Sam Liebelt

First Independent Bank recently announced the promotions of two employees.

Sam Liebelt has been named vice president and senior strategy and analysis manager. He joined First Independent in 2006 and has supported the bank’s strategic planning activities.

Liebelt earned a BS in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Portland State University. Raised in Milwaukie, Oregon, the Vancouver resident is active in community organizations. He has managed personnel and operations for an annual children’s basketball camp since 1997.

Erin Cates

Erin Cates has been appointed to manage the Heights branch. Cates joined First Independent in 2000.  She most recently was a service team leader at the Cascade Park Branch. Active in the community, she has been involved with First Independent’s book club, Bella Voce, and with Junior Achievement, where she taught a six-week class on economics to a sixth-grade class.

Headquartered in Vancouver, First Independent is a full service community bank with assets of nearly $1 billion. The bank celebrated its 100th anniversary last year.

Port of Woodland Commission President Paul Cline and Executive Director Nelson Holmberg will deliver the State of the Port at noon Tuesday, March 1, at the Woodland Chamber of Commerce lunch at the Oak Tree Restaurant, 1020 Atlantic Ave., Woodland. The meeting is free (though attendees will pay for lunches they order), and open to the public.

The Port of Woodland celebrated its 50th year in 2010. The port owns more than 300 acres of property for light industrial and recreational opportunities in south Cowlitz County along the Columbia and Lewis rivers.

Striking Divas

Members of the “Striking Divas” will be among the teams bowling in their nightwear during the Pajama Bowl, a fundraiser sponsored by Sleep Country USA.

The event will benefit Bridge The Gap, a Clark County nonprofit organization that provides resources for children in the foster care system.

The bowl-a-thon is Sunday, March 13, at Big Al’s, 16615 S.E. 18th St., in East Vancouver.

To support the Divas, sponsor an individual bowler, or start your own team, visit www.pajamabowl.com and search for “Peggy Hays.” Vancouver is listed among the Oregon organizations.

The Port of Camas-Washougal meets in executive session at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, then reconvenes into regular session at 5 p.m. at port headquarters, 24 South A St. Washougal.