Education

Perry Technical Institute has hired Jennifer McMurtrey as an instructor in its computer applications and office administration program. McMurtrey previously worked at Prosser High School as a school secretary, with Cadwell Laboratories in Kennewick as a sales support specialist and with Dr. Daniel Dye & Associates in Richland as a patient accounts representative. McMurtrey has a bachelor's degree in business marketing from the University of Phoenix Online.

Engineering

Otak Inc. has hired William Longmire as a water and natural resources engineering technician in its Yakima office. Longmire has a background in the natural resource industry and has been developing an expertise in computer-aided design software, drafting and geographic information systems.

Finance

U.S. Bank has awarded Cathy Stai with its Distinguished Leadership Award for Intellectual Effectiveness. Stai, vice president and manager of the U.S. Bank Cash Services in Yakima, earned the award for creating user manuals to install and upgrade a new operating system for 10 different departments.

The Yakima chapter of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants has recognized Lane Brown as Chapter President of the Year. Brown, who served as chapter president for the 2007-2008 year, was recognized for stepping into office at the last minute when the president-elect opted not to take the position and for leading marketing and programming efforts that has increased attendance at chapter events and involvement among its members. Brown, a certified public accountant, is vice president and senior commercial lending officer at U.S. Bank.

Medical

The Washington Oral Health Foundation has awarded Dr. Michael Buehler with its IMPACT Award for Donated Dental Care. Buehler, a Yakima dentist, was recognized for donating the highest dollar amount of free and discounted dental care through the Washington State Dental Association's Outreach program, a discount dental-care program for elderly, disabled and Alzheimer's patients who are on limited incomes and have no dental insurance or Medicaid dental coupons.

Real estate

Coldwell Banker in Prosser has hired Frank Rojas and Graciela Sanchez as sales associates. Rojas has been in the real estate industry for more than four years, and Sanchez has been involved in the industry for more than 10 years.

Retail

Haggen Inc. has promoted Scott Taylor to the store manager position at the TOP Food & Drug store in Yakima. Taylor, who has nine years of experience in the grocery industry, recently worked as the perishable manager for the TOP Food & Drug store in Bellevue.

Sales

Shure Pets has added Linda Johnson as a local sales representative. Johnson will represent Shure Pets, a direct seller of pet products, out of Ellensburg.

* 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.