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Idaho leaders recognized for financial excellence

Jeanne Huff//March 9, 2016

Idaho leaders recognized for financial excellence

Jeanne Huff//March 9, 2016

The 2015 winners of Money Makers. Photo by Pete Grady.
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

 

Excellence in Finance LogoV3_2016 smallThe 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.