New Hires & Promotions

Architects West has welcomed two new employees. Amanda McGilley has been hired as billing and resource specialist. McGilley previously worked in accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll for professional services firms. Brennan Jorgensen has been hired as architectural designer. Jorgensen previously worked as lead draftsperson at Spokane House Plans Inc.

EXIT Real Estate Professionals has hired Mary Ann Jones as a real estate broker. Jones previously worked for Heart & Homes Realty Northwest under the same title.

Angelique Rusk has been hired by the Boys & Girls Club of Spokane County as major gifts and campaign director. Rusk previously served as development director at Salish School of Spokane.

RiverBank has appointed David FitzMaurice as senior vice president and chief financial officer. FitzMaurice previously worked for Numerica Credit Union as treasurer.

Olivia Gaete has joined Joya Child & Family Development as legacy and individual gifts manager. Gaete previously served as director of resource development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County.

Melissa Koontz has been hired as senior vice president, employee benefits at Alliant Insurance Services. Koontz previously worked for HUB International under the same title.

Awards & Designations

NiCE Public Safety & Justice has named Kelli Mehaffey, supervisor at Spokane Regional Emergency Communications, the 2025 PSAPs’ Finest Line Supervisor of the Year.

Meg Lindsay, workforce development manager at Providence, has been awarded the Business-Education Partnership Award by the Washington Association for Career & Technical Education.

Gonzaga University, Washington State University, and Whitworth University have each been named in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2026 lists.

The First Interstate Center for the Arts has been recognized among the Top 40 Auditorium/Theatre Venues by Pollstar, a live entertainment trade publication. The Center’s ranking is based on its ticket sales.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced grant funds to 12 organizations throughout Washington state and Idaho to help veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Eight organizations in Washington state will receive $35.6 million in funds. Four organizations in Idaho will receive $11.1 million. The grant funds will be distributed to areas of housing and housing counseling, health care, financial planning services, child care, legal aid, and transportation.

The Inland Northwest Land Conservancy has honored seven volunteers who have provided exceptional service to protect the region’s land and water: Janeen Leachman, Lorenzo Menendez, Joe Spitz, Amy Walker, Brenda Day, Sally Pritchard, and Alana Livingston.

President of Lewis-Clark State College Cynthia Pemberton has been named chair-elect of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Council of Presidents.

Career Path Services has been awarded $500,000 in grants funds by the Washington state Department of Transportation’s Pre-Apprenticeship & Support Services program. The grant funds will expand access to apprenticeship programs for youth and adults in Spokane, Benton, and Franklin counties.

Philanthropy

The Idaho Community Foundation has announced its 2025 Forever Idaho North Region Grant Awards recipients. $285,000 will be granted to nonprofits throughout counties in North Idaho, including Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties.