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Home » Networking – May 2025

Networking – May 2025

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May 15, 2025
TCAJOB Staff

NEW HIRES

• Scott Tingey, a senior executive with 31 years of management and operations experience, has been named associate laboratory director for operational systems at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. He will lead a 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction project portfolio that includes planning, executing and managing both PNNL and federal sponsor investments. In addition to the projects that are underway at the PNNL-Richland campus, the laboratory will invest $17 million over the next few years to upgrade the water and sewer infrastructure and construct a warehouse at the PNNL-Sequim campus. Tingey began his career at PNNL in 1992 as a hot cell technician and eventually rose to chief operating officer for the Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate. Over his 31-year career, including 23 years at PNNL, Tingey has provided leadership for numerous large, complex, interdisciplinary projects and organizations. He has served at three DOE national laboratories: PNNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Facility. He also served at the Department of Homeland Security’s National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center. 

• Ken Gosney is the new assistant superintendent of human capital and operations for the Richland School District. Most recently, he served as chief executive officer for Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada. He’s no stranger to the district. He previously served at Hanford High School as principal from 2008-15 and as assistant principal from 2003-08. The position is a new one for the district, combining two previously separate positions: executive director of human resources and executive director of operations. The district, which has been facing budget problems, said merging these responsibilities under one leadership position will save money. 

 • Chris Emond is the new market assistant chief financial officer for Lourdes and Trios Health. He has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit, for-profit and government health care organizations. Most recently, Emond was senior director, treasurer and controller for Pend Oreille County Public Hospital District No. 1. Prior to that he served as chief financial officer at Valley Hospital Association. Emond holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Houston.  

• Benjamin Heselton has joined Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. as its chief information officer. He will lead the company’s global technology strategy and will serve as a critical point of contact between all areas of the company and its technology execution. Heselton joins Lamb Weston from Wurth IT USA, where he served as the chief technology officer. He held various roles during his 18 years with The Wurth Group, including chief information officer, and vice president of information technology and project management for other divisions.

• United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties announced three new board appointees:

  • Laura Eder is the vice president of production for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and has been with the winery for almost 20 years. In 2020, she was recognized as United Way’s Volunteer of the Year for her commitment to outstanding volunteer service, sustained service and innovative support for the organization’s mission. She has been an active volunteer with United Way since 2018, including as a founding member of United Way’s Young Professionals Society and Festival of Trees Committee.
  • Scott Booth is the operations director at Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C). In 2016, he participated in the first Race Toward a Stronger Community, a fundraiser in support of his company’s United Way campaign, where he took the gold medal. He joined the United Way Board in 2018 and has served as chair of the administration committee and as board treasurer:
  • Jeff Markillie is the business director at Amentum where he has worked for nearly a decade. He serves as chair of the administration committee. 

• Baker Boyer welcomed three new experts to its advisory teams:

  • Tavin Blair is a trust advisor, supporting clients in the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla. He brings experience in portfolio management, securities trading and fiduciary-level investment guidance. A graduate of George Fox University with a degree in finance, Blair holds a FINRA Series 65 certification.
  • Marisol Gonzalez is a business advisor with over 20 years of banking experience. She holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Western Governors University, along with multiple industry certifications in business lending and financial analysis.
  • Gary Grant is a business advisor with nearly 20 years of experience in commercial lending, business development and client advising. He began his banking career in 2006 and has served in leadership roles including branch manager and commercial loan officer. 

• Elizabeth Hall Peterson is the new senior family law attorney at Gravis Law, based in Richland. Hall brings over a decade of experience in complex family law matters, including custody disputes, high-asset divorce and spousal support. She previously practiced at top firms in Los Angeles and is licensed in both Washington and California.

• Troy McGregor was hired as the new executive director of the Prosser Memorial Health Foundation. He has a background in leadership and nonprofit management and has demonstrated his commitment to service through his role as an operations director for Dive Rescue, where he volunteered extensively while raising funds for essential equipment and community safety programs. McGregor also volunteered at Prosser Memorial Health and has a deep appreciation for the mission and values of the organization.

