Business beat
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Construction
Mindi Battin has joined Meridian Construction Inc. as an administration manager. Battin was with Graham Construction Inc.
DIVCON Inc. has become certified in tilt-up construction by the Tilt-Up Construction Association. The certification is earned after tilt-up contractors have met strict safety standards and possess a track record of quality work. DIVCON is one of a few companies nationally to receive the certification.
Education
Vincent Alfonso, dean of the Gonzaga University School of Education, has been named a recipient of the Outstanding Contributions to Training award from the national organization Trainers of School Psychologists. The award was given for his career contributions to training as a leader, mentor and educator. He received the award at the National Association of School Psychologists convention in Washington, D.C.
Finance
Mountain West Bank, a division of Glacier Bank, has promoted Besse Bailey to vice president and manager of the commercial loan department, and appointed Greg Tracy as vice president of professional and commercial banking in the Spokane office. Bailey has been with Mountain West Bank since 2007 and with the Spokane branch since 2011. Tracy has more than 27 years of experience in the financial industry, including 17 years as regional manager for private banking at Wells Fargo. He has extensive experience in commercial real estate, professional services and private banking.
Numerica Credit Union has promoted Manuel Hochheimer to director of corporate business development. Hochheimer has 12 years of experience in the financial industry and has been with Numerica since 2012. He is a member of Spokane Rotary Club 21 and a co-chair and 2015 chair-elect for Spokane County United Way’s Emerging Leaders Society.
Health care
Dr. Brett Startin has joined Northview Family Dental. Startin practices general dentistry and is a member of the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association and the Spokane District Dental Society. He earned his dental degree from Ohio State University.
Dr. Ryan Bates has joined the Center for Oral Health in Deer Park. Bates earned a doctorate in dental surgery from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He worked as an Army brigade dental surgeon and staff general dentist in Anchorage and during a 10-month tour in Afghanistan. He is a recipient of the Army Achievement Medal, the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service as brigade dental surgeon in Afghanistan, and the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service as a resident in Advanced Education in General Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. Bates has broad experience in dental surgery, diagnostic, restorative and prosthetic dentistry.
Home Helpers has received the Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice for 2014 awards from Home Care Pulse, a quality assurance firm. The awards were given based on client and employee satisfaction.
Hospitality
Visit Spokane has named Gina Campbell as director of industry relations and training. Previously, Campbell was director of visitor services at the Visitor Information Center and led training for the Certified Tourism Ambassador program in Spokane.
Red Lion Hotels Corp. has appointed Bill Linehan as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, and promoted Harry Sladich to executive vice president of hotel operations and sales. Linehan has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He most recently worked as chief marketing officer and managing director at Richfield Hospitality and Sceptre Hospitality Resources. Sladich has been with Red Lion Hotels since 2010 and serves on the U.S. Travel Association board of directors and the Destination & Travel Foundation board of trustees.
Law
Patrick Kirby has received the “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, an independent attorney rating services company. This rating demonstrates the highest level of professional excellence. Kirby is a 1993 graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and is a member of the Washington and Idaho state bar associations. His practice focuses on employment and business litigation, including claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, trade secrets, and unfair competition.
Travis Sorenson has joined the legal staff at Macomber Law, PLLC as an attorney. Sorenson is a member of the Idaho and Utah state bar associations and he is admitted to practice law in the Idaho and Utah supreme courts, as well as the United States Court for the District of Idaho. He received his doctorate of law from Creighton University School of Law.
Real estate
Josh Beebe and Pat Eberlin have joined the Coeur d’Alene commercial brokerage division of Kiemle & Hagood Co. Beebe is a licensed Realtor in Idaho and Washington and has worked in the real estate industry since 1998. He is a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. Eberlin is a licensed Realtor in Idaho and has worked in the commercial real estate industry since 2005. He serves as the past president of the Coeur d’Alene Traders Club, a local director of the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors, and as a member of the Idaho Real Estate Forms Committee.
Rusty Hayes has joined Windermere Real Estate/Cornerstone as a broker. Previously, Hayes worked as a SERE specialist in the U.S. Air Force.
Darren Kentner has joined Century 21 Beutler & Associates. Previously, Kentner was a broker and director of inside sales at Prime Real Estate Group. He is active in the Inland Northwest Business Alliance and the Spokane Symphony Chorale.