Avista: Advantage and Homegrowns

We had a fascinating interview this afternoon with Scott Morris, chairman, president and CEO of Avista.

I found two things particularly interesting. One is Avista’s subsidiary Advantage IQ which pays energy bills for large chains, such as Starbucks. It’s one of their growing success stories. The idea for it came out of employee brainstorming and it took about 10 years to finally turn a profit.

Listen to Morris’ explanation of the subsidiary.

Also, when I grew up here you felt like you’d have a good job for life if you could get on with “the water power.” (Avista’s former name was Washington Water Power.) Anyway, Morris pointed out that the company still employs many homegrowns. He sees this as a strength, because employees who grew up here understand the community from the ground up.

Listen here.

(S-R file photo)