New Hires & Promotions

Heather Murray has joined Pullman-based agricultural technology company Qualterra Inc. as its new senior director of human resources. Murray previously worked in human resources at Premera Blue Cross and Gonzaga University. 

Spokane Colleges has hired Naomi Bender as the inaugural director of tribal relations. Bender previously served as director of Native American health sciences and the director for the Center for Native American Health at Washington State University. 

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel has promoted two employees and hired one. Tucker Louie-McGee has been promoted to hospitality director. Louie-McGee, a Coeur d’Alene Tribe member, formerly served as the marketing assistant, casino host, promotions manager, and facilities administration manager. Don Rasmussen has been promoted to director of golf at the casino’s golf course, Circling Raven Golf Club. Rasmussen previously served as the director of instruction. Teresa Gavin has joined as the advertising director. Gavin previously worked as the marketing director for Spokane-based Banner Marketing. 

Spokane-based Northwest Trends has hired David Ohman as its CEO. Ohman previously worked as the vice president of Coeur d’Alene-based Great Floors.

Spokane nonprofit Embrace Washington has hired Sarah Shapori as chief growth officer. Shapori, a fourth-generation Spokane native, first joined Embrace Washington as a board member and has a background in public relations, event production, and brand marketing. 

Eastern Washington University has selected Lorenzo M. Smith as its next provost and vice president for academic affairs. Smith will join EWU from Stephen F. Austin State University, in Texas, where he is the special assistant to the president of academic strategies. 

Awards & Recognition 

The Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors has named Stephanie Simpkins as its first female board president. Simpkins is the owner and president of Spokane-based traffic control company North Star Enterprises. 

The Spokane County Board of Commissioners approved a $775,000 award to Spokane Treatment & Recovery Services to be used as a 25% match with state-appropriated funding for the purchase and development of its Cowley Behavioral Health Treatment Facility. The award is part of the board’s Opioid Treatment and Prevention Plan announced in May 2024.

Eastern Washington University has announced the following 2025 EWU Alumni Award winners: Greg Deckard, Benjamin P. Cheney Lifetime Achievement Award; Mike Mumford, Eagle4Life Spirit Award; Ana Munguia, Tawanka Service Award; Angela Jones, Sandy Williams Trailblazer Award; Shawn Carney, Gov. Clarence D. Martin Educator of the Year; Lt. Col. Matt Boehnke, Lt. Col. Daniel M. Carter Military Service Award; and Kori Jackson, Rising Eagle Award. 

Spokane nonprofit Cancer Can’t has announced the following new board members: Dr. Arvind Chaudhry, director of Summit Cancer Centers; Kellie Evans, community volunteer; and Kathy Maurer, retired Providence Inland Northwest Foundation marketing communications professional.