Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Business beat

Have an item for Business Beat? Send it to businessbeat @spokesman.com.

Accounting

Nicholas Knapton, P.S. has promoted Nick Crooks from staff A accountant to senior accountant and Matt Largent from staff B accountant to staff A accountant. The firm has also hired Emelie Rodriguez as a staff accountant. Rodriguez was previously with Tate & Associates.

Dougherty & Associates CPAs has hired Aaron Bivens as a tax manager and Kim Marsh as an administrative assistant and office coordinator. Bivens is a certified public accountant with a decade of experience in tax preparation with expertise in construction, hospitality, professional services, retail, agriculture, and farm and ranch taxation. Marsh has extensive experience working in client relations, administration and office management.

Nick Hammer has joined the Spokane office of Wipfli LLP. Hammer is a tax specialist and business advisory manager with extensive experience in businesses with tax planning and reporting, as well as control reviews and compilations. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Education

Amit Bandyopadhyay has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors for his work in developing materials to enhance the safety and durability of joint implants for people with fractures and bone disorders. Bandyopadhyay is a professor in the Washington State University School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and is the Herman and Brita Lindholm Endowed Chair in the Voiland College.

Finance

Lakeside Capital Group, LLC has appointed Steven M. Helmbrecht as president and chief executive officer. Previously, Helmbrecht was executive vice president and chief financial officer at Itron Inc.

Health care

The Spokane Pharmacy Association has announced the recipients of the organization’s annual awards as follows: Alyson Blum, Resident of the Year Award; Colleen Terriff, Speaker of the Year Award; Bert Porter, Lifetime Service Award; Bill Fassett and Sharon Fassett, Special Service Award; Lori Ruff, Technician of the Year Award; Catrina Schwartz and Shon Volk, Pharmacist of the Year Award; Tick Klock Drugs, Pharmacy of the Year Award. The association also announced the board of directors as follows: Manpreet Chalal, past president; Chris Greer, president; Landa Vierra, president-elect; Sue Kellogg, executive vice president; John Griffiths, treasurer; Brian Gable and Brittany Croy, student representatives. Other members of the board are: Julie Akers, Chris Barry, Michael Ayres, Jason Doss, Heather Homchick, Brett Haney and Natasha Heimbigner.

Insurance

Jessica Laabs has joined PayneWest Insurance. Laabs has been in the insurance industry since 2009 and specializes in personal insurance.

Miscellaneous

Ryan Sheehan was recognized as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” airport management professionals for 2014 in the November 2014 edition of Airport Business magazine. Sheehan is the director of operations and maintenance at Spokane International Airport and Felts Field.

Nonprofit

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce has hired Dusty Wetzler as director of membership. Wetzler has eight years of experience in the banking industry and was previously an ambassador for the chamber.

Tourism

Visit Spokane has hired Julie Morin as a business development sales manager. Morin has previously worked with Bozzi Media, InlanderPublications and Greater Spokane Incorporated.