Finance

Cashmere Valley Bank has hired Darlene Picatti as its Yakima market manager for its new business office in downtown Yakima. Picatti has more than 18 years of lending experience.

Insurance

Mitchell, Reed & Associates Insurance has hired Jacob Johnson as a local insurance broker at their new location in the Cashmere Valley Bank business office in downtown Yakima. Johnson, a Washington State University graduate, has four years experience in the insurance industry. Mitchell, Reed & Associates Insurance is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cashmere Valley Bank.

Terril, Lewis & Wilke Insurance has hired Jennifer Bliesner as an agent. Bliesner, who has 15 years experience in marketing, previously worked in management at KNDO-TV.

Nonprofit

The Yakima Valley Community Foundation has elected Ricardo Garcia to its board of directors. Garcia recently retired after serving as executive director of the Northwest Communities Education Center and Radio KDNA.

Organizations

The Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce has a new board of directors and officers for 2008-2009. Officers are: Brad A. Christianson, Roy's Ace Hardware Inc., chairman; Trent Marquis, Creekside Business Park, first vice chair; Verlynn Best, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, second vice chair; Mike Broadhead, Central Valley Bank, treasurer; Mike Morrisette, Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, president; Stan Pratt, Pratt & Boutillier, PLLC, legal counsel; and Robyn Heilman, immediate past chair, ACTNOW, Inc., Human Resources.

New board members are: Ron Anderson, Creekside Realty and Pacific Panelized Homes; Roy Bauerle, Superior Asphalt; Mike Dooley, Wilbert Precast; John Gehlsen, Yakima Steel; Lanette Headley, real estate agent; and Clark Satre, Pacific Power.

* In Basket is a Monday feature noting personnel changes, additions and accomplishments of area business people. To have an item published, mail a brief announcement with a photo to the Business Desk, Yakima Herald-Republic, P.O. Box 9668, Yakima, WA 98909. Items also can be dropped off at our office at 114 N. Fourth St. in Yakima; faxed to us at 577-7767; or e-mailed to business@yakimaherald.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for the following Monday.