South Sound Business people

HIRES/PROMOTIONS

BANKING/FINANCE

AmericaHomeKey Inc. in Puyallup has added Debra Mason as its northwest retail business development manager. She will be responsible for recruiting loan officers and potential new branches in the Northwest region. Mason will also assist branches with marketing and applying Washington regulations for loan officers within the company. She has more than 15 years experience working with construction loans, FHA, VA, rural development and conventional loan lending and has previously worked for Dime Bank, Washington Mutual, Columbia Bank, National City and Freedom Mortgage.

ENGINEERING

BergerABAM of Federal Way has recently announced two promotions in the firm.

Dennis Dallara has been named chief financial officer and was the firm’s controller and treasurer. He has been with the company for more than 10 years. His responsibilities are to direct and oversee all financial activities of the company. Dallara is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and the New York State Society of CPAs.

Helen Devery has been promoted to vice president, one of 10 in the firm, and will continue to oversee the firm’s Vancouver office, which specializes in land use and environmental planning and public involvement services. Devery, who has been with the company for 18 years, served previously as the Vancouver branch manager and as the firm’s planning manager. She has 21 years experience and received her master’s degree in urban geography from Miami University in Ohio and her bachelor’s degree in geography from Glasgow University in Scotland.

GOVERNMENT

The Port of Tacoma has recently hired Scott Francis as real estate manager. He will be responsible for real estate sales and marketing, contract negotiations, property management and new business development. Francis has a bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University and a master’s degree from the University of La Verne, Calif. He has more than 20 years of experience in marine terminal facility management, maintenance and operations.

HEALTHCARE

Dr. Thomas Hirota has joined Cascade Eye & Skin Centers and specializes in medical and surgical dermatology care. He will work in the clinics in University Place and the Sunrise Medical Campus in Puyallup. Hirota received his bachelor of science degree from Oklahoma University and his doctor of osteopathy degree from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed transitional internship at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and his dermatology training was completed at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium. Hirota is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, American Telemedicine Association and the South Puget Sound Dermatology Society.

Sound Family Medicine in Bonney Lake, has added Dr. Jeremy Van Gieson to its medical staff as a family practice physician. A graduate of Puyallup High School, Van Gieson earned his bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University and his medical degree from University of Osteopathic Medicine Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He completed his residency in family practice in Michigan. Van Gieson also speaks Portuguese.

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

Dr. Esther Min of Tacoma, recently received the 2011 Mastership Award from Academy of General Dentistry, a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists. The award is the highest honor available at the association, and Min completed 1,100 hours of continuing dental education to qualify for the award.

A Fellowship award from the Academy of General Dentistry was recently awarded to Dr. Carl Youngquist of Orting. The fellowship award is presented to dentists who seek to provide the highest quality of dental care by remaining current in their profession and accomplish this goal, Youngquist completed 500 hours of continuing dental education, passed a comprehensive exam and fulfilled three years of continuous membership in the association.

Compiled by Mary Anderson, staff writer

The News Tribune publishes hires and promotions at the professional and management levels. It recognizes honors at the state or national level awarded by independent professional or trade associations and appointments to corporate or civic boards. To submit information go to www.thenewstribune.com/business, go to People In Business and select “Add an announcement.” All submissions become the property of The News Tribune and may be published in any form.