand Amalia has to do what is in the best interest of her family at this time,” said School Board President Paul Mills.  “While Amalia led the District, she kept the Board briefed of her family situation in California and her decision to take a family medical leave was not a surprise to us.  I think most people can appreciate how difficult it can be to help a parent with medical issues and we support her decision.”

During Cudeiro’s medical leave, Assistant Superintendent Eva Collins has served as Interim Superintendent.   Collins has agreed to continue as Interim Superintendent while the Board discusses a next step.

How do YOU spend a snow day like today?  Maybe you go in to the office late or not at all, perhaps you work from home or choose to spend the day with the kids?  Get on a plane to somewhere warm? Head to the slopes?  Stay in and off the roads or maybe go out wheeling around in your 4 wheeler?

Let us know by leaving comments here, posting photos on the Bellevue Business Journal Facebook page, or by making a video comment on the YouTube video.  The winner will receive a FREE business listing in the Eastside Business Directory.

“When I became aware that Madeline may be available, I jumped at the chance and immediately created a position to bring her on-board. That is how important I feel she is to the Washington wine industry. Madeline comes from the Washington State Wine Commission and brings with her great integrity and a wealth of knowledge of Washington wine regionally, nationally and internationally. All I can say is 2012 is going to be a VERY exciting year!” said owner and winemaker Charles Smith.

Dow spent six years with the Commission as Marketing Manager, and helped coordinate the Washington Wine Restaurant Awards, Washington Wine Month programs, the 20something–the new vintage event and other national and international marketing campaigns and activities. Raised in the wine industry, Dow comes to the team with a global wine palate from her father, Peter Dow, owner of Cavatappi Winery and founder of importer/distributor Cavatappi Distribuzione, both in Seattle, Washington.

“I’m really excited to work with Charles and bring some of my creative marketing elements to the table. I’ve always admired the wines and had great respect for his approach and I look forward to hitting the ground running in this new position.” Dow said.

Charles Smith Wines, based in Walla Walla, Washington, includes the brands K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines, The Charles Smith Family, Charles & Charles and Secco. In 2009 Food & Wine Magazine recognized Charles Smith as “Winemaker of the Year” and in 2010 Seattle Magazine honored him with “Winemaker of the Year”.

If you are fortunate enough to have met John, you know that he is a good guy and very active in networking and helping in our communities.

Below is the text from their listing on the Eastside Business Directory.

Best advice you could ever give anyone?

Christison, the former president and CEO of the Washington State Convention & Trade Center (WSCTC), will focus on consulting projects, as well as the expansion of Columbia’s conference center management and operations.

Christison announced his retirement from the WSCTC in October 2011, following a 21-year tenure with the state-owned facility. Additionally, Christison has acted as the principal and managing member of a successful consulting company, Buckley-Christison International. He will bring the company’s clients with him to Columbia Hospitality.

“We have considered John a longtime leader, peer and friend in the industry and have the utmost respect for his distinguished career and many accomplishments,” said Columbia Hospitality CEO John Oppenheimer. “It is tremendously exciting that he will be sharing his expertise and talents with us, and we look forward to expanding our efforts in consulting and conference center operations.”

A well-known leader in the industry, John has served as president of the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), is past chairman of the Asia Pacific Exhibition and Convention Council (APECC) and is the past and founding chairman of the World Council for Venue Management (WCVM), an umbrella organization representing nine worldwide professional associations in the Public Assembly Facility Management industry. He has also served as an adjunct professor and lecturer for Washington State University’s Hotel and Restaurant Program, served as the chairman of the Board of Governors for the Cornell University Public Assembly Management Symposium and is a frequent lecturer and trainer in the field of facility management, marketing and service delivery.

“I was attracted to the environment and corporate culture of Columbia Hospitality because it fosters creativity and collaboration. I am thoroughly impressed with the company’s focus on quality and customers—values that are both very important to me,” said Christison. “Columbia is the ideal place to expand my consulting practice and hopefully provide experience garnered through my many years in the industry.”

Christison will join the team at Columbia Hospitality’s Seattle headquarters on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. For more information on Columbia Hospitality, please visit www.columbiahospitality.com.

About Columbia Hospitality

Columbia Hospitality, Inc. (Columbia), a Seattle-based hospitality management and consulting firm specializing in luxury hotel and resort management, was founded in 1995 by John Oppenheimer. Columbia’s growing portfolio of premier properties, including boutique hotels, award-winning resorts, event venues and conference centers, offers world-class service in exquisite settings. Columbia creates memorable experiences for guests and team members while achieving phenomenal results for owners. The company’s continued success has led to an international expansion of the consulting division and more than 100 hospitality development projects worldwide. For more information about Columbia and a full list of properties visit www.columbiahospitality.com.

“We are thrilled to have Angela on board at Penterra Spa,” said Les Utley, general manager of the Heathman Hotel in Kirkland. “Her background and passion for the spa industry provides a great addition to our team. We look forward to her leadership as she takes the spa experience to an even higher level of enjoyment for our customers.”

Prior to joining Penterra Spa, McClellan was spa manager at the Red Door Spa in Bellevue, Wash., where she spent two years after opening the first northwest location. Previously, she was the spa director for Steiner Transocean, working with yachts of Seaborn, Celebrity Cruises and Crystal Cruises. McClellan is also a licensed massage therapist.

Publisher’s Notes:  1) We would love to review this spa for BellevueBusinessJournal.com and LuxuryFitnessFun.com, 2)The Heathman Hotel, Penterra Spa and Trellis should all be on the Eastside Business Directory.

