Business Beat
New faces:
Paine, Hamblen, Coffin, Brooke & Miller LLP has added two associates to its staff.
Stephanie G. Holder is a 1994 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. Prior to joining Paine Hamblen, she was with the law firm of Laser, Wilson, Bufford & Watts in Little Rock. Earlier, she was senior law clerk to Justice Robert L. Brown of the Arkansas Supreme Court.
Travis L. Sines received his law degree this year from the University of Washington School of Law. He previously was a deputy clerk for the United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington; a legal extern for U.S. Magistrate Judge Imbrogno of the Eastern District of Washington; and a legal intern for Paine Hamblen and for Student Legal Services at the University of Washington.
Wade Diamanti has joined Zirkle & Co. as a business research analyst at the company’s Spokane office. He previously worked for The Boeing Co. as a business analyst. Diamanti, who is obtaining licensing as a certified management accountant, will provide financial analysis, industry research and client support.
Financial Aims Corp. and Davidson Trust Co.-Washington have hired Shawn Schai as vice president-regional marketing. Schai, who is based in Spokane, will be responsible for marketing professional money management and trust services in Washington and Idaho. He will market money management services in Oregon and Utah. Schai previously was a trust officer for Norwest Investment Management and Trust in Great Falls, Mont., and earlier worked for eight years as a trust officer with the Bank of America in Las Vegas and Dallas.
Greg Strizich has joined the accounting department of Spokane Teachers Credit Union as the director of finance. Strizich, who earned a master’s degree from Washington State University, has 13 years of experience. He has worked in Texas, Seattle and most recently in Canada.
STIX Corp., a Spokane-based company specializing in custom-designed and installed ceiling products, has hired Shane Longdin as director of CAD design and Internet sales of STIX interior wood ceilings. Longdin is a recent graduate of ITT.
Scott Kusel has joined the staff of the Gateway Country Store in Spokane as business solutions account executive. He will assist businesses in their selection and implementation of computers and computer networks. Kusel previously worked for FAI Electronics as a computer products account executive and for Citadel Broadcasting as a marketing consultant.
Mollie Dalpae has been appointed executive director of the Spokane Valley Center, which provides services to low-income families in the Valley. Among her responsibilities, she will oversee the center’s clothing bank, emergency services and the Protective Payee program that provides financial management and budget counseling to clients referred by the state Department of Social and Health Services.
Moving up:
Spokane Teachers Credit Union has promoted Kathleen Kozlowski to director of marketing and public relations. Kozlowski, who joined the credit union three years ago, previously was manager of public relations and business development. She will oversee a seven-person department.
Action Mortgage Co. has promoted the following employees:
Ken A. Larsen, manager of Action’s Loan-By-Phone production office, was named an assistant vice president. Larsen, a 1991 graduate of Eastern Washington University, joined Action that year and was appointed branch manager of the company’s Coeur d’Alene office in 1992. He was named Action’s systems manager in 1995 and created the Loan-By-Phone production branch in 1997.
Lynne M. Young, Action’s underwriting manager, was promoted to assistant vice president. She was mortgage loan underwriter and trainer for the company from 1995 until earlier this year, when she left to serve as underwriting consultant with GMAC Mortgage. Young, who received a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University, has more than 12 years of underwriting experience and more than 20 years of experience in mortgage production and administrative positions.
Jacklin Seed has promoted Susan Samudio to plant breeder in recognition of her work in developing turfgrass varieties that have placed in the top 10 listing of national USDA trials. Samudio, who received a master’s degree in crop science from Southern Illinois University, joined Jacklin in 1990 as assistant plant breeder.
Mark Sellman has been promoted to plant breeder by Jacklin Seed in recognition of his work in turfgrass varietal development that placed two tall fescue varieties in the top 10 listing of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program trials. He joined Jacklin as an assistant plant breeder in 1989 after receiving a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee.
Spokane Valley Center has promoted Barbara Olsen to director of development. Olsen, the center’s long-time executive director, will oversee fund-raising efforts designed to support and enhance the center’s overall mission. She also will develop and plan special events, as well as the annual Appeal Campaign, and lead the appeal for funding through grant programs, planned giving and the administration of gifts in kind.
