Business Beat
Architecture
Bernardo|Willis Architects has hired James Davis as a landscape architect and Cathi Lamb and Meranda D. Morris as BIM/CAD technicians. Davis has seven years of experience in landscape architecture and worked previously for Land Expressions. Lamb has 35 years of drafting experience and worked previously as CAD manager for Wayne C. Slu Architects in Brea, California. Morris recently graduated from Spokane Community College with an Associate in Applied Science degree in architectural technology.
Banking
Mountain West Bank has hired Seth Russler as a level-two assistant relationship manager at its Coeur d’Alene commercial lending center. He has 19 years of retail and commercial banking experience.
Education
Gonzaga University has named Mia Bertagnolli, professor of biology and chair of the chemistry and biochemistry department, co-director for a five-year, $999,899 National Science Foundation ADVANCE Partnership grant. The grant supports the advancement of midcareer STEM – for science, technology, engineering, math – women faculty across colleges and universities across the Northwest, Midwest and Southeast.
Gov. Jay Inslee has reappointed Trustee Mike Wilson to the Community Colleges of Spokane Board of Trustees to another five-year term. He began his tenure in 2013 and has been active on state and regional boards and committees for more than 25 years.
Law
Witherspoon Kelley in Spokane has hired Brittney Adams and Carrie Lofts as associate attorneys. Adams graduated from Seattle University School of Law and will primarily practice in litigation, health care and labor and employment cases. Lofts graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law and will focus her practice primarily on real estate, banking and finance, and business and corporate matters.
Kutak Rock has named Heather C. Yakely managing partner of the firm’s Spokane office. She has practiced in the areas of employment and constitutional law issues, municipal law and tort defense for 20 years.
Honors
The Washington State Hospital Association honored Tom Wilbur, Newport Hospital and Health Services CEO and superintendent, with the Joe Hopkins Memorial Award. The award is given each year to an individual displaying dedication to Washington’s hospitals, with a special focus on a rural health.
Fourteen small business owners from the Inland Northwest have graduated from the U.S. Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders program. Among those 14 are Spokane residents Ashlie Beal of The Light Factory, Monika Cetnarowski of 2nd Sight Bioscience, James Courtner of Courtner Architectural Group, Harlan Heise of Heise Electrical and Jaunessa Walsh of Farmgirl Fit; Spokane Valley residents Frank Duffy of CW Crates and Pallets, Gary Owens of Skyone Aerospace and Steven Simms of Cascade Defense; Kettle Falls resident Steve Hedrick of Northern Ales Inc.; and Post Falls resident Nikki Randolph of Lake City Restaurants.