Q&A Profiles

Five Takeaways: Commercial Real Estate Market

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Alicia Barbieri, co-president of Goodale & Barbieri, to discuss the commercial real estate market.

2026 Rising Stars: Kristopher Pockell

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kristopher Pockell is a software engineering manager at Liberty Lake-based OpenEye by day and the co-founder of Spokane Valley-based Elixir Sauce Co. by night.

2026 Rising Stars: Tyler Kavanaugh

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

2026 has been a year of building for architect Tyler Kavanaugh, who has been promoted to associate at Spokane-based ALSC Architects PS and named president of the American Institute of Architects Spokane chapter for 2027.

2026 Rising Stars: Rose Honey

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Rose Honey is an educator, linguaphile, visual artist, and designer who teaches studio art and graphic design at West Valley High School.

2026 Rising Stars: Peter Mahoney

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Peter Mahoney, a member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, is the wellness services director for Plummer, Idaho-based Marimn Health, where his department manages two facilities: the Marimn Health Wellness Center and the Marimn Health Coeur Center.

2026 Rising Stars: Hannah Kimball

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Attorney Hannah Kimball joined Coeur d’Alene-based Malek + Malek in May, where she helps rural hospitals, healthcare nonprofits, and other health system clients manage their legal obligations.

2026 Rising Stars: Summerlyn Feckner

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

After growing Spokane-based Ginger Co. Interiors LLC, which does business as Ginger Designs, from a small startup into an established interior design firm, Summerlyn Feckner, 30, expanded into co-ownership of Spokane Valley-based Coyote Creek Cabinets, bridging the gap between design and physical craftsmanship.

2026 Rising Stars: Andrew Hite

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

As CEO of CDL PowerSuite LLC, Andrew Hite sets the pace for the Spokane Valley-based company by defining business goals, establishing initiatives, and creating a supportive team environment.

2026 Rising Stars: Victoria Zsa Zsa Seebeck

virginiat@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Victoria Zsa Zsa Seebeck is balancing one career as a retail entrepreneur and another as a construction project manager.

2026 Rising Stars: Corinna O’Brien Kelsey

virginiat@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Corinna O’Brien Kelsey is a born and raised Spokanite with ties to Gonzaga Preparatory School and Gonzaga University. A graduate of both institutions, the 38-year-old is now vice president of advancement at Gonzaga Preparatory School, which has a 2026 fall enrollment total of 825 students.

Meet & Greet with Kevin Williams

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kevin Williams stepped into his new role as CEO of the Spokane Workforce Council in May. Williams joined the Spokane Workforce Council in 2022 and has been in the workforce development field for a decade.

Five Takeaways: North Idaho Economic Activity

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Wally Jacobson, executive director of the Panhandle Area Council and the interim executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Economic Development Corp., to discuss North Idaho economic activity.

Meet & Greet with Laura Galloway

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Laura Galloway began her new role as dean of Whitworth University’s School of Business on July 1 after relocating to Spokane from San Diego, where she previously worked for University of Massachusetts Global, a California-based online institution, most recently as associate vice chancellor for institutional curriculum, assessment, and academic policy.

Meet & Greet with Jessica "Jessie" Laughery

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Jessica “Jessie” Laughery joined Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO on May 11, replacing Lance Beck, who took a new job at Greater Spokane Incorporated.

Five Takeaways: Manufacturing & Innovation

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Mike Marzetta, president of Altek Inc. and co-founder of Minds-i Inc., to discuss manufacturing and innovation.

Parting Thoughts with Jim DeWalt, Associated Industries president and CEO

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Jim DeWalt retired in May, concluding a 23-year run as president and CEO of Spokane-based Associated Industries.

Five Takeaways: Mid-Year Economic Outlook

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Ryan Herzog, an economics professor at Gonzaga University, for its Mid-Year Economic Outlook.

Meet & Greet with Danny Scalise, Spokane Regional Health District administrative officer

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Danny Scalise is the newest administrative officer for the Spokane Regional Health District. The Journal of Business sat down with Scalise to discuss his background in finance and public health, his goals for the health district under his leadership, and more.

Five Takeaways: The Inland Northwest Housing Market

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Joel White, the executive officer at Spokane Home Builders Association, to discuss the Inland Northwest Housing Market.

Meet & Greet with Jon Wyss, West Plains Chamber of Commerce executive director

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Jon Wyss began his new role as executive director of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce earlier this year. Wyss previously served as Washington state's executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, a role he held three times.

Five Takeaways: The Health of Health Care

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Aaron Wilson, the CEO of CHAS Health, to discuss the health of health care.

Meet & Greet with Skyler Reep, KSPS PBS president and general manager

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Skyler Reep has been named president and general manager of KSPS PBS, the station announced in February. Reep, who had been serving as interim general manager since the retirement of Gary Stokes in August 2025, has been with KSPS PBS since 2017, most recently as director of development.

Five Takeaways: The Business of Sports

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Keytra Lewis, the associate vice president at Spokane Sports, to discuss the business of sports.

Meet & Greet with Steve Wenig, Spokane Symphony executive director

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Steve Wenig took over as executive director of the Spokane Symphony in January. Wenig brings over two decades of arts administration experience to the Spokane Symphony, most recently serving as vice president and general manager of the Oregon Symphony for 10 years.

Five Takeaways: Wellness in the Workplace

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Natalie Gauvin, a corporate wellness coach and yoga instructor, to discuss wellness in the workplace.

Meet & Greet with Dave Haring, Spokane Airports CEO

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Dave Haring was named CEO of Spokane Airports in August and began his new role in October. In his new role, Haring oversees Spokane International Airport, Felts Field, and the Airport Business Park.

Five Takeaways: Inland Northwest Labor Market

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Wade Larson, the executive director of the Production & Manufacturing Institute and the owner of Optimal Talent Dynamics, to discuss the Inland Northwest labor market.

Parting Thoughts with Jeanette Hauck, CEO of YWCA Spokane

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Jeanette Hauck, the CEO of YWCA Spokane, is retiring after a 14-year career with the nonprofit. The Journal sat down with Hauck to discuss why she chose to work in the nonprofit sector, her proudest moments as CEO, and some of the work that YWCA does in the Spokane community.

Five Takeaways: Economic Outlook

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

For its Economic Outlook episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Vange Hochheimer, economics and finance professor at Whitworth University and CEO and chief economist at Grand Fir Analytics.

Five Takeaways: Spokane's Startup Scene

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Tom Simpson, the CEO of Ignite Northwest and president of the Spokane Angel Alliance, to discuss Spokane's startup scene.