Business Beat

NEW FACES:

Sedgwick James of Washington Inc. has added the following people to its Spokane staff:

Sharon Klages and Shirley Casebeer were hired as account assistants in the Commercial Department. Klages was previously with Cochrane & Co. of Spokane and American States Insurance Co. Casebeer previously worked for Fidelity & Associates and Ashco Insurance.

Michelle Gilles joined Sedgwick as a word processing operator. Gilles formerly worked for McCallum and Associates in Kennewick.

Jody Hatton joined the company as a bond assistant. Hatton previously was a traffic manager for KAAP/KVEW-TV in Yakima.

Alice Dovey, Nancy Charlston, Karrie King, Michael Handy, Kenda Thiefault and Todd Stone have joined Qpoint Home Mortgage Loans Inc. as loan officers. Sharon Naccarato was hired as a loan processor, and Janet Burnett joined Qpoint as the office’s administrative assistant. Jonothan Rodgers was named assistant branch manger.

MOVING UP:

Washington Trust Bank has appointed the following people for its North Idaho operation:

Hal Damiano was appointed chairman of the bank’s North Idaho Region. Damiano has been with the bank since 1979.

Parker Woodall, who also joined the bank in 1979, was named president of the North Idaho Region.

Jack Heath was appointed senior vice president and North Idaho market manager. Heath has been with the bank since 1977.

John Mushlitz was appointed vice president and business banking officer III. Mushlitz has more than 30 years of experience in banking and joined Washington Trust in 1988.

Dave Dean, who has been with the bank since 1992, was named vice president and business banking officer II.

Neil Garner was appointed loan officer and business banking officer II. Garner has more than 27 years of experience in banking and has been with Washington Trust since 1993.

Alan Harper was appointed loan officer and business banking officer I. Harper joined the bank in 1992.

Judy Kirking, who has been with the bank since 1994, was named service manager II and retail banking officer for the bank’s Coeur d’Alene Branch.

STARTING UP:

Kea Woodfill has opened Accurate Insurance Agency Inc. at 164 S. Washington, Suite 200. Woodfill has been in the insurance business for 12 years and licensed for 10. She previously worked for State Farm, Fred Cox and Associates and Ploeger & Black.

TRANSACTIONS:

Adventure in Travel Inc. has become an affiliate of the American Express Travel Agency Network. Adventure in Travel has been in business for more than 10 years. The new affiliation allows the company to expand its services to include replacement of lost or stolen American Express cards and personal check cashing for American Express cardmembers, as well as selling, cashing and refunding American Express Travelers Cheques.

MOVING:

James O’Hare has moved his counseling practice to the Professional Counseling Group at 1322 W. Dean. O’Hare, a certified mental health counselor, specializes in counseling individuals, couples and families and provides training and consultation for businesses and agencies.

KUDOS:

Inland Power and Light has been awarded two 1997 Spotlight on Excellence communications awards by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators. Inland received an Award of Merit in the Best Newspaper/ Magazine category for its monthly publication of Inland Country magazine. The utility also received an Award of Excellence in the Best Feature Story category, for a story written by Yvonne Lopez Morton, Inland County editor, titled “The Permanent Visitor.”

Kootenai Electric Cooperative received two awards in the 1997 Spotlight on Excellence competition. The co-op received an Award of Excellence in the Best Newsletter category for “PowerLines,” and an Award of Merit in the Best Total Communications category for “Ice Storm ‘96.” Catherine Parochetti, KEC communications specialist, produced and coordinated the newsletter and communications program.

Barton’s Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. was awarded the Gold Medal of Excellence by Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems. The company was recognized for its business management, employee development and outstanding customer service.

Max McClintick was chosen to receive the Honor Associate Alumnus Award, for his support to the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences at the University of Idaho. McClintick is chief executive officer of Timber Products Manufacturers Inc. and was instrumental in the development and fund-raising efforts that created the Wood Use and Design Endowment.

Farmers Insurance district office in Hayden Lake, Idaho, has been awarded the 1996 Professional Growth Award. The award was presented for the office’s active commitment to professionalism through education. Erwin Markhart is the district manager representing the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has presented Jane Johnson with the 1997 Frank L. Ashmore Award for service to CASE and the advancement profession. Johnson is the vice president of advancement for Eastern Washington University and has worked in higher education advancement for 34 years.

EVENTS:

Monday through Friday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to potential and existing small-business owners from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Business Information Center in the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside. For appointments, call 353-2820. Counselors also are available on Tuesdays at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, 8817 E. Mission. For appointments there, call 924-4994.

Tuesday - Leads Club, a structured networking organization for business leads and referrals, meets from 12:15-1:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel at Sullivan and Mission in the Spokane Valley. For more information, call Beth Ann Daigre at 921-9581.

Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a workshop on “Preparing a Business Plan” from 8 a.m.-noon at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside. Cost: $35, including materials; for information or to register, call 353-2820.

Thursday - Leads Club, a structured networking organization for business leads and referrals, meets from 12:15-1:30 p.m. at Cavanaugh’s Inn on Fourth Avenue. For more information, call Nora Laughlin at 466-6832.

Thursday - Power Tipps, an organization for sharing business leads and networking, meets from 7-8 a.m. on the North Side. For more information, call 468-9695 or 891-2353.

Friday - The proposed Mirabeau Point development will be the subject of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce’s Good Morning Spokane Area meeting from 7:30-8:45 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in the Spokane Valley. Cost: $10 pre-paid, $15 at the door; for reservations, call 459-4111 or fax 747-0077.

Aug. 12 - The Small Business Development Center presents a workshop on “How to Evaluate the Feasibility of a Business Idea” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $50; call 358-7890 for information or to register.

Aug. 18 - The Inland Northwest Sheet Metal Contractors’ Association sponsors a seminar on sound vibration, HVAC systems and seismic restraint from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Sheet Metal Training Center, 7209 E. Trent. The deadline for registration is Aug. 11.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 12 Photos

MEMO: Do you want to submit an item for “Business Beat?” Send a brief press release to: Bill Sallquist, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane WA, 99210-1615. Photos will be used, space permitting, with new staff additions, promotions and new businesses. Put names on backs of photos. If you want a photo back, write “WILL CALL” on the back and pick it up at the newspaper reference library. Allow three weeks for publication.