Business beat

New Faces

Tom Watson has been hired as a new agent for State Farm Insurance. He previously worked as a sales executive for PE Systems and as a residential real estate appraiser for Western Security Appraisal Service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management/marketing from Northern State University. Tom Watson State Farm Insurance Agency is at 5521 N. Alberta St. in Spokane.

Jenna Griffitts-Leggat and Brad Leggat have been hired by Farmers Insurance as agents. Their office is at 1900 Northwest Blvd., Suite 110, in Coeur d’Alene. They can be reached at (208) 930-4340.

McDirmid, Mikkelsen and Secrest, P.S., has hired Brianne Sorensen as a staff accountant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business accounting from Minnesota State University.

Rick Rieger has joined Windermere Valley and Liberty Lake Real Estate as a co-owner and sales manager. He has more than 20 years of marketing, sales management, sales training and leadership experience.

Moss Adams LLP has hired Elena Samylkina to join its Spokane office tax staff. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Eastern Washington University and previously worked for Stewart and Associates, P.S. CPA.

Empire Health Foundation has hired Antony Chiang as president. He previously served as vice president of institutional services for TechSoup Global, based in San Francisco. He is a graduate of Stanford Law School and has 15 years of executive leadership experience.

Promotion

William Buckholdt has been promoted by Randall Danskin, P.S., to managing principal. He has been with the law firm since 2008.

Kudos

The Idaho Association of Building Officials has named Ed Wagner as Building Official of the Year for 2009. Wagner serves as building services director for the city of Coeur d’Alene.

Choice Hotels International Inc. presented Quality Inn Oakwood hotel of Spokane with its 2010 Platinum Hospitality Award.

The following businesses and individuals have been named 2009 Awards of Excellence winners by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce: Small Business of the Year, MOJO Reprographics; Medium Size Business of the Year, Monique’s Salon; Large Business of the Year, Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center; Nonprofit Organization of the Year, Inland Northwest Blood Center; Community Caring Award, Barbara Olson of BNI; Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Chuck Stocker; Ambassador of the Year, Vivian Shammel of Shammel Business Solutions; and Harry E. Nelson Citizen of the Year, Peggy Doering.

Golden Spike Estates of Rathdrum received a special recognition award in the 55-plus Active Adult Community of over 250 Units category, from AARP and the National Association of Home Builders.

The Medical Review Officer Certification Council has presented Arista Strait with national certification as a medical review officer’s assistant. Strait works for North Idaho Immediate Care Center’s occupational medicine program.

Mike Wolcott has been named a certified forest planner by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Wolcott is co-owner of Inland Forest Management Inc.

Junior Achievement of the Inland Northwest office received a Peak Performance Award from the national organization.

New Business Location

Spokane chiropractor Dr. Tricia Kamerer has moved her office to 8606 N. Wall St., Suite 102. Contact: (509) 315-4943 Web site: www.doctricia.com.