New Hires & Promotions

Spokane Valley-based Numerica Credit Union has hired Victor Melnik as vice president of retail experience for Spokane Valley and North Idaho. Melnik previously worked for Richland, Washington-based Gesa Credit Union as regional sales and service manager.

Shriners Children’s Spokane has promoted Sarah Older to practice manager from director of performance improvement, risk management, and medical staff administration.

Whitworth University, of Spokane, has hired Jason Thackston as vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. Thackston previously worked for Spokane-based Avista Corp. in executive leadership for finance, operations, strategy, and policy.

Irvine, California-based Alliant Insurance Services Inc. has promoted Brittney Ervin to staff manager in its Spokane employee benefits office. Ervin previously served as account manager lead.

Spokane Valley-based Cancer Care Northwest has hired Ramon Guel as senior director, payer strategy and relations. Guel previously served as executive director of Kootenai Care Network.

Visit Spokane has hired Zach Keetch as convention sales and services manager. Keetch previously worked as an area sales representative for Massachusetts-based Spindrift Beverage Co. Inc.

Spokane-based Storhaug Engineering Inc. has hired Leslie Crawford as senior professional engineer. Crawford previously worked at LBYD Federal as senior engineering manager.

Awards & Designations

The Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees has named Christine Johnson as board chair and Drew Shirk as vice chair. Johnson previously served as chancellor of Community Colleges of Spokane, now called Spokane Colleges. Shirk previously served as director of the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Robin Henager Greene, Whitworth University professor of economics and finance, has been awarded the 2026 Professional Achievement Award by the Brenau University Alumni Association.

The Innovia Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to 125 organizations in Eastern Washington and North Idaho through its Community Grants Program. Thirty-seven Spokane County organizations and 11 Kootenai County organizations were awarded.

The National Science Foundation has awarded Harman Khare, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Gonzaga University, with the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award. This award provides long-term funding for academic leaders nationwide and will provide funding for Khare’s future research.