Business Beat

NEW FACES:

Nancy DeStefano has joined The Clark Co., an advertising and public relations agency, as general manager. DeStefano, a graduate of Eastern Washington University, previously worked for another Spokane public relations firm.

National Seed Co., a division of Jacklin Seed, has appointed Dan Biddick as its sales representative for Wisconsin and Minnesota. Biddick, who has extensive experience in the seed industry, previously worked for Trelay Inc. in Wisconsin for more than 20 years. He will focus on working with selected sod farms in Minnesota, as well as with various seed markets in Wisconsin.

Toni C. Habegger has been named associate vice president and chief financial officer for Eastern Washington University. Habegger previously was audit manager for the Washington State Auditor’s Office covering Pullman and Spokane, and including EWU. Earlier, she was controller of Chastains Inc. in Clarkston, Wash., and assistant state auditor at offices in Lynnwood and Pullman. Habegger, who earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Washington University, will assume her position at Eastern in mid-May.

MOVING UP:

Kris Van Patter has been promoted to drafting department manager at Coffman Engineers. Van Patter joined Coffman 12 years ago and previously was a structural engineer. His projects have included the NorthTown Mall expansion, the Deaconess Medical Center Treatment and Education Center and Gonzaga University’s Jundt Art Center.

The Spokane Home Builders Association has promoted Suzanne R. Knapp to executive officer. Knapp was the organization’s government affairs director for more than three years. She has a strong background in the building and development industry as well as in business.

GMAC Mortgage Corp., a subsidiary of General Motors Acceptance Corp., has named Marco J. Begovich of Spokane as senior vice president and manager of the division encompassing 19 Western states. Begovich has been with GMAC since 1997 and has more than 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry. He will be responsible for overseeing new business opportunities, creating strategies to build market share in the mortgage industry and managing that growth through retail sales offices.

Curt Altig has been named regional vice president of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington for GMAC Mortgage Corp. Altig, a Spokane resident who joined the company in 1997, has more than seven years of experience in the mortgage industry. He previously was a territory manager for Eastern Washington and Idaho. Altig earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington.

STARTING UP:

Salomon Smith Barney Inc. plans to open an investment center in FirstBank Northwest’s branch at 921 F Street in downtown Lewiston. The new center will market securities, mutual funds and other noninsured investment products. The center is expected to be operational by July 1.

CERTIFICATIONS:

The following members of the Spokane Chapter of Northwest Human Resource Management Association have been certified as senior professional human resources: George Brown, Columbia Lighting; Jodee Thompson, Safeway; and Tim Hansen, Spokane County.

The following members of the Spokane Chapter of Northwest Human Resource Management Association have earned certification as professional human resources: Chris Benenson, Associated Industries; Marilyn Hunt, N.I.HR Association; Maile McFarland, Cavanaughs Hospitality; Michelle Mors, Volt Services Group; Tilena Nelson, student; Teresa Venne, Wang Global; Valerie Fields, Interim Personnel; Colleen Krajack, Transtector; Carol McVicker, Spokane County; Curt Nead, Garco Building Systems; Amber O’Brien, Interim Personnel; and Allison Walsh, Johnson Matthey.

Shelley L. Lee and Jan Keifer, registered nurses who work at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane, have successfully completed the National Orthopedic Nurses Certification and been designated orthopedic nurse certified. Candidates must hold a current, unrestricted license as a registered nurse, have two years of experience practicing as an RN and have at least 1,000 hours of work experience as an RN in orthopedic nursing practice in the past three years.

KUDOS:

The Hampton Inn Spokane has been ranked in the top 5 percent of Hampton Inns nationwide. The 7-year-old Spokane property is part of a chain of more than 700 hotels. Hampton Inn Spokane is managed by Vandervert Developments LLC-Hotel Division.

Char Stejer-Schiene of Spokane is among 25 loan officers named to Continental Savings Bank’s President’s Club for reaching outstanding production totals during 1998. President’s Club members are the highest producing loan officers in Continental’s Residential Lending division. Each originated more than $15 million in residential loans and/or closed 120 loans last year.

The Exchange Club of Downtown Spokane has been named “Service Club of the Year” by Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. The club was honored for consistently donating several thousand dollars per year to Vanessa Behan, as well as contributing volunteer time.