Business Beat.

Byline: The Register-Guard

PEOPLE

Elizabeth Wilde has joined the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon in Eugene as the visitor and membership services specialist. She will be responsible for membership and visitor services database and Web site information management. Wilde most recently worked in human resources and customer operations for Bear Creek Corp.

Dena Keeler has joined Oregon Metro Federal Credit Union as the west Eugene branch manager. She has eight years of experience in the credit union industry specializing in lending. Also, Jama Ficek has been promoted to the Springfield branch manager for Oregon Metro. She has four years of service and also specializes in lending.

Bruce Webber, vice president of Siuslaw Valley Bank in Eugene, has been named the bank's chief credit officer. Webber has been in the banking industry since 1974.

KUDOS

Heritage Stone, in Eugene, has been recognized by Monument Builders of North America for three memorial monuments designed and created by Lisa Ponder. All three monuments received first place awards and two received additional second place awards.

Tom Akins, corporate credit manager for Sunbelt Rentals in Eugene, has been named to the National Association of Credit Management-Oregon board of directors.

King Estate Vineyard and Winery in Eugene was recognized at the 2002 West Coast Wine Competition in Santa Rosa, Calif., with a gold medal, best-of-class, and was named sweepstakes winner for the white wine category for it's King Estate 2000 Oregon Pinot Gris. In addition, King Estate also won silver medals for the 1999 Reserve Pinot Noir and the 1998 Reserve Chardonnay.

Steve Ritchie, certified public accountant with Kernutt Stokes Brandt & Co. in Eugene, has been appointed chair of the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants Emerald Empire Local Service Area Council for one year. The council is responsible for representing members of the OSCPA for Lane and Douglas counties.

Bruce Shaw, of the Eugene Southtowne Rotary Club, has been named Outstanding Rotarian of District 5110.

Compiled by Mauria Banducci. Business Beat runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. It covers promotions, new hires, professional achievements, new businesses, relocations and other news. Fax items to Business Beat at 683-7631 or mail them to Business Beat, The Register-Guard, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440. If you send a photo and want it returned, print the address on the back.