New Hires & Promotions

Duke Walker has joined Coeur d’ Alene-based Kootenai Health as chief operating officer. Walker previously served as vice president of operations for Lee Health System, in Fort Myers, Florida.

Spokane-based SVN Cornerstone has hired Kelsey Fortenberry as real estate administrative coordinator. Fortenberry previously worked for the General Services Administration as lease management specialist. SVN Cornerstone also has promoted Cayden Kerr to associate advisor. Kerr previously served as transaction manager and real estate assistant.

TOK Commercial has hired Kim Millet as a commercial real estate broker. Millet previously worked as a commercial sales and leasing broker for Bornhoft Commercial.

Brad Hakala has been promoted to associate principal at Integrus Architecture. Hakala previously worked as a senior associate for the firm.

Coeur d’Alene-based Architects West has expanded their firm with the hiring of Helen Casey as landscape designer and Jacob Mayfield as BIM technician. Casey previously worked as landscape designer for Bernardo Wills. Mayfield recently graduated from Spokane Community College after working in technology-based roles in the Army.

Salish School of Spokane has expanded their leadership with three promotions. Co-founder LaRae Wiley has been promoted to elder-linguist and will serve on the board of directors. Wiley previously served as executive director. Brea Desautel and Kim Richards, Ph.D., have been hired as co-executive directors. Desautel previously worked as center director. Richards previously worked as an assistant executive director.

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel has promoted Michelle Whaley to video gaming director. Whaley previously worked as video gaming performance manager.

Inland Northwest Land Conservancy has hired Cody Barnhart as operations and finance director. Barnhart previously worked for DSDT College, in Detroit, as vice president and provost.

Awards & Designations

Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Candie Dibble to the Spokane County Superior Court, filling the position vacated by Raymond Clary. Dibble previously served as senior counsel for the Corrections Division of the Attorney General’s Office in Spokane.

Rose Noble, president and CEO of Visit Spokane, has been elected to a second term on the Destinations International Board of Trustees. Destinations International is a worldwide resource for hundreds of destination organizations like Visit Spokane.

Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper has been elected to the board of directors for the Association of Washington Cities. The AWC Board of Directors includes 23 mayors and city council members from across the state.

Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College are two of six schools selected by the Washington Board for Community & Technical Colleges to participate in the Early Adopter Advising Technology & Implementation Project. The schools will explore technology being used to further enhance the student advising processes.

The National Association of Counties has recognized Spokane County with two 2024 Achievement Awards for two of the county’s programs. The Sobering, Triage, & Transition Program offers alternatives to jail and emergency room visits by providing triage spaces and ensuring long-term, community-based care. The Behavioral Health Transitional Support Program provides on-site, immediate behavioral health support as well as housing stability services.