Business Beat
NEW FACES Dennese Schumacher has been hired as a senior procurement agent at Triumph Composite Systems Inc. She previously worked as a supplier manager at Itronix.
Dr. Mary Chiu has recently been hired by Emergency Physician Services. She holds a degree from the University of Michigan and studied at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the University of Washington.
Tamitha Anderson has been hired by Inland Northwest Health Services as communications coordinator. She previously worked at Desautel Hege Communications. She holds a degree from Eastern Washington University.
Jesse Velasco has been hired as a party chief by the Taylor Engineering office in Coeur d’Alene. He has extensive experience in Global Positioning System survey techniques.
Dr. Lynn Bergman has been hired by Emergency Physician Services. She holds a degree from the University of Colorado and also studies at the University of Washington and York Hospital.
Sterling Savings Bank has hired Kathleen Huggins as vice president and human resource services manager. She holds a master’s of business administration from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management. She previously worked as a compensation manager at Iron Inc.
Kara Bloch has been hired by Inland Northwest Land Trust as stewardship coordinator. She holds a degree in environmental policy and planning from the Huxley College of the Environment.
Kevin Clayton has been hired as an associate product manager by Telect. He previously worked at Purcell Systems as a product manager.
Rockwood Clinic has hired Jill Lamb Fix as health promotions and marketing coordinator. She previously worked at Spokane Transit as communications specialist and public relations coordinator. She holds a degree in communications from Washington State University.
PROMOTIONS Iris Bartzen has been promoted to sales manager at Coldwell Banker Northwest Group’s South Hill office.
Al Yost has been promoted to president of Advanced Input Systems. He holds a master’s of business administration from Utah State University. He previously was the company’s general manager and vice president of finance.
Michael Jackson has been named branch manager of bankcda’s branch in Hayden. Jackson, vice president, has been with the bank since 2005. He will service commercial and Small Business Association loans as part of his new position.
Ken Binion has been promoted to assistant vice president at Sterling Savings Bank. He has been with the company since 2005.
Barb Richey has been promoted to associate vice president for university advancement at Eastern Washington University. She holds a master’s degree in communications from EWU. She has been with the university for seven years as director of university relations.
KUDOS D.A. Davidson and Co. has named financial consultants to the Chairman’s Council, an honors club that recognizes top financial consultants. Named are Gary Douvia, senior vice president, financial consultant, and Dave Milbrath, senior vice president, financial consultant.
Cynthia Hamilton of Coldwell Banker has been certified as an associate broker. She has been with the company for two years.
Robert Forster of Benefit Managers Inc. in Spokane has been ranked number one in overall production in annual life and annuity sales nationally by One America Financial Partners Inc.
Coeur d’Alene-based Pita Pit has debuted as number 212 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2007 Annual Franchise 500 list. The top 500 franchises are picked based on growth and presence in the U.S. There are currently 120 Pita Pit locations in 38 states.
The Association of Washington Businesses has recognized local companies with Better Workplace awards, given to businesses that demonstrate innovation in workplace safety, job training and advancement, and benefit and compensation programs. Haskins Steel Co. and Tate Technology, both in Spokane, received awards in the job training and advancement programs category. Lake Roosevelt Vacations in Kettle Falls received an award in the workplace safety category.
Dave Sonntag, associate director of university relations at Eastern Washington University, has been named a Rising Star for Region VII (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska) by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He has been with the university since 2004. He holds a degree from Gonzaga University.