Arch Miller adds wind energy
to Air Academy curriculum

Arch Miller to open Air Academy
to wind energy technician
students

The first privately owned and operated instructional program and training center for wind energy technicians will open to students by mid-year, according to Arch Miller, founder of the parent company, Vancouver’s International Air and Hospitality Academy.

The wind energy technician course is the first for alternative energy workers that will be taught in a separate division of the academy, called the Northwest Renewable Energy Institute. Training programs for other renewable energy technologies will follow.

Miller said that the wind energy technician course is a direct response to the huge demand for wind power as a means of generating electricity in the U.S.

By the end of 2007 about one percent of the nation’s electricity was produced from wind generators. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that wind energy is capable of generating 20 percent of the nation’s electricity by the year 2030.

Miller said the number of workers involved in wind power will grow from 85,000 today to 450,000 by 2030. That’s a huge demand for new workers in this field, which today pays between $36,000 and $68,000 annually, depending on education and experience.

“We’re in the process of hiring a director to oversee operations right now,” said Miller. “We’ll follow that with hiring 12 instructors, three admissions representatives and a financial aid specialist.” A total of 19 additional employees will be needed to staff this division. Grants, scholarships and other forms of financial aid will be available through the Institute, just as they have been at International Air and Hospitality Academy.

International Air and Hospitality Academy began operations in Vancouver, Washington in 1979 and has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.  The Academy has graduated and placed more than 25,000 students during its 30 years of operation.

Cheryl Orange named Southwest Washington
Medical Center Rehabilitation Director

Cheryl Orange, a registered and licensed occupational therapist, has been appointed director of Rehabilitation Services at Southwest Washington Medical Center.

Orange most recently worked as director of Physical Rehabilitation Services at Alvarado Hospital Medical Center in San Diego, California, where she directed inpatient and outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology and therapeutic recreation services.

Orange received her training as an occupational therapist at Central Institute of Technology in New Zealand and is completing a master of business administration degree at Webster University, School of Business in San Diego. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Evergreen Schools’ superintendent to discuss
district finance issues during live webcast

Budget reductions facing Evergreen Public Schools will be discussed live during an hour-long webcast hosted by district superintendent John Deeder and district chief financial officer Mike Merlino from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18.

Telephone lines will be opened for comments and questions following the opening presentation. The webcast will be simulcast on Comcast cable channels 28 and 29. Viewers may log on to the webcast by going to www.evergreenps.org.

Ralph Stevens offering
seminar on getting jobs

The Vancouver-based Corporate Resource Alliance is offering a half-day seminar for the unemployed and underemployed Thursday, March 12, in the iQ super conference room, 305 NE 81st Street.

The seminar, which opens at 9 a.m., will be conducted by Ralph Stevens, Corporate Resource Alliance CEO. For further information on the $39 conference, go to www.creatingleadersllc.com.

Johnny and the Distractions first-time
Reunion Show, March 13 in the Aladdin

Original members of Portland’s Johnny and the Distractions are presenting a 30th anniversary reunion concert “The Last Dance” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, in the Aladdin Theater, 3116 SE 11th Avenue, Portland.

The band members, still individually associated in the music performance industry, have also released a new CD. The CD is available at  www.jonkoonce.com/Distractions.html and will be on sale the night of the show. Tickets for “The Last Dance” are $18.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door.

Calendar

Mark Loewus will lead a poets’ workshop at 6 p.m. tomorrow, March 5, in the Vancouver Community Library, 1007 E Mill Plain Boulevard. 

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar