Business Beat
NEW FACES:
US West Communications has named Nancy Goodspeed as local markets manager for Montana. She will have statewide marketing responsibilities, as well as community affairs duties in Billings. A former anchor and reporter for KHQ-TV, Goodspeed most recently was public relations manager for Packet Engines.
Kelli Hawkins has been hired as marketing coordinator for Silverwood Theme Park. She will oversee marketing research, media relations, event coordination and assist in public relations. Hawkins received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State University. She previously worked for the Coeur d’Alene-Post Falls Convention and Visitor Bureau, where she was communications director for three years.
Desire’e Newsom a licensed professional counselor, has joined Coeur d’Alene-based Idaho Trust Co. to assist clients in their understanding of wealth and its implications. She helps clients define their personal, family and lifestyle goals and integrate those goals into investment objectives.
Robert Simpson has been named vice president and senior trust officer of Idaho Trust Co. Simpson, who has 19 years of banking and trust experience, is a graduate of Washington State University. He previously was vice president and manager of trust sales for Seafirst Bank.
Moneytalk 1230 KSBN Radio has named Roger Reser as sales manager. A former teacher with Spokane School District 81, he recently retired from a 30-year career with World Book Educational Products. Reser, who regularly conducts interactive sales seminars in Spokane, has 35 years of experience in sales psychology, communication and corporate effectiveness.
Kenneth Puckett has been appointed executive director of the Eastern Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Puckett earned a master’s degree in career and human resources development from Rochester Institute of Technology through the National Institute for the Deaf. He previously was state coordinator of deaf services with the Kentucky state Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
MOVING UP:
Coeur d’Alene-based Idaho Trust Co. has promoted the following executives:
Daniel Prohaska was named chairman and chief executive officer of the locally owned, privately held independent trust company. Prohaska, who previously was president, also was recently appointed as a director of the Association of Independent Trust Companies, a trade group that represents more than 70 independent trust companies nationwide.
Thomas Prohaska was promoted from chief operating officer to president of the company. He has 15 years of experience in developing wealth creation and preservation strategies for clients.
Western United Life Assurance has promoted the following employees:
Dave Luhn was named vice president-controller. Luhn, who oversees the statutory accounting functions for Western United, has been with Metropolitan Mortgage and Security Cos. Inc. and Western United for 14 years. Prior to being appointed Western’s controller, Luhn oversaw the investment accounting for all insurance operations.
Linda Mason was named vice president of administration. She is responsible for the administrative, management and compliance functions for the underwriting, policyholder service, insurance I.S. testing and premium accounting departments. She has been with Western for more than 14 years.
Bill Zehner was promoted to vice president-corporate actuary. He is responsible for the pricing of new products, financial modeling and cash flow testing. Zehner, who has more than 20 years of experience, has been with Western for about two years
Clifton W. Morey, a professional engineer, has been promoted from principal/project manager to principal/ regional manager of the Spokane office of Thomas, Dean & Hoskins Inc., an engineering consultant firm specializing in civil and structural engineering.
STARTING UP:
Justin Norlander has formed Norlander Custom Home Design, a home-based architectural drafting service. Norlander, who is certified by the American Design Drafting Association, is working with developers on projects in Spirit Lake, Rathdrum, Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and the Silver Valley.
Global Credit Union has opened full-service branches at 3160 Seltice Way in Post Falls and in the Sherman IGA supermarket at 1211 Sherman. Spokane-based Global now has 12 branch locations in Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Italy.
Julie Dearman has opened Julie Button’s Antiques and Collectibles at 2907 N. Monroe.
EVENTS:
Monday - The Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Employee Retention” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $35; call 358-7890 for information or to register.
Monday - The Small Business Development center presents an “Introduction to Construction Bidding” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $35; call 358-7890 for information or to register.
Monday - The Training and Education Coordinating Center presents a Zenger Miller Frontline Leadership class on “Resolving Team Conflict” from 6-9 p.m. at the Business Training and Applied Technology Center, 3939 N. Freya. Cost: $70; call 533-4700 for information.
