Business beat

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Architecture

 NAC|Architecture has announced that Dana Harbaugh will serve as president and chief executive officer and Bruce Blackmer will work as chairman of the board. Previously, Harbaugh was the chief practice officer and Blackmer was the chief executive officer.

Education

 Shelley Redinger, the superintendent of Spokane Public Schools, has been named a recipient of Washington Policy Center’s 2014 Champion of Freedom Award. She received this award in recognition of her work in public education.

 The Washington State University College of Nursing has hired Beth Schenk as an assistant research professor. In this role, she will work as a Providence-WSU Nurse Scientist in a shared appointment with Providence Health and Services St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula to provide courses in environmentally sustainable health care.

 Gonzaga University has hired Jim Simon to serve as its first director of sustainability to advance Gonzaga’s sustainability work and education. Previously, Simon worked as the sustainability engagement coordinator at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.

Finance

 Jason Johnson earned Circle of Success recognition at the 2014 Ameriprise National Conference in Boston after achieving high levels in production, client service and client satisfaction. Johnson is a private wealth adviser with Ameriprise Financial.

Law

 Benjamin McDonnell has joined the firm of Piskel Yahne Kovarik, PLLC as an associate. McDonnell practices complex commercial litigation, construction, real estate, employment, and creditor/debtor law. Ryan Yahne, also with Piskel Yahne Kovarik, has been recognized as a 2014 Rising Star in Washington by Super Lawyers magazine. Michael H. Church, an attorney with Stamper Rubens, P.S., has been recognized as a 2014 Washington Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine. Super Lawyers lists the top five percent of attorneys by state or region based on a high degree of peer recognition and professional accomplishment.

Nonprofit

 Fred Peck has been named the executive director of Spokane Housing Ventures. Peck was previously the organization’s chief financial officer for five years. Peck will work to provide affordable housing to residents in Spokane and Lincoln counties.

Retail

 Etailz has hired Shannon Murry as a beauty vendor onboarding specialist, Melanie Hoff as a graphic designer and Daniel Gubitz as an international onboarding coordinator.