Business Beat

NEW FACES

BDO Seidman has hired Michael Patrick, a certified public accountant, as a tax manager. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and has six years of public accounting experience.

Chris Connelly has been hired as a sales associate in the north Spokane office of Windermere Real Estate. Connelly was previously a pastoral assistant at Indian Trail Church.

Valley Family Physicians has hired Dr. Cecilia Lauder. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma and completed an internship and residency at Family Medicine Spokane. She has recently been accepted for membership in the Spokane County Medical Society.

Cheryle Winkey has been hired as the manager of the Trent Avenue branch of Horizon Credit Union. She has over 25 years of experience in the banking industry and previously worked at Farmers & Merchants Bank.

The law office of Lukins & Annis has hired John Witherspoon as an associate attorney. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard University and earned his Juris Doctorate at the University of Washington.

John Yeatman has been hired as a chief administrative officer in the Vancouver office of Duvoisin and Associates. He previously worked as a private healthcare consultant in Chicago.

The Spokane Alpine Haus has hired Shane Perkins in both the sales and service departments. He previously worked at LouLous and has four years of experience.

Melody Balmes has been hired as president of retail banking at Intermountain Community Bank. She previously worked in regional sales in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

ALSC Architects has hired Eric Owens. He holds bachelors and masters degrees in architecture from Washington State University.

The Spokane Valley Wal-Mart Vision Center has hired Meg Hansen as manager. She previously worked in Missoula and is an ABO certified optician.

BDO Seidman has hired David Bruce as an assurance associate. He holds an accounting degree from Washington State University.

Joshua Skipper has been hired as an assurance associate at BDO Seidman. He holds a bachelors degree in accounting from Gonzaga University.

BDO Seidman has hired William Tombari III as a tax associate. He holds a masters degree in accounting from Gonzaga University.

Rockwood Clinic has hired Susan Heider as chief information officer. She has worked for healthcare organizations for 25 years.

KUDOS

Glenn Baldwin, vice president and financial consultant at D.A. Davidson & Co., has graduated from the company’s Comprehensive Wealth Management Program. He has been with the company since 1994 and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Eastern Washington University.

The Northwest Mining Association has received the 2005 Industry Partnership Award from the Mining Foundation of the Southwest.

ELECTED/APPOINTED

Bruce Blackmer of Northwest Architectural Company, has been appointed to serve as an American Institute of Architects representative to the National Architectural Accrediting Board’s board of directors.

The Wishing Star Foundation Board of Trustees recently elected new members. They are: Troy Nelson of Paine, Hamblen, Coffin, Brooke and Miller; Brad Poe of the Spokane Indians Baseball Organization; and Marty Orchard of Lydig Construction Inc.

GIFTS

Local Yoke’s Fresh Markets collected $15,000 from its customers through its “Keep the Change” program. The funds were donated to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief fund.

GRAND OPENING

Jewelry Design Center recently celebrated the grand opening of its new showroom located at 821 N. Division. The store can be reached at 487-5905.

NEW BUSINESS

Presto Change-o has recently opened in Coeur d’Alene. The company offers mobile lube, oil and filter changes using specially equipped vans. Presto Chang-o can be reached at 877-LUBE-VAN or by visiting www.oilchangemobile.com.

Capel Rug Gallery has opened at 1321 N. Mullan. The store can be reached at 926-0098.