Movers and shakers

Howard joins PayneWest Insurance — Coeur d’Alene

Personal insurance team leader, Peter Howard, recently relocated from the PayneWest Billings office to Coeur d’Alene. Howard is a graduate of the Safeco Insurance Producer Program and has been awarded the Safeco Personal Lines Achievement Award in 2013, the Safeco Elite Producer Award in 2013 and 2014, and the PayneWest New Sales Award in 2014 and 2015. Additionally, Howard was accepted into the 2016 Leadership Coeur d’Alene program.

A graduate of the University of Montana, he is an outdoor sports enthusiast. He was named to the junior national ski team when he was 18 and said he looks forward to exploring the outdoor opportunities that North Idaho has to offer. Howard is also interested in collector cars. He believes in giving back to the community and has been a Shriner for several years, serving as part of a team of Shriners who dress in costume as recognizable characters and entertain crowds at parades to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children. He says he is looking forward to joining the local Shriners chapter here in Coeur d’Alene. As an experienced league trap shooter, Peter also hopes to join a local trap club.

PayneWest Insurance has over 600 colleagues in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Find all of us at PayneWest.com/Directory. You can contact Peter Howard at (208) 770-3190 or by email at PHoward@PayneWest.com.

Magnuson, McHugh announces new team tembers and promotions

Magnuson, McHugh and Company announced the newest members of their staff along with recent promotions. The firm has more than 25 employees and 11 full-time certified public accounts. Every CPA at Magnuson McHugh is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Idaho Society of CPAs. Several are fully credentialed in other states in which they retain active licenses.

• Newest Team Members

Mike Schaffer, CPA joined the firm as tax manager. He has a Bachelor of Accountancy, cum laude from North Dakota State University. Prior to joining the firm he served as senior manager in the tax department at Eide Bailly LLP, in Boise. His professional designations include CPA licenses in Idaho and North Dakota.

Kim Fontes, CPA has joined the consulting and accounting services department at the firm. She has a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from California State University. Prior to joining the firm her experience includes being a self-employed CPA, controller for Master Plan Developments, Inc. and a senior tax accountant for Ernst & Young, LLP. Her professional affiliations include treasurer for 3Cs: Cancer & Community Charities and she holds CPA licenses in Idaho and California.

• Recent Promotions from January 2016

Korby Baker was promoted to senior accountant in audit and assurance services. She’s been with the firm since 2010 and has a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Idaho.

Kris Mayhew, CPA was promoted to senior accountant in audit and assurance services. He has been with the firm since 2013 and has a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in business management from Whitworth University.

Chris Shipley, CPA was promoted to director of the audit and assurance services department. He has been with the firm since 2006 and is a current shareholder of the firm. He has a Bachelor of Science in finance and economics from the University of Idaho.

Ninette Goucher, CPA was promoted to director of the consulting and accounting department. She’s been with the firm since 2006 and is a current shareholder of the firm. She has a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Cynthia Beaulaurier has become a shareholder of the firm. She is the manager of retirement plan services. She’s been with the firm since 2012 and has a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Washington State University and a Masters in tax from Gonzaga University.

Anthony Oss, CPA has become a shareholder of the firm. He is a manager of the tax services department. He’s been with the firm since 2010. He has a Master of Science in accountancy, emphasis in taxation from Boise State University.

Roukema receives award from Idaho Transportation Department

The Idaho Transportation Department recently honored employee Rick Roukema with an award for “implementing innovation and efficiencies” at the department. Roukema received a letter from ITD Director Brian Ness thanking Roukema for his recent innovation “LED and Occupancy Sensor and Shed Retrofit.”

“You and your team worked with it, developed it, had passion for it and ultimately saw it implemented,” the letter stated. “Your innovation will benefit ITD for years to come.”

Earlier this week, the state transportation department reported it earned an energy savings rebate of $85,411 from Avista Corp. for replacing light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs for better visual clarity and driving safety.

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 about your movers and shakers, email City Editor Maureen Dolan at mdolan@cdapress.com.