Business Beat

NEW FACES:

LineSoft Corp. has added the following people to its staff:

Patrick Reed joined the company as a project engineer providing engineering support to the Customer Care department. He will assist in product support and customer training activities. Reed previously was an applications engineer at Northern Technologies in Liberty Lake. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Gonzaga University.

Shelly Willis was hired as a customer support engineer. One of her main tasks will be helping customers utilize the computer software produced by LineSoft. Willis received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Washington State University.

Corda Patterson joined LineSoft as a technical writer. Her responsibilities include developing a user’s guide, online help and training manuals for LineSoft’s suite of products. Patterson, who previously worked for Itronix Corp., received a bachelor’s degree in English and technical communications from Eastern Washington University.

Mike Bosworth was hired as a software test analyst, responsible for the development and implementation of testing procedures, quality control, product assurance and release and product management. Bosworth formerly worked for Boeing Co. in Seattle where he was a business systems test analyst. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Pacific Lutheran University.

Cheryl Bierwagen joined LineSoft as an administrative assistant. Her responsibilities include supporting the human resources group. She is currently a senior at Eastern Washington University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human resource management.

R.C. Lavasseur was hired as a software engineer. Lavasseur was previously a systems analyst for Itron Corp. in Spokane. He will be responsible for developing enhancements to LineSoft’s line design products and software customization projects for existing customers.

Darby McKee joined LineSoft as a customer support engineer. He will provide support to the company’s Customer Support Group. McKee previously worked for Schlumberger Oilfield Services as a senior field engineer. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from the Montana School of Technology at Montana State University.

Michael Jerrow was named a software engineer by LineSoft. His responsibilities include code changes and code creation, as well as improving functionality in two areas. Jerrow previously worked for Getronics as a database analyst. He received an AAS degree in electronic engineering from ITT Technical Institute.

Kevin Cox has joined the Seattle office of Grant Thornton LLP, Accountants and Management Consultants, and will operate primarily out of the firm’s Spokane office. His consulting services focus on maximizing research and experimentation credits, performing cost classification studies for newly constructed or renovated buildings to properly utilize depreciation deductions, state and local tax services and general corporate tax planning. Cox earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Idaho and worked in the research credit study department of a Big Five firm before joining Grant Thornton.

FirstBank NW Corp., the Lewiston-based parent of FirstBank Northwest, has named K. John Young of Coeur d’Alene to a new position on FirstBank Northwest’s board of directors. Young, whose term runs through July 2003, is co-owner of Polin Construction Inc., a commercial construction business. He is a member of Jobs Plus, serves on the board of Concerned Businesses of North Idaho and is a past president and board member of Associated Builders & Contractors.

Jeff Presley has joined Pullman-based Advanced Hardware Architectures Inc. as vice president, business development. He will pursue new opportunities for the company’s turbo product code family of forward error correction products. Presley, who co-founded Internet Engineering Associates, most recently worked in business development for World Wide Packets.

STARTING UP:

Windermere Real Estate has opened a property management office in Pullman. The new office, which shares space with the company’s Pullman real estate office, is located at 1001 Nye. It offers full-service management to property owners interested in leasing their residential properties, as well as management for commercial properties, including office space, retail complexes and other facilities. Windermere Property Management-Pullman is owned and operated by Lynn Cain, Eddy Ng, Lynne Lafer and Delores Luft, along with Windermere/C-K Realty.

NEW IDENTITY:

Strategic International Telecom is changing its name to VerteCall Communications and will now call its product line VerteComm. The company, which has offices in New York, Tampa, London and Spokane, offers various telecommunications products and services, including high speed fixed wireless communications, long distance, Voice Over the Internet and prepaid services.

APPOINTED:

Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp. Chairman Dennis E. Wheeler has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation. The Washington, D.C.-based group is dedicated to fostering environmental learning that promotes public knowledge, generates competent professionals and creates informed leaders. Wheeler’s role as a NEET trustee will include bringing a Western perspective on natural resource and environmental education issues.

