Elevating The Conversation

Aaron Wilson, the CEO of CHAS Health, sits down with the Spokane Journal of Business to discuss the health of health care.

Keytra Lewis, the associate vice president of Spokane Sports, sits down with the Spokane Journal of Business to discuss the business of sports.

Natalie Gauvin, an Inland Northwest corporate wellness coach and yoga instructor, sits down with the Spokane Journal of Business to discuss wellness in the workplace.

Wade Larson, the executive director of the Production & Manufacturing Institute and the owner of Optimal Talent Dynamics, sits down with the Spokane Journal of Business to discuss the Inland Northwest labor market.

Vange Hochheimer, economics and finance professor at Whitworth University and CEO and chief economist at Grand Fir Analytics, sits down with the Journal of Business for its Economic Outlook episode.

Tom Simpson, the CEO of Ignite Northwest and president of the Spokane Angel Alliance, sits down with the Journal of Business to discuss Spokane's startup scene.

Katia Passerini, the new president of Gonzaga University, sits down with new Journal Editor Erica Bullock to discuss women in leadership.

Greg Hansen, the recently-retired chief credit officer at Numerica Credit Union, discusses how he wound up in the banking industry, the role he played in launching a cannabis-banking program, and future financial industry trends.

Craig Soehren, a real estate broker with Kiemle Hagood, discusses the current state of the Inland Northwest office market.

Steven Daines, owner of Daines Capital Commercial Real Estate, discusses recent growth in the Liberty Lake-Spokane Valley area and his expectations for the future.

Linn Parish, the outgoing editor of the Spokane Journal of Business, discusses his new job at Eastern Washington University, changes in the journalism industry, and the Spokane business community.

Mark Norton, executive director of the Northwest I90 Manufacturing Alliance, discusses aerospace manufacturing in the Inland Northwest, as well as other innovations and opportunities.  Aerospace Manufacturing Challenges (5:15) Medical and Space/Satellite Diversification (11:57) Advanced Aerospace Tech Hub Status (19:40) Other Innovative Areas of Growth (30:58)        

Isaiah Clow, owner of Cornerstone Construction & Development Inc., talks about his acquisition of a longtime, Spokane-based general contracting company, the vision moving forward, and the industry challenges. 

Grant Forsyth, chief economist for Avista Corp., discusses the economic health of the Inland Northwest as we prepare to move into the second half of 2025.  Effects of Tariffs (2:58) Inflation Trends (7:38) Interest Rate Expectation (10:54) Housing Challenges (19:50) Data of Interest in the Current Environment (31:03)  

Mike McBride, new regional labor economist with the Washington state Employment Security Department, talks about his career path, his expansive territory, and the Eastern Washington job market.  Silver Tsunami Effect on Labor (8:22) Health Care Job Trends (9:30) Construction Career Dynamics (14:57) Labor Participation Rate (25:21)      

Jordan Tampien, co-founder of 4 Degrees Real Estate, discusses Spokane's moderating single-family housing market and dynamics affecting the region's apartment market.  Challenges in a changing market (2:32) Realtors leaving the market (15:15) The Mulifamily Market (28:33) Apartment vacancy-rate trends (35:35)    

Susan Stacey, chief executive of Providence Inland Northwest, talks about the challenges that health care systems face in the post-pandemic era and the effort to return to pre-pandemic norms.  Health Systems' Budget Challenges (2:49) Staffing Efforts (15:22) Charity Care (21:00) Heart Institute Upgrades (34:54)  

Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell discusses opportunities, challenges, and the way forward for Washington State University during her first week on as WSU president. 

Albert Tripp, city manager for the City of Airway Heights, talks about the growth of the West Plains and the opportunities and challenges that come with it. 

