Business Beat

New faces:

Scott Cloninger, who has nine years of experience in the men’s fashion and footwear business, has been named general manager of the new Resort Collection at The Coeur d’Alene. Cloninger was previously a buyer and general manager of Alexander Davis Men’s Clothing in Boise.

Kathy Flint, who has been associated with the Kootenai County Arts Council for two years, will manage Gallery by the Lake at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. The Gallery will showcase original contemporary art created by Northwest artists.

Joseph Manley has been appointed director of the Spokane Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Manley, who has a master’s degree from George Washington University, previously served in senior VA management positions in Seattle; Clarksburg, W.Va.; Durham, N.C.; and at the national headquarters.

Dr. Chris Chaffin is joining Dr. Steven Bates in the practice of family dentistry at Dr. Bates’ South Regal office and the newly opened office in the Northpointe Medical Park. Chaffin is a 1985 graduate of the Creighton University Dental School. He then joined the Army Dental Corps where he received advanced training in all dental specialties.

Gordon Veium Jr., owner of Veium Construction Co. for the past 20 years, has joined the staff of the Fulcrum Institute Dispute Resolution Clinic. Veium will provide mediation services in the area of construction interpretation when needed in construction contract disputes.

John Danton Jr. is the new executive vice president and chief financial officer of AgAmerica, Farm Credit Bank. Danton previously was the senior vice president, branch banking area director of Citicorp/Citibank in Oakland, Calif.

Sandy McDonald, a 14-year real estate veteran, has joined Windermere Real Estate’s Spokane-East Sprague office. McDonald previously worked with Tupper Real Estate and Century 21 Crane/Prudential Crane.

The following people have joined Windermere Real Estate’s Spokane-North Wall Street office:

Patricia Ellis was the owner and broker of Ellis & Company Real Estate for more than four years. Ellis also practiced with Jackson & Associates for 10 years.

Gail Ermi worked with Century 21 Crane for more than five years before joining Windermere.

Keith Ermi has been in real estate for three years with Century 21 Crane. Prior to that, he worked with Merrill Lynch for nine years.

Moving up:

Cindy Shinneman has been promoted to buyer and assistant to the director of retail operations at the new Resort Collection at The Coeur d’Alene. Shinneman has been with Hagadone Hospitality for 10 years, most recently as manager of the Resort Logo/Polo Shop in The Coeur d’Alene Plaza.

Linda Miller has been promoted to vice president and manager of the Spokane branch office of West One Bank. Miller, a West One employee since 1983, was most recently a credit approval officer in the company’s corporate office in Boise.

Amy Witt, the former vice president of customer service, was promoted to executive vice president of Agency One, an insurance software company. Witt, who joined the company last year, will target additional profit centers for Agency One, including international markets, education products and national training centers.

Computer Solutions/New Horizons has promoted the following employees:

Alice Almeda, a senior instructor, has been named head of the new Novell training department.

Jim Blizard has been promoted from consultant to director of technical services.

R. Scot Haug, a senior instructor, has been promoted from director of training to controller.

Hollie Kirihara is the director of operations and facilities.

Rob Ruder, a senior instructor, is now director of training. Ruder was previously responsible for Macintosh instruction.

Jennifer White has been selected as the new development director for Youth Help Association. White, who most recently served as Youth Help’s administrative services director, will coordinate development and public relations activities.

Starting up:

Abrasives Spokane has opened at E5805 Sharp, Suite D-2. The company sells all types of sandblast and bead blast equipment, supplies and media.

Jim Canwell has started Canwell Productions, a new business serving Spokane and vicinity. The company specializes in multitrack audio recording for television and radio commercials.

Joyce Peterson has started Cherished Moments in Elk, Wash. The business provides scenery for all cherished moments, including weddings, receptions, 50th anniversaries, funerals and senior high school pictures.

