Business Beat
New faces:
Recent additions to the staff of Spokane Computer Inc. include:
Casey Delaney joined the company as a Web design and network account executive. A graduate of Gonzaga University, he has a background in network sales and is a certified Compaq salesperson.
Bob Francis was hired as a network and Web design account executive. Francis, who has five years of experience in the Internet industry, is responsible for new and existing accounts in the government, education and medical industries. He is a certified Compaq salesperson and also is trained in working with Microsoft, SCO Unix, Novell and LAN/WAN networking technologies.
Robert C. Severino joined Spokane Computer as a computer hardware specialist and network engineer. His professional experience working for companies in both Seattle and Spokane includes network administration, service department management and technical support services.
Dan Giroux joined the company as a software developer. Giroux is a computer language specialist with 20 years of experience in application programming in several environments, including Microsoft, SCO Unix, Macintosh and Novell.
Marvel Peterson was hired as an Internet Web designer. Peterson, who earned a degree in fine arts from Eastern Washington University, has an extensive design background, specializing in computer animation, graphic design and Web site development.
Mike McMahon joined Spokane Computer as the lead Novell engineer. His responsibilities include installation of new networks, network troubleshooting and network design and maintenance. He has more than five years of experience in PC specification and repair, as well as LAN/WAN design and troubleshooting. McMahon is a certified NetWare engineer who also has experience with Novell’s ZENWorks and BorderManager products. He also has database design and troubleshooting experience with Microsoft Access and several vertical market applications.
Janelle Benard-Hawley joined Spokane Computer as a marketing assistant. A graduate of Interface Computer School, she has skills in customer service and event planning. She helps maintain the company’s e-store and supports the marketing efforts of three departments.
Bill Williamson was named a customer service representative for the FACS software system. Williamson earned an AAS degree in computer science business applications from North Idaho College. He has more than six years of experience in vertical market software training and technical support.
Spokane-based Wolff Lodging has hired David Lorber as president. Lorber has more than 25 years of leadership and process management experience.
Evan Armstrong has joined Watson Co. Inc. Business Brokers and will specialize in the sale of business opportunities and commercial properties. A former business owner, he will help clients in the sale or purchase of a business. He previously owned Casa Blanca, Taco Time and Arby’s restaurants, among others. He has been in the real estate business for five years.
Brick Cortner and Kenn Freeman have joined the Spokane-North Wall Street office of Windermere Real Estate as sales associates. Cortner and Freeman both previously worked for Century 21 in Spokane.
Della Dubbe has been named youth services librarian at the Hillyard Branch Library. Dubbe has nearly 18 years of experience as a librarian. She earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities and classics from Ohio Wesleyan University and recently completed a master’s degree in library science at the University of South Carolina. While in graduate school, she worked as a library assistant IV at the Charleston, S.C., County Public Library, where she managed the circulation desk, and as an intern at the College of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina, where she gained experience in Web publication and Web server administration.
Starting up:
William J. Powell, Larry Kuznetz and Michael M. Parker have formed the law firm of Powell, Kuznetz & Parker P.S. The new firm will continue to represent clients in employment, discrimination, civil rights, personal injury, family, real estate, probate, labor, general business and bankruptcy-related matters. The firm is located at 220 W. Main in Spokane.
Certifications:
Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane has been accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations with a score of 99. The score, achieved by less than 5 percent of surveyed organizations, was based on an on-site survey performed in January. Accreditation is considered “proof of an organization-wide commitment to provide quality care on an ongoing basis.”
Angi Shamblin and Christine Benenson, human resource consultants at Moss Adams LLP, have been named Best Software Certified Business Partners. They sell and support Best’s Abra Suite Human Resource Information System. Shamblin has more than 15 years of experience assisting clients in the areas of compensation and benefits, management training, employee relations and hiring. Benenson has more than 10 years of experience in hiring, salary plans, supervisory training and affirmative action. Both have worked with Abra products for 10 years.
Events:
Monday - Glenn Miles, transportation manager for the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, will discuss “The Future of Spokane’s Light Rail Project” at a meeting presented by the AACE Project Management Series at 6 p.m. in the Phase I Building at the Riverpoint Higher Education Center, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Admission is free; for more information, call Katharyn Getchell at 747-8031.
Tuesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to existing and potential small-business owners from 9 a.m.-noon at the Tri-County EDD, 347 W. Second, Suite A, in Colville. For appointments, call (509) 684-4571.
Tuesday - Power Networking meets at 7 a.m. to exchange business leads, discuss what is happening in Spokane County businesses and usually hear from a speaker. For information, visit http://www.nwcities.com/pn.
Tuesday - Leads Club, a networking organization for business owners, managers and salespeople, meets at 12:15 p.m. at Shari’s restaurant, 320 N. Sullivan. For reservations or more information, call Bill at 483-4015.
Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a workshop on “Preparing a Successful Business Plan” from 8 a.m.-noon on the second floor of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. Cost: $35; for more information or to register, call 353-2820.
Wednesday - The Idaho Small Business Development Center presents an “Employers’ Tax Workshop” 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 - The South Hill Chapter of LeTip International meets from 7-8:30 a.m. at Ripples restaurant in Cavanaughs River Inn, 700 N. Division. For reservations, call Kelly Porter at 893-1743.
Thursday - Francisco Salinas, multicultural specialist at Spokane Community College, will be the guest speaker at a meeting of Hispanic Business/Professional Association at 11:30 a.m. at Days Inn on Sunset Highway. For information, call Grace Vera at 927-1936.
Thursday - The Idaho Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Supervising Techniques and Setting Job Expectations” 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) 769-3333.
Thursday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to existing and potential small-business owners from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center, 525 Clearwater Loop in Post Falls. For appointments, call (208) 769-3296.
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.
Thursday - The Lake City Women’s Chapter of Leads Club meets at noon at the Coeur d’Alene Inn, 414 W. Appleway in Coeur d’Alene. For information or reservations, call Karen Welts at (208) 667-5606.
Thursday - The Downtown Spokane Chapter of Leads Club meets at noon at C.I. Shenanigans, 332 N. Spokane Falls Court. For reservations or more information, call Beth Ann at 921-9581.
Friday - Joan Sampson, vice president of Leads Club, will lead a seminar on “The Key to Expanding Your Personal Power Base” from 1-5 p.m. at the Comfort Inn Valley, 905 N. Sullivan in Veradale. Cost: $29.95 for nonmembers; for information, visit http://www.leadsclub.com or call (800) 783-3761.
Friday - John Ferris of Joel Inc. and Jack Bunton of Ram Remanufacturing & Distributing will discuss their company’s history, challenges and successes during a meeting of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce at 7:15 a.m. at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive. Cost: $12 for members if paid by Thursday, otherwise $15, or $25 for nonmembers, $30 after Thursday; call 459-4105 to register.
March 13 - The Small Business Development Center presents a “Pre-Business Workshop” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $25; call 358-7890 for information or to register.
Conventions:
Friday through March 12 - Youth Encounter Spokane Quake, DoubleTree Hotel, Spokane Valley.