Brennan Named Area "Businesswoman of the Year"
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Nov. 7, 2007 (Bellevue, Wash.) -- Bellevue business owner Cheri Brennan was named Canon Businesswoman of the Year for the Pacific Northwest Section of the Executive Women’s Golf Association. The program recognizes 12 EWGA members around the country who have demonstrated “exemplary business leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and expert business acumen to enhance and promote the EWGA and the growth of women’s golf, while at the same time achieving success both on and off the course.”Brennan, a member of EWGA’s Seattle Chapter since 1998, currently serves as that group’s communications director and PR chair. She also provides pro bono public relations services to The First Tee of Greater Seattle and the Northwest Ladies Golf Association.
In 1990, Brennan established her own marketing and public relations consulting business, Alliance Communications, now located in Bellevue. She is also a founding partner of a virtual agency, GolfMarketingTeam.com.
A native of Kirkland, Brennan and her husband, Tom Horsley, have lived in Redmond since 1982. She is a graduate of Lake Washington High School, Washington State University and Seattle University.
Sharon Reich, a trust administrator with Wachovia Bank in Orlando, Fla. and past president of the EWGA Orlando Chapter, was the recipient of this year’s Canon Businesswoman of the Year national award. She and the finalists from EWGA’s 11 other sections were honored during this year’s national conference, held October 31 through November 3 at Amelia Island Plantation in Florida.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., in its firth year of sponsoring the “Businesswomen” award, expanded its involvement in this year’s program to recognize a woman from each geographic section of EWGA. The Pacific Northwest Section covers Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
About EWGA
Founded in 1991, the EWGA is dedicated to providing opportunities for women to learn, play, and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. There are 124 chapters throughout the United States with international chapters in Canada and France, each run by volunteer leaders. The chapters provide a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers. The association is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Please visit: www.ewga.com.
###
Realtors Introduce New Environmental Council
BELLEVUE, Wash. (Oct. 4, 2007) -- Pioneering the first such program in the nation, the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS (SKCAR) will launch an environmental initiative on Oct. 16 and 17. The events mark the official unveiling of The Realtors Environmental Council (TREC), which will become a newly formed nonprofit organization to promote environmental stewardship.The inaugural program consists of a two-part course that includes classroom instruction and an “on-the-ground” public service project. The “Emerging Urban Environments” class, led by John Spangenberg, president of Urban Connections, is approved for 7.5 clock hours of continuing education requirements and is open to both Realtors and non-Realtors. Class registration should be made online at www.nwrealtor.com or by calling (800) 540-3277.
Spangenberg said the classroom curriculum is designed to help brokers and agents understand environmental issues and land use policies affecting real estate markets in the Puget Sound region. The course will cover political and cultural factors of environmental change, the impact of various ordinances and policies (such as critical areas, shorelines, fisheries and the Growth Management Act) on real estate development and construction practices, and the growing significance of green business practices, products and services.
On the second day of the course, participants will travel by bus charter to Federal Way to provide hands-on assistance to The Friends of the Hylebos in their efforts to protect and restore streams, wetlands, forests and open space in the Hylebos watershed. Spangenberg said this component illustrates regulations at work and provides a “win-win” experience as students plant native trees and shrubs in the North Fork Open Space.
The Friends of the Hylebos has been working with the community to protect and restore streams, wetlands, forests and open space in the Hylebos watershed since 1983. The site, located a mile west of I-5, is one of the last remaining bogs in South King County and is described as being “equal parts wildlife refuge, ecological and hydrological conservatory, natural trail and just plain natural wonder.”
In addition to earning clock hours to fulfill license renewal requirements, students who complete the Realtors’ inaugural Environmental Council class will receive a commemorative T-shirt, photographs and a complimentary supply of pamphlets to help their home buyers and sellers become more earth-friendly. Fees are $99 for SKCAR members and $160 for non-members.
About SKCAR TREC
David Crowell, SKCAR’s manager of governmental and public affairs, said the roll-out of The Realtors Environmental Council culminates a two-year planning and research effort. The intent is to have an entity within SKCAR that focuses on the advocacy and advancement of sound environmental public policies and undertakings “that will protect and enhance the quality of life in Washington’s communities.
Crowell said the organization, which will be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will operate to:
1. raise awareness and understanding of Realtors’ sensitivity to, and support of well-grounded and responsible stewardship;
2. engage in projects that provide "on-the-ground" benefits for the environment.
3. undertake the advancement of important environmental policies, and/or environmental projects that other environmental organizations have failed to undertake.
