New Hires & Promotions

Dr. Deepthi Kodali has joined Cancer Care Northwest as a medical oncologist and hematologist. Kodali previously worked as a physician at Summit Cancer Centers, in Spokane Valley.

Joya Child & Family Development has expanded its administrative team with two new hires. Justin Botejue has been hired as clinic manager. Botejue previously worked as physician relations liaison for Shriners Children’s Spokane. Jessie Laughery has been hired as director of strategic programs and initiatives. Laughery previously served as director of community engagement and stewardship at Hutton Settlement Children’s Home.

Spokane Transit Authority has hired Robert Hamud as chief financial officer. Hamud previously worked for the city of Issaquah, Washington, as chief financial officer.

Avista Corp. has expanded its senior leadership with three promotions. Jason Thackston has been promoted to senior vice president of growth, energy policy, and external relations. Thackston previously served as senior vice president of energy policy and chief strategy officer. Wayne Manuel has been promoted to senior vice president, operations and technology. Manuel previously worked as vice president, chief information officer and chief security officer. Alexis Alexander has been promoted to vice president, chief information officer and chief security officer. Alexander previously worked as director of applications.

Hannah Jonus has joined Winston & Cashatt as an associate attorney. Jonus previously served as a judicial law clerk for the Washington State Court of Appeals.

Secured Investment Corp. has hired Jennifer O’Callaghan as chief operations officer. O’Callaghan previously worked for Numerica Credit Union as senior vice president of marketing.

Helena, Montana-based engineering firm Morrison-Maierle has promoted Eric Webber to Bend, Oregon, and Spokane regional operations manager. Webber previously worked as operations manager in Bend.

Jimmy McAndrew has been promoted to regional market president at Mountain West Bank, in Coeur d’Alene. McAndrew concurrently serves as vice president of real estate sales.

Awards & Designations

Six Piskel Yahne Kovarik LLC attorneys have been named to the 2025 Washington Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Jason Piskel, Nicholas Kovarik, and Ryan Yahne were named Super Lawyers. Whitny Norton, Benjamin McDonnell, and Troy Sims were named Rising Stars.

Robert Francis, of Whitworth University, has been selected as a visiting scholar for the 2025-2026 Visiting Scholars Poverty Program by the Institute for Research on Poverty. The program provides resources and networks for scholars from low-income backgrounds. Francis will present research at the West Coast Poverty Center at the University of Washington.

The Association of Community College Presidents has appointed North Idaho College president Nick Swayne to its Advisory Committee of Presidents. Swayne’s role will include recommending and evaluating educational programs from the perspective of a campus executive.

Three of No-Li Brewhouse’s Squatch Series Imperials have placed at the 2025 World Beer Awards in Norwich, England. The Juicy Squatch IPA, which placed as a country winner, was awarded gold. The Spartan Squatch IPA was awarded silver, and the Imperial Squatch IPA was awarded bronze.

Philanthropy

Central Valley School District is one of four school districts in the Inland Northwest receiving donations through Gesa Credit Union’s Affinity Debit Card program. The school districts will receive more than $54,000 in donations. In total, 31 school districts across the state will receive $440,000 in donations.

Numerica Credit Union will grant $380,000 in funding to 22 Spokane- and North Idaho-area nonprofits from its 2025 Numerica Charitable Fund, focusing on Numerica CARES for Kids, a philanthropic initiative supporting local children and their families. The nonprofit recipients provide services such as safe housing, trauma-informed care, and more.