07/07/08 In Basket

Communications

Alliant Communications has hired Kathie Noland as part of its sales team. Noland, who has 20 years of telecommunications sales and business management experience, previously worked with AT&T Wireless Business Group for six years.

Development

Wilkinson Development has hired Douglas Sproul as its president. Sproul, who has 13 years experience in the senior housing industry, most recently worked as president and CEO of KDA Construction Inc., a Salem, Ore., senior housing development company he launched in 1999.

Education

The Yakima charter chapter of the American Business Women's Association has granted several $500 scholarships to area students. Recipients were chosen based on a completed application, resume, student transcript, community service and a personal essay describing the student's goals and plans for obtaining those goals. The recipients are Megan Bonney, LaSalle High; Alejandra Lozano, Naches Valley High; Mikaela Easter, Eisenhower High; Julie Carpenter, West Valley High; John Hildebrand, Davis High; and Joel Doehle, Naches Valley High.

Media

KCYU-TV, the Yakima FOX network affiliate, has hired Christine Ermey as an account executive. Ermey, a graduate of Wapato High School and the University of Idaho, has worked in print media and broadcast sales in several small markets throughout the Western United States.

The Cowles Co. has promoted Patricia McRae to president of KHQ Inc. McRae will oversee all operations at KHQ-TV in Spokane and KNDO-TV in Yakima and KNDU-TV in the Tri-Cities. McRae began work at KHQ-TV as its news director. She has served in several positions for the company, most recently as vice president and general manager of KHQ-TV.

The company has also promoted Larry Forsgren to general manager of KNDO-TV/KNDU-TV. Forsgren will be responsible for all day-to-day operations at the two stations. He previously worked as the local sales manager for KETV-TV in Omaha, Neb. He replaces Paul Dughi, who was named president of Cowles California Media and general manager of KION-TV in Salinas, Calif.

* In Basket is a Monday feature noting personnel changes, additions and accomplishments of area business people. To have an item published, mail a brief announcement with a photo to the Business Desk, Yakima Herald-Republic, P.O. Box 9668, Yakima, WA 98909. Items also can be dropped off at our office at 114 N. Fourth St. in Yakima; faxed to us at 577-7767; or e-mailed to business@yakimaherald.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for the following Monday.