Movers and Shakers
Empire Airlines, FedEx announce new pilot development program
Empire Airlines, in Hayden, announced it will collaborate with FedEx Express in Purple Runway, a FedEx Pathways Program.
“FedEx is initiating a new, industry-leading pilot development program to ensure a full pipeline of pilots for us and the industry at large,” said FedEx Chairman and CEO Frederick W. Smith, on March 22.
Smith said, the program is designed “to assist two of our feeder operators with the recruitment and retention of pilots who wish to develop their skills and experiences to eventually qualify for pilot opportunities at FedEx.”
Empire Airlines and FedEx Express will have a collaborative outreach and engagement program to promote student interest in aviation careers at colleges and universities around the country to educate potential pilots and other interested students about the aviation opportunities and development programs available to them at Empire Airlines and FedEx Express.
“Empire Airlines is excited to be part of such a forward looking and innovative program. We believe this program will strengthen our recruitment efforts and provide a pathway to one of the premier flight careers in the world, FedEx Express,” said Tim Komberec, president/CEO of Empire Airlines, during the development of the program.
To learn more about Empire Airlines, visit: www.empireairlines.com. For more information about Purple Runway, visit: www.empireairlines.com/careers/purplerunway.
ALLWEST now employee-owned
ALLWEST Testing & Engineering, Inc. announced it is now a 100 percent employee-owned company.
The announcement comes on the heels of a record year for the company, which is based in Hayden.
ALLWEST experienced a 17 percent increase in revenue in 2017, a continuation of rapid revenue growth since the company’s Meridian office opened in 2012.
ALLWEST’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan is being implemented this spring.
General Manger Chris Beck and other existing shareholders sold their stock to the ESOP. Those shares will now be allocated to employees who — over a period of time — will acquire increasing shares and rights to the stock until becoming fully vested as shareholders.
“This structure establishes long-term viability for the company and rewards the employees who have helped make the company successful,” Beck said. “Our staff has always taken immense pride in their work. With the implementation of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, each one of them will directly benefit from our success and growth.”
ALLWEST Testing & Engineering was formed in 1999 as Northwest Testing Company and converted to its current form in 2002. ALLWEST’s Spokane Valley office opened in 2004, followed by expansion to Lewiston in 2006 and the opening of a Meridian office in 2012. Beck will remain general manager and president of ALLWEST and the executive management team will continue in its current form.
“The ESOP will not change the way the company operates,” Beck said. “Our management team is confident that this transition will make us even stronger as a company.”
ALLWEST employs 81 and serves the greater Inland Northwest region including Eastern Washington, Idaho and Western Montana. The premier, full-service firm provides professional engineering, environmental and construction materials testing services.
Shawn and Colleen Aldrich earn GRI
Shawn and Colleen Aldrich, with Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty, have been awarded the Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the National Association of Realtors.
Shawn and Colleen join other top producers in the residential real estate industry who hold the designation across the nation, earned by attending and successfully completing a comprehensive course covering a variety of subjects including: contract law, professional standards, sales and marketing, finance and risk reduction.
Shawn and Colleen Aldrich can be contacted at 208-659-4864 or 208-659-4867, Aldrich@windermere.com or Spouse@windermere.com or www.IdahoPropertyPursuit.com.
Idaho Independent Bank promotes Toole
Kurt Gustavel, CEO at Idaho Independent Bank, announced the promotion of Julie Toole to senior internal auditor.
In her new role, Toole will be responsible for planning and conducting audits, including operational, financial reporting, and compliance to determine if functional areas are operating in accordance with established guidelines, policies, procedures, and federal and state legal requirements.
Toole joined IIB in July 2002 as a payroll specialist and subsequently held positions as an accounting assistant and internal auditor.
Toole graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with management accounting emphasis from Lewis-Clark State College.
IIB was established in 1993 as an Idaho state-chartered, commercial bank that operates branches in Boise, Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Meridian, Mountain Home, Nampa, Star and Sun Valley/Ketchum.
Info: www.theidahobank.com.
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