KUDOS:

The Institute of Real Estate Management has awarded first place in the small committee category to Inland Northwest Chapter 49. The award is based on community service, minority outreach, education and support of the national organization. The organization also awarded first place for individual Accredited Residential Manager to Bette Fears of Tomlinson Black Management. Fears also won the national honor in 1997.

The Spokane Chapter of the American Advertising Federation received a first place award in Communications and second place in Government Relations. The local chapter also received $1,000 from Craine Communications.

Ann Martin-Grimm of Martin Insurance in Lewiston has received the “Outstanding Service Award” from the American Association of Managing General Agents and the Independent Insurance Agents of Idaho Inc. for her efforts as chair of the Young Agents Committee.

The Idaho Insurance Underwriters Association has honored John Goedde of Panhandle Insurance in Coeur d’Alene with its “IIAI Agent of the Year” award. The award recognizes Goedde’s professionalism and industry and civic involvement.

Joseph Duenich, an investment representative with the North Spokane office of Edward Jones, has been named to the All-American Team of the American Funds Group of mutual funds. Duenich was cited for outstanding service to investors in the Spokane area and for financial expertise and dedication to principles of sound mutual fund and variable annuity investing. He has seven years of experience in the financial services field, including five with Edward Jones.

John N. Marcheso of Coeur d’Alene-based John Marcheso & Associates Inc. has qualified for membership in the Top of the Table, an honor reserved for life insurance agents who reach specific milestones for sales and client service.

EVENTS:

Monday and Wednesday: Steve Ricketts of Edward Jones will present a free educational seminar for women on “Smart Women Finish Rich” at 5:30 p.m. Monday or 1 p.m. Wednesday. For reservations and location, call Mary at 328-6785.

Tuesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to potential and existing small-business owners from 9 a.m.-noon at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, 8817 E. Mission. For appointments, call 924-4994.

Tuesday - The Valley Chapter of Leads Club, a networking organization for business owners, professionals, managers and sales people, meets at 12:15 p.m. at Shari’s Restaurant, 320 N. Sullivan. For reservations, call Bill at 483-4015; for more information, call Beth Ann at 924-4507.

Tuesday - Northside Power Networking meets at 7 a.m.. Call 468-9695 or 467-2081 or check online at http://www.nwcities.com/pn for meeting details.

Wednesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a workshop on “How to Develop Excellent Customer Service” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $40; call 358-7890 for information or to register.

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 more information or to register, call 353-2820.

Wednesday - The South Hill Spokane Chapter of LeTip International meets from 7-8:30 a.m. at Ripples Restaurant in WestCoast River Inn, 700 N. Division. For reservations, call Kelly Porter at 893-1743.

Thursday - Gordon Chong, a San Francisco architect and vice president of the American Institute of Architects, will be the featured speaker at AIA Spokane’s 60th anniversary celebration at noon at the Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside. For information, call 747-5498.

Thursday - The Downtown Chapter of Leads Club, a networking organization for business leads and referrals, meets at noon at Cathay Inn, 3714 N. Division. For reservations, call Melissa at 456-6067; for more information, call Beth Ann at 924-4507.

Thursday - The Lake City Women’s Chapter of Leads Club meets at noon at Perkins Restaurant, 290 W. Appleway. For reservations, call Linda at (208) 773-6134; for more information, call Beth Ann at (509) 924-4507.

Thursday - The Downtown Spokane Chapter of LeTip International Inc. meets from 7-8:30 a.m. at the Ram Restaurant, 908 N. Howard. For reservations, call Pat Bishop at 926-0141.

CONVENTIONS:

Sunday through Saturday - Church of God in Christ, WestCoast Ridpath Hotel.

Thursday through Aug. 6 - Public School Employees of Washington, DoubleTree Hotel City Center.

Friday and Saturday - Spokane Highland Games Association, Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.