Ritter appointed to Idaho Independent Bank board

Alicia A. Ritter has been appointed to Idaho Independent Bank's Board of Directors.

"We are fortunate and thrilled to welcome Alicia to the bank's board of directors. She is expected to bring a unique perspective to IIB," said Jack Gustavel, chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Idaho Independent Bank.

Ritter is the president and principal of Ritter Public Relations, an Idaho-based public relations firm. Previously, she was a partial owner of California's largest independent public relations agency and was managing director for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide.

Since moving to Idaho eight years ago, she has been focused on public, business, and community issues in the Boise area and the state of Idaho.

Salvation Army presents award to Avista Foundation, employees

The Salvation Army has presented the "Making Spokane Better" award to the Avista Foundation and the employees of Avista Utilities. The honor, the highest presented to a business, recognizes the support the foundation has given to the nonprofit organization through grants for programs like the Salvation Army's Spokane Nurturing Center for Children and Families, the Coeur d'Alene Kroc Center and the Lewiston Community Center in Idaho.

Of special note in the award, The Salvation Army called out the exemplary volunteerism of Avista Utilities employees and the role they play in giving back to the communities they serve.

In 2011, donations from Avista Corp. and the Avista Foundation totaled more than $1.4 million to nonprofit organizations. Avista Utilities employees volunteered more than 52,000 hours of service to more than 1,000 organizations in the communities within the company's three-state service area.

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