Business Beat

Architecture

Architects West has hired Robert Schmidt as a project architect. Schmidt, who has 24 years of experience, previously worked for Longwell + Trapp Architects and Integrus Architecture.

Government

The Washington state Department of Commerce has hired Susan Nielsen as rural services manager for Eastern Washington. Nielsen founded Strategic Niche LLC and worked previously as regional executive director of College Success Foundation.

Spokane County’s Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 18-0847 on Nov. 27, officially designating Anthony Dinaro as public records coordinator for the county. He previously served in the Spokane City Clerk’s Office, parsing requests for public records disclosure.

Dr. Valerie Shayman has been hired as program manager for the Spokane County District Court’s Mental Health Therapeutic Court. Shayman has previously worked as director for Catholic Charities Rising Strong, behavioral intervention team coordinator at Gonzaga University, and crisis and suicide line program coordinator for Crisis Center Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama.

Health

Cancer Care Northwest has hired Dr. Wendy Breyer as its latest medical oncologist/hematologist. Breyer previously practiced at Central Utah Clinic in Provo, Utah, serving as the department chair of oncology and leading the Breast Program Leadership Committee.

Real Estate

SVN Cornerstone has hired Molly Swearingen as marketing and executive assistant. Swearingen’s key roles include office administration, listing manager and transaction coordinator.

Utilities

Kootenai Electric Cooperative has announced four additions to the company’s staff, including Gery Hirsch as manager of member services. Hirschhas more than 20 years of customer service experience. KEC also has hired Jessika Applegate as human resources administrator. She previously worked as a staff accountant at North Idaho Family Physicians. Michael Thomas, who previously worked at CoServ Electric Cooperative as an electrical engineer in Corinth, Texas, has been hired as system engineer. Scott Davis has been named vice president of engineering and technical services. Davis previously worked with Ellett & Gaynor Professional Engineers as principal and executive manager of its firm in Amarillo, Texas, and has 25 years of experience in the industry.

Honors

The Spokane Estate Planning Council has been awarded the National Association of Estate Planners & Council’s Leonard H. Neiman and Walter Lee Davis, Jr. Council of Excellence Award. It is the highest honor available to an estate planning council affiliated with the association.

The Intensive Care Unit at Providence Holy Family Hospital has received a silverlevel Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The award is a milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments, recognizing caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes.