New Hires & Promotions: 

The Spokesman-Review has hired Aaron J. Kotarek as general manager. Kotarek previously worked as senior vice president for audience and operations at Oahu Publications Inc., best known for publishing The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 

Inland Imaging has hired Jason Cardon as its chief information officer. Cardon previously worked as the company’s chief technology officer. 

Spokane-based Kiemle Hagood has hired Christian Alfaro as a broker. Alfaro specializes in sales and leasing and previously worked in logistics, health care, and sales. 

YMCA of the Inland Northwest has hired Jason Turningrobe as its association facilities executive. Turningrobe previously worked for Spokane-based companies Applied Industrial Technologies and M&L Supply Co.

Coeur d'Alene-based law firm Smith + Malek has hired two attorneys for its Inland Northwest offices. Nathan Sargent has joined the Spokane office as a litigation attorney. Sargent previously worked as an intern for the firm and is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Bob Nelson has joined the firm's Coeur d’Alene office. Nelson previously worked at Seattle-based Trident Seafoods Corp. 

Spokane design firm Bernardo Wills has hired three employees. Beau Tanner has joined as an architectural technician. Tanner is a graduate of the University of Idaho and a veteran of the Marine Corps. Heather Storile has joined as a project executive assistant. Storile previously worked for Spokane-based Greystar. Kathryn Porter has joined the multifamily housing team as a senior architectural technician. Porter previously worked for Design Services West. 

Downtown Spokane Partnership has hired four employees. Rae-Lynn Barden has joined as director of policy and membership. Barden holds a master’s degree in public administration from Eastern Washington University. Brandon Dewey has joined as special projects manager. Dewey previously worked as director of giving and program director at the Downtown Missoula Partnership. Celina Van Hyning has joined as marketing and communications coordinator. Van Hyning previously worked as a digital reporter in both Spokane and Boise. Kimberlee Pekrul has joined as administrative services coordinator. Pekrul previously worked as a substitute teacher, paraeducator, and leasing professional.  

Spokane law firm Piskel Yahne Kovarik PLLC has hired Jackson Woods as associate attorney. Woods received his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law and previously worked as an intern and law clerk for firms in Oregon, Washington, and at the Spokane Superior Court. 

Spokane-based NAI Black has hired Clayton Crockett as a sales and leasing broker. Crockett interned for NAI Black and will graduate from Whitworth University. 

Awards and Designations 

Whitworth University Board of Trustees has elected Julie L. Levi, as its next chair with her three-year term to begin on July 1. Levi joined the Whitworth board in 2020 and is an attorney living in San Diego.