_web.webp?t=1768464069)
Influencers
Another Successful Event!
The Journal of Business' People of Influence is an annual recognition of some of the Inland Northwest’s most influential newsmakers. This important event shined a light on people who are shaping our region, and was accompanied by a special section in our newspaper, and was a night to celebrate the Journal of Business' 40th Anniversary.
The honorees, in alphabetical order, are:
Jordan Allen, CEO, BuyWander Inc.
Michaele Armstrong, executive director, Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster.
Jesse Bank, executive director, Northeast Public Development Authority.
Chris Batten, principal, RenCorpRealty LLC.
Lance Beck, president and CEO, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Alisha Benson, CEO, Greater Spokane Incorporated.
Kevin Brockbank, chancellor, Spokane Colleges.
Emilie Cameron, president and CEO, Downtown Spokane Partnership.
Gavin Cooley, director of strategic initiatives, Spokane Business Association.
Cyndi Donahue, director of leadership training and development, Gonzaga University.
Vange Hochheimer, professor, Whitworth University and CEO and chief economist, Grand Fir Analytics.
Susan Horton, president and CEO, Wheatland Bank.
Garrett Jones, director, Spokane Parks & Recreation.
Shari McMahan, president, Eastern Washington University.
Shelly O’Quinn, CEO, Innovia Foundation.
Karl Otterstrom, CEO, Spokane Transit Authority.
Katia Passerini, president, Gonzaga University.
Christopher Preti, CEO, Jubilant HollisterStier LLC.
Dan Roark, CEO, Gestalt.
Tresa Schmautz, co-founder, Dignified Workday LLC.
Dale Silha, senior vice president, Pacific Northwest region, McKinstry Co. LLC.
Brittany Tyler, CEO, Four Roots LLC and director, Scale House Market.
Chud Wendle, executive director, Hutton Settlement.
Erin Williams-Hueter, executive director, Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County.
Adam Swinyard, superintendent, Spokane Public Schools.
Click Here to read the 26 People of Influence in 2026 supplement.
Photos from the 2026 Event
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
Highlights from 2025
Our 2025 Honorees
Maisa Abudayha, co-executive director, Feast World Kitchen.
Brooke Baker Spink, chief development officer, Baker Construction & Development Inc.
Becky Barnhart, CEO, Integrus Architecture PS.
David Black, CEO, NAI Black.
Ashley Blake, CEO, Spokane Sports.
Kris Bliesner, CEO, Vega Cloud Inc.
Lisa Brown, mayor, city of Spokane.
Carla Cicero, CEO, Numerica Credit Union.
Indy Dehal, CEO, ALSC Architects PS.
Ezra Eckhardt, CEO, STCU.
Kelly Fukai, incoming CEO, Washington Technology Industry Association.
Lisa Gardner, president, Spokane NAACP.
Melissa Green, managing director, Davenport Hotel Collection.
Jack Heath, CEO, Washington Trust Bank.
Susan Horton, CEO, Wheatland Bank.
Shane Johnson, CEO, CarbonQuest Inc.
Lucas Kjar, owner, Mode Liberty Lake.
Tim Mitrovich, CEO, Ten Capital Wealth Advisors.
Heather Rosentrater, president, Avista Corp.
Kevin Rudeen, owner, Rudeen Development.
Brynn Snyder, CEO, Slate Flosser.
Larry Stone, president, Stone Group of Cos.
Albert Tripp, city manager, city of Airway Heights.
Dr. Katherine Tuttle, executive director of research, Providence INW.
Scott Wetzel, chief development officer, Windermere Real Estate
Supporting Sponsor:
In-Kind Sponsor:
Click Here to read the 25 People of Influence in 2025 supplement.
Photos from the 2025 Event
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
Highlights from 2024
Our 2024 Honorees
2024 Supplement
Click here to read the 24 Influencers in 2024 Supplement.
Photos from the 2024 Event
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
2024 Sponsor
Read about last year's honorees.
_web.webp?t=1768346788)
_web.webp?t=1768464171)
