Business Beat
NEW FACES:
Jeff Kavadias has been named corporate controller of WindStar Group Inc. He will oversee all aspects of WindStar’s financial, accounting and lease operations. Kavadias, who earned both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s of accountancy from Gonzaga University, is an expert in tax and taxation.
United Way of Kootenai County has appointed Elaine Carver as executive director, effective Monday. Carver most recently worked for the Girl Scouts. She earlier was director of the Post Falls Arts Council.
MOVING UP:
Avista Corp. has named Anne Marie Axworthy as director of corporate communications. Her responsibilities include media relations, brand positioning and management, community relations and corporate contributions, investor communications and employee communications. Axworthy, who joined Avista (formerly Washington Water Power) in 1979, has held various supervisory and managerial roles, including manager of customer services, marketing and sales for Avista Utilities, manager of communications and community development for Avista Utilities and Spokane area manager. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University in 1976.
Four senior administrators at Community Colleges of Spokane have been designated as vice chancellors, with increased responsibilities, as part of a reorganization of the CCS district administration office. The new vice chancellors assumed the duties of district Vice President Don Kolb, who recently retired:
Tay Conrad was named vice chancellor for business and finance, responsible for budgeting, purchasing, facilities and district management information system, among other duties.
Geoff Eng became vice chancellor for general administrative services, overseeing district athletics, telecommunications services, contract administration and other duties.
Linda McDermott, who is the new vice chancellor for human resources (interim), will oversee recruitment, employment, training, affirmative action and safety/ environmental issues.
Jennifer Roseman was named vice chancellor for institutional advancement, responsible for public relations, publications, marketing, research, student outreach and development.
Michael J. Luciano has been elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer of MPM Technologies Inc. Luciano had previously been executive vice president responsible for corporate operations and lead negotiator in numerous acquisition and joint venture agreements involving MPM subsidiaries Huntington Environmental Systems Inc. and AirPol Inc.
Glen Hjort has been elected chief financial officer of MPM Technologies. Hjort, a certified public accountant, has been a company director since 1998 responsible for coordinating company accounting. He has several years of experience in accounting, corporate finance and auditing for domestic and foreign corporations.
MOVING ON:
Charles A. Romberg has resigned as president of MPM Technologies Inc. Romberg, who had been president since 1990, will continue as a consultant for the company, specifically involved in acquisitions, mergers and finance.
APPOINTED:
Robert Ketchum, North Idaho College’s assistant vice president for instruction for Workforce Training and Community Education, has been chosen as an at-large member for the National Council for Occupational Education board of directors. Ketchum was appointed to a one-year term on the board, which includes 15 regional representatives and eight at-large members. The council works to shape the future of community and technical colleges in economic and work force development.
Mary Jane Patterson of Seattle has been appointed vice president of the Gonzaga University Board of Regents. She replaces Pauline Love, also of Seattle, who was elected to the university’s board of trustees in February. A regent since 1994, Patterson is vice president of G.W. Capital Inc., Bellevue. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Gonzaga in 1969.
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 Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce’s new “MVP” Membership Value Program will be discussed during a breakfast meeting at 7 a.m. at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Cost: $8.
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.
Tuesday - Power Networking meets at 7 a.m. to exchange business leads and other business information. For information about location and topics, call 468-9695 or 467-2081.
Wednesday - Northwest Inland Empire APICS tours the R.A. Pearson Co. at 1 p.m. at 8120 Sunset Highway. To register, send a fax to Debra Benson at 459-5254 by Monday.
Wednesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a class on the “Top 20 Home-based Business Ideas” 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.
Wednesday - Leake & Associates and TLC Assessments present a free briefing on “Developing Leaders: 360 Reality Check” from 9-11 a.m. at the Hutton Building, 9 S. Washington. For reservations, call 458-5521 or 443-6122.
Wednesday - Productivity Point International presents a free seminar on “Current and Emerging Technologies for Developers” from 6-7:30 p.m. To register, call 455-5054 or e-mail cbagdon@propoint.com.
Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a workshop on “Preparing a Business Plan” from 8 a.m.-noon on the second floor of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. Cost: $35; for more information, call 353-2820.
Thursday - Bev Johnk will speak on “Creative Thinking” during a meeting of the American Society for Training and Development from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cavanaughs River Inn, 700 N. Division. An optional workshop follows from 1:15-4:15. Call 625-3843 to register or for more information.
Thursday - The Small Business Development Center presents a “Small Business Tax Seminar” from 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $20; call 358-7890 for information or to register.
Thursday - The Inland Empire Council of Camp Fire Boys and Girls presents its Fifth Annual Theatre Benefit at 7 p.m. at North Idaho College’s Boswell Hall Auditorium in Coeur d’Alene. Cost: $15; for reservations, call 747-6191 or (800) 386-2324.
Thursday - The Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce presents “Business After Hours” from 5:15-7 p.m. at Yogi Bear’s Camp-Resort on Thomas Mallen Road west of Spokane. Cost: $5; for reservations, call 459-4111.
Friday - The Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce tours Jacklin Seed, 5300 Riverbend in Post Falls, from 1-3 p.m. For reservations, call (208) 664-3194 by Monday.
Friday and Saturday - United Way of Spokane County sponsors its sixth annual Day of Caring to promote volunteerism. Volunteers from 26 companies will participate in hands-on projects ranging from food sorting to structural repairs and parking area resurfacing. For more information, call 624-2279 or call up http:/ /www.unitedwayspokane.org.
CONVENTIONS:
Today through July 14 - American Association of Airport Executives, DoubleTree City Center.
Tuesday through Saturday Astronomical League, citywide.
Wednesday through Saturday Northwest Grotto Association, Cavanaughs River Inn.
Wednesday through July 18 - 3rd Marine Division Association, DoubleTree City Center.
Wednesday through July 20 National Society of Professional Engineers, Cavanaughs Inn at the Park.
Friday and Saturday - Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Courtyard by Marriott.
Saturday through July 23 - Institute of Ministry, Whitworth College.