POST FALLS - The Idaho Department of Labor hired a new regional labor economist for the five northern counties.

Sam Wolkenhauer, 22, of Spokane Valley, started two weeks ago, taking over Alivia Metts' job.

Metts worked in the position for five and a half years, and has moved on, starting her own local consulting group, said Vicki Isakson, the department's office manager in Post Falls.

"(Metts) was so interested in everything," Isakson said. "She quickly broadened her knowledge of this area."

Wolkenhauer graduated from Eastern Washington University last month. He majored in both mathematics and economics.

The Spokane Valley resident said Monday he was drawn to the position in part because he has always enjoyed working with numbers and making data useful to people and businesses.

"I like to communicate the meaning," Wolkenhauer said.

He has spent time in the first couple weeks on the job trying to meet as many people in the community as he can, determining what valuable information he can provide them.

"I've been learning what's important to them," he said.

At EWU, Wolkenhauer did work for the Community Indicators website for Spokane, which provides relevant data to improve local, private and public decision-making.

Kootenai County has a similar website to help businesses, individuals and organizations make more informed decisions. The project was also developed by EWU and others.

It's online at www.kootenaicountyindicators.ewu.edu.