Business Beat

NEW FACES

Katie Shamberg has been hired at Blue541 as a graphic and Web designer. She previously worked at the Focus Group advertising agency and holds a bachelor’s degree in design from the University of Idaho.

Majid Rafiq has been hired as a project manager at HollisterStier. He previously worked at Bristol Myers Squibb in New Jersey and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

HollisterStier has hired Shannon George as a new product discovery scientist II. She previously worked as a product development specialist at Ischemia Technologies in Denver and holds a master’s degree in chemistry and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Washington State University.

Shelly Short has been hired in the office of Rep. Cathy McMorris as deputy district director of the northern region of the 5th Congressional District. She previously opened George Nethercutt’s office in 1994 and has worked as a paralegal.

The office of Rep. Cathy McMorris has hired Cathy LeBret to handle constituent relations in the northern region of the 5th Congressional District. She previously worked for George Nethercutt.

Dr. Robert Pfeffer has been hired as a radiation oncologist at Cancer Care Northwest. He specializes in prostate, breast, head and neck cancers and holds a medical degree from the University of Washington. Pfeffer previously worked in private practice in Great Falls, Mont.

Connect Northwest has hired Dennis Leidall as director of programs. He previously worked as program manager for the Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology.

Leon Smith has been hired at Coldwell Banker Northwest Group as a sales associate. He has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry.

CNL Design has hired Travis Rodriguez in the drafting department. He will eventually move into project management with the company.

PROMOTED

Dotti Price has been promoted at Sterling Savings Bank to vice president. She is a graduate of the University of Idaho and has worked as commercial product support manager.

Sterling Savings Bank has promoted Vanessa (Barsda) Wolf to vice president. She has been at the bank since 2003 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Portland State University.

Tamitha Anderson has been promoted to account coordinator at Desautel Hege Communications. She has been working at the firm as an account assistant since April, 2004 and is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.

Mountain West Bank has promoted Kathleen Dutro to senior vice president and chief credit officer. She has been with the bank since 1999.

Hedley (Lea) Greene has been promoted to vice president, director of wealth planning at D.A. Davidson & Co. He previously worked as wealth planning specialist and has been with the company since 2002. He holds a juris doctorate degree from Gonzaga University.

Sterling Savings Bank has promoted Nissa Gibbs to officer and business banker of the Spokane Business Banking branch. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana and has been with the bank since 1998.

Corey Burgess has been promoted to vice president of post productions at Gibby Media Group. He has been with the company since 1999 and has 25 years of experience in communications and video production.

Gibby Media Group has promoted Cory Kerr to vice president of production services. He holds a degree in communications and has extensive experience in working with Adobe design software.

KUDOS

Inland Northwest Partners recently awarded the City of Moscow, Idaho Commerce and Labor, Clearwater Economic Development Association and the Latah Economic Development Council with the Community Award for their efforts in job retention.

Inland Northwest Partners recently awarded Ellie Chambers the Partnership Award for her economic development efforts through innovative partnerships. Chambers is a former economic development manager at Avista Corp.

Peggy Williamson of Fulcrum Environmental Consulting recently became an Occupational Safety and Health Administration Authorized Outreach Trainer for both the 10-hour and 30-hour construction safety courses.

The Washington Small Business Development Center recently awarded its Network Awards. Local winners are: Rick Thorpe of Washington State University-Spokane, the 100 Jobs Club and the $5 Million Club; and Carla Preston, Community Colleges of Spokane, $1 Million Club.

Gale Anderson of Mt. Spokane Physical Therapy and Jim Moore of Evergreen Physical Therapy have been certified in Sportsmetrics training. The training program helps to reduce serious knee ligament injuries in female athletes.

Simon Craven-Thompson, co-owner of Craven’s Coffee, has been asked to be a member of an international jury of 22 coffee experts at the Nicaragua Cup of Excellence competition.