Business Beat

New faces:

The law firm of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP has added two attorneys to its Spokane office:

J. Christopher Lynch joined the office as a partner. Lynch, who received his law degree from the University of Washington School of Law, is a licensed attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and a member of the adjunct faculty at Gonzaga University’s School of Law. His practice focuses on intellectual property issues.

Theresa L. LaLone joined Preston Gates & Ellis as an associate. A graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law, she recently clerked for Chief Judge Dennis J. Sweeney of the Washington State Court of Appeals. She also has practiced as an associate at another Spokane law firm. Her practice will focus on commercial, environmental, employment, real property and contract litigation.

The following people have joined the staff of Holy Family Hospital:

Thomas J. Martin was named vice president. Martin, who was chief executive officer at Lincoln Hospital in Davenport for 11 years, most recently was executive director of Inland Northwest Health Services. Martin earned a master’s degree in business administration from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in health services administration from Whitworth College.

Marna S. Bateman joined Holy Family as director of oncology/medical. She previously was director of North Idaho Cancer Center/Oncology Services and owner of HealthCare Consulting in Fort Smith, Ark. Bateman also developed and directed Camp Rainbow, a camp for kids with cancer. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Langston University, Tulsa, Okla., and a master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas.

The following physicians have joined the medical staff at Holy Family Hospital:

Dr. Michael J. Olds received his medical degree in 1989 from the University of Washington. He completed an internship and residency at the State University of New York, and a fellowship at the Florida Ear and Sinus Center. Olds, who is board certified in otolaryngology, has joined the Spokane ENT Clinic at 5901 N. Mayfair, Suite 101.

Dr. Paul C. Horn is a 1992 graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, N.Y., and a fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery in Pittsburgh, Pa. Horn has joined Northwest Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic in the practice of orthopaedic surgery.

Recent additions to the staff of CXT Inc. include:

Randall Jones, who was named information systems manager. Jones, who previously worked for Medical Service Corp. and Output Technology Corp., has more than 10 years of experience in the development, installation and maintenance of intranet, Internet and management information systems and networking. He is responsible for all aspects of CXT’s computer system and Web site.

Yvonne Smith joined CXT as corporate communications coordinator. Smith, who has more than 12 years of experience in marketing and public relations in high-tech and nonprofit sectors, will oversee the development of corporate marketing materials and programs.

Harley Medeiros was named logistics coordinator. He has more than 29 years of experience in all aspects of the shipping and trucking business. His responsibilities include all shipping and logistics for the Precast Products Division.

Cyndy Sweitzer joined the company as an administrative assistant. Sweitzer, who has more than 10 years of experience as an office administrator, will provide administrative support to the Precast Products Division.

Rob Walker was named a design engineer. Walker has eight years of engineering experience in material, mining and hazardous waste removal equipment with both R.A. Hanson Co. and Global Equipment.

Cassie D. Fiedler has joined the staff of Sandpoint-based Pend Oreille Bank as chief credit officer. She will oversee all credit functions, including commercial, consumer and mortgage loan origination, product pricing and analysis. Fiedler is a former senior vice president and credit director for Bank United of Texas FBS and vice president and regional loan officer for Union Bank in San Diego, Calif.

The following people have joined McFarland & Alton PS:

Cindy Benson joined the Audit Department as an assistant accountant for the Healthcare and Banking Services Groups. A 1997 graduate of Gonzaga University and certified public accountant, she spent the past year studying in Florence, Italy.

Judy Lundgren was named a senior accountant in the firm’s Tax Department. She previously was a staff accountant at Richards, Johnson & Granberry in Fairbanks, Alaska. A graduate of Montana State University, Lundgren also is certified in Montana and Alaska.

Moving up:

Marcy M. Sorensen has been promoted to private banking officer at Sterling Savings Bank’s downtown Spokane office. Sorensen joined Sterling in March 1997 as a personal banker at the bank’s Manito office. She moved to Sterling’s Private Banking office in August. Before joining Sterling, she was a personal banking officer in U.S. Bank’s Redmond office. Sorensen, who has more than 13 years of experience in the financial services industry, also held a similar position with Security Pacific Bank.

