Business Beat
NEW FACES
Jon Wyss has been hired as chief deputy assessor for Spokane County. He previously worked as the systems manager for Daniel H. Brunner, Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee for the Eastern District of Washington, where he helped develop a “paperless” office. He holds a degree in business administration and attended Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University.
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has hired Kelly Franklin as a financial representative. Franklin is a former substitute teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Whitworth College.
JC Hanson has been hired as a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. He has over 10 years of experience in investment and financial services, and is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has hired Mary Chaffee as an employee benefit specialist. Chaffee recently joined the strategic employee benefits division of the company’s Spokane office.
Geoff Asan has been hired at Wells Fargo as business relationship manager in the bank’s Spokane Business Banking Center. He has 16 years of experience in financial services and previously worked as vice president and business banking officer at Sterling Savings Bank.
BDO Seidman has hired Melanie Macaskill, a chartered accountant, as an assurance senior associate. She is a graduate of the University of Pretoria in South Africa with an honors bachelor’s degree in accounting science.
Johann (J.D.) Smith has been hired as an assurance senior associate at BDO Seidman. He holds an honors bachelor’s degree in accounting science from the University of South Africa in Pretoria.
BDO Seidman has rehired April Owen as tax senior associate. She is a graduate of Washington State University and previously worked for the company for five years.
Steven Brashears has been hired as a wholesale account executive at Action Mortgage. He was previously the vice president and general manager at Alliance Title & Escrow and attended Eastern Washington University.
Element Media of Coeur d’Alene has hired Hara Allison as senior creative director. She was previously an assistant art director for Advertising Ventures and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Florida International University.
Allen Croswhite has been hired as a senior art director at Element Media. He previously worked at Gross-Hatch & Associates/Hatch Advertising and is a 1998 graduate of Spokane Falls Community College.
E2A Media of Coeur d’Alene has hired Angie Rothrock as marketing specialist. She was previously marketing director for Children’s Miracle Network in Spokane and is a 1995 graduate of Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Mikaela Plattes has been hired at BDO Seidman as an assurance associate. She recently graduated from Gonzaga University with a master’s of business administration degree.
Cancer Care Northwest has hired Tina Fiskvik as a certified assistant in the clinical services department at the South Side clinic. She has over eight years of experience as a certified nurse’s assistant.
Jessica McPherson has been hired at Cancer Care Northwest as a medical records technician in the patient services department at the North Side clinic. She has seven years of experience in patient services.
Cancer Care Northwest has hired Rose Jenkins as senior executive administrative assistant for the executive director. She has five years of experience in administration in the health care industry.
Darlene Tian has been hired at Cancer Care Northwest as a receptionist for patient services in the South Side clinic. She has six years of experience as a receptionist in the health care industry.
The Spokane-Palouse office of Windermere Real Estate has hired Roy Mortlock as a sales associate. He has over 30 years of experience in sales and customer service and previously worked at Electromart.
Gloria Linerud has been hired as a sales associate at the Spokane Valley office of Windermere Real Estate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education and previously worked as a travel agent at Cruises & Travel of Spokane.
The Spokane Valley office of Windermere Real Estate has hired Melanie Young as a sales associate. She previously worked as a sales associate at Tomlinson Black/Valley and holds a Certified New Home Specialist designation.
Paula Nordgaarden has been hired as executive director of the Wishing Star Foundation. She has over 14 years of experience in social service agencies and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Eastern Washington University.
The Spokane office of Foster Pepper & Shefelman has hired John Ray Nelson as a member in the litigation practice group. He was previously a partner at Preston Gates & Ellis and has served clerkships for U.S. District Court judges Alan McDonald and Justin Quackenbush.
GIFTS
The Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation has granted $25,000 to North Idaho College’s “Providing Opportunities—Fulfilling Dreams” community campaign. The grant is for student scholarships and technology for the new NIC Health and Sciences building.
Gonzaga University students have raised $46,490 for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the school’s “Up ‘til Dawn” philanthropic program.
Gonzaga University has been granted $94,000 from the Daniels Fund to help establish an MBA Ethics and Integrity Concentration and Certificate Program.
Holy Family Hospital has given a three-year, $60,000 grant to the People’s Clinic at the YWCA to increase the availability of mental health services.
Wells Fargo Bank has donated $17,500 to Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho. The donation contributed to the completion of a house in Rathdrum, Idaho.
NEW BUSINESS
Enterprise Rent-a-Car has opened a new branch in Spokane at 2727 N. Division.
MILESTONES
Rotary International has recently celebrated 100 years of service. The organization has 10 clubs in the Spokane area and 700 local members.
NEW LOCATION
Powell, Kuznetz & Parker has relocated its law offices to 316 W. Boone, suite 380 at the Rock Pointe Tower. The office can be reached at 455-4151.