Business Beat

NEW FACES:

Hayden, Idaho-based Kootenai Electric Cooperative has hired Gary A. Nieborsky as operations manager. Nieborsky, a professional engineer, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cooperative’s electric distribution system. For the past 15 years, he worked for the Grant County Public Utility District in Ephrata, Wash. He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Washington State University.

Annette Morin has been appointed an art director at WhiteRunkle Associates. Morin, a veteran of 17 years in the advertising industry, has worked for Foote, Cone & Belding Direct, McCann Erickson Direct and Cole & Weber, among others. Her experience includes work with business clients ranging from computer software to financial companies, including Citibank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Charles Schwab Discount Brokerage, Visa International, Memorex and the Singapore Bureau of Tourism. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art at the University of San Francisco/Academy of Art College.

Donald “Chad” Johnson has joined Fulcrum Environmental Consulting Inc. as a staff geologist. A professional geologist with nine years of experience, Johnson will focus on geotechnical investigations, phase I and II investigations, feasibility studies, hazardous materials surveys and remedial project design.

Farm Credit Services has hired Arlen Fletcher as an information security manager in its Information Services Department. He will be responsible for all aspects of information systems security, including the development, implementation and monitoring of security guidelines and procedures. Fletcher previously worked for PACCAR in Seattle for 18 years, most recently as information security manager.

Dr. Eric S. Schuermer has joined Lincoln Heights Dental Center PS, 2656 E. 29th, as a full-time dental care associate. Schuermer recently retired from Fairchild Air Force Base after 21 years of service. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and received his dental degree from the University of Louisville.

North American Mortgage Co. has named Karen Jo Henson as mortgage loan officer to cover the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane areas. Henson, who has been a Coeur d’Alene resident for nearly four years, received a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications from California State University at Stanislaus.

MOVING UP:

Trista Mangini has been promoted to accountant-profitability at Farm Credit Services. Her areas of responsibility include performance measurement, profitability reporting and financial reporting. Mangini, who joined Farm Credit Services in 1996 as an accounting intern, most recently was an accountant-management information. She is a 1998 graduate of Eastern Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in professional accountancy.

Metal Sales Manufacturing Corp. has named George Emmett as vice president, Western Region. He will oversee sales and marketing for six manufacturing branches. Emmett has been with the company for 15 years, most recently as general manager of the Spokane Branch.

MOVING ON:

John Schleede, dean of the Eastern Washington University College of Business and Public Administration, has been named dean of the College of Business Administration at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich. He will assume his new post July 1, exactly two years after joining EWU from Central Michigan University. He spent 18 years at the Michigan school, serving as associate dean, department chair and professor of marketing. EWU expects to name an interim dean in June.

ELECTED:

The Land Surveyor’s Association of Washington has elected Walter O. Dale, a Spokane-area surveyor, as the state president for the association.

The Inland Empire Chapter of the Land Surveyor’s Association of Washington has elected the following officers for 1999: President, Ramon Welborn, city of Spokane; vice president, Chris Lampe, Wyatt Engineers; secretary, Scott A. Dale, James F. Benthin and Associates; and treasurer, Todd J. Pocock, Simpson Engineers.

The Spokane Club has elected the following officers for 1999/2000: President, Gary Lawton, Lawton Printing; vice president, Hap Gotzian, Spokane Packaging; secretary, Craig Lee, Coffman Engineering; treasurer, Jim Gyarfas, State Farm Insurance; and president-elect, Tom Culbertson, Lukins & Annis.

Lori Efigenio, an adjunct English instructor at Spokane Falls Community College, has been elected presidentelect of the Washington Association of Developmental Education for 1999-2000. Spokane Community College reading instructor Melodye Wiens begins a second term as the organization’s president.

KUDOS:

The Washington State Dietetic Association has honored the following members of the Greater Spokane Dietetic Association:

Paula Brown, an adjunct health science instructor at Spokane Community College, was recognized as “Dietetic Technician of the Year.” Following a career as a home economics teacher and as a small business owner, Brown returned to school to pursue a career in dietetics. Brown, who also was honored as WSDA’s “Outstanding Student of the Year” in 1997, continues to operate her own business, which produces dry mixes for the gourmet food market.