• Zach Collins was hired as an engineer at Meier Architecture • Engineering in Kennewick. He has over seven years of experience in structural and mechanical engineering. His areas of expertise include design and analysis of structural steel, wood and cold formed steel structures for a variety of applications. Collins also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Washington University.


DONATIONS

• Great Women of Washington Wine event raised $22,850 for viticulture, wine business and enology student scholarships on March 28 at the Walter Clore Center in Prosser. It included a luncheon, a walk-around tasting and a panel discussion. Additionally, seven pioneering women of Washington wine were honored at the event: Connie Crawford, grower, Crawford Farms; Jean Ferguson, co-owner, L’Ecole Winery (represented by Megan Clubb); Darcey Fugman-Small, co-founder, Woodward Canyon Winery; Patricia Gelles, co-owner, Klipsun Vineyards; Julie Grieb, general manager, Treveri Cellars; Lane Hoss, retired vice president of operations, Anthony’s Restaurants; and Peggy Patterson, co-owner, Hoodsport Winery. Author and culinary consultant Cynthia Nims moderated a discussion with the group.  

• Hermiston Parks & Recreation Department partnered with 25 volunteers from Amazon and the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 57 trees at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds at the Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center.


PROMOTIONS

• Chemist Wendy Shaw has been named associate laboratory director of the Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. In her previous role as the directorate’s chief science and technology officer, she oversaw science and technology strategy and stewarded capability investments. She now helms a broad range of fundamental research, including advanced computing, physical sciences and particle physics. The directorate includes a $95 million research portfolio and 400 staff. She succeeds longtime leader Louis Terminello, who retired in early 2025. Shaw’s career-spanning journey at PNNL began in 1993, when she initially joined the lab as an undergraduate. She went on to receive her Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from the University of Washington in 2000, rejoining PNNL as a research scientist that same year. 

• Amelia Kittson was named president of KIE Supply Corporation. She is a third-generation owner and long-time leader within the organization. She most recently served as executive vice president, where she played a key role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and overseeing operational leadership. Amelia Kittson succeeds her father, Augustan Kittson, who has retired after a distinguished career leading the company. He will continue to serve as chairman of the board. Amelia Kittson also was recently named one of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ 2025 Young Professionals.  

• Courtney Frost, a Kennewick native, is the new executive director of Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. Frost has been working with the foundation since 2015, and she was promoted to replace Kendra Witt-Doyle. Frost helped create, develop and improve programs such as Community Health Academy, The Community Project, Mayor’s Walking Challenge and the Community Health Champion Award.  


AWARDS & HONORS

• West Richland, has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Clerk of the Year award for 2025 by the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the municipal clerk field, honoring those who demonstrate specific achievements, innovation or impact accomplished within the past operating year, either for their entity or within WMCA. She has been a member of WMCA and the municipal clerk profession for 17 years. She has served on numerous WMCA committees, regional clerks associations and is a current WMCA Executive Committee board member. 

• Port of Kennewick was honored by the Washington Economic Development Association for its multiyear endeavor to transform the Clover Island and Columbia Gardens neighborhoods in Kennewick’s Historic Waterfront District. During its annual spring conference on March 26, the association awarded the port its Economic Development Award for Economic Response and Recovery. The port collaborated with many partners on the restoration and revitalization projects, including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, Benton County and city of Kennewick. The partners’ efforts transformed the eroding, concrete-covered Clover Island shoreline into a stable, sustainable habitat with vibrant upland development, public artwork a lighthouse and recreational amenities. The entities also removed environmental concerns and created the Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village, added waterfront pathways for expanded public access, constructed a winery-wastewater treatment facility and created opportunities for commercial and retail businesses.

• Banner Bank selected five Tri-Cities employees to receive the Banner’s Best award. The following employees were recognized for surpassing their individual professional goals, demonstrating excellence within their respective professions and constantly serving outstanding service:

  • Marisela De La Torre, small business consultant, Kennewick Clearwater branch.
  • Viridiana Nunez Mendoza, client relationship consultant II, Kennewick Clearwater branch.
  • Raquel Simonton, banker III, Kennewick Main branch.
  • Mark Rowley, vice president, community reinvestment production coordinator.
  • Dorian Thielemann, vice president, branch manager II, Richland branch.

