Business Beat

New faces:

James Bristow has joined Packet Engines Inc. as vice president of sales. Bristow most recently was Asian sales director for Bay Networks Inc. in Singapore. Before that, he was Asia Pacific regional sales manager and then general manager for 3Com’s BICC data networks. He also spent five years working in Europe for Digital Equipment Co. Ltd.

Amy Pobst has joined the Spokane Area Economic Development Council as marketing coordinator. Pobst will be responsible for implementing the EDC’s marketing plan, coordinating the organization’s participation in targeted trade and industry shows, working with national site selection consultants and supporting the EDC’s recruitment efforts. Prior to joining EDC, Pobst served as assistant director of admissions at Whitworth College.

Jack Carroll has joined The Campbell Co./Commercial and Industrial Real Estate office as an associate salesperson. Carroll has six years of experience in commercial real estate sales and was previously vice president of Mortemp Inc.

Piper Jaffray Cos. has appointed Judith Degnan as a senior registered sales assistant in its Spokane Branch. Degnan has been in the financial services industry for 24 years, most recently with Prudential Securities.

The Spokane County Medical Society has accepted the following new members:

Dr. Alan Mayer has joined Rockwood Clinic in the practice of urgent care. He graduated from the University of Chicago Pritzer School and completed an internship and residency at Marquette General Hospital.

Dr. Richard Howe has joined Rockwood Clinic as a family medicine physician. Howe graduated from the University of Alberta, completed an internship at Misericordia Hospital and a residency at Victoria General Hospital.

Dr. Ronney Ferguson has joined Shriners Hospital for Children as chief of staff, orthopaedics. Ferguson graduated from the University of Texas Med Branch, completed an internship at Hospital University of Pennsylvania, a residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and a fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. George Bondar has joined Spokane Dermatology Clinic in the practice of dermatology. Bondar graduated from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed an internship and residency at Deaconess Hospital-West and a fellowship at The Stough Clinic-Dermatology.

Dr. Rebecca Benko has joined Newport Family Medicine. Benko graduated from Michigan State University and completed an internship and residency at Tacoma General Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.

The following people have joined Windermere Real Estate as sales associates:

Vicki Nielsen works in Windermere’s Colville office. Nielsen, who is new to real estate, was self-employed with Nielsen and Associates Construction Co.

Samantha Russell is assigned to the Spokane-Manito office. Russell previously was with Tomlinson Black Realty.

Robert Cannon, based in the Spokane-North Wall Street office, most recently was self-employed working with Northwest Blind Co.

Diane Culley joined Windermere’s Spokane-Manito office. Culley previously worked in real estate in Phoenix.

Moving up:

Colmac Coil Manufacturing in Colville has promoted the following employees:

W.C. “Cam” Buffington was named vice president and will oversee sales and marketing functions for both domestic and foreign business. Buffington has been with the company for seven years providing marketing services.

Carl Berg was promoted to chief engineer from manufacturing engineer. He joined the company 10 years ago.

Jerry Francis was named sales manager for Colmac’s refrigeration and heat pump groups. Francis has been with the company for three years and was most recently refrigeration specialist for the sales engineering department.

Starting up:

Norwalk Furniture Corp. has opened a 7,000-square-foot franchise store at 8014 N. Division in Spokane. Cindy Chiappe was named store manager and will oversee a staff of five design consultants. Bill Snow, the franchisee, has 25 years of experience as a full-line furniture retailer.

Elected:

John Grunow Jr. has been elected to the board of directors of Pentzer Corp., the investment subsidiary of Washington Water Power. Grunow founded International Marine Holdings and built it into a business with sales of more than $250 million and more than 2,000 employees. He sold his interest in International Marine in 1994 and currently operates a small investment advisory and consulting business.

The Better Business Bureau has elected the following new directors: Dan Chambers, Exterior Design Co.; Mike Momb, Momb Steel Buildings Inc.; and Chud Wendle, Wendle Motors Inc.

The following BBB directors were elected to an additional term: Craig Condron, Condron Construction; Mark Keas, Marketing Directors Inc.; Rich McKernan, Beebe, McKernan and McCarty Inc.; and John Omlin, Omlin, Gunning and Associates.

