Business Beat

New faces:

Ultrafit Wellness Centers has hired Camille Van Der Griend to serve as a liaison between Ultrafit and its corporate clients regarding employer assistance services and customized wellness programs. She has a background in occupational health and safety and formerly worked for Unitech Composites Inc. for 12 years. As Unitech’s director of health and safety, she managed workplace safety issues, worker’s compensation and loss control.

Michael Hines and Scott Webster have been named agents for the Country Companies insurance group. Both recently completed the company’s New Agent School and are assigned to an office at 1500 W. Fourth, Suite 501, in Spokane.

Hospice of Spokane has added the following people to its staff: Mary Ann Clute, care team social worker; Dyan Foster, financial services assistant; Kelly Jenkins, care team nurse; Barbara Lund, staff nurse; Adele Ogryzek, hospice nurse aide; Carole J. Peterson, staff nurse; and Julie Tice, payroll.

Moving up:

Hospice of Spokane has promoted Mary Sobek from director of social work to associate executive director. Sobek has been with the organization for 10 years.

Diane Hermanson has been promoted from social work caseworker to director of social work at Hospice of Spokane. She joined the hospice five years ago.

Transactions:

Bill Webb has purchased 40-year-old Glass Inc., 7403 E. Trent, and renamed it Exact Glass (and Mirror Magic). Webb has 25 years in the glass trade and was a journeyman glazier at Amsbury Glass for the last 10 years. Exact Glass is a full-service glass company.

New identity:

Commercial Credit, which has two offices in Spokane, plans to change its name to CitiFinancial on September 7. The new name reflects its affiliation with its parent company, Citigroup. CitiFinancial, which has nearly 1,200 offices nationwide, is a consumer finance company specializing in personal and home equity loans for consumers. Merri Kennedy manages the office at 33 E. Lincoln, Suite 202, while Richelle Brueher manages the office at 1427 N. Argonne.

Appointed:

Robert Crump, general manager of Kootenai Electric Cooperative, has been appointed to the Idaho Electrical Board by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. Crump’s term will run through July 2003. He will hold the “power provider” position, which was added as the ninth position on the board last year by the Idaho Legislature. Crump previously served on the governor’s ad-hoc Committee on Electrical Licensing Review and the Electrical Restructuring Subcommittee of the Governor’s Council on Hydroelectric and River Resources.

Certifications:

Sandy Bogdanski has passed the American Council on Exercise exam for certification as a clinical exercise specialist. Certification is reserved for professionals who are qualified to help individuals return to physical activity after receiving medical clearance following treatment for specific health problems.

Kudos:

Donald Smock, owner/broker of Windermere/Coeur d’Alene Realty Inc., has been named the 1999 Realtor of the Year by the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors. Smock, who began his real estate career in 1973, opened Invest West Business Brokers in 1979, Better Homes/Invest West Realty in 1982 and Better Homes/CDA Realty in 1986. He currently serves as a state director for the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors and was president of the organization in 1998.

Vern Clemenson, a financial adviser for Prudential Securities in Spokane, has received a Prudential Community Champions Rising Star Award. Clemenson is one of 795 Prudential employees and retirees recognized for their volunteer commitment, leadership and service. Clemenson’s award includes a $250 donation to the Washington School Board Educational Foundation, where he is a member of the board. The foundation is dedicated to promoting greater cooperation and understanding between board members and teachers.

Gonzaga University School of Engineering has been ranked as the 19th best undergraduate engineering school without a PhD program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. GU’s engineering program finished in the top 15 percent of the 132 engineering schools whose highest degree is the bachelor’s or master’s and who are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. To arrive at the rankings, U.S. News asked deans and senior faculty to rate the academic quality of peer institutions in their disciplines.

U.S. Bancorp has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 175 children of company employees, including these four from the Spokane area: Douglas Mansell, Cheney, son of Teresa Mansell, Montana State University; Thomas Mansell, Cheney, son of Teresa Mansell, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Sarah Menard, Spokane, daughter of David Menard, Olivet Nazarene University; and Courtney Wilcox, Harrington, daughter of Kathy Wilcox, Washington State University. Winners were chosen for their academic performance, extracurricular involvement and potential to succeed.

Patrick Kanaley of Spokane has been recognized as one of PepsiCo Inc.’s top salespeople. Kanaley, who is a national account sales manager for education at Pepsi-Cola North America, was inducted into the “President’s Ring of Honor.” The award is bestowed on “the best of the very best in our salesforce,” the company said.

Connie Psomas of Liberty Lake was awarded a free trip to Aruba as one of the top independent consultants for PartyLite Gifts Inc. Psomas joined the company, a leading direct sales marketer of candles and candle accessories, four years ago.

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 - Power Networking meets at 7 a.m. to exchange business leads and other business information. For information on location and topics, call 468-9695 or 467-2081.

Tuesday - Leads Club, a networking organization for business leads and referrals, meets at 12:15 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel on Sullivan at Mission. For information, call Beth Ann at 921-9581.

Wednesday - The Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors a public debate on I-695, commonly known as the license tab fee initiative, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Lair Student Center at Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene. Tim Eyman, representing the $30 License Tab Initiative, will speak in favor of the initiative, while Ken Dunham, representing the No on I-695 Committee, will deliver the opposition viewpoint. To request advance materials on the issue, call Lacey Martin at 459-4117 or e-mail lmartin@chamber.spokane.net.

Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a workshop on the “ABCs of Starting a Business” from 9 a.m.-noon on the second floor of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. Cost: $35; for information or to register, call 353-2820.

Thursday - Washington State University and the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce present their third annual research forum from 9 a.m.-noon in the auditorium at WSU Spokane’s Phase One Classroom Building, Riverpoint Higher Education Park. Admission is free and open to the public.

Thursday - The Lake City Women’s Chapter of Leads Club meets from noon-1:15 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Inn, 414 W. Appleway in Coeur d’Alene. For information or reservations, call Karen Welts at (208) 667-5606.

Conventions:

Monday through Saturday - 57th Bomb Wing Association, Cavanaughs Inn at the Park.