Jan 15, 2002

Avista Advantage

Avista Advantage named Harry Stephens as president and CEO. Stephens replaces Gerry Crooks, one of the company's founders. Cooks is moving to the new position of chief strategic officer at Avista. Stephens has been with Avista as strategic adviser. Avista, based in Spokane, sells energy billing and related services nationwide.

Premise Systems

Premise Systems of Redmond has been acquired by Lantronix of Irvine, Calif. Recently, Premise entered into a commercial agreement with Smart, a company formed last year as a result of a partnership and investments among Smart LLC, General Electric Industrial Systems, and Microsoft to jointly deliver the GE Smart Connected Home consumer automation system. Lantronix develops solutions to add intelligence to devices like lighting control systems, security and HVAC systems, entertainment equipment and household appliances. Premise supplies software development tools.

Northwest Entrepreneur Network

Northwest Venture Group of Kirkland has a new name: Northwest Entrepreneur Network. The professional association helps entrepreneurs and meets monthly at the Bellevue Hyatt Hotel. For information, call (425) 889-4480 or visit http://www.nwen.org.

Partnership for Learning

Jennifer Vranek has joined Partnership for Learning as executive director. Vranek was previously with Achieve of Cambridge, Ma. Partnership for Learning was founded in 1994 by former Boeing chairman Frank Shrontz and Lieutenant Governor Joel Pritchard to advance education reform.

Seattle Weekly

Dana Faust has been named associate publisher/sales and marketing at the Seattle Weekly. Faust is managing director of the New York Times' Seattle national sales office and will assume her new position Jan. 28. The Weekly is a member of Village Voice Media.

Washington Dental Service

James D. Dwyer has been named president and CEO of Washington Dental Service. Dwyer succeeds James Garrison, who is retiring. Dwyer's past positions include executive director of the Port of Seattle. Most recently, he served as president and chief operating officer of Sound Floor Covering. Prior to that he was director of international law at the former Seattle-based law firm Bogle & Gates.

NorthWest Cable News

R. Paul Fry has been named president and general manager of NorthWest Cable News. Fry served as vice president and general manager of NWCN since 1999 and as vice president/cable and program development at NWCN's owner Belo's Broadcast Division.

ViAir

ViAir appointed Rex Bull as executive vice president of product management and marketing. Bull was senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Concur Technologies. ViAir is a mobile applications management and services delivery platform provider for wireless carriers.

Boeing

Seddik Belyamani will retire as executive vice president of sales at Boeing Commercial Airplanes after 28 years with the company. Toby Bright, currently vice president of business strategy & marketing will succeed Belyamani. Nicole Piasecki, vice president of sales, leasing companies, will succeed Bright.

Seattle's Best Coffee

Seattle's Best Coffee recently entered into a development agreement with existing franchisee GMS Corp. to develop 14 cafes in the Hawaiian islands. GMS has already opened four cafes in Hawaii. Seattle's Best is a subsidiary of AFC Enterprises

MCA

Mark Gauger has been named director of safety for the Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Washington. Gauger will spearhead the development and implementation of a comprehensive safety program to benefit workers dispatched from U.A. Locals 32, 82, 265 and 631, as well as MCA member firms. In addition, he will work with the respective Joint Apprenticeships Training Programs on increased safety training and education. Before joining MCA of Western Washington, Gauger was the director of safety for the Associated General Contractors of Washington. He also has experience in project management, and holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from Western Washington University.

HCI Steel Building Systems

Arlington-based HCI Steel Building Systems has hired Manuel Katotakis as its company sales representative for southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Katotakis will be responsible for building an HCI "authorized builder" network in his area. HCI makes pre-engineered steel building systems.

CH2M Hill Nuclear Systems

Fran DeLozier, former president and general manager of CH2M Hill Hanford Group, has been named senior operations vice president of CH2M Hill's Nuclear Systems and Services Business Unit. In her new role, DeLozier will be responsible for directing operations, and providing technical and business expertise, as the company becomes a full service provider to the government and commercial nuclear industry.

D.W. Close Co.

Seattle's D.W. Close Co. has hired Annette Beleford as its marketing coordinator. Beleford has a diverse background in construction with experience in sales and marketing. D.W. Close is a MYR Group company.

Master Builders Association

Stafford Homes of Bellevue has been awarded the "Builder of the Year" for 2001 by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. "Remodeler of the Year" honors went to Gordon Gregg of City Builders in Lynnwood and the "Associate of the Year" award went to Jeff Taylor of Valley Supply Co. in Redmond. Stafford is a division of Schuler Homes. It made a year-long commitment to organizing a 12-family addition to a Renton transitional housing shelter. It also built a playhouse that benefited the Boys and Girls Clubs. Gregg served as the 2001 Remodelors Council Chair and was instrumental in the development of Remodel Seattle magazine. Taylor served as vice chair of the Associates Council, co-chaired the MBA auction and served on the Membership Council.