Willie Masten has been elected regional vice president of the 2,000-member Washington State Association of Life Underwriters.

Kudos:

The College and University Personnel Association has chosen the Community Colleges of Spokane’s human resources department to receive the 1997 “Quality in Human Resources Practice Award-HR Systems.” The department was honored for its contributions in the technology arena, including the development of computerized systems to enhance CCS human resource services.

The following U.S. Bank managers have been named to the bank’s “Council of Excellence:” Gayle Ehler, vice president and Yakima Valley district manager; Karen McBride, vice president and North Spokane district manager; Pat Millard, Warden branch manager; Terri Morehouse, Summitview branch manager; and Dianna Pfeifer, vice president and Columbia district manager. They were recognized for leadership and high standards of excellence.

United Paint and Coatings has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Evergreen Award for corporate environmental excellence. The company was honored for its efforts since 1993 to reduce solid and hazardous wastes, air emissions and water discharges.

Certifications:

Lori Barnes, who operates a consulting, marketing and public relations business in Coeur d’Alene, has received Meeting Facilitation and Strategic Planning certification. She has added those services to her consulting business.

Tim Nikstad, a member of the Deaconess Pharmacy staff, has earned the designation of board certified pharmacotherapy specialist from the American Pharmaceutical Association Board of Pharmaceutical Specialists. This is the highest credential in the speciality practice area of pharmacy.

Ira Amstadter, consultant and co-owner of Express Personnel Services, has received the Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) designation from the National Association of Personnel Services. The designation reflects a commitment to maintain the ethical standards and the highest levels of professional behavior in the personnel industry.

Events:

Monday through Friday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to potential and existing small-business owners from 9 a.m.-4 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 Tuesday at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, 8817 E. Mission. For appointments there, call 924-4994.

Monday through Thursday - The Institute for Extended Learning presents a class on “Computer Basics” from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each day at the Business Training and Applied Technology Center, 3939 N. Freya. Cost: $110; for information or to register, cal 522-3770.

Tuesday - Lori Heiner will discuss “Elder Care and Management of Dementia during a meeting of the Spokane Falls Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association at 5:30 p.m. at Casey’s Restaurant, 2126 N. Monroe. For reservations or information, call Diana West at 534-1554.

Tuesday - State Rep. Cathy McMorris will give her annual “Report on Olympia” during a meeting of the Colville Chamber of Commerce at noon at Cookie’s Cafe in Colville.

Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to potential and existing small-business owners at the Panhandle Area Council, 11100 Airport Drive, Hayden, Idaho. For appointments, call 772-0584.

Wednesday through Friday - The American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants will explore incorporating technology in the accounting field, plus other technical and leadership topics during its 56th Annual Meeting and Conference. For more information, call Susan Oster at 1 (800) 297-2721.

Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a workshop on “The ABC’s of Starting a Business” from 9 a.m.-noon at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside. Cost: $15; for information or to register, call 353-2820.

Wednesday - Gonzaga University presents an information session on its master’s of organizational leadership program at 7 p.m. in Room 204 of Gonzaga’s Administration Building. For more information, call Joseph Albert at 328-4220, ext. 3564.

Thursday - Scott Rahn, a Seafirst Investment Services investment representative, will speak on “Long-Term Health Care Cost Issues” at a free seminar presented by Seafirst Bank from 6-8 p.m. on the eighth floor of the bank’s Spokane & Eastern Branch, 601 W. Riverside. For reservations, call (800) 241-8769.

Thursday - Continental Mortgage Co. presents a free seminar on FHA 203(k) and conventional remodeling/ rehabilitation home loans from 6-7:30 p.m. at RockPoint III, 1330 N. Washington, Suite A. For reservations, call Amy Mathiason at 325-9955.

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.

Thursday - Merrill Lynch presents a free seminar on “Reducing Taxes with Annuities” at 2:30 p.m. For more information or to register, call 458-4232.

Thursday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to potential and existing small-business owners at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, 525 Clearwater Loop, Post Falls. For appointments, call 769-3296.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 12 photos

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