Business beat
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Accounting
Dingus, Zarecor & Associates has hired Krista Starr, Cory Burnett and Matt Minor as staff accountants. Starr is a graduate of North Park University and holds a bachelor of science in accounting. Burnett and Minor both graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor of arts in accounting.
Warren Erickson has joined his Spokane certified public accounting practice with the offices of Argonne Tax Associates. Erickson has more than 25 years of public accounting experience and specializes in governmental and for-profit financial statements, accounting, tax and consulting services. He maintains a location in St. Maries.
Architecture
Spokane’s Holiday Inn Express has received the 2014 Renovation Award from the InterContinental Hotels Group.
Communications
Printing Industries of America has named Laura Lawton-Forsyth as a recipient of the 2014 Naomi Berber Memorial Award. This award honors women for their accomplishments and contributions to the graphic communications industry. Lawton-Forsyth is the president of Lawton Printing Inc. and File-Ez Folder Inc. She is past chair of the board of directors for Printing Industries of America.
Culinary
Tito’s Italian Grill and Wine Shop hired Chef Tim Heinig as head chef. Heinig was previously head chef at the Beachouse Restaurant on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Environment
McKinstry has recognized local Champions of Sustainability for their work in green design, construction and facility management. The U.S. General Services Administration was recognized for energy efficient upgrades to the Thomas Foley U.S. Courthouse that reduced the building’s baseline energy consumption by 50 percent, as well as reducing carbon emissions by 693 tons. Avista Corp. was recognized for its corporate headquarters upgrade project. This five-year project is using the most energy efficient systems available and will be complete in summer 2015.
Finance
Mark Calkins has joined Richards, Merrill & Peterson. Calkins is a registered representative and registered investment adviser representative. Previously, he was with Stryker Corp. for 11 years.
Spokane Teachers Credit Union has hired Keith Connolly as vice president of retail service delivery. Connolly will be responsible for overseeing the credit union’s branch locations and developing operational strategies.
Law
K&L Gates LLP is among the top two law firms with the most first-tier rankings in the annual U.S. News-Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” survey. The rankings were based on surveys of more than 20,000 lawyers and clients throughout the United States. Spokane’s office earned first-tier rankings in the following practice areas: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy, and Tax Law.
Miscellaneous
Numerica Credit Union has been named a recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation award at Spokane’s Philanthropy Awards. Numerica was nominated by the YMCA of the Inland Northwest.
Nonprofit
Mark Laskowski has joined Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels as volunteer coordinator. Laskowski has more than 25 years of business development and organizational experience.
Bo Smith-Tallan and Judge Randy Brandt have been inducted to the Spokane Central Lions Club.
The board of directors for Camp Fire Inland Northwest has named Stephen Jurich as executive director of the organization. Jurich served 30 years with YMCA of the Inland Northwest and was previously senior vice president of operations from 2005-2013.
The Women Helping Women Fund has announced its board members for 2014-2015 as follows: Joanne Benham, Benham & Associates LLC; Melissa Cobb, Foster Pepper LLC; Stacy Covey, community volunteer; Stacy Destito, Itron; Tammy Erickson, Moss Adams LLP; Pat Gorton, treasurer, Avista; Theresa Helmbrecht, community volunteer; Elizabeth Hooker, Downtown Spokane Partnerships; Jennifer Lehn, Numerica Credit Union; Nancy Mahoney, president, Dew Drop Sprinklers & Landscaping; Kris Mason, past president, community volunteer; Julia McGann, U.S. District Court; Tamara McGregor, Inlander; Melissa Murphy, Prime Real Estate Group; Jamie Tobias Neely, EWU; Julie Olds, community volunteer; Barb O’Neill, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson South; Diane Paxton, secretary, Ellingsen, Paxton Orthodontics; Dori Sonntag, Gonzaga University; Kimberly Thielman, president-elect, Asuris Northwest Health; Megan Thilo, Witherspoon Kelley.
Real estate
Kent Harrison and Veronica Johnson have joined Windermere North Spokane as brokers. Harrison was previously with AT&T Mobility. Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance and accounting.
Charly Collins and Heidi Cherel have joined the Spokane office of Keller Williams Realty.