Business Beat

NEW FACES:

Christine Weaver has joined the Spokane law firm of Johnson, McLean, Devlin and Miller. Weaver graduated from Loyola Marymount University and Gonzaga University School of Law, where she was associate editor of the Gonzaga Law Review in 1990-91.

Scott Jensen has joined the Spokane general office of New York Life Insurance Co. Jensen will specialize in full-service planning for families.

Toni Ganey has been appointed manager of the Northtown branch of Sterling Savings Association. Ganey has 13 years of management and sales experience with several major northwest banking institutions and most recently managed Washington Mutual’s Financial Center 1.

Sedgwick Noble Lowndes has hired the following people as analysts:

Julie Smith, a University of Washington graduate.

Stacey Belt, who formerly worked for Conover Insurance in Pasco.

Kelley Drummond, who attended Whitman College in Walla Walla.

Estelle West has joined Cox Communications as a sales and marketing consultant. West, who previously worked for the Spokane Shadow Soccer Club, will concentrate on advertising and marketing programs for local and regional businesses.

The following people have joined the Wheatland Bank, based in Davenport: Dolores Turnbull, assistant vice president and Cheney branch manager; Shelley Kramer, assistant vice president and Odessa branch manager; and Staci A. Moses, assistant vice president and Wilbur branch loan officer.

MOVING UP:

Wells Fargo Bank has appointed Shelbie Rabe and Karin Lohrman Hake as personal banking managers for the Spokane area. Both Rabe and Hake previously worked for First Interstate Bank, which merged with Wells Fargo in April. Rabe had also worked for JC Penney as a senior merchandise manager. Hake started her financial career with Key Bank in 1989.

Richard Taylor, manager of trust/ investment operations at Washington Trust Bank, has been promoted to vice president. Taylor will continue his duties in trust/investment operations.

Tammy Storm was promoted to a bank officer and marketing systems manager for Washington Trust’s marketing department.

Sedgwick James of Washington announced two promotions:

Brett Flanagan was named vice president of Sedgwick Noble Lowndes. Flanagan, a consultant in the benefits department, has been with Sedgwick since 1989.

Jacque Young was promoted to administrator of the lawyers professional liability program. Young has specialized in this field for several years and has been in the insurance industry for more than 10 years.

Davenport-based Wheatland Bank has promoted the following individuals: Douglas M. McPhee was promoted from vice president and chief financial officer to senior vice president and CFO; Robb Emehiser, former Cheney branch manager, was named assistant vice president and technical services manager; and Paul Fitzsimmons was named vice president and auditor.

STARTING UP:

Sound Telecom has opened a national call center in Spokane, expanding its operations from Issaquah, Wash. The company established a call center in The Bon Marche Building downtown and expects to employ 100 people within the next two years.

CERTIFICATIONS:

Six local planners were recently certified as members of the American Institute of Certified Planners: Steve Davenport, Pat Frankovic, John Mercer, Mike Nicholson and Louis Webster, all planners with Spokane County; and Susan Winchell, a planner with the Boundary Review Board.

EVENTS:

Monday-Thursday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free business counseling to potential and existing small business owners from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Business Information Center in the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside. For appointments, call 353-2820. Counselors also are available at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, 8817 E. Mission. Call 924-4994 for appointments.

Tuesday - Rebecca Baker and Andrew Braff, candidates for Superior Court judge, position one, for Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille counties, will speak at a luncheon meeting of the Colville Chamber of Commerce at noon at Cookies Cafe in Colville.

Wednesday - The State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board will hold a public hearing on proposed changes in the state’s comprehensive plan for work force training and education at 5 p.m. at Spokane Falls Community College. Copies of the draft revised plan are available in advance of the meeting by calling 360-586-4530, or by accessing the Board’s Internet site at http://www.wa.gov/wtb.

Wednesday - Bill Turnquist, assistant professor of business administration at Central Washington University, will speak on “Foundations for a New Tomorrow: How to Bridge the Gap in Work Force Literacy” at a meeting of Northwest Inland Empire APICS starting at 5:15 p.m. at the Quality Inn Valley Suites, 8923 E. Mission. For information, call Ed Woodall at 921-6195 or Lori Reiss at 927-5595.

Wednesday - Merrill Lynch presents a seminar on “Planning for Estates” from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Mattie’s Restaurant and Bakery, 7950 N. Division. Lunch provided. Call Roger Bertsch at 458-4213 for information or to register.

Wednesday - A seminar led by Dave Porter of the Dave Porter Institute on “Financing Strategies for the Buyer’s Broker” is scheduled from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the United Security Bank Building, 222 N. Wall, Lower Level. Cost: $40; call Mark Hurd at 459-5071 for information and to register.

Thursday - A seminar led by Dave Porter of the Dave Porter Institute on “Finding the Real Truth in Lending” is scheduled from 8:30-11 a.m. at the United Security Bank Building, 222 N. Wall, Lower Level. Cost: $35 for APMW members, $45 for non-members. Call Mark Hurd at 459-5071 for information or to register.

Thursday - Dave Porter of the Dave Porter Institute will present a seminar on “Orchestrating a Smooth Transaction” from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the United Security Bank Building, 222 N. Wall, Lower Level. Cost: $20 APMW members, $30 for non-members. Call Mark Hurd at 459-5071 for information or to register.

Thursday - The Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners holds its annual meeting and banquet at 6 p.m. at The Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside. The main speaker will be Patty DeDominic, CEO of PDQ Personnel Service. Cost: $35; for information call Cathy Doerr at 838-8755.

Thursday - U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Nationwide Satellite Town Hall VideoConference will be broadcast at Gonzaga University’s Administrative Building from 10 a.m.-noon. The videoconference will feature leading political commentators and prominent legislative strategists that will address political issues facing the business community. Free admission.

Saturday - Candace Kovner Bel Air of Media Smart will speak on “Know, Understand and Use the Media” during a seminar presented by the National Speakers Association from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Ramada Inn-Airport. Cost: $35, including lunch; for information or to register, call 536-6013 or (208) 664-2910.

Sept. 17 - The Service Professional Group will meet from 4-6 p.m. at Medical Service Corp., 3900 E. Sprague. Call Mary Berkoff at 926-6000 or Ginny Wise at 482-1711 for information.

CONVENTIONS:

Tuesday-Sept. 16 - Second Marine Division Association, national summer convention, Red Lion City Center.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 12 Photos

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