Business Beat
New faces:
Janet E. Watson has been named vice president and general manager of Spokane-based Partners in Travel and its parent company, International Travel Spectrum Inc., which provides group, corporate and individual travel services. Watson previously was clerk of the Spokane Transit Authority.
Kevin Wright has been named a property and casualty specialist with MetLife Auto & Home, a subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Wright, who completed the firm’s Risk Management School in Dayton, Ohio, will sell and service personal lines insurance products. He is assigned to the sales office at 10103 N. Division.
Moving up:
Regence BlueShield of Idaho has appointed Dave Self assistant vice president of sales. He will be responsible for the daily operation of the Lewiston-based insurer’s sales and marketing division. In addition, as a member of The Regence Group’s Idaho and Utah management team, he will help develop sales strategies for both states. Self joined Regence BlueShield of Idaho in 1989 and has served as manager of special and national accounts and district marketing executive.
Washington Trust Bank has promoted the following employees:
Janeen Van Slyke was named director of operations. She will oversee the bank’s deposit support and loan servicing areas. Van Slyke, a vice president who previously managed deposit support, has worked for Washington Trust for 24 years.
Howard Imhof was promoted to director of information systems. Previously manager of information services, Imhof now will oversee item processing and information systems. Imhof is a vice president who joined the bank in 1997.
Bette Zerba has been named president and CEO of Virtual Web Research & Marketing LLC. She will continue in her post as research projects supervisor, and as chief research analyst for the company. Prior to joining Virtual Web, Zerba was a senior research analyst with SeaFirst Bank, Washington Water Power, Washington Energy and KXLY Research.
Virtual Web Research & Marketing also named Douglas Hurd as vice president, marketing. He will be responsible for new business development as well as developing new products to help companies evaluate the integration and marketing effectiveness of their Web sites. Hurd previously was a writer and account supervisor with WhiteRunkle Associates, a Spokane advertising agency, and president of Douglas Hurd Marketing and Communications.
New identity:
Aurora Development Group Inc. has changed its name to Aurora Consulting Group Inc. to reflect an expansion beyond core Internet technology development services. The company will continue providing Internet development technology services, but will also provide expertise in the areas of intranets, extranets, establishing secure Web environments and how to get into the world of e-commerce. The company has grown from four employees when founded in July 1997 to 11 now and expects to reach 30 by the end of 2000.
Transactions:
The Rusnak family has become the sole proprietor of B & B Distributors Inc. by purchasing a 50-percent share from Donald S. O’Sullivan, a Canadian businessman. The amount of the transaction, financed by Washington Trust Bank, was not disclosed. Ted Rusnak, president of B & B, has served as managing partner since acquiring the business with O’Sullivan in 1980. Rusnak’s daughter Christine L. Rusnak, a Seattle speech pathologist, and son Peter W. Rusnak, a B & B employee, are participants in the venture. B & B distributes Anheuser-Busch products, including Budweiser and Bud Light, Coors brands and imports including Labatts and Kokanee.
Kudos:
John Washburn of Fidelity Associates Insurance & Financial Services in Spokane has received an Award of Excellence from Safeco. The award honors a select group of agents who have distinguished themselves in their professionalism, knowledge of insurance and customer satisfaction. Fewer than 6 percent of Safeco’s agents qualify for the award.
Jerry Mason, a Coeur d’Alene lawyer, is the 1999 recipient of the Dr. James B. Weatherby Award given by the Idaho City Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officers Association. The award honors people who have served the clerks, treasurers and finance officers in their pursuit of excellence, effectiveness and efficiency in municipal government. Mason, who provides training at many workshops and seminars sponsored by the Association of Idaho Cities, was recognized for his integrity, dedication and professionalism.
Dr. Bruce E. Becker, medical director at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, was named Aquatic Therapy Professional of the Year by the Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute. The award recognizes the individual who exemplifies the institute’s initiatives in aquatic therapy rehabilitation. Becker is nationally recognized as a leader in aquatic therapy and has authored a book on the subject. He joined St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute this year. Earlier, he was the founding physician of the Oregon Rehabilitation Center in Eugene, Ore., a professor and residency director for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wayne State University and vice president of medical affairs at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.