Business Beat

New faces:

Telect Inc. has added the following people to its management team: Mike Drew was named controller. Drew previously worked for Hecla Mining Co. in a similar capacity. His responsibilities include monitoring and maintaining internal controls over finance processes and overseeing the financial reporting process.

Gene Schmidt was hired as international facilities director. Schmidt previously worked for International Exploration Management Inc., primarily in South America. He will direct and manage Telect’s facilities and staff worldwide, overseeing construction, remodeling, lease arrangements and government requirements for new and existing properties.

Les Janzen joined the company as production manager. Janzen, who previously worked for Key Tronic Corp., will be responsible for Telect’s Solder Cell and DS3 departments.

Jason Lam has joined Anderson Mraz Design as a senior designer, and will contribute in such areas as brand/identity design, print design, environmental design and illustration. Lam previously spent four years with Spokane-based Outdoor Systems Inc. Earlier, he worked in environmental and graphic design for various clients, both in the U.S. and Asia, from a base in Southern California. Lam has an AA degree from Pasadena City College and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from California State University, Long Beach.

Thomas Schweifler has joined Fidelity Associates Insurance Brokers as an account executive. Schweifler, who has an extensive background in insurance, previously worked for Country Companies Insurance Agency.

James Langsett, former owner of Sunset Appliance Service, has been hired by Jeffrey’s Appliance Service Inc. as a journeyman technician. Langsett has been in the appliance service business for 25 years.

Recent additions to the staff of Hayden Lake-based Transtector Systems Inc. include:

Jill Bothof joined the company as an electrical engineer. A graduate of Baylor University, Bothof formerly worked for Raytheon Systems Co. in Waco, Texas.

Karen Watts joined the company as director of sales. Watts, who has more than 15 years of sales management experience, worked most recently as general manager and regional vice president for Williams Communications in Chicago.

Bill Woodland was named vice president of operations. Woodland, who is a graduate of the University of Utah, has more than 10 years of manufacturing management experience. He previously worked in the Chicago area as a product development engineering manager for Motorola and later, CTS Wireless, following the acquisition from Motorola in 1999.

Moving:

Aladdin Hearth Products has completed the move into its new 125,000-square-foot facility at 1445 North Highway in Colville and is planning an open house on Friday, including a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. A full tour of the new facility, lasting about 75 minutes, is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Partial tours, which will take about 20 minutes, are planned at 9:30, 10 and 10:30 a.m. For reservations, call Marie-France at 1 (800) 234-2508, ext. 8921.

Elected:

Maggie Crawford, owner of Sylvan Learning Centers on the North Side, Spokane Valley and South Hill, has been elected president of Sylvan’s Franchise Owner’s Association. The association represents more than 700 franchise centers throughout the United States and Canada. In 1981, Crawford opened the first Sylvan Learning Center outside of Oregon, where the company was established.

The Spokane Chapter of Executive Women International has elected the following officers for 2000: President, Sherry Lewis, Adventures in Advertising; vice president/president-elect, Adrienne Choate, Sunshine Disposal; secretary, Meg Self, Kelly Temporary Services; treasurer, Jacinta Connall, Gonzaga University; sergeant at large, Patti Vanheel, Little River Publishing; membership director, Amy Reeves, Automated Accounts Inc.; program director, Jamie Narris, Lucent Technologies; publications director, Barbara Barry, Windstar Group; director-at-large, Sue Everson, Austin’s Fine Jewelrey; ways and means director, Korby Conn, CLS Mortgage; and adviser, Georgette Grainger, Washington Trust Bank.

Kudos:

Rex and Barbara Reed, who operate the Sir Speedy center at 617 N. Fancher Road, have received the Century Club Award for extraordinary sales achievement during 1999.

Todd M. Banducci, owner of Falcon Investments and Insurance in Coeur d’Alene, has been recognized by Blue Cross of Idaho as a “Select Broker” for the second straight year. The achievement is based on Falcon’s performance and customer service during 1999. Banducci was awarded the title of “Premier Broker,” the highest select broker designation available, based on sales.