Local broker earns designation

Edmund Andersson, broker/owner of RE/MAX Pinnacle in Durango, has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation, having completed training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales.

Short sales allow sellers to repay the mortgage at the price the home sells for, even though it’s lower than what is owed on the property. Guided by someone with this designation, many homeowners experiencing legitimate hardships may be spared from foreclosure or bankruptcy.

For more information or a confidential consultation, call 259-2255. RE/MAX Pinnacle is located at 111 W. College Drive.

New broker joins Blue Ribbon

Blue Ribbon Properties announces the addition of Don Ferris to the company.

Ferris, formerly of RE/MAX Commercial & Investment Realty in Manhattan Beach, Calif., brings 35 years of experience in commercial and residential real estate. He specializes in the sales and leasing of both residential and commercial properties. As a trained chef and former restaurant owner, he brokers and consults for restaurant owners. He has held the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation for two years and has been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal for being the Top Investment Broker in Los Angeles.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from George Washington University. Ferris is a former Xerox executive and has managed real estate brokerage operations in the past. Ferris is active in charity work and animal rescue and adoptions.

For more information, call 247-8388. Blue Ribbon Properties is located at 835 Main Ave., Suite 214.

Financial adviser receives designation

Wells Fargo Advisors has designated Jeff Speicher, first vice president-investment adviser, as a member of the firm’s Premier Advisors Program a distinction that reflects Speicher’s achievement of professional success through consistent commitment to client service.

To qualify for the program, financial advisers must demonstrate a high level of production and commitment to professional service. Speicher has been a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors for 1½ years and has 12 years’ experience in the brokerage industry. He has a degree in business administration from Fort Lewis College.

He lives in Durango with his wife and two children. Speicher enjoys skiing, rafting and cycling. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Durango and is active with Junior Achievement, Trails 2000 and the Durango Discovery Museum.

Members named to boards, commissions

The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners announces these appointments to La Plata County boards and commissions, effective during the first quarter of 2011:

b Board of Adjustment: John Cassidy, Steve Barkley and Steve Johnson.

b Board of Appeals: Jon Tuthill, Jeff Baxter and Elizabeth Hanson.

b Community Corrections Board: Julie Westendorff.

b Core Services – Therapeutic & Life Skills Committee: Tom Bonde, Christy McGinn, Chad McInnis and Jay Wood.

b Durango Hills Road Improvement District Advisory Committee: Bob Pfeiffer, Alan Shupe, Larry Tarditi and Richard Woodbury.

b Durango Public Library Board: Marcy Eckhardt.

b Durango-La Plata County Airport Commission: John Nadolny.

b Extension Advisory Committee: Susan Visser.

b Fairgrounds Commission: Mike Dent and Denise King-Stovall.

b Fire Code Adoption and Revision Committee: Loren Rowton and Jon Tuthill.

b Historic Preservation Review Commission: Duane Smith.

b Ignacio Community Library District Board: Anne Kernan and Betty Speelman.

b Joint Planning Commission: Wayne Buck, Wanda Cason, Michelina Ceglia and Stephen Kallaher.

bLake Durango Water Authority: Ron Borrego.

b Living With Wildlife Advisory Board: Elena Cuevas and Larry Zauberis.

b Long Term Finance Committee: Gene Bradley.

b Multi-Event Center Task Force: Ashley Little, William Niblick and Ryan Siggins.

b Pine River Public Library District Board: Hunter Swanson.

b Planning Commission: Art Charette, Stephen Kallaher, Darlene Marcus and Jim Tencza.

b Regional Housing Alliance: David Gore.

b Senior Programs Advisory Committee: Stephen Hildreth, Richard Hoehlein, Andrea Katres and Phyllis Ludwig.

b Southwest (Region 9) Workforce Board: Rose Burek, Cathy Calderwood, Mary Layton, Carolina Perky, Lynn Urban and Susan Visser.

b Undesirable Plant & Rodent Advisory Commission: Marvin Conrad, Tom Hartnett and Jon Koziol.

Applications for the county’s boards and commissions can be found at www.co.laplata.co.us/de partments_and_elected_of ficials/boards_commissions.

For more information, call Jan Mayer-Gawlik at 382-6210.