Sandi Laney received the Community Practice Award for Excellence. For the past eight years, Laney has been a dietitian for the Spokane Regional Health District’s Children with Special Health Care Needs Program. She initiated and has continued to be the facilitator of the Spokane Pediatric Nutrition Group and is active in the newly formed Washington State Pediatric Practice Group.

Annie Frederick, a 1989 graduate of Central Washington University, was named “Young Dietitian of the Year.” She worked as a clinical dietitian at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital in Spokane from 1990-1993 and currently is a nutrition support dietitian for Home Medical of America. She also consults for Hospice of Spokane and for Newport Community Hospital.

Teresa Massey, a Spokane Falls Community College reading instructor, has been awarded the Washington State College Reading and Learning Association’s Outstanding Educator Award for 1999. Massey, who is the primary leader in developmental education at SFCC, has served as secretary, president-elect and president of the association.

William H. Funk, a Washington State University civil engineering professor and director of the Washington State Water Research Center, has been honored by the United States Geological Survey with an Individual Distinguished Service Award. Funk, who retires in June, was cited for helping to integrate universities’ water research programs into the USGS’s external water research program. One of the major accomplishments of his 33-year career was the restoration of Liberty Lake in the Spokane Valley. He also has had a hand in restoration of 30-some other watershed-lake systems, including lakes Coeur d’Alene, Roosevelt and Newman.

Linda Benthien, Spokane Community College work study placement coordinator, has been named Student Employment Administrator of the Year by the Washington State Association of Student Employment Administrators. It is only the third time that the award has been presented by the organization.

A team of Spokane firms has been honored for its work on a computer-based touchscreen kiosk produced for the Grant County Public Utility District. The kiosk received the National Hydropower Association’s highest honor, the Excellence in Public Education award. Team members included: Pyramis Productions, project manager; Herriman/Adair Interactive, producer; Klundt & Hosmer Design Associates, graphic design; Larry Ellingson Studios, sound design; and KLM Co., programming and additional graphics.The kiosk, which also won an Addy award from the Spokane Ad Federation, is installed at the Wanapum and Priest Rapids hydroelectric projects.

The Washington Educational Research Association has presented a Product Award to Joe Kinney and the Spokane Public Schools. The award is presented for outstanding professional products related to educational research and assessment. Kinney, coordinator of program testing and evaluation for Spokane Public Schools, received the award for his production of “Focus Teacher Meeting: Information Packet of Assessment Results.”

EVENTS:

Tuesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Tax Issues for Construction” 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.

Tuesday - The Valley Chapter of Leads Club meets for lunch at 12:15 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel on Sullivan at Mission. For more 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 on location and topics, call 468-9695 or 467-2081.

Tuesday 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.

Wednesday - 1999 Agora Award winners Stacy and Gene Baker of Northwest Society of Marketing Dynamics, will discuss “Marketing Your Small Business: Adventures in Consulting” during a meeting of the Inland Northwest Society of Consulting Professionals at 7:15 a.m. at the Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside. Public welcome; for reservations, call 742-8868.

Wednesday - Ron G. Crane, Idaho state treasurer, will hold informational seminars in Sandpoint and Post Falls on a new Prime-Rate Loan Program, effective July 1, which is offered to all Idaho small businesses. A meeting for banks only is scheduled at 9 a.m. at the Bonner Business Center, 804 Airport Way, in Sandpoint. A meeting for the public follows at 10 a.m. Meetings are scheduled at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, 525 W. Clearwater Loop in Post Falls.

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: $20; for information, call 353-2820.

Wednesday - Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest presents a class on “Using Principles of Motivation.” Call 326-6885 for times and costs.

June 7 - CareerTrack Inc. presents a one-day seminar on “Criticism & Discipline Skills for Managers” at Cavanaughs River Inn, 700 N. Division. Cost: $149; for information or to register, call (800) 334-6780.

June 7 through 29 - The Training and Education Coordinating Center presents a course on “New Directions Career Planning” from 1-5 p.m. each Monday through Wednesday at the Business Training and Applied Technology Center, 3939 N. Freya. Cost: $221.32; call 533-4728 or 533-4700 for information.

CONVENTIONS:

Tuesday through Saturday - National District Attorneys Association, American Prosecutors Research Institute, Cavanaughs Ridpath Hotel.

Thursday through June 6 - Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation International Leadership Seminar, Gonzaga University.

Friday through June 6 - Spokane Dixieland Jazz Festival, citywide.

Friday through June 6 - Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cavanaughs Inn at the Park.