Patricia Fincher has moved her practice in the Rolf method of Structural Integration from the Tri-Cities to Coeur d’Alene. Structural Integration combines education and hands-on manipulation to reorganize the body around a central vertical line with a goal of improved physiological and mechanical function.

Relocating:

Computer Solutions of Spokane Inc./New Horizons Computer Learning Center, a locally owned computer consulting and instruction firm, has moved to N1322 Post and combined operations, administration, sales and classroom functions. The firm was also selected as a Novell Authorized Training Center, a key step as about 70 percent of all business computer networks worldwide utilize Novell software.

Kudos:

The following Spokane-area residents have successfully completed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant examination, according to the Washington State Board of Accountancy: Paul Anastasi, Ronald Asmussen, Mary Brown, Kevin DeBernardi, Kristina English, Susan Gerber, Allen Grochowski, Dorothy Haskell, Trina Helvey, Heather Hosford, Jeanene Kelly, Stacy Liedle, Andrew McDirmid, Kevin O’Neill, Marie Okamoto, Ruth Phillips, Kelly Prior, Jason Rees, Charles Stadtmueller, Ronald Thurow, Mary Towne, Daniele Gozzola Wignes, Elizabeth Woodfill and Weiling Zhu, all of Spokane; John Baier, Coulee City; Shelley Smith Boucher, Greenacres; Terry Eng, Colfax; Toni Habegger, and Fred Zwiesler Pullman; Toni Hackwith, Anita Hager, Catherine Meyer and Carolyn Spoonheim, all of Coeur d’Alene; Kenneth Jones, Medical Lake; Jade Mikalson, Mead; Cynthia Nixon, Ephrata; Amy Pedersen, Post Falls; and David Thomsen, Moses Lake.

Certifications:

David Kozora recently completed the Certified Arborist examinations administered through the International Society of Arboriculture and the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the ISA. The purpose of the ISA Certification program is to improve the level of knowledge and standard of practice within the tree care profession.

Events:

Tuesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) will provide free and confidential business counseling from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Richland Chamber of Commerce. Contact 946-1651 for an appointment.

Wednesday - CCS Small Business Development Center offers “ISO #9000 Internal Auditing” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Applied Technology Center, N3939 Freya. The session is one in a series of seminars aimed at helping businesses comply with ISO #9000 quality standards, accepted by more than 45 countries. Cost is $200. For more information or to register, call 533-3222.

Thursday - CCS Small Business Development Center presents “Small Business Tax Seminar” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Spokane City Council Chambers at City Hall. This is an introductory seminar on basic tax issues for the small business, whether organized as a sole proprietorship, corporation or partnership. Cost is $20. Call 456-2781 for information or to register.

Thursday - Inland Northwest World Trade Council will have its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the WestCoast Ridpath Hotel. Robert L. Scott, Department of International Development, will speak on “Trends in Spokane’s Internationalization.” Cost is $10 for members, $12 for non-members. For reservations, call 625-6190.

Thursday - A breakfast seminar on international agribusiness will begin at 7:00 a.m. at the Yakima Holiday Inn. Subjects to be covered include the Yakima Free Trade Zone, collective trademarks, how to finance international agricultural trade, and running joint ventures in China. Please call the office of Peters & Fowler in Selah, Wash., at 697-7201 for reservations.

Aug. 22 - Attorney J. Reed Dunkley, president of Northwest Closings and Escrow, will discuss the real estate closing process during a free seminar from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the downtown Spokane Library. The seminar is sponsored by Homeowner Direct of Colville.

Conventions:

Today-Thursday - Building Industry Association of Washington, annual state convention, Sheraton-Spokane Hotel.

Monday - Inland Empire Mustang Club, annual regional Mustang show, citywide.

Tuesday-Saturday - Washington City & County Management Association, annual summer meeting, Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park.

Aug. 17-23 - Washington State Labor Council, annual convention, WestCoast Ridpath Hotel.

Aug. 19-21 - Troika Triathlon Association, annual triathlon, Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park.