Business Beat

NEW FACES:

Wells Fargo’s Business Banking Group has named Kurt Smith as a business lending officer to serve customers in North Idaho. Smith, who is based in Coeur d’Alene, will focus on businesses with annual sales of up to $10 million. Smith spent the last 13 years doing commercial lending, economic development and job training for the Panhandle Area Council in Hayden. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Idaho.

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

Steve Burlison joined the company as an account engineer. His duties include assisting customers with implementation, training and testing and defining requirements, as well as developing software specifications and performing software demonstrations. Burlison, who received a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University, previously worked for the distribution engineering department of Florida Power Corp.

Mike Burkhart was hired by LineSoft as a senior software engineer, developing features for company software. He previously worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation in Salem.

Micki Cook was hired as an engineer in LineSoft’s Atlanta field office. Her main task is to develop consulting services as a design engineer. She previously worked for Georgia Power Co., where she was a transmission line construction engineer. Cook earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech University.

James Ehlers was named a project manager in charge of developing and managing new software products. Ehlers, who was previously employed at Boeing as a system engineer in avionics, studied electrical engineering at Montana State University.

Lendon Ellis joined the company as a major accounts sales executive. Ellis previously held a similar job at Itron. He graduated from the University of North Carolina with degrees in mathematics and philosophy.

Keith Harland was hired as a software engineer responsible for writing a new piece of analysis software. Harland, who previously worked for Eldridge Engineering in Spokane, received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Washington State University and a master’s degree in computer science from Eastern Washington University.

Kent Larson was named product manager. His responsibilities include developing and implementing engineering procedures, including change control, product testing and release and product management. Larson previously worked for Output Technology Corp. in Spokane. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology from Montana State University.

Chris Peters was appointed a senior software engineer. His responsibilities include developing and supporting current and future software products. Peters most recently worked for Washington Mutual Bank where he developed investment banking applications. Peters graduated from Coleman College in San Diego with a degree in computer science.

Jeff Potter joined LineSoft as a project manager assisting with sales and client implementations. He formerly managed electric and gas utility construction projects for Puget Sound Energy. Potter received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Washington State University.

Jake Stevenson was appointed an account engineer. He will provide customer support and training, as well as managing new design projects for customers. Stevenson, who previously worked for MTN Utility in Montana, received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Montana State University.

Kevin Tye joined LineSoft as a software engineer. His duties will include software modifications that will support LineSoft’s client base. Tye graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

Russ Vanos was named vice president of sales and delivery. Vanos was one of the founders of Itron Corp.

Fred Wenger was hired as a software engineer responsible for customizing programs for LineSoft clients. Wenger, who previously worked for the state of Oregon, was trained in computer science and economics at Willamette University.

STARTING UP:

Spokane-based Columbia Paint & Coatings has opened its 33rd distribution center in Nampa, Idaho. The center is Columbia’s second in the Treasure Valley. The company has operated a distribution center in Boise for more than 15 years. John Miller was named manager of the Nampa store; Travis Morris was appointed customer service representative, and Jerry Thompson was named account executive. Both Miller and Morris transferred from Columbia’s Boise location. Thompson has been servicing customers throughout the Boise and Nampa areas, as well as targeting new business in Nampa, for the past year.

EVENTS:

Monday - Lt. Bruce Clark of the Washington State Patrol will speak on “How to Avoid Highway Problems” during a meeting of Engineers Forum of Spokane at 12:30 p.m. at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. Cost: $10 for lunch; for information, call Tim Rahman at 244-3467 or e-mail trahman@worldnet.att.net.

Monday and Wednesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Understanding and Using Your Financials to Manage Your Business” from 6-9 p.m. both nights at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $45; call 358-7890 for information or to register.

Tuesday - The American Business Womens’ Association, Willow Breeze Chapter, will meet at 11 a.m. for lunch and a day’s outing. For information, call Evelyn Livie at 466-9589.

Tuesday - Better Business Bureau of the Inland Northwest presents a workshop on “Customer Service” from 8 a.m.-noon at the DoubleTree Hotel, Spokane Valley. Cost: $45 for members, $65 for nonmembers; for information, call (800) 248-2356 or 838-3841.

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 Panhandle Area Council, 11100 Airport Drive in Hayden. For appointments, call (208) 772-0584.

Thursday - Dr. Alain Ged of the Graduate School of Business at the University of Aix-en-Provence in Aix-en-Provence, France, will discuss “People and Business: Better Understanding of the European Union” during a talk presented by the Whitworth Institute & Graduate School of International Management, the U.S. Department of Education and the International Trade Alliance from 2-4 p.m. at Cavanaughs Hospitality Conference Center on the first floor of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. For reservations, call 777-3742.

Thursday - “Marketing Business on the Internet” is the subject of a Breakfast for Your Brain session presented by the Service Corps of Retired Executives 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 - Moss Adams’ Business Owners Succession Services presents a workshop on “Succession Solutions for Business Owners” from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. Cost: $175, including continental breakfast and lunch; for information or to register, call Nicole Grier at 777-0172 or e-mail nicoleg@mossadams.com.

Thursday - The Small Business Development Center presents an “Introduction to Construction Bidding” 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 - Government sales specialists Pam and Craig Pierce will speak on “Winning Those Government Contracts” during a meeting of the Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside. Cost: $18; for reservations, call Jan Krogh at 892-6300.

Thursday - Spokane Lilac Queen Jillian Cerna will be the featured speaker at a meeting of the Hispanic Business/ Professional Association at 11:30 a.m. at Days Inn on the Sunset Highway. For information, call Grace at 927-1936.

Thursday - The Small Business Development Center presents a workshop on “Determining the Feasibility of a Business Idea” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $50; call 358-7890 for information or to register.

Thursday through Saturday Internationally known trainer and author Lance Giroux will facilitate a workshop on “Power With Balance” presented by Full Tilt2 from 6-11 p.m. Thursday, 6-11:30 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Cost: $249; call 455-6944 for information or to register.

Friday - Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors presents a seminar on “The Internet: An Essential Tool for Contractors from 8:30 a.m.-noon at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Cost: $75 for AGC members, $125 for nonmembers; for information or to register, call Sherry Lynn Dow at 535-0391 or (800) 572-4108.

Friday - Buck Somes of GenPrime Inc. will discuss “Building a Biotech Business in Spokane” during an SCC Brown Bag Lecture at 11:30 a.m. in Room 104 of the SCC Science Building, Building 7, 1810 N. Greene. Free admission; for information, call 533-7246.

Friday - The Idaho State Electrical Board will review administrative rules and licensing/compliance issues during a meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Best Western Templin’s Resort, 414 E. First in Post Falls. For more information, call (208) 334-2183 or visit http:/ /www2.state.id.us/dbs/dbs- index.html.

Saturday - The Washington State Chapter of Community Associations Institute presents a course on “The ABC’s of Association Management” from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Cavanaughs River Inn. For information, call (206) 528-2584 or visit http://www.wscai.org online.