The upcoming “Emerging Urban Environments” course is the first in a series of educational offerings TREC will present on environmental and sustainability issues related to regulation, conservation, enhancement and remediation that affect the utilization and development of real property.
About Course Instructor John Spangenberg
Spangenberg is president of Urban Connections, a real estate/urban planning and government relations firm in Kirkland. His teaching experience includes graduate and undergraduate courses in urban design and planning at the University of Washington, as well as numerous classes for real estate industry professionals. He recently taught “Cities & Communities—Change and Growth,” a course offered as part of Sustainable September, a green learning program presented by several Eastside business, government, and education communities.
Spangenberg’s professional background encompasses planning and management roles in both the public and private sectors.
The long-time Eastside resident has degrees in architecture, urban planning and public administration.
About SKCAR
The Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS®, based in Bellevue, has more than 8,800 members, including licensed brokers, agents and affiliated businesses. As one of approximately 1,600 local associations/boards that comprise the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), SKCAR promotes members’ adherence to a strict Code of Ethics and engages in matters at all levels of government that affect homeownership. REALTOR® membership is voluntary, and only members may use the term REALTOR®, which is a licensed collective trademark.
###
FOR INFORMATION David Crowell, JD, Director of Governmental & Public Affairs, 425-974-1011
online: www.nwrealtor.com
Women's Golf Group Commemorates 2007 Milestones
SEATTLE, Wash. (Oct. 19, 2007) -- Members of the Seattle Chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association spent more than $54,000 in green fees for weekly league play during the 2007 season and raised nearly $24,000 for three local charities, according to reports at the group’s year-end banquet. Those numbers represent only a fraction of the chapter’s economic impact, said Ash Hans, outgoing president of the Seattle Chapter.Janet Young, director of EWGA’s Pacific Northwest Section, said the Seattle chapter had year-over-year increases in all events. With 328 members, Seattle ranks as the 8th largest chapter in EWGA’s network of 123 chapters.
Standing in for Hans, the chapter president who was on a business trip, Young credited much of Seattle’s success to a dedicated team of dozens of volunteers and the support of sponsors and prize donors who helped plan, organize and promote an array of activities for both experienced and new golfers.
During 2007, the Seattle chapter activities included weekly leagues at nine courses, a Rally for the Cure tournament to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation for breast cancer awareness and research, weekend “fun” play and tournaments at more than two dozen courses, as well as clinics and social events.
Seattle members continued a tradition of “giving back” that dates to its founding in 1993. This year, through various events and activities, the women’s fund-raising efforts netted $23,665 to support local programs of the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf (for girls ages 7-17), the Puget Sound affiliate of the Komen for the Cure foundation, and Washington Women in Need. Additionally, funds were donated to the LPGA Foundation and a clothing drive was conducted for Dress for Success Seattle.
Along with celebrating chapter and individual achievements, participants at the year-end banquet, held October 18 in Bellevue and attended by 90 members, saluted outgoing officers, committee chairs and volunteers. In addition to Hans, a resident of Sammamish, the 2007 officers were vice president Bonnie Lindner, secretary Tab Powers, and treasurer Shelley French, all of Redmond.
About EWGA
Founded in 1991, the EWGA provides opportunities for women to learn, play, and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. The not-for-profit corporation has 120 chapters in the United States (organized into 12 geographic sections), two Canadian chapters and a newly formed chapter in Paris. Together, they provide 20,000 members a wide range of golf, social and networking activities, as well as the opportunity to compete in the EWGA Championship, considered the world’s largest women’s amateur golf competition.
The EWGA, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., also holds an annual conference. Nine members from the Seattle chapter are attending this year’s gathering, scheduled from Oct. 31 – Nov. 3 at Amelia Island Plantation in Florida.
A study conducted in 2006 by the PGA of America found EWGA members spent on average $3,993 on golf fees, lessons, equipment and food and beverages in a 12-month period. For the Seattle Chapter, that translates to an annual economic impact of more than $1.3 million. Nearly two-thirds of EWGA’s members also reported annual spending of $2,212 on golf-related travel.
Looking ahead to 2008, EWGA Seattle will inaugurate the season with two events, the Seattle Golf Show from March 14-16 where it will have an informational booth, and its annual spring banquet, which will be held on March 27.
###
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Cheri Brennan, communications chair, EWGA Seattle 425.957-0654
Janet Young, director, EWGA Pacific Northwest Section 425.889-8130
Chapter Hotline 206.781-5813
Website www.ewgaseattle.org