Business Beat

NEW FACES

The Spokane office of Strata Geotechnical Engineering and Materials Testing Inc. has hired Andy Abrams as a project engineer. He holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Idaho and previously worked at Mactec Engineering and Consulting in Richmond, Va.

April Owen has been hired at the Pend Oreille Public Utility District in Newport, Wash., as an auditor/manager of financial planning. She previously worked as a senior associate at BDO Seidman in Spokane.

The Southside Senior Activity Center has hired Kerry Wiltzius as executive director. She previously worked as marketing director at Goodwill Industries and as coordinator for the Friends of Manito.

Lisa Machado has been hired as a staff physical therapist at Northside Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation Center. She holds a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California at Riverside.

Intermountain Community Bank has hired Linvill Sanman as an administrative loan assistant. She has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry.

Matt Robson has been hired as an engineer at Blue Water Technologies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Idaho and served as Joe Vandal at the school.

D.A. Davidson & Co. has hired Matt Sheffield as financial consultant. He previously worked as a Pfizer Pharmaceutical sales representative and holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University.

Darin Hayes has been hired as a financial consultant at D.A. Davidson & Co. He previously worked at the Ambassadors Group Inc. and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Idaho.

PROMOTED

Marcie Harper, a certified public accountant, has been promoted to shareholder of McDirmid, Mikkelsen & Secrest. She has been with the firm since 1992 and is a graduate of Gonzaga University.

OMS Inc. has promoted Paul Harrington to associate. He has been with the architectural and interior design firm for two years.

Julie Ryen has been promoted to assistant vice president of Sterling Savings Bank. She has been working in the commercial Internet banking department since January and has over 20 years of experience working with financial institution software.

KUDOS

Spokane Shriners Hospital for Children has received the 2005 Health Leadership Award from the Washington State Hospital Association.

Teresa Sorci has received a Child Development Associate credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. Sorci runs Quality Family Childcare in Spokane Valley.

Susan Poe has earned the Certified Financial Planner designation. She works in the Colville, Wash., office of A.G. Edwards.

Paul Michael Dehmer has earned the Certified Financial Planner designation. He works in the Spokane office of A.G. Edwards.

The Washington Credit Union League has awarded PrimeSource Credit Union three first-place Spectrum awards for its excellence in credit union communication and marketing.

Karen Gregorian has been named to the Founder’s Circle of Stampin’ Up!, for her achievements within the company.

ELECTED

Douglas Goe has been elected as a fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel. Goe is the managing partner at Orrick’s Pacific Northwest and serves as bond counsel to the City of Spokane.

Group Health Cooperative has elected four members to its board of trustees. They are Ruth Ballweg, Bruce Eldredge, Ira Fielding and Bob Margulis. In addition, GHC elected Jean Muir to its Standing Nominating Committee.

Chuck Whitman of Whitman Auctioneer Services has been elected to serve as treasurer of the Washington Auctioneers Association’s board of directors.

NAME CHANGE

Bella Marble & Granite has changed its name to Surfaces in Stone. The company produces and installs granite, marble and stone countertops and can be located at 1641 Polston Ave., Post Falls.