Business briefing — March 9

New Business

AA Dental Center

Owner: Kenneth Hancock D.D.S.

Address: 1401 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia

Description: General dentistry

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays

Contact: 360-753-7388

People

Venture Bank has hired Cynthia Halstead as a senior mortgage loan officer at the downtown Olympia Financial Center. She has 10 years of banking experience.

Venture Bank has hired Katie Bjornstad as a senior mortgage loan officer at the bank’s downtown Olympia Financial Center. She has 30 years of banking experience.

Sam Sim has been named manager for Wells Fargo’s new Hawks Prairie branch. Sim has eight years of financial services experience.

Sheila Sutton, formerly Realtor associate of Abbey Realty, has joined Olympia Real Estate.

Cheryl Howard, a physical therapist, has rejoined Physiotherapy Associates in Olympia. She is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with more than 30 years experience.

Nicole M. Potebnya, in addition to her position as an associate real estate broker with the commercial real estate division, has been named in-house corporate legal counsel to The Rants Group.

Jim Hughes, hair stylist and colorist formerly with Uptown Hair Design, has joined the staff at Northern Highlights Hair Design in Olympia.

Lee Sherman has been named assistant vice president commercial banking relationship manager for West Coast Bank’s Puget Sound region. He will provide business lending services from the company’s west Olympia office.

Michael D. Ellis of Dryex LLC, Olympia, has achieved the highest status conferred by his industry by becoming a Certified Flooring Executive (CFE).

Sheila Morlan of Tenino has been named Loan Officer of the Year for 2007 by Absolute Financial Services LLC, a Puyallup mortgage company. Morlan won this honor for the second year in a row.

South Sound Business People acknowledges hires, promotions, employees of the year and outside awards. Send a brief announcement with a photo, including return information for photos, to: The Olympian, P.O. Box 1219, Olympia, WA 98507, drop off information at 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, or send e-mail to news@theolympian.com. Questions? Call 360-754-5403.