Spokane-based architectural firm Bernardo Wills has hired Emily Meythaler as its office manager. Meythaler is a recent Eastern Washington University graduate. Bernardo Wills also has promoted Beckie Selby to proposal coordinator and venue manager from office and venue manager. Selby will manage the Bissinger Room, an event space located at Bernardo Wills in downtown Spokane. 

Peter Allen has joined Washington Trust Bank's Wealth Management & Advisory Services Team to serve as senior vice president and director of investments. Allen has more than 20 years of experience in the financial and legal industries.

Casey N. Kinross has joined Spokane Valley-based law firm Wolff, Hislop & Crockett PLLC as an associate attorney, and will assist clients with business and real estate litigation. Kinross is a recent graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law.

Cancer Care Northwest has hired Dr. Arthur Molina III as a medical oncologist and hematologist to practice at its North Spokane clinic. Molina uses immune and target therapies to treat genetic mutations.

Coeur d'Alene-based Welch Comer Engineers has promoted Ashley Williams to senior project manager from project engineer. Williams joined Welch Comer in 2011. Welch Comer has also promoted Thomas Tucker to crew chief II from crew chief I. Tucker joined Welch Comer in 2019.

Kootenai Electric Cooperative has promoted Cameron Hall to operations superintendent. Hall has been with KEC since 2001 as a journeyman lineman and foreman. KEC has also promoted Michael Thomas to manager of engineering and distribution management systems from chief engineer. Thomas has worked at KEC since 2018.

Awards & Designations

Kim Phelps, principal at Spokane-based ALSC Architects, has completed the Design-Build Institute of America's education, training, and certification testing program, and has achieved national certification as an Associate Design-Build Professional. Jodi Kittel, associate principal at Spokane-based ALSC Architects, has earned the Accredited Learning Environment Planner certification, which recognizes expertise and leadership as a learning-environments planner.

The University District Development Association, of Spokane, has appointed as 2024 board members Mayor Lisa Brown; Council President Betsy Wilkerson; Laverne Biel, of the East Spokane Business Association; Lois Bollenback, of the Spokane Regional Transportation Council; Stacie Maier, of Avista Corp.; and Jonathan Teeters, of Empire Health Foundation, as 2024 board members.

The American Red Cross-Inland Northwest Chapter has awarded Zaiden Hunter the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, an award that recognizes individuals or teams, with or without Red Cross training, who either save or sustain a life.

American newspaper and news broadcasting company USA Today has included Spokane-based Indigenous Eats on its 10 Best New Restaurants in the US 2024 list. 

YWCA Spokane has awarded Melody Chang Heaton, Colene Rubert, Kristine Hoover, Samantha Clark, Stephaine Courtney, Vanessa Waldref, Denise Smart, and Sindhu Surapaneni the YWCA Women of Achievement Award, which honors women who work to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity in Spokane.

Washington State Representative Suzanne Schmidt has been appointed to the Washington State Building Code Council by House Speaker Laurie Jenkins.

Philanthropy 

The Spokane Home Builders Association has donated $77,400 to the Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group to support Spokane County families impacted by the 2023 wildfires.