Business Beat
NEW FACES:
WindStar Group, a regional systems integrator providing information technology solutions and services to businesses in seven Western states, has hired Jeff Minnerly as an account executive. He will be responsible for providing interface and customer relationship management to WindStar’s strategic clients. Minnerly previously worked for Valcom in Spokane.
Bill Waggoner has joined the Coeur d’Alene office of D.A. Davidson & Co. as a financial consultant. Waggoner, who is fully registered with the National Association of Securities Dealers, will help individual investors reach their financial goals. Waggoner was previously a financial adviser for American Express. Earlier, he co-authored a college textbook on computers. He earned a bachelor’s degree in data processing from California Polytechnic State University and a master’s in business from National University in San Diego.
Dawnmarie MacGillis has been named general manager for Dockside Restaurant, a full-service family restaurant at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. She previously opened and managed the new Applebee’s Restaurant in Moscow. She also spent 16 years with the Houlihan’s Restaurant Group, advancing from server to become manager of the group’s upscale seafood restaurant.
Media Design has added the following people to its staff:
Chris Zimney joined the firm as a graphic designer. He has experience using Windows, Macintosh and Unix-based operating systems. He has expertise in design programs that include Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, Quark, Fireworks and Indesign.Web application experience includes Flash, Dreamweaver and FrontPage. Zimney’s previous Internetrelated work history includes The Gap, Martha Schwartz Inc. and Janek Real Estate Co.
Lorraine Gray joined the corporate headquarters department, where she will oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable and human resources. Her background includes operational management with Health and Tennis Corp., Dillard’s Department Stores and First National Financial Group Inc. She received a degree in organizational management from Spokane Falls Community College.
Desautel Hege Communications has hired Dave Sonntag as an account executive. Sonntag spent the past four years with Gross-Hatch Advertising of Spokane after graduating from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and journalism. He has expertise in planning and executing public relations and marketing activities for multiunit organizations and associations in the educational, medical, real estate and retail arenas.
Image Control Systems Inc., a 35-year-old graphic arts equipment and supply dealer, has added the following people to its Spokane staff:
Andrew Brewer joined the company as an electronic solutions specialist/Apple product professional. He was previously with ElectromartConnectingPoint in Spokane.
Tim Corrigan was hired as an electronic service technician. He also previously worked for ElectromartConnectingPoint.
MOVING UP:
James J. Johnson has been promoted to vice president-business development for Lion Inc., which provides Internet technology solutions to mortgage brokers and the wholesale lending industry. His responsibilities now include revenue development from strategic alliances and national accounts and he will serve as the primary executive-level contact with industry and corporate leaders. Johnson most recently was general manager of Lion’s Spokane Subscription Services Office, which employs 25 people. He is a 1969 graduate of the University of Idaho.
Washington Trust Bank has promoted the following employees:
Karen Dodge was promoted to retail banking officer. She is currently manager of the Northgate branch in Spokane.
Patricia Gemmill was named assistant vice president. Gemmill, who has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, is currently the bank’s loan services manager.
Dr. Matthew Layton has been appointed medical director at Spokane Mental Health. Layton, who has served as associate medical director for the past year, earned a medical degree and a PhD in pharmacology at Kansas University Medical Center. He is on the University of Washington-Psychiatry faculty as a clinical assistant professor, and the Washington State University-Pharmacy faculty as an adjunct associate professor.
STARTING UP:
Eric F. Green has established an office of Halbert, Hargrove/Russell LLC at 505 W. Riverside, Suite 500. Green, who serves as an investment counselor and director of the new office, has more than 10 years of financial management and consulting experience. He was previously vice president and trust officer with Washington Trust Bank. Halbert, Hargrove/Russell provides investment counseling to private investors, corporations, schools, hospitals and endowments to help them achieve long-term financial goals.
KUDOS:
Burton Construction Inc. of Spokane has been selected as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Northwest Region Contractor of the Year for 2000. Candidates for the award were evaluated on the basis of management ability, financial stamina and controls, labor relations, customer interface, technical capabilities, resource utilization, cost performance, delivery performance, quality performance and overall performance. Burton Construction, which specializes in renovation projects, new construction, multifamily housing units, metal building and environmental projects, received superior rankings in every category. Jerry Burton is the firm’s president.
EVENTS:
Monday - Avi Friedman of the McGill University School of Architecture in Toronto will speak on affordable housing designs during a workshop sponsored by the Spokane Chapter of the American Institute of Architects from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center.
Monday - The Small Business Development Center presents a workshop on “Starting a Bookkeeping Service” 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.
Monday through Wednesday - The Washington State Housing Finance Commission and Washington State Office of Community Development present “Housing Washington 2000,” a statewide affordable housing conference, at the Spokane Convention Center. For more information, call (800) 767-HOME, ext 4663, or online visit http://www.wshfc.org/conf.
Wednesday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives presents a workshop on “Effective Marketing to Increase Sales” 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 - Joseph Wallwork, director of project controls for Greyhawk North America, will discuss good project controls and business development opportunities during a forum sponsored by the WSU Construction Management Program and the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineers at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Phase 1 Building at the Spokane Riverpoint Campus, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Admission is free and the meeting is open to the public. For more information, call Katharyn Getchell at 747-8031.
Wednesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a workshop on “Internet Searching Skills for Business” 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.
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, Idaho. For appointments, call (208) 772-0584.
Wednesday - The South Hill Spokane Chapter of LeTip International meets from 7-8:30 a.m. in Ripples Restaurant at the WestCoast River Inn, 700 N. Division. For reservations, call Kelly Porter at 893-1743.
Wednesday through Saturday Gen. Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Lynn E. Turner, chief accountant for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, are among the keynote speakers for the inaugural Executive Ethics Forum sponsored by Gonzaga University’s School of Business Administration in conjunction with the university’s office of continuing education at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Cost: $1,295; for more information or to register, call Leisa Lybbert at 323-3548 or e-mail lybbert@gu.gonzaga.edu. Online, visit http://www.gonzaga.edu/ continuingeducation.
Friday - Ian B. Davidson, chairman of D.A. Davidson & Co., will deliver the opening remarks at the Second Annual Tri-State Economic Development Conference from 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. at the Spokane Ag Trade Center. Cost: $15 per person, or $120 for a corporate table of eight; register online at http: //www.spokanechamber.org or call Lynda Klymko at 459-4105.
Friday and Saturday - Gonzaga University School of Law presents its 27th Annual Tax Institute at Hill’s Resort at Priest Lake, Idaho. Cost: $275; for more information, call Marge Buck at 323-3738 or (800) 448-2138.
CONVENTIONS:
Sunday through Thursday Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Spokane Center.
Thursday through Saturday Washington State Academy of Physicians Assistants, WestCoast Grand Hotel at the Park.