New Hires and Promotions

Whitworth University has announced the permanent appointment of John Pell as its provost and executive vice president. Pell began serving as interim provost in May 2024. He joined Whitworth’s English department in 2012 and was appointed dean of the College of Arts & Sciences in 2022.

Spokane-based BuyWander has hired Brent Hendricks as its head of operations. Hendricks previously served as the founder and executive director of Spokane-based nonprofit Global Neighborhood.

Spokane-based Exit Real Estate Professionals has hired Chandra Champagne as a Realtor. Champagne earned a bachelor’s degree in social services from Whitworth University.

Washington State University has announced Julie Akers as its interim dean of the Washington State University College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. Akers currently serves as the executive associate dean of the pharmacy college.

Spokane-based law firm Winston & Cashatt, Lawyers has hired Christine Vogel as an associate attorney. She also serves on the state board of Washington Women Lawyers, where she is co-vice president of the governmental affairs committee.   

Cheney Public Schools has hired Coretta Hoffman as the assistant principal at Cheney High School. Hoffman previously worked as the assistant principal at Mead High School.

Coeur d’Alene-based Lakeside Cos., a Spokane-based business conglomerate, has announced the appointment of David Weeks as chief executive officer. Weeks succeeds John Hemmingson, founder of Lakeside, who will serve as chairman.

Deer Park-based Knight Wall Systems has hired Noé Martínez as project manager. Martínez previously worked for Los Alamitos, California-based RECON Engineering & Construction.

Spokane-based CR Concrete has hired Jared Wise as general manager. Wise has over 20 years of experience in civil construction.

Awards & Designations

Spokane Arts has awarded a total of $55,000 in grants to the following recipients: Live from Somewhere, Refugee and Immigrant Connections Spokane, Spokane Folklore Society, H. Woods Studio, Imagine Jazz, The Friends of the Bluff, TEAM Grant, and GLOW Children Early Learning Center. The Spokane Arts Grand Awards helps projects for work in music, film, education, fine arts, cultural arts, and festival hosting.

Christine Burns has been named as a board member for Spokane-based nonprofit Feed Spokane. Burns is the founder and CEO of Posted Consulting.