Business Beat

Education

Two regional professors have been named as American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows: John Peters, director of Washington State University’s Institute of Biological Chemistry, and Lisette Waits, distinguished professor and head of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho. Peters’ research looks at energy conservation on a molecular level, including how energy is generated from food by shearing off electrons and metabolism in the human body. Waits’ research focuses on conservation genetics and molecular ecology across four continents. AAAS members are nominated by their peers and voted on by the leadership council. AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society and publishes the journal Science.

Health Care

Rob McCann, Ph.D., executive director of Catholic Charities Eastern Washington, has been awarded the Sister Peter Claver Humanitarian Award by Providence Health Care. Named for Sister Peter Claver, who led Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center for 24 years, the award recognizes McCann’s leadership with Catholic Charities. The charity has built nearly 1,000 residences for the homeless and poor, serves thousands weekly and delivers food to disaster victims. The other nominees for the award were: Dr. Judy Benson, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center; Nancy Foll, Family Support Center and Kids First Children’s Advocacy Center; Jessica Kovac, Blessings Under the Bridge; Donna Madej, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center; Dr. Peter Rinaldi, Providence Medical Group; and Shawna Sampson, Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners.

Law

Winston & Cashatt, Lawyers has announced Jenna Strohmeyer as an associate. While in law school, Strohmeyer clerked for a judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida, interned at the Office of Public Advocacy in Anchorage, Alaska, and held an externship in land use and development in Manatee County, Florida, in the county attorney’s office. Her practice will range from civil litigation to municipal, land use and environmental law.

Media

The Spokesman-Review has announced Amy Tolzmann as marketing events manager. Tolzmann comes from the financial sector and has 15 years of experience in marketing, sponsorships and event management.

Miscellaneous

Karen Hudson has been named chief executive officer of Mobius Children’s Museum and Science Center. Hudson has been with Mobius for 11 years, most recently as acting chief executive officer and, for the three years prior, as chief operations officer.

Utility

Avista Corp. has announced Dennis Vermillion as president; Kevin Christie as vice president, external affairs and chief customer officer; and Bryan Cox as vice president, safety and human resources shared services. The changes have been approved by the board of directors and will take effect Jan. 1. Vermillion has served as senior vice president of Avista Corp. and president of Avista Utilities since 2009. He has also been appointed as director of the board.