Notables

Goodgion gets award

James Goodgion, son of Jim and Candy Goodgion of Kent, was the recipient of a student award at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo. Goodgion, a Kentlake High School graduate, received the honor during the college’s 2008 Student Awards Convocation April 24. The college gives out the awards based on students’ outstanding accomplishments in academics, work and character.

Reed joins Kent firm

David Reed has joined Kent-based Supreme Corq as the vice president of business development.

More than 1,600 wineries in more than 32 countries use the synthetic corks produced at the company’s headquarters in the Kent Valley and at a second plant in Tournai, Belgium.

Reed will be responsible for global revenue growth, identification of new business channels and global supply chain management, according to a May 20 Supreme Corq media release.

Reed worked the past seven years at Foster’s Wine Estates Americas, based in Napa, Calif. He held a variety of positions including corporate procurement, new product development and materials management.

Prior to working at Foster’s, Reed held senior management positions at Eastman Kodak Co., and Johnson and Johnson. He will be based in Healdsburg, Calif.

Supreme Corq sells plastic corks to wineries in France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and numerous other countries. About 70 percent of the sales are outside the United States.

Scout earns top rank

Kentlake High School junior Jacob Fullen on April 12 earned the rank of Eagle Scout from Boy Scouts of America Troop 406 in Kent.

Fullen has had several leadership positions during his time with the troop, including senior patrol leader. His Eagle Scout project was to design, plan and lead a team in the construction of a long-jump pit at Pine Tree Elementary school, where he was a student. In addition to the 12 required merit badges, Fullen also earned 22 elective merit badges.

A Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony took place at Lake Sawyer Christian Church, where Fullen attends church with his family. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Fullen promised to serve his troop through until his last day of eligibility when he turns 18 and to remain loyal to the Scouting ideals throughout his life.

Westcott receives award

The Green River District, Chief Seattle Council, Boys Scouts of America, awarded Kent resident Bill Westcott the first annual “Service to Youth Award” at their annual Friends of Scouting Breakfast in April at the Kent Senior Center.

Westcott received the award for his years of dedication to the thousands of youth in the Kent, Renton, Newcastle, and Skyway areas, by district Chairman John Rosenlund and Mayor Suzette Cooke. Westcott has served in many positions in scouting, including positions as district chairman, vice-chairmanh, Friends of Scouting chairman, programs chairman, commissioner, unit charter representative, unit committee and assistant scoutmaster. Westcott also was recognized for his other work within the Kent Community as chairman of Kent Cornucopia Days, co-chairman of the Kent Farmers Market, member of the Kent Lions Club, member of Kent Covenant Church, and many other local volunteer positions.

The Friends of Scouting Breakfast was sponsored by Fox Electric, with Mayor Suzette Cooke and Cliff Ridgway chairing the meeting, Andy Wangstad as functioning as master of ceremonies and Recreational Equipment Inc. Chief Financial Officer Brad Johnson delivering the keynote address.

Hill receives training

Covington resident Gail Hill, a financial professional for the Seattle branch of AXA Advisors, LLC, has successfully completed a multi-session training program on advanced investment and wealth management strategies at the AXA Institute. The announcement was made by Don O’Donnell, branch manager of AXA Advisors Seattle branch.

The AXA Institute is completed in five sessions, each based on the latest research by and practices of leading experts from the financial and academic communities.

Hill has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. She works with individuals and business owners to help them define their financial goals and create strategies to help them achieve their objectives. Her practice focuses on retirement planning; financial protection, estate planning strategies and wealth preservation.

Hill earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin and began her career in financial services in 1987. In addition, she has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) professional designations. She also holds the title of Retirement Planning Specialist by AXA Advisors based on the receipt of a Wharton Certificate in Retirement Planning. C

Hill is a Registered Player Financial Advisor for the National Football League Players Association.

She is active in professional and community organizations including membership in the Million Dollar Round Table at Court of the Table level; the Estate Planning Council of Seattle, East King County Estate Planning Council, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the Society of Financial and Service Professionals, and Zion Lutheran Church located in Kent, serving on the church’s Endowment Committee.

South county arts group makes a hire

The Hi-Liners, one of South King County’s premiere non-profit youth theater organizations, has hired Kent resident Esther Margaret O’Farrell as its first-ever marketing director. Esther brings to The Hi-Liners management and marketing skills developed during her years at Microsoft. She worked in the non-profit sector for the past 10 years and is passionate about fine arts opportunities for young people.

“I am excited to be part of the next phase of growth for The Hi-Liners, O’Farrell said. “They have been members of the South King County arts community since 1966, so their rich history combined with their youth programming is the opportunity of a lifetime. It is my hope as a Hi-Liner that we inspire young people, so that they may aspire to things greater than they have ever hoped, dreamed or imagined.”

For information regarding the Hi-Liners or any of their programs, visit their Web site at www.hi-liners.org