Business Beat

Banking

Banner Bank has hired Monica Lay as a mortgage loan officer serving the Spokane area. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry, specializing in first-time home loans. Lay worked previously as a loan originator for HomeStreet Bank.

Engineering

ALLWEST Testing and Engineering has hired Kevin Aardahl as area manager of its Hayden office. He has more than 30 years of experience in geology and environmental engineering and worked previously as a contract environmental consultant in the Orange County, California area.

Hospitality

Spokane-based Stay Alfred has appointed Edmond Farrell as vice president and general counsel. He worked previously as managing counsel of global real estate at Oracle.

Nonprofit

Inland Northwest Land Conservancy has elected Lindsay Chutas, Julie Johnson and Vange Ocasio Hochheimer to serve on its board. Chutas is riparian program leader for the Spokane Conservation District. Johnson is a retired teacher and community volunteer. Ocasio Hochheimer is a professor of economics at Whitworth University.

Honors

Forbes Travel Guide has published its annual star rating list, naming Northern Quest Resort and Casino as a our-star recommended hotel and granting four-star awards to The Davenport Spa and Salon and La Rive Spa. Northern Quest has received the award for the seventh consecutive year, and La Rive Spa has earned the rating eighth years in a row.