Passing the torch

Published 1:46 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE – After 12 years of serving the Snoqualmie Valley Record as advertising manager, Marie Everett is stepping down.

Everett leaves as one of the most recognizable faces and personalities to Valley businesses. Almost every business owner locally got to know her through her involvement in the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce, and everyone who bought a display ad in the Valley Record has worked with her.

“It was a hard decision [to leave],” Everett said. “I love this job.”

Everett started at the Valley Record in 1990 when her friend and then-co-owner of the paper, Katie Buchman, said she needed some help because her ad manager was leaving. Everett’s background in marketing her own line of cosmetics brought her experience in sales, and she decided to come aboard until a suitable replacement was found. But that wouldn’t come to pass.

“I was good at it, I liked it, so I stayed,” Everett said.

Everett grew to know the Valley she lived in and loved even more in her 12 years as ad manager. And working close to her home of 27 years in Fall City was a treat for her.

“Everyone has been so good to me,” she said.

Cars, however, were a different matter. Valley Record General Manager Jim McKiernan remembered that after he bought the paper, Everett racked up the miles on two company cars while traveling back and forth between customers, practically driving the wheels off of them.

But it was that kind of dedication that made her special.

“She will be sorely missed,” McKiernan said. “I can only wish her luck in her future endeavors.”

Although Everett is leaving the ad business, she will still be involved in the community. She plans to spend more time helping out at her niece’s beauty salon in Snoqualmie, Bella Vita, and will still be active in the business community as it continues to grow.

“I love the people of this community,” Everett said. “[All the growth] will only make it stronger. Change is good.”

Everett is confident that Andrea Gemmiti of Redmond is the suitable replacement that was promised more than a decade ago. A native of New Hampshire, Gemmiti moved to Washington in 1994 to enjoy the best of all worlds – major cities set amidst the beauty of nature.

Gemmiti’s first job in Washington was as a bartender in Seattle and then placing ads at the Eastside Journal in Bellevue in 1997.

In 2000 she moved onto PlayNetwork, which installs and programs custom music for businesses. When Everett decided to leave the Valley Record, Gemmiti was contacted and brought aboard.

She said she hopes her experiences here will help her build her selling skills in a difficult industry.

“I think of advertising sales as the boot camp of sales,” Gemmiti said. “I also have an affinity for the newspaper industry. Once you’re in, it’s hard to get out.”

Many will see Gemmiti walking around town to visit clients, which is no small feat. In 1996, Gemmiti found out she had multiple sclerosis (MS) and was pretty sure her active lifestyle was over.

But with the help of medication, she rebounded. Although some days are better than others, she said she is looking forward to getting out and seeing the community.

“Ultimately, I would like to sell pharmaceuticals because I want to sell something that will really improve people’s lives,” she said.

She added that she hopes she can give the Valley the same service Everett gave, if not better. McKiernan said the paper is getting in Gemmiti the same determination that made Everett such a vibrant saleswoman and resident of the Valley.

“Andrea has some big shoes to fill, but she is up to the challenge,” he said.