Lars Gilberts, vice president of equity and community development at Numerica Credit Union, discusses inclusive workplaces and the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion work in professional settings.  DEI's Bad Rap (10:06) DEI Integration as a Best Practice (20:05) Belonging and Psychological Safety (24:14) Advice For Small Businesses (30:21)  

Kevin Parker, owner of Spokane Dutch Bros., talks about attracting employees, retaining them, and trends within the workplace.  Talent Acquisition (2:20) Employee Retention Strategies (5:39) Leading Multiple Generations (7:15) Return To Work Trends (15:22) Hiring Advice (20:09)        

Steve Scranton, chief economist at Washington Trust Bank, discusses inflation, interest rate, jobs, and other factors that could make or break the economy in 2025.  Inflation and interest rates (0:53) Potential implications of tariffs (8:13) Jobs outlook (16:58) Immigration policy (30:10)

Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall discusses the current state of public safety and effort to combat drug use, property crimes, and other issues in the community.  Neighborhood Resource Officers (1:48) Technology in Policing (8:38) 21st Century Policing Practices (24:50) Recruiting Officer (27:12)  

Chandler Baird, founder of Spokane Eats, discusses the ever-changing world of social media and influencer marketing.  Founding of Spokane Eats (1:48) Influencer Ethics & Responsibilities (5:28) Social Media's Market Saturation (9:25) Microinfluencers (12:05) Advice for Small Business (24:07)      

Skye Henderson, vice president of venture investments at Cowles Ventures, discusses Spokane's entrepreneurial ecosystem.    Venture capital landscape: 9:59 Challenges for startups: 17:20 Growing companies: 22:15 Advice for startups: 28:43  

Ezra Eckhardt, CEO of STCU, talks about the challenges and opportunities for banks and credit unions in the current environment.  Interest rate environment: 0:46 Deposit activity: 10:18 Inflation stabilization: 14:53 Merger and acquisition activity: 32:07 Historical context: 45:27        

Harry Sladich, cofounder and chief development officer at GoJoe Patrol Inc., discusses the rising demand for private security amidst increased concerns about public safety.  Why Private Security Demand Is Growing (7:05) The Private Sector's Role In Deterring Crime (11:14) State of Downtown (26:27) Franchising Security (39:52)  

Rose Noble, CEO of Visit Spokane, discusses visitor activity in the Inland Northwest.  COVID-era Bounce Back (2:45) Destination Development (5:30) Economic Impact of Visitors (17:14) Spokane's Hotel Inventory (24:03)

Grant Forsyth, chief economist for Avista Corp., talks about the state of the Inland Northwest economy and what to expect in the second half of the year.  Inflation rate sweet spot (9:10) Jobs Market (16:09) Recession Factors (28:38) Advice For Small Business (31:00)      

Yanek Kondryszyn, intellectual-property attorney and partner at Spokane-based Lee & Hayes PLLC, talks about emerging technologies in the AI and machine learning world—and how businesses can navigate this new terrain.  Who owns the data? (8:40) Treatment of client information (14:06) Small-business advice (21:38) Tools to consider (27:40)

Journal reporter Karina Elias talks about her recent piece titled "The Collective Effort," in which she describes the emergence of NIL Collectives intended to help Inland Northwest universities remain competitive in recruiting and retaining athletes. 

Windermere Real Estate Chief Development Officer Scott Wetzel talks about home sales activity in Spokane and the Inland Northwest, in the post-pandemic environment.  Mortgage Rate Trends (4:15) Housing Market Correction (8:08) Baby Boomers Effect on the Market (13:59) Investment Activity (23:50) NAR Settlement Ramifications (26:45)    

USL Spokane President Katie Harnetiaux talks about the launching new professional sports franchises, with the Spokane Velocity men's soccer team and the Spokane Zephyr women's team.  The New Stadium (3:49) Sports Team Revenue Streams (13:10) Fan Experience (18:27)

The Journal of Business talks with Downtown Spokane Partnership CEO Emilie Cameron about the future of the city's core.  Essential Services For People Living Downtown (13:00) The State Of The Office Market (18:05) Public Safety (27:22) Downtown Business Improvement District Expansion (34:49)

The Journal of Business talks with Excelsior Wellness Chief People Officer Kitara Johnson-Jones about the evolution of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.  Creating Psychological Safety At Work (11:05) DEI Best Practices (21:00) Neurodiversity in the Workplace (34:15) Small Business Advice (40:32)

Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh discusses declining enrollments vexing colleges and universities nationwide.