Business Beat
New faces:
Recent additions to the staff of Webiness Inc. include:
Paul Edminster was hired as a Web designer. He previously was the lead Web developer/creative director for Northwest Advantage Technologies. He also managed the technical and graphical implementation from design to production for more than 40 Web sites. His responsibilities at Webiness include creating dynamic, high-end user interfaces using flash interactivity and other Web development technologies.
Phil Edminster joined Webiness as technical services director. He previously was one of the founders and CEO of Northwest Advantage Technologies, where he served as chief technical architect and project manager. He has extensive experience in Web design, Internet connectivity and e-commerce shopping solutions. Edminster will manage Webiness’ technical services department and oversee the analysis, specifications, design, development and deployment of client Web sites. (The wrong photo appeared with an item about Phil Edminster joining Webiness in the April 15 Business Beat column.)
Humanix Personnel Services and Humanix Learning Centers have added the following people to their staff:
David Shepherd joined the companies as a sales consultant. Shepherd, who previously worked for AMS Services Inc. of Coeur d’Alene, will focus on developing relationships with businesses in the Washington/Idaho corridor.
Don Schelling was hired as director of business development. Schelling previously worked for the state of Washington. His responsibilities include developing business relationships throughout the region.
Todd R. Startzel has joined the law firm of Leveque & Kirkpatrick. Startzel was previously a partner with Powell & Morris P.S., and has been practicing in Spokane since 1993. His primary focus is civil litigation, with an emphasis on insurance defense and appellate practice.
Michael Jernegan has been named director of quality assurance at Telect Inc. He is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining quality systems and facility planning and implementation of total quality management. Jernegan previously worked for Advanced Silicon Materials Inc. in Moses Lake and Butte, where he was quality manager. Earlier, he was the corporate quality manager for Cyprus Foote and served as a consultant in the field of corporate quality management. Jernegan received a master’s degree in analytical chemistry from the University of Idaho and is an adjunct professor at Eastern Washington University.
The Spokane County Fair and Exposition Center has named Lisa Bracco as marketing and events coordinator. She is responsible for marketing the center’s facilities on a year-round basis to enhance revenues and increase facility usage. Bracco previously worked in the hospitality industry, holding various positions with companies such as Marriott, Promus, Sunstone and Kahler Hotel. She received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology.
Prezant Associates Inc., a 12-year-old health and safety firm, has hired Larry Hagel to staff its new Spokane office. Hagel has 10 years of experience in the environmental field. Prezant, which previously served Spokane clients from its Seattle office, offers health and safety training, industrial hygiene consulting and a full asbestos, lead and organics accredited laboratory.
Janet Hunter-Scott has joined the practice of Dr. Joseph McManus in primary pediatrics as a certified physician assistant. Hunter-Scott graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Rural Medicine in 1993 and previously practiced with Dr. Peter Holden and Dr. A.C. Olson. Hunter-Scott also works for National Safety Alliance.
Moving up:
Ram International Inc. has promoted Jorgi Herron to catering and banquet manager for C.I. Shenanigans and Ram Family Restaurant. Herron began her management career in the restaurant industry as assistant club house manager at the Spokane Country Club. She also worked as a catering assistant at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. Herron received a bachelor’s degree in recreation management in 1996 from Eastern Washington University. She interned at Walt Disney World/Blizzard Beach in Orlando, Fla., then went to work for Good Samaritan Village in Spokane as an activities coordinator. She joined Ram International as an assistant manager in the dining room at Shenanigans in 1998.
Starting up:
Dr. Jason A. Taitch has opened a dental practice in Suite 10 of the Cedar Canyon office complex at 3022 E. 57th. Taitch, a Washington State University graduate who received his dental education at the University of Nebraska, previously practiced as an associate at another Spokane dental office. He provides complete dental care for patients of all ages with an emphasis on prevention and education.
Transactions:
The Thomas S. Porter Inc. Agency, 501 N. Riverpoint, has become a branch office of Amica Mutual Insurance Co. The agency, which has about 7,000 policyholders, will continue to operate under the Porter name and be managed by Thomas S. Porter. The office will offer Amica’s full line of personal insurance coverage. Amica has been doing business in Washington since 1945 and has an office in Bellevue. Porter, who is a 1972 graduate of the University of Washington, has been an insurance professional in the Spokane area for 25 years.
Events:
Monday and Wednesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a seminar on “Basic Direct Mail/Mail Order Marketing” from 6-9 p.m. each night at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $45; call 358-7890 for information or to register.
Tuesday - Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul A. Volcker will speak on “Walking the Thin Line: Economic Growth in a Global Economy” during the 18th Economics Symposium presented by the Gonzaga University School of Business Administration from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Spokane Ag Trade Center. Cost: $75 each or $600 for a table of eight; for information, call 323-3404.
Tuesday and Thursday - The Small Business Development Center presents a workshop on “Cash Flow 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 - KHQ-TV news anchor Penny Daniels will deliver the keynote address during the Secretaries Day Luncheon and Celebration from noon-2 p.m. at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. Cost: $25; to register or for information, call 533-3770.
Wednesday - The Idaho Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Promoting Your Business for Under $100” 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) 769-3444.
Wednesday - A Project Management Forum is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. in Room 117 at the WSU/EWU Spokane Branch Campus, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd. The meeting is free and open to the public; for information, call Katharyn Getchell at 747-8031.
Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to potential and existing small-business owners from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, 525 W. Clearwater Loop in Post Falls. For appointments, call 769-3296.
Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a workshop on “Small Business Money Management” from 8 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 - The Pint of Spokane, a monthly gathering of online marketing and design professionals, meets from 6-9 p.m. at the Ram Restaurant, 908 N. Howard. For more information online, go to http://www.pint.org/spokane.
Thursday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a program on “What Does Customer Service Really Mean?” during a Breakfast for Your Brain session from 7:30-8:45 a.m. in Suite 240 of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. Cost: $15, $10 for chamber members; for reservations, call 353-2800.
Thursday - Representatives of Avista Communications will discuss “Connecting Businesses to the Future” during a meeting of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Network at 7:30 a.m. at Cavanaughs Hospitality Conference Center in the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. For information, call 459-4109.
Thursday - The Small Business Development Center presents a workshop on “Cultural Sensitivity for International Business — Russia” 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.
Thursday - Phyllis Stevens will speak on “Greener Gardens” during a meeting of the Spokane Business Women’s Network from 7-8:15 a.m. at Ripples Restaurant in Cavanaughs River Inn. Cost: $12 for members, $15 for nonmembers, including breakfast; for reservations, call 625-3654.
Thursday - Gonzaga University’s School of Business Administration holds an information meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. at Jepson Center on the GU campus. For information or reservations, call Carol Wilson at 323-3414 or e-mail wilson@jepson.gonzaga.edu.
Friday - Sylvia Palms, vice president for supplier diversity at US West, will discuss the communications company’s nationally acclaimed program during the Community Congress on Race Relations at 8:30 a.m. at Gonzaga University’s Martin Center. For more information online, go to http://www.racerelations.org.