Aug 28, 2000

Lane Powell Spears Lubersky

Jennifer Harrison has joined the law firm of Lane Powell Spears Lubersky in the Seattle office as an associate in the business department. She concentrates her practice in taxation. She received her LL.M from the University of Washington School of Law in taxation earlier this year.

DDB

The Seattle office of DDB, an advertising agency, announced several new hires. Michelle Tatum has been hired as a public relations senior account executive. Monica Deck has joined the agency as a senior media planner. Michelle Smith joins as a media planner, Jon Gosline as an assistant planner/buyer in the media department, Geoffrey Westling as an NT administrator, John Schupp as a print production manager and Chris Cowgill as a billing coordinator.

iStart Ventures

iStart Ventures, a Seattle-based Internet business accelerator, announced the appointment of Microsoft veteran David Perry to vice president of marketing. In this capacity, Perry will lead the marketing efforts of iStart Ventures and work closely with portfolio companies to guide the development of their strategic marketing initiatives. Most recently, he served as the director of marketing and led strategic branding efforts for the company's ".NET" initiative which involved integrating the new brand into existing and future Microsoft products and services.

Avista

Avista Chairman, President and CEO T.M. Matthews announced organizational changes in management of the Spokane company's utility business, power supply operations and corporate structures. Scott Morris is now president of Avista Utilities, replacing Edward Turner, who has resigned. Morris will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Avista's regulated electric generation and distribution and gas distribution.

Kelly Norwood is appointed vice president and general manager — energy resources — for Avista Utilities. This new position encompasses overall responsibility for resource planning, rate strategies, resource optimization, wholesale marketing, risk management and resource accounting.

Jim Jewell will become director of finance for Avista Utilities, responsible for financial accounting. Dave Brukardt is appointed chief communication officer and vice president of investor and corporate relations. Anne Marie Axworthy will direct community relations and public affairs, providing coordination of Avista's community relations activities across the company's service territory.

SQLSoft

The earlier owners of SQLSoft, Steve Brugger and Mark Scott, announced the return of their IT training company, SQLSoft+. Brugger and Scott purchased Aris Corp.’s education division in May. In purchasing the division, Brugger and Scott reacquired the Bellevue-based training company, SQLSoft, which they had sold to Aris in 1996. The purchase also included Aris' training facility in Beaverton, Ore. The Bellevue and Beaverton offices enjoy a reputation in the Pacific Northwest for outstanding computer systems and computer programming training

Aug 25, 2000

Meals.com

Ian Melanson joins Meals.com as vice president of marketing and product development. Melanson joins the company from Coinstar, where he served first as vice president of sales and marketing. Melanson and his team are responsible for developing and managing products, examining and developing product-based business opportunities, and consumer personalization. John Melin joins the company as vice president of business development. Melin was vice president of Coinstar International.

APCO Worldwide

APCO Worldwide announced the addition of Lee Keller to be a co-director and senior vice president in its Seattle office. Keller has more than 20 years of experience in public affairs and politics.The public affairs and government relations practice area at APCO’s Seattle office has three other major practice areas: business and strategic communications, technology communications and strategic philanthropy. Keller is leaving her position as external affairs director for Vulcan NW, Paul Allen’s parent company in Bellevue, where she has been for three years.

American Background Information Services

American Background Information Services, a division of Amsec International, has appointed Mark Aspiri as vice president of business development with emphasis in the Northwest. American Background, an employment-screening firm, services clientele nationally, including those located in the Northwest.

Cutting Edge Concepts

Cutting Edge Concepts, exclusive concessionaire for the Rose Quarter in Portland and the Stadium Exhibition Center in Seattle, announced the hiring of Brian Hartman as general manager of the Seattle Stadium and Exhibition Center for Cutting Edge Concepts. Hartman will oversee food and beverage operations. Prior to joining the company, he was the district manager for Fine Host Corp. in Tempe, Ariz.