McFarland and Alton P.S. has promoted the following employees:

Diane Betts, Mike Combo, Georgia Dunham and Kelli Franco have been promoted from senior accountants to managers.

Clay Sturgis has been promoted to consulting manager. He was formerly a senior accountant.

Jennifer Vasconcellos was promoted from supervisor to manager.

The following CPAs were promoted from staff accountant to senior accountant: Joe Gamon, April Humphrey, Janice Payne, Tami Reathaford, Karen Rowland and Jason Tellinghusen.

Greg Amend, Tricia Cloke, Chad Conklin, Carrie Kennedy, Scott Leap, Carolyn Lineback and Lisa White all were promoted from assistant accountants to staff accountants.

Jeri Self-Meritt, an attorney as well as a CPA, was promoted from senior manager to principal in the Tax Department.

Susan Moore was named department manager of the Retirement Plan Consulting Group, while Scott Sevigny was promoted to senior in the Retirement Consulting Group.

Elected:

Kim Impecoven, a partner in Blasingame Insurance in Spokane, has been installed as president and chairman of the board of directors of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington. Impecoven served as chair of the association’s executive committee and strategic planning committee during the past year. Other officers include Davidson Wood, president-elect, owner of Spencer Kinney Insurance in Richland; and Jim Gibbons of Conover Insurance in Yakima, secretary-treasurer.

Officers of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Spokane for 1998-99 include: Ken Johansson, Andre-Romberg Insurance, president; Rich Merritt, Jones & Mitchell Insurance, president-elect; and Dave Gregory, Dave Gregory Insurance, vice president.

Peter S. Lineberger, a 1976 graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law, has been elected to the Washington State Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee. The committee formulates continuing legal education programs, policy initiatives and legislative proposals for professionals involved in family law issues.

Kudos:

Kootenai Electric Cooperative (KEC) has been recognized as a 1998 Excellence in Communication winner by the Northwest Public Power Association. KEC received awards for best employee newsletter, best annual report and best Internet home page, all of which were produced and coordinated by Catherine Parochetti, KEC communications specialist.

Spokane Public Library’s 1996 annual report has won a “Best of Show” award from the American Library Association. The library also received an honorable mention for its 1997 summer reading program brochure and materials.

Vern M. Clemenson, a financial adviser and Quantum portfolio manager at Prudential Securities Inc., has received a Prudential Community Champions Rising Star Award of $250 for the Washington State School Board Directors Educational Foundation. Clemenson was one of 636 Prudential employees and retirees honored for their volunteer work.

Potlatch Corp. has received the “Golden Apple Wellness Award” for lowering its health care costs by $2 million since 1995 by establishing an employee “wellness program.” The award recognizes Potlatch’s preventative health care program, which includes employee health screening, exercise and nutrition programs and immunization.

Glenn Bancroft, a journeyman electrician at Aztech Electric Inc. and 1998 graduate of the NECA-IBEW LU73 electrical apprenticeship program, placed third in the 35th annual Northwest States Electrical Contest. Contestants from programs in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Utah and California were entered in the competition. They were judged on conduit bending, motor controls, material identification, electrical theory exam, National Electrical Code and residential wiring.

Mary Sloan, a server at Patsy Clark’s Mansion for 14 years, has been honored by the Washington Restaurant Association for exemplary professional contributions. Sloan was selected as the 1998 “front of the house” employee of the year based on her comprehensive approach to guest services.

Events:

Monday through Wednesday - 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 - Gonzaga University presents an information session on its master of arts in organizational leadership program at 7 p.m. in Room 204 of Gonzaga’s Administration Building. For information, call Neva Bishop at 323-6645 or e-mail bishop@gu.gonzaga.edu.

Nov. 30 - U.S. Bank presents a free seminar on home buying from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the West Central Neighborhood Center, 1603 N. Belt. For information or to register, call Keith Humphreys at 353-5100.

Nov. 30 - The Small Business Development Center presents a “Pre-Business Workshop” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $25, including a “business resource kit”; for information or to register, call 358-7890.