Business beat

New faces

Colin Kelly has been hired as an associate analyst for Signia Capital Management. He previously worked as vice president of equity research for Capital Management and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in finance and marketing from Gonzaga University.

CH2MHill Inc. has hired Mark Brower as a project manager for the firm’s transportation business group. He previously worked for Womer and Associates as the civil engineering group manager.

Ryan Walters has been hired by Kiemle & Hagood Co. as property manager for the commercial management division. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University and is a licensed Realtor in the state of Washington. Range has hired Levi Dean as a client partner for the company’s Coeur d’Alene team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pacific Lutheran University and has more than 10 years of marketing industry experience.

Promotions

Sharon Forsyth and Dana Hodge have been promoted from Staff B to Staff A for McDirmid, Mikkelsen and Secrest, P.S.

Winston and Cashatt Lawyers has promoted Ryan Yahne to principal.

Kudos

Performance Contracting Inc. received the Theodore H. Brodie Distinguished Safety Award in the large company category from the National Insulation Association for outstanding safety performance as a contractor.

The Community Associations Institute has presented Sherry Lenarz with its Association Management Specialist designation. Lenarz is the owner of Association Services Inc. in Coeur d’Alene.

Appointed

Irene Gonzales has been appointed by Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire as a Board of Trustees member of The Evergreen State College through September 2015. Gonzales works for Spokane Public Schools as executive director of Teaching and Learning Services.

Elected

The Inland Empire Transit Association has elected the following individuals to serve as board members: Phyllis Holmes, Richard Bryant, Larry Swartz and Keith Lamotte. Officers are president, Kim Traver; vice president, Richard Raymond; secretary, Donald Cain; and treasurer, Nickola Nickoloff.

New businesses

Andrea Estes has opened AE Consulting LLC in Spokane. The company specializes in providing project management services for small businesses and nonprofit organizations including online marketing solutions, nonprofit development support and overall business analysis. Estes previously worked as a recruiter for Chameleon Technologies Inc., an information technology staffing firm in Seattle, and as an operations manager for Catch A Special Thrill For Kids Foundation in Renton, Wash. Web site: www.ae-consulting.net. Contact: (206) 355-7514.

Jennifer Lorenz has opened Budget Trophy in Spokane. The company offers customized trophies, free engraving, free local delivery and specializes in youth sports trophies. Web site: www.budgettrophy spokane.com. Contact: (509) 467-4800.