Business Beat
NEW FACES:
Jackie Wright has joined the Spokane-based Washington Wheat Commission as director of communications. Her responsibilities include the preparation of press releases, program implementation, public relations, coordination of special events and foreign trade terms and the development and production of educational and public relations material. Wright has a background in marketing communications, including publicity, marketing promotions, media design, corporate/public relations, sales support, special events, regional and national trade shows, national and international product advisory boards, user groups and organizing special interest groups from China, South America, Australia and most European countries. She previously worked for Olivetti. Wright, who earned a master’s degree in organizational communication at Eastern Washington University, taught communications at EWU, North Idaho College and Gonzaga University.
The Spokane General Office of New York Life has added the following associates to its staff:
Angela Malone will specialize in insurance and investment planning in Eastern Washington.
Joshua Sprague will also work in insurance and investment planning in North Idaho.
Dr. James S. Goff has joined Spokane Digestive Disease Center P.S. in the practice of consulting gastroenterology and endoscopic procedures. He received his medical degree from the University of Washington and completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Colorado in Denver, where he also obtained a master of science in public health. He is board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology. Goff, who will join Spokane Digestive Disease Center P.S. on May 22, has practiced in the Denver area since 1998. He will be practicing at the North Office and Endoscopy Center, 46 E. Rowan.
Linda Buckles has joined Country Homes Realty. Buckles, who has sold homes and property in and around Spokane since 1985, has received advanced training in finance, title, agency law, buyer brokerage, ethics, mortgage credit and sales strategies. She holds the GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) designation.
MOVING UP:
Gonzaga University biology Professor Robert Prusch has been appointed to a one-year term as acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective in mid-July. Prusch, who has been at Gonzaga since 1981, served as chair of the biology department from 1981-1988, and was promoted from associate professor to full professor in 1983. Prusch earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland and a doctorate from Syracuse University. He replaces the Rev. Michael McFarland S.J., who in July will take over as president of the College of the Holy Cross.
Richard O. Wolfe, professor of education emeritus at Gonzaga University, has been named acting dean of the School of Education, effective in August. He replaces Corrine McGuigan, who will step down from the post at that time and return to full-time teaching in Gonzaga’s doctoral studies program. Wolfe was dean of the School of Professional Studies from 1991 through 1998, and served a six-year stint as associate academic vice president.
STARTING UP:
Linda Kunz has established Organization & More, which designs and implements systems for the efficient management of files, spaces, projects and time. Kunz assesses clients’ working environments, including filing systems and work flow among other elements, to identify barriers to clear and efficient communication. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and has experience in organizational development and personal interaction, mediation training and “personalysis.”
Marc Gray, Dave McClave, Gary Whitman and Lance Shew have opened Media Design, which specializes in transparent Web browser, Web aware elements and 400-to-1 video compression. Services include audio, video, Web development and interactive multimedia creation. The company’s production studio is located at 223 W. Second.
ELECTED:
Spokane County District Court Judge Gregory J. Tripp has been elected president of the Legal Foundation of Washington. U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Imbrogno of the Eastern District of Washington was elected vice president. Other officers include: David K.Y. Tang, Preston, Gates & Ellis, treasurer; and Jeanne Dawes, Gore & Grewe, secretary. New board members are: John W. Phillips, Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe; Ragan L. Powers, Davis Wright Tremaine; and John R. Kephart, The Commerce Bank of Washington.