AWARDS & HONORS

• Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland has been recognized as being among the best regional hospitals in Central Washington in U.S. News and World Report’s 2024-25 annual rankings of the nation’s hospitals. Kadlec received high performing hospital awards in abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment, heart arrhythmia treatment, heart attack treatment, hip fracture care, kidney failure care, pneumonia care, spinal fusion, and leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma treatment.

• The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia was named the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year. This honor recognizes the foundation’s mission of inspiring young readers by providing books to those with limited access.

• Michelle Tatosian, an industrial hygiene and safety specialist at Bechtel’s vitrification plant on the Hanford site, received an Emerging Safety Leader Excellence Award in recognition of her innovation, leadership and impact on workplace safety. She accepted the award at the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association’s Safety+ Symposium 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri. During her two years at Bechtel, she has become a key player in driving safety culture at the vit plant’s job site. According to the association, she was “recognized for her proactive approach to hazard prevention, leadership on high-risk systems and deep commitment to employee engagement.” Tatosian has served as an active member and supporter of multiple employee-led safety initiatives. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and is a certified Associate Safety Professional and Associate in Risk Management.

 • Cheyenne LaViolette, a broadcasting and filmmaking teacher from Hanford High School in Richland, has been named a 2025 Special Recognition Broadcast Adviser by the Journalism Education Association. This national award honors educators who go above and beyond in supporting student journalism, serving as mentors, innovators and leaders in their field. At Hanford High, LaViolette has built a thriving broadcast and filmmaking program that now includes courses in TV production, documentary and filmmaking, podcast production and sports broadcasting.

• The state of Washington Department of Ecology has honored wastewater treatment facilities and their operators across the state for their work, some of which are in Benton County, with Outstanding Performance Awards. Benton County recipients are: Benton City Wastewater Treatment Facility, Kennewick Wastewater Treatment Facility, Prosser Wastewater Treatment Plant and West Richland Wastewater Treatment Plant.

PROMOTIONS

• Energy Northwest has selected two leaders from within the organization for key executive roles. 

• Dawn M. Sileo is now the executive vice president and chief nuclear officer, a position previously held by Grover Hettel, who is now retired. Sileo has more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry, including critical leadership roles in nuclear oversight and organizational effectiveness.
• Marcus Harris is now the vice president for corporate support services. He joined Energy Northwest earlier this year as chief of executive projects. In his new role, Harris will oversee the human resources, occupational health, organizational effectiveness and information services teams. 

• Randy Aust of the city of Richland Fire & Emergency Services has been appointed to serve as the city’s fire chief. He brings more than two decades of experience and a Bachelor of Science in fire administration from Eastern Oregon University, completed the paramedic program at Columbia Basin College, and is a 2022 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He will become chief effective Jan. 1, 2026, replacing Tom Huntington, who is retiring.

• John Mancinelli has been named the new academic director of Washington State University Tri-Cities’ College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences (CESHS). He most recently worked as the field service director for CESHS. He began his new role Aug. 1. He joined WSU Tri-Cities in 2015, serving as chief of staff for two chancellors and as a faculty member in the educational leadership and teaching and learning departments. As academic director, his top priorities will be supporting faculty research, preparing students and addressing the teaching and leadership needs of regional school districts. He succeeds Judy Morrison, who retired after a 22-year career at WSU Tri-Cities, including the past 10 years as academic director for the College of Education.

NEW HIRES

• Danielle Crawford is a new primary care nurse practitioner at Prosser Memorial Health. She earned her Master of Science in nursing as a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner from Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washington State University Tri-Cities and a Bachelor of Science in food science and human nutrition from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she was also a Division I student-athlete and team captain for the women’s soccer program. Crawford previously worked at Kadlec Pasco Primary Care and the Columbia Basin Healthcare Association. She also was a nurse at Kadlec Regional Medical Center, working in the Pediatric Medical Surgical Unit since 2021. She has held leadership roles including charge nurse on the pediatric unit and unit representative with the Washington State Nurses Association.

• Visit Tri-Cities has announced two new hires.  

• Jasmin Gervin is the new marketing communications manager. Her role is to lead communications, media relations and social media strategies to elevate the Tri-Cities brand and inspire travel. She brings a background in event management, social media marketing and hospitality. Most recently, she served as co-founder and business director for the PNW Collector Convention, overseeing event planning, sponsor relations and marketing.
• Katie Carstens is the new convention development manager. Her role is to connect with state, regional and national professionals to attract conventions, trade shows and tournaments to the Tri-Cities. She is a graduate of Washington State University’s Hospitality Business Management program. She most recently managed operations at Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyard, overseeing staff, events and guest services.

• Dr. Nathan Camp is a new board-certified physiatrist at Good Shepherd Health Care System in Hermiston. He is a part of the Good Shepherd physiatry team, which is dedicated to restoring function and improving quality of life for patients 18 and older by addressing pain and physical disabilities affecting the musculoskeletal system. Experienced in the full range of physical medicine and rehabilitation care, Camp obtained his Doctor of Medicine at University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, followed by an internship in internal medicine at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Medical Center Hospital.

• Jillian Henze is the new public information officer/marketing supervisor for the city of Kennewick. She is part of a new marketing and communications department at the city. 

CERTIFICATION

• Amanda Hatfield, elections manager for Benton County, has been certified as a elections/registration administrator (CERA), the highest professional achievement for election officials and election vendors in the country. Hatfield is a Prosser native who has served as elections manager since 2014, overseeing the administration of local, state and federal elections. The CERA designation is achieved through a multiyear course of study taught by Auburn University’s Master in Public Administration faculty, through the Institute of Election Administration Research & Practice, in partnership with the National Association of Election Officials. The program’s intent is to professionalize the management of elections administration and to promote and preserve trust in the democratic process.

DONATIONS

• Goodwill Industries of the Columbia received a $25,000 grant from Spectrum through its digital education grant program. Since launching in 2017, the program has focused on improving digital literacy, workforce development and educational access. Spectrum presented the grant during an employee family picnic at the Southridge Sports & Events Complex in Kennewick to help Goodwill expand its digital inclusion efforts across the region. Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Basin helps individuals overcome barriers to employment through job training, education and support services, serving communities across Central Washington, southeast Washington and northeastern Oregon.

• Pasco School District received a $20,000 check from Amentum, to support STEM programs in Pasco schools for the 2025-26 school year. Amentum has a long history of supporting the Tri-Cities community and is the parent company of Washington River Protection Solutions, Central Plateau Cleanup Company and the Waste Treatment Completion Company at the Hanford site.

• Columbia Valley Daybreak Rotary donated $2,500 to Adult Day Services. The nonprofit day health and respite facility in Kennewick serves over 120 individuals per month. The donation will help support the nonprofit’s activities programs, including bingo supplies and prizes, and arts and crafts supplies. Adult Day Services was founded in 1983 and offers social activities, skilled nursing and health monitoring, continuation of therapy services, therapeutic recreation, transportation and meals for older adults and individuals with disabilities in Benton and Franklin counties.