Moving:
Bovay Northwest Inc., a local full-service, multidiscipline engineering firm, and the Spokane environmental and geotechnical office of Dames & Moore have moved their office to 1101 N. Argonne, Suite 201.
Elected:
David Heinze, Gonzaga University’s bookstore director, has been installed as president of the Northwest College Bookstore Association. The association includes more than 100 member bookstores from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, Northern California, Nevada and Hawaii, along with 150 publisher and bookstore supply vendors.
Gonzaga University special education Professor Randy Williams has been elected president of the Northwest Association of Behavior Analysis. Jon Sunderland, associate professor of physical education and associate dean of the School of Education, has been elected president of the Northwest Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Wishing Star Foundation board officers for 1999 include: John Baker, The Spokesman-Review, chairman; Dan Nagy, Wendy’s, vice chairman; Lynn Winkler, Central Valley School District, secretary; and Dr. Anne Oakley, Physician Anesthesia Group, treasurer. Other board members are: Susan Prince, immediate past chair; John Mellick, Mortgage One; Ted Rusnak, B&B Distributors; Frank O’Neill, Moloney, O’Neill, Corkery & Jones; Mark DeGon, Merrill Lynch; and Lori Barnes, ASC Group.
Appointed:
John McDaniel of Perkins Restaurants in Spokane has been appointed to the Washington state Tourism Development Advisory Committee. The 15-member panel will support the Washington State Tourism Office in establishing policy for tourism development and promotion.
Kudos:
Molly Harley, a senior financial consultant with D.A. Davidson & Co., has been named to the All American Team of the American Funds Group of mutual funds. She was cited for outstanding service to investors and for financial expertise and dedication to principles of mutual fund investing. Harley joined D.A. Davidson & Co. in 1995.
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 Room 240 of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 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 - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to potential and existing small-business owners from 1-4 p.m. at Tri-County EDD, 347 W. Second, Suite A, in Colville. For appointments, call (509) 684-4571.
Tuesday - Washington State Employees Credit Union will hold a free seminar covering many tax-related topics; 6:30-8:30 p.m., Shilo Inn, 923 Third Ave., Spokane. For reservations, call (509) 532-8617, or visit the Web site at wastatecu.org.
Wednesday - BDO Seidman LLP presents a seminar on “The Euro Conversion and its Impact on U.S. Companies” from 3-5 p.m. at Hotel Lusso, 1 N. Post. Anette Estrada, a CPA based at the firm’s Grand Rapids, Mich., office, will discuss the euro’s impact on financial reporting, U.S. tax implications and accounting for gains and losses. For more information or to register, call 747-8095.
Wednesday - Renee Carman and other officers of Executive Women International will discuss their organization during a meeting of the Spokane Building Owners and Managers Association from noon-1:15 p.m. at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive. Luncheon cost: $10; call 466-4905 for reservations.
Wednesday - Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest presents a seminar on “Tips for Stress Management” from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 920 N. Washington. Cost: $49 for members, $75 for nonmembers; for information, call 326-6885.
Thursday - Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest presents a seminar on “Giving and Getting Reference Checks” from 8:30 a.m.-noon at 920 N. Washington. Cost: $99 for members, $149 for nonmembers; call 326-6885 for information.
Thursday - The Spokane Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction will host its 5th Annual Benefit Auction. Events include an auction with a variety of items for sale, entertainment by the Mead Middle School Choral Group and a collection of toys for Toys For Tots; 5:30 p.m.; $22 for dinner; guests are welcome. For information and reservations, call Dotty Parkhurst at 535-3531.
Thursday - The Hispanic Business and Professional Association will hold its monthly lunch meeting at Cavanaugh’s Fourth Avenue, 110 E. Fourth Ave., Spokane; visitors welcome; 891-0625.
Friday - John Wagner, chairman of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees and regional senior vice president of Seafirst Bank, will discuss the role and future of the chamber in the region at the Good Morning Spokane Area gathering at 7:15 a.m. at Cavanaughs Ridpath Hotel. Cost: $10 for members if prepaid by Wednesday, $15 after Wednesday; $15 for nonmembers if prepaid, $20 after. To register, call 459-4111.