Idaho Business Review IBR
The 2015 Money Makers. Photo by Pete Grady.
Sixteen leaders noted for their achievements in the financial sector have been named as honorees in the Idaho Business Review’s Excellence in Finance awards program, formerly known as Money Makers. The program celebrates financial professionals in categories including banking, corporate, investment and professional (public accounting, auditing, educators, analysts), whose fiscal accomplishments set a high bar for their company and Idaho’s business economy.
This will mark the third year for the program. Adopting the name from sister publications, the Idaho Business Review originally coined the program Money Makers. The new moniker is meant to be more descriptive of Idaho’s dignified and prestigious financial professionals.
This year, as in the past, former honorees in the program participated as selection committee members. From more than 50 nominations, these 16 had the highest scores from their peers. The applicants were rated from 1-5, with 5 being the highest, in professional achievements, leadership, mentorship, community leadership and community service.
Darby Heideman, wealth management advisor for Northwestern Mutual and a 2015 honoree, said the review process worked well. “I was very impressed with the quality of participants,” he said. “And I am glad to hear that there are many wonderful people in our communities that are putting forth such great efforts.”
Jeffrey Souza, financial advisor for Raymond James Financial Services and a 2013 honoree, also served as a selection committee member in 2015. He said the field of applicants this year reflected a wider range, encompassing more of Idaho, and also said the caliber is increasing year by year.
2016 Excellence in Finance honorees
Karen Appelgren, vice president and director, Business Resource Center, Zions Bank, Boise
Ben Chaney, vice president, treasury management officer, Northwest Bank, Boise
Jason Coronado, partner, Deloitte Tax LLP, Boise
Cassie Fontaine, vice president and branch manager, Idaho Independent Bank
Christi Garcia, vice president, community banking district manager, Wells Fargo Bank, Coeur d’Alene
Kurt Gustavel, president and chief operations officer, Idaho Independent Bank, Boise
Joshua Harmon, wealth management advisor, Harmon Smith Financial Group – Northwestern Mutual, Boise
Benjamin Nelson, senior vice president, residential mortgage lending, D. L. Evans Bank, Burley
Megan Poshka, business relationship manager, assistant vice president, Wells Fargo Bank, Boise
Sheila Spangler, vice president, team leader, business banking, Idaho First Bank, Boise
Sidney Sullivan, chief financial officer and vice president of operations, AceCo Precision Manufacturing, Boise
Josh Tyree, C.P.A., partner, Harris & Co., Meridian
Raleigh Vachek, certified financial planner, financial advisor, Daly & Vachek Investment Consulting, Boise
Tony Wheelwright, vice president, commercial lender, Idaho Independent Bank, Boise
John P. Williamson, senior vice president, commercial banking manager, KeyBank, Boise
Mac Wrigley, vice president, branch manager, commercial loan officer, D. L. Evans Bank, Boise
The 2016 Excellence in Finance honorees will be featured in a special publication published with the Idaho Business Review on May 27, and recognized at an awards event and Power Lunch featuring keynote speaker Kevin Learned from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May 26, at The Grove Hotel in downtown Boise.
