Business briefs

Gateway news services

Sykes joines Gateway as advertising representative

Barbara Sykes has joined The Peninsula Gateway as an outside advertising sales representative.

Sykes has worked as an advertising salesperson with the Kitsap Sun since 2005, most recently with its Gig Harbor Life publication.

Prior to her stint at the Sun, she spent 13 years with Knight-Ridder Newspapers at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek, Calif.

Sykes has been active with the Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce and previously served on the board of directors on the Walnut Festival Committee, as president of a homeowners’ association and as a member of the annual Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival.

Sykes, who grew up in Bloomingdale, Ill., has three children and is engaged to be married.

Bates appoints director of communications, marketing

Edie Jeffers of Gig Harbor has been named director of communications and marketing at Bates Technical College.

Jeffers accepted the position July 1. The announcement was made by college President Dr. David Borofsky.

Jeffers replaced Marilyn Strickland, who had been the interim director of communications and marketing.

Jeffers brings 23 years of public relations, communications and marketing experience to the college. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.