Tuesday - David Buxton, director of Regional Information Services, and Jim Pace, business reference librarian for the Spokane Public Library, will discuss “Knowledge Management” during a meeting of the Inland Northwest Chapter of the Washington Software Alliance from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. Cost: $20 for alliance members, $25 for nonmembers; for information or reservations, call Kathy Campbell at 324-7938.
Tuesday - Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest presents a class on “Designing a Cutting-Edge Hiring System” from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Cavanaughs Templin’s Resort in Post Falls. Cost: $104 for members, $159 for nonmembers; for information, call 326-6885.
Tuesday - The Spokane Public Library presents a free beginning Internet class at 7 p.m. at the Indian Trail Branch Library, 4909 W. Barnes. Call 444-5395 for more information.
Tuesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Determining the Feasibility of a Business Idea” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $50; for information, call 358-7890.
Tuesday and Thursday - The Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Covering Your Bases/Small Business Management” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $45; call 358-7890 for information or to register.
Wednesday - Vicki Countryman, recruiting and marketing manager for American Express Financial Advisors Inc., will speak on “Living on a Shoestring Budget - How to Make Your Financial Aid and Paychecks go Further” during a talk presented by SCC’s Single Parent Program from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the SCC Lair Littlefoot Rooms A&B. Free; for information, call Shannon Stegman at 533-7030.
Wednesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a workshop on “Managing Your Energy Resources/Managing Your Dollars” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $20; call 358-7890 for information or to register.
Wednesday The Idaho Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Developing a Customer Service Program and Evaluation Program” from 6-9 p.m. at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, 525 W. Clearwater Loop in Post Falls. Cost: $18; for information, call (208) 769-7863.
Wednesday - Steve Nelson, facilities manager for Avista Utilities, presents a progress report on Avista 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 - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a workshop on “Effective Marketing to Increase Sales” from 8 a.m.-noon on the second floor of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. Cost: $35; for information, call 353-2820.
Wednesday - The Training and Education Coordinating Center presents a Zenger Miller Frontline Leadership class on “Winning Support from Others” from 6-9 p.m. at the Business Training and Applied Technology Center, 3939 N. Freya. Cost: $70; call 533-4700 for information.
Thursday - G. Rex Frazier, president and chief operating officer of JP Realty, and Kriss Sjoblom of the Washington Research Council will be the featured speakers for the 12th Annual Real Estate Market Forum from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ag Trade Center. Cost: $45, including lunch; to register, call 326-9222.
Thursday - Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest presents a sales roundtable on “Managing Excellent Salespeople Who Have Bad Relationships with their Co-workers” from 8-10 a.m. at 910 N. Washington. Cost: $15 for members, $22 for nonmembers; for information, call 326-6885.
Thursday - The Idaho Small Business Development Center presents an Employers Tax Workshop from 6-9 p.m. at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, 525 W. Clearwater Loop in Post Falls. Cost: $39; for information, call (208) 769-7863.
Friday - Washington State University at Spokane presents a free “Lunchtime Learning” talk by Hal Rumsey, associate professor of engineering management, on “Dilbert Was Right: Constraints Management” from noon-1 p.m. in Room B111 of WSU’s downtown location in the Metropolitan Financial Center, 601 W. First. For information, call 358-7500.
Friday - Leadership Spokane presents a one-hour briefing for candidates for its class of 2000 at 7:30 a.m. at the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. Call Kareem at 459-4116 for an application or briefing information.
Friday - Lori Carson, executive director of the Riverside, Calif., County Department of Community Action, will be the keynote speaker at the Second Annual Spokane Area Women’s Leadership Conference from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Spokane Community College Lair-Student Center, Building 6, 1810 N. Greene. Cost: $15, including lunch; students can attend workshops free, but there is a $6 charge for the lunch buffet. For information, call Beverly Walker-Griffea at 533-7030.
March 4 - Salomon Smith Barney equity research strategist Patrick Natale will be the featured speaker at a free public seminar on “Top Picks for ‘99” at 6:45 p.m. at the Jundt Art Center Lecture Hall on the Gonzaga University campus. For reservations, call (800) 521-0509 by March 2.