• Gretchen Sewart, a Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center guardian ad litem volunteer, is a winner of a 2025 Washington State Volunteer Service Award. Sewart has been volunteering as a guardian ad litem since 2012, representing the best interests of children involved in dependency cases. The children she advocates for are under 8 years old and her role involves investigating their circumstances, gathering information, providing written reports and making recommendations to the court. Sewart has served as a guardian ad litem for 27 children over the past 12 years. Some of these cases have taken over five years to resolve. In 2024, she served as a guardian ad litem for seven children, two of whom were successfully adopted. 

• Andy Miller is the winner of the 2025 North Star award by the Boy Scouts of America, Blue Mountain Council. He was elected as a Benton County prosecutor in 1987 and has served the community ever since. Miller is known for his care and concern for victims of a crime.

• Julianne Atencio, a Hanford High School counselor, was named counseling and career development professional of the year by the Washington Industrial Technology and Education Association. This honor recognizes Atencio’s outstanding commitment to student success and her impactful work in advancing career and technical education. She empowers students to explore diverse career pathways and supports them in gaining industry certifications and access to post-secondary opportunities. 

• American Advertising Awards Tri-Cities presented awards to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising on March 20. Here’s the list of the gold and specialty awards:

  • BrandCraft won three gold awards in the following categories: elements of advertising, visual, logo design; online/interactive, social media: single execution; and advertising/media industry self-promotion, integrated media campaign. It also won the Judge’s Award for film, video and sound, online, internet commercial: campaign; the Golden Pixel Award for advertising/media industry self-promotion, integrated media campaign and the Best of Show award for elements of advertising, visual, logo design:
  • Time Magic Studios won two gold awards in the following categories: elements of advertising, film and video, cinematography: single; and elements of advertising, film and video, cinematography: single. It also won the Mosaic Award for elements of advertising, film and video, cinematography: single.
  • Focal Point Marketing: advertising/media industry self-promotion, online/interactive.
  • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: advertising/media industry self-promotion, collateral, special event materials. It also won the Designer’s Chair award for advertising/media industry self-promotion, collateral, special event materials.

• Haviland Gilbert, a music educator at Lincoln Elementary School in Kennewick, has been selected as a 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence. He is one of 30 music teachers in the nation to receive the honor. Presented annually by the Country Music Association Foundation, the award recognizes educators who demonstrate outstanding teaching, inspire student engagement and make a significant impact in their schools and communities. Honorees are selected through a competitive, peer-reviewed process based on professional growth, school and community contributions and student learning. Gilbert will receive $5,000, with half allocated for classroom resources and the other half supporting his continued professional development. Gilbert’s commitment to music education goes beyond the classroom. He is actively involved in local and national music education organizations, volunteers in the community and advocates for the importance of music in schools. 

• Brookdale Canyon Lakes in Kennewick has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as part of the 2025 Best Senior Living list in the Assisted Living category, the highest possible rating. Residents and family members were surveyed across thousands of independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement communities across the country. Brookdale earned high ratings in the following categories: care services, safety, value, activities and enrichment, staff and management, and feeling like home.

• Forbes/SHOOK Best-in-State Wealth Advisors has named two Tri-Cities advisors to its list. They were selected based on an evaluation process that includes interviews and quantitative data such as revenue trends and assets under management. They are:

  • Matt Riesenweber of Cornerstone Wealth Strategies / LPL Financial in Kennewick, ranked No. 11.
  • Jason Johnson, a financial advisor at 509 Wealth Management in Kennewick, was ranked No. 29.

CERTIFICATION

• Cameron Ridgeway of Petersen Hastings Wealth Advisors in Kennewick attained the certified financial planner certification, or CFP. Ridgeway’s certification reflects a high level of expertise, ethics and professionalism in the financial industry. Peterson Hastings now has eight CFP professionals.


GRANT  

• Washington Water Trust received a $17,800 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation. The trust restores water to local rivers and streams including the Touchet River, Mill Creek and the Walla Walla River. The grant will help the group continue its streamflow restoration efforts. 

    Business Briefs Networking
    KEYWORDS May 2025
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    TCAJOB Staff

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