Packet Engines’ Ceo Talks High-Tech To Council

Bernard Daines, president and chief executive officer of Packet Engines, is the keynote speaker at the Spokane Area Economic Development Council’s membership meeting Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park’s Skyline Ballroom.

Daines moved Packet Engines to Spokane from Union City, Calif., when the company was in its infancy. The company, which makes products for the high-speed computer network market, has grown to more than 90 employees and Daines predicts that number will reach 300 by the end of 1998.

Daines will discuss Spokane’s emerging high-tech industry and highlight how the region can attract more technology-based companies.

The meeting will also provide a year-to-date recruitment report for the EDC’s nearly 300 member-investors.

The EDC is a private, non-profit organization working to promote growth and development of the region’s economy.

In other events this week:

Today

National conference on controlling rail expenses opens in Orlando, Fla.

Washington State Fruit Commission board of directors meeting, 5 p.m. at the Yakima Airport Restaurant Meeting Room, Yakima.

Tuesday

The Ag Bureau of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce holds an operating committee meeting at noon at 1020 W. Riverside, Spokane.

EPA Administrator Carol Browner to testify at Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing to examine implementation of newly proposed clean air regulations.

Washington State Department of Ecology sponsors public workshop to develop a watershed planning program and planning for Columbia River water allocation from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eastern Regional Office, 4601 N. Monroe.

European Commission decision due on Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger.

Thursday

Small Business Council meets at 7 a.m. at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman visits the Tri-Cities to talk to members of the wheat growing industry. Time and location to be announced Tuesday.

Friday

An update on the River Park Square redevelopment is presented during the Issues & Answers session at 7:30 a.m. at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside. Cost: $2. Call 459-4111.

Boeing Co. and McDonnell Douglas Corp. hold special meetings of shareholders in Seattle and St. Louis to vote on merger proposal.

Scheduled “soft” opening of The Bon Marche’s new store at the Spokane Valley Mall.

Saturday

J.C. Penney store at University City Shopping Center scheduled to close as the company shifts to its new location at the Spokane Valley Mall.

Sunday

American Agricultural Economics Association meets in Toronto July 27-30 to discuss topics including environment and agriculture in the 21st Century. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Measuring the Economy - Lumber prices

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, July 21: Annual retirement guide covers investment strategies, where to live, retirement lifestyles, getting help online and other issues. Forbes, July 28: Cover story profiles Robert Kuok, an Asian mogul with a net worth of $7 billion who Forbes describes as “the world’s shrewdest businessman.”

Satisfied drivers Here are the top cars, and their scores out of a possible 200 points, listed in J.D. Power and Associates 1997 driver satisfaction study: 1. Lexus, 174 2. Infiniti, 170 3. Acura, 159 4. Mercedes-Benz, 155 5. (tie) Cadillac, Jaguar, Saturn, 154 8. Audi, 153 9. (tie) Honda, Volvo, 152