Business Beat: A collection of regional advancement and achievement
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Architecture
John Eckert has been named president of the American Institute of Architects Washington Council for a one-year term. Eckert is an associate principal in NAC Architecture’s Spokane office with more than 21 years of experience in his field.
Education
The Washington State University College of Nursing has named Joyce P. Griffin-Sobel as dean, effective May 16. Griffin-Sobel has more than 25 years of experience in academic nursing and serves as dean and professor at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
Finance
Mountain West Bank has hired Chad Haverkamp as a commercial lender in its Spokane Valley Financial Center. Haverkamp has more than 10 years of experience in the banking industry.
Hoyt, Lewis & Associates has joined the independent broker-dealer, LPL Financial. The firm was previously associated with Waddell & Reed Inc.
Government
Spokane County District Court has named Sherri Hansen as clerk of the court. Hansen has been with the court for 21 years and previously served as office supervisor of the civil and cashiering divisions.
Health care
The Spokane Guilds’ School & Neuromuscular Center has hired Melodie Little as community relations manager and Rebecca M. Magnuson as donor relations manager. Little has eight years of nonprofit experience and Magnuson is an attorney with experience in estate planning and business law.
Alisha Fehrenbacher has joined Empire Health Foundation as chief strategy officer for health systems. Fehrenbacher is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and previously served as chief executive officer for the Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement.
Elaine Couture has been named the 2016 chair-elect of the American Hospital Associations Section for Metropolitan Hospitals. She will assume the role of chairperson in 2017. Couture has been chief executive of Providence Health Care since 2013.
Hospitality
The Spokane Club has named Stacie Harper as chief executive officer. Harper was previously director of global sales for the West Coast at Choice Hotels International.
Miscellaneous
Robert Efford has been named president of Embassy Management, LLC. Efford was previously vice president of operations for The MENTOR Network’s Redwood Operating Group.
Paula Nordgaarden, community relations at Hennessey Funeral Homes and Crematories, is a Certified Life Celebrant. In this role, Nordgaarden creates tributes with families to honor lives.
Nonprofit
Skils’kin has promoted Chris Cale to compliance manager and Jessica Flaig to vocational rehabilitation specialist. Cale was previously the project manager for Skils’kin’s grounds maintenance contract at Fairchild Air Force Base. Flaig also serves as a staffing manager in Skils’kin’s employment department.
Associated Industries has announced the 2016 board of directors as follows: Brandon Tanner, chairman; Cam Buffington, vice chair; Don Poffenroth, secretary/treasurer; Bill Robinson, outgoing chair; Kevin Cox; Pat DeVries; Randy Kembel; Christine Smith.
The Spokane Building Owners and Managers Association has named the 2016 board of directors as follows: president, Kevin Guthrie of Kiemle & Hagood Co.; president-elect, Aaron Hayes of Global Credit Union; vice president, Spencer Sowl of Avista Development - Steam Plant; Jamie Traeger of JMA Commercial Real Estate; Ron White of Unico Properties; Doug Dittamore of Washington Trust Bank Facilities; Alicia Cole of Belfor Restoration; Bryce Lund of Burke’s Klein’s DKI – Restoration; Mary Richards of Inland Elevator.
Retail
Etailz has hired Porsha Fosse as an administrative assistant, Tom Quayle as a project planner, Peter Franz as an international onboarding coordinator, Dustin Davis as a partner onboarding coordinator in electronics, Brent Powers as a purchase order management partner and Joshua Scheel as an international onboarding coordinator.