By David Bates • Staff Writer • 

Along the Street: Sokol Blosser makes 'green' list

Yamhill County’s pioneering Sokol Blosser winery has made Oregon Business Magazine’s list of the ‘100 Best Green Workplaces.”

The family-owned Dundee winery was the sole Yamhill County business to make the list, dominated by businesses from Portland. It was ranked 85th.

Along The Street

David Bates covers local business and economics news for the News-Register.

He can be reached at 503-687-1228 or by e-mailing to dbates@newsregister.com.

Two local companies, Hagan Hamilton Insurance and Sokol Blosser, made the magazine’s “Best Companies to Work for in Oregon.” Hagan Hamilton was ranked 14th and Sokol Blosser 24th.

Participating in the contest were 430 organizations representing more than 17,000 employees. Winners were determined by an anonymous employee survey and an independent assessment.

 

WORKER RIGHTS

The Oregon Senate passed a measure Thursday, House Bill 2007, that would allow workers to sue their employer if they’re sanctioned for discussing their pay or seeking a raise.

The Associated Press indicated that supporters, all of them Democrats, said the bill would help women who make less than male co-workers. They approved it over the objection of opponents, mostly Republican, who argued it would expose businesses to litigation and require excessive paperwork.

Senators approved the measure 17-13. Democratic Sen. Betsy Johnson of Scappoose, who frequently breaks with her party on business issues, sided with the chamber’s 12 Republicans in opposition.

The bill now moves to Gov. Kate Brown, who is expected to sign it.

 

FIRST FEDERAL

First Federal has announced several staff changes and promotions.

Robert Luettjohann, who brings 22 years of banking experience, has been named senior vice president and chief credit officer. He previously worked for Premier Community Bank and Capital Pacific Bank. He will manage a team of 15 loan officers.

Caroll Riley has joined the McMinnville branch as a vice president and residential mortgage officer. A graduate of Yamhill-Carlton High School, Riley previously worked for JP Morgan Chase and Washington Mutual.

Racee Harrington has been named branch manager in Amity. She is also a Y-C grad with previous experience with JP Morgan Chase and Washington Mutual.

Sam Bornfleth, a seven-year veteran of First Federal, has been promoted to manager of the home office in McMinnville. He graduated from the Northwest Bank Operations School in June 2014, and is currently enrolled at Chemeketa Community College, pursuing a business degree.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

The Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a workshop June 17 on business marketing via social media.

The workshop will open with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast at Friendsview Springbrook Community Center, 4061 Hayes Street. Internet marketing strategist Colleen Wright will begin a 1-hour presentation at 8 a.m.

Cost is $10 for members, $20 for non-members. To register, visit www.chehalemvalley.org.

 

GREETERS

The McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce will host a greeters from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday at the Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation, located in Suite A at 2700 S.E. Stratus Ave.

There is a $1 fee. For more information, contact Holly Goodman at hgoodman@mcminnville.org.

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