Snoqualmie Valley Record gains new staff members

SNOQUALMIE - Changes are afoot at the Snoqualmie Valley Record.

The advertising team at the Valley Record has been replenished after recent departures, and the staff is preparing for a busy summer.

New Advertising Manager Todd Warren is a face with which all Valley businesses will soon become familiar. The Minnesota native moved to Snoqualmie after his wife, Amy, was transferred by her employer, Verizon Wireless, in 2000.

"During our travels, we made a list of places we would live if we got the chance," Warren said. "One of them was Seattle, so we jumped at the chance to do it."

Warren brought his athletic-apparel business, Max Out Athletics, with him. He comes from a long line of athletes, and in addition to playing amateur baseball, he hopes to someday officiate games like he did back home in Minnesota.

Warren took the Valley Record job because he felt his past sales experience as a Land O' Lakes district manager gave him an edge. Warren has overseen accounts all over the Midwest and has helped markets facilitate everything from selling sliced cheese to butter.

"I knew I could bring my experience here and make it happen," he said.

Helping Warren out will be new Advertising Assistant Leesa McKay. McKay is returning to the Valley with her husband after spending time in Seattle. She moved back because she wanted her two children, Olivia and Russell, to enroll in the Snoqualmie Valley School District.

McKay's husband, Doug, works at the FAO Schwartz toy store in Bellevue, possibly making him one of the most popular fathers in the Valley.

McKay honed her retail skills as a sales assistant at the Paper Zone at Southcenter Mall. Although she has had to learn the advertising business from the ground up, she believes she has the right customer know-how for the job.

"I like this job," McKay said. "It's good because I'm a people person."

Valley Record General Manger Jim McKiernan said the paper is lucky to have attracted Warren and McKay. McKay's personality has already become a fixture at the paper, despite having been there less than a month.

"It's nice to have someone [like McKay] who is feisty," McKiernan said.

Going into his third week, Warren has also impressed the paper with his quick rapport with customers and co-workers.

"Todd brings a level of professionalism with him that is good," McKiernan said. "His personality instantly made me like him."

In addition to staff changes, the Valley Record is undergoing some physical changes as well. The paper's office at 8124 Falls Ave. S.E. in Snoqualmie is being renovated.

The building was purchased by MK Property Services LLC in January. It will be restored to its original look, and once completed, MK Property Services and the paper will occupy the building.

"We're looking forward to the new building," McKiernan said. "But despite the cramped environment, we're still putting out the best newspaper we can."

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