Van Etten named advertising director

Bonners Ferry Herald advertising representative Jennifer Van Etten has been promoted to advertising director.

In related matters, The Herald has hired Bonners Ferry resident Lindsay Branson as advertising representative. Branson will replace Alyssa Pinkerton, who will remain with The Herald part time as special projects coordinator while pursuing a degree in teaching.

Publisher Dave Keyes promoted Van Etten, who has worked for The Herald since August 2007.

“In the amount of time she has been here, she’s shown a professionalism for the job, a dedication to the community and wanting to help her clients do better for themselves,” Keyes said.

“I’m excited because I know it’s going to be a challenge,” Van Etten said. “I know that we’re up against hard economic times and I want to make advertising work for our clients.”

Prior to coming to The Herald, she worked as a waitress at Panhandle Restaurant, smoke shop supervisor for Kootenai River Inn and in production control for Cygnus in Sandpoint.

A native of Spokane, Wash., Van Etten and her husband, Jason, are the parents of Kimberly Reed, 21; Michael Rockwell, 18; and Ashley Rockwell, 16.

Branson began working Monday.

“Lindsay knows everybody in town and there’s not one person who would say anything bad about her,” Keyes said. “She’s the kind of salesperson who lights up a room when she walks into it and believes in helping people succeed.”

Branson formerly managed Curves and the Hot Spot hair and tanning salon, both in Bonners Ferry. She has also worked on and off as a waitress at Panhandle Restaurant since 1997.

Branson is the mother of daughters Baleigh Devine, 8, and Alana Branson, 4.

“I’m very excited to have this new position and look forward to helping businesses in the community with their advertising needs,” she said. “I have the knowledge of working on both ends of the spectrum.”

Keyes also named Pinkerton special projects coordinator, which means she will oversee advertising promotions for The Herald.

“That’s a blessing for us,” Keyes said. “Alyssa is the consummate salesperson. She always has good ideas and the best interest of her accounts and clients. She has been in the business for a long time and knows what will and will not work for people.”

Pinkerton began her advertising career at the Daily Bee in Sandpoint 9 years ago. She also sold advertising for Kodiak Advertising in Sandpoint and handles advertising for Well Life Pharmacies. Pinkerton joined the Herald in January 2007.

She also works as a substitute teacher in Boundary County School District and as the evening receptionist for North Idaho College in Bonners Ferry, where she plans to continue taking college courses.

Alyssa and her husband, Jim, live in Copeland with their children Emmaline, 6; Olivia, 4; and Jack, 3.

“It has been a pleasure serving my customers over the years,” Pinkerton said. “They are not just clients; they are my friends and neighbors.”

“In a small agricultural community like Boundary County, we all know what it is to cultivate,” she continued. “You could say I am seeking greener pastures by dedicating more time to continuing my education. My goal is to one day sow the seeds of knowledge into the rich soil of our community — our youth — and reap the ultimate harvest — their character.”