Kathryn F. Williams was appointed assistant...

Kathryn F. Williams was appointed assistant vice president,

relationship manager of CommerceWest Bank, based in Newport Beach.

Williams, who has a diverse background in sales and administration

with an emphasis on client services, will be responsible for

enhancing client relationships. For the past five years, Williams has

worked as an executive assistant to the company’s president and chief

executive. She has gained an extensive understanding of the clients’

needs and a devoted commitment to their satisfaction that will help

her with her new duties ... Harry S. Rinker, owner of Rinker Co. in

Newport Beach, will be honored and inducted into The Horatio Alger

Assn. of Distinguished Americans Inc. as a lifetime member in April

2003, the organization announced early this month. Rinker was

selected from hundreds of nominations for upholding the tradition of

proving that hard work, determination and positive thinking are key

to achieving the American dream. Rinker will be listed among members

such as Maya Angelou, former Sen. Robert Dole, George Foreman and

Oprah Winfrey ... Andrew Joseph Hinger of Troop 188 has earned the

Eagle Scout Award, the highest advancement award offered by the Boy

Scouts of America, after earning 21 merit badges and successfully

completing a service project at the Environmental Nature Center.

Hinger, a Costa Mesa resident and senior at Corona del Mar High

School, contributed to the beautification of the front entrance of

the center by building planter boxes and a bench of redwood. The

planters will showcase native plants that will aid the center’s staff

in educating school groups and other visitors. Hinger has also served

as assistant and senior patrol leader, librarian and quartermaster of

his troop ... The Financial Planning Assn. of Orange County elected

Violet P. Woodhouse to the board of directors, the organization

announced this month. Woodhouse was elected as chairwoman of the

Professional Outreach Committee, which is responsible for bringing in

allied professionals and building relationships with their

professional organizations. She is an author, financial advisor,

trail attorney and negotiator and has provided divorcing clients with

specialized legal representation through her practice in Newport

Beach. The organization, which is a membership organization for the

financial community, focuses on fostering the value of the financial

planning community and advancing the financial planning profession

... Richard Hutchison, a welding instructor at Orange Coast College,

donated a brand new $3,300 CobraMig 260 welding machine to the

college’s Welding Technology Department. Hutchison, who has taught at

OCC for four years, won the machine in a drawing conducted by MK

Products and donated the machine to the college on Thursday.

* NEIGHBORS spotlights achievements in the community. Please

direct noteworthy information to Christine Carrillo via fax at (949)

646-4170, or send e-mail to [email protected].