About The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland

The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland located on Seattle’s eastside provides guests with the ultimate in gracious service in an ambience of understated elegance and comfort.  The property has garnered the AAA of Washington Four Diamond Award, an indicator of excellence which promises travelers an unparalleled lodging experience. The Heathman Hotel features 91 classic guest rooms and suites; the 5,000-square-foot Penterra Spa, complete with a sanctuary room, individualized treatment spaces and deluxe fitness center; 2,500 square-feet of meeting and event space; and Trellis, a 90-seat wine country inspired restaurant and bar helmed by Chef Brian Scheehser.  Trellis’ rustic, robust menu evolves with the seasons, often featuring items from Scheehser’s own 10-acre farm.  For reservations and information, visit http://heathmankirkland.com/ or call (425) 284-5800 / (866) 997-5475.

Subscribe to Confessions of an Entrepreneur

Episode 03 of CONFESSIONS of an Entrepreneur.

Mentioned in this show:

• Follow your passion
• Find your core values
• Find out how the worst car salesman owns a car dealership
• Value your time & your energy
• How to Stay Focused during so many projects
• Importance of building relationships built on integrity and work ethics
• Do things out of passion and no attachment towards the sale or no sale
• Contribution to others will reward you in the long term
• Find Matthew Lacross on Facebook and Munich Evolution
• Website: http://www.munichevo.com
• Eastside Stimulus Supporting your local economy and community

If you liked what we shared on the call
and interested in supporting/sponsoring future shows…
Please contact Joe Kennedy
(425) 213-4176 or Joe(at)BellevueBusinessJournal.com

P.S. Please let us know what topics or successful entrepreneurs in the area we could interview on future shows.

Episode Length: 46:56

Subscribe to Confessions of an Entrepreneur by clicking this link.

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Comment below or tweet us a questions would love to hear your feedback.

“The staff, friends, and clients of Pushing Boundaries have lost a tremendous advocate for the improvement of life with paralysis through exercise therapy. We are all greatly saddened by the loss of our friend and visionary, Allan Northrup,” said Executive Director Tricia Lazzar. “We will always remember Allan as a lighthearted, caring, funny and devoted person. He always had a smile on his face that brought joy to all who knew him. The community has lost a true friend and wonderful person.”

After sustaining a C7-T1 spinal cord injury in an automobile accident in 2001, he and wife Sharon founded Pushing Boundaries as a way to help others who were living with paralysis.  In 2005 they started Pushing Boundaries, an intensive exercise therapy facility for people living with paralysis.  Because of Allan’s vision for helping others in the community, hundreds of people have seen their lives change for the better through their relationship with Allan and Pushing Boundaries. The staff, friends, and clients of Pushing Boundaries are forever indebted to the vision and passion Al had for others in our community.

A celebration of life will be held January 7,  2012. For more information please visit www.flintofts.com who will be arranging the event. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Pushing Boundaries, in honor of Allan.

About Pushing Boundaries:

Pushing Boundaries provides intensive exercise therapy that strengthens and supports people living with paralysis and their families to maximize health and improve quality of life. The organization serves the Puget Sound community from its Redmond location. The therapy center is outfitted with state of the art exercise equipment and a team of committed exercise therapists. Pushing Boundaries continues to grow and develop its clients, equipment, and rehabilitation programs finding new ways to help those in the recovery process. Please visit www.pushing-boundaries.org or call 425-869-9506 for more information.

Laurah Currey, Pressley Ridge CEO

Pressley Ridge has appointed Laurah Currey as the social service organization’s Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.  Ms. Currey Graduated from Bellevue High School in 1985.

Ms. Currey, an employee of Pressley Ridge for 20 years, has risen through the ranks, providing direct care and leadership roles in numerous programs.  She began her career with Pressley Ridge in 1991 at Pressley Ridge’s Ohiopyle Therapeutic Wilderness program in Pennsylvania where she held the positions of Teacher/Counselor and Program Supervisor.  In 1993 Ms. Currey moved to West Virginia where she assumed supervisory responsibility for Community Based and Treatment Foster Care services in Logan County, WV growing the program significantly under her leadership.  She relocated to Parkersburg, WV in 1996 to assist in opening Pressley Ridge’s White Oak residential program.  During her time in White Oak Ms. Currey held the positions of Liaison Supervisor and Assistant Director.  In 2003 Laurah Currey was promoted to Senior Director in West Virginia and has been serving in this role over the past 8 years before assuming the Chief Operating Officer position. 

Ms. Currey has a strong presence in West Virginia and has collaborated with state officials on many projects to help West Virginia’s children.  Due to her strong leadership ability, Laurah was chosen to lead several key initiatives for the state.  Laurah has her Master’s degree and a professional license in Counseling and has served on many organizational committees for Pressley Ridge and led several project teams internally.  She also has a presence in the national field of social services as she serves on the Executive Team and board of directors for the American Association of Children’s Residential Centers, an affiliate of the National Alliance for Children and Families. Ms. Currey earned her MA degree in Counseling from Marshall University in Huntingdon, WV and her BA degree in International Relations from Wheaton College in Norton, MA.

About Pressley Ridge

Founded in 1832 as an orphanage, Pressley Ridge, a $70 Million nonprofit, today provides nationally recognized services in education, treatment foster care, residential and community-based programs to nearly 5,600 children and families annually, in six states, Washington, D.C., and internationally in Portugal and Hungary.