Movers and Shakers May 3, 2011
Ouren picked to lead new Community 1st Bank in Cd'A
Ron Ouren, who has spent the past 44 years in the local banking industry, has been named the senior vice president and bank manager of the new location of Community 1st Bank in Coeur d'Alene.
Ouren will start at Community 1st on Monday. He'll be responsible for the hiring of eight employees at the new office at the northwest corner of U.S. 95 and Hanley. That location is expected to open on or before July 1.
"I look forward to being a part of a community bank that truly does care about the community it serves," Ouren said. "I'm excited to be a part of building a strong foundation in Coeur d'Alene."
Ouren has worked for Panhandle State Bank in Coeur d'Alene for the past nine years, including as manager and a commercial loan officer.
He also held management positions at Sterling Savings, Idaho First National Bank, U.S. Bank, First Federal, Mountain West and Bank of America.
Avista customers could see decrease in natural gas rates
Avista natural gas customers in Idaho and Washington could see a decrease in their natural gas rates beginning July 1, if the public utility commissions in the two states approve the company's request to reduce the natural gas portion of the company's tariff-funded energy efficiency rebate and incentive programs.
The request is part of Avista's annual report to Washington and Idaho regulators regarding the funding of the company's energy efficiency programs.
Idaho natural gas customers would see an overall 4.2 percent decrease, or $2.41 a month decrease for a residential customer using an average 63 therms, if approved.
Natural gas customers in Washington would see an overall 2.9 percent decrease, or $1.66 a month decrease for residential customers using 67 therms, if Avista's request is approved. These tariff adjustments have no impact on company earnings.
NIC small business center is offering two classes
North Idaho College's Idaho Small Business Development Center is offering two classes.
* Driving Restaurant Profits
Learn the essentials of running profitable restaurants. The class provides an overview of statistics, trends and trouble spots in restaurants that prevent owners from making a profit. Gain an understanding of price/margin ratios and cost controls for reshaping your restaurant.
The class is Thursday, May 19, 5:30-9 p.m. and costs $29.
* Retail Success
Topics covered include product sourcing/selection, margin/market analysis, marketing, merchandizing, inventory management, customer relationship management, and technology application. The class is Thursday, May 26, 5:30-8:30 pm, and costs $29.
The classes will be held at NIC's workforce Training Center in Post Falls. Information: (208) 665-5805 or to register please visit IdahoSBDC.org.
Transtector celebrates Earth Day and Arbor Day
Transtector Systems, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of global power and signal integrity protection products, recognized Earth Day and Arbor Day with a community tree planting effort.
For the past several years, Transtector has purchased young trees in observance of Earth Day and Arbor Day, and provided them to employees for planting throughout the area. This year the company donated more than 200 trees in varieties native to the Northwest region.
"Transtector is proud to continually find ways to improve our environmental impact and community support," said Shawn Thompson, the company's president.
Athol resident selected as Sharecare.com expert panelist
Registered Nurse and Geriatric Care Manager Shelley Webb of Athol was recently selected as an expert panelist at Sharecare.com, a new interactive question and answer website that allows industry experts to answer health and wellness questions. She will be answering questions around the topic of aging and caregiving for aging parents and loved ones.
Sharecare.com allows consumers to quickly search for answers to their health and wellness questions among the collective wisdom of the nation's most trusted and respected individuals, institutions, associations, nonprofits, and professional societies in the health care field.
If you have a new, relocated or expanded business, or announcement of events, promotions or awards, The Press wants to let our readers know. The service is free and items run Tuesday through Saturday. To get the word on the street on your movers and shakers, call city editor Bill Buley at 664-8176 Ext. 2016 or e-mail bbuley@cdapress.com.