Regional Voices: Teri Zimmerman-Reynolds – Ray-Mont Logistics America

Regional Voices: Teri Zimmerman-Reynolds – Ray-Mont Logistics America

Teri Zimmerman-Reynolds is general manager for Ray-Mont Logistics America, a fully licensed freight forwarder and NVOCC. The company assists in shipments of peas, beans, lentils and soybeans to countries around the world. Ray-Mont Logistics helps customers maximize their time, workforce and financial resources – traditional challenges associated with complicated shipping logistics.

Before moving to Spokane: I raised wheat for 18 years near Almira, 75 miles west of Spokane. I was used to the smaller towns, so Spokane was the big city to me! But the transition was easy, and I have loved every minute of it. Besides business opportunities, Spokane has so much to offer families.

A new career: I joined Montreal-based Ray-Mont Logistics in August 2012 as the only employee in its U.S. division. I laid the groundwork for acquiring Federal Maritime Commission licensing, as well as developing relationships with ocean carriers so we could begin shipping cargo.

Building a customer base: Thanks to great service and competitive pricing, our Spokane staff has grown from one person to 10, and we recently moved into a bigger space.

Why Spokane: Ray-Mont has offices and loading facilities in Montreal and Vancouver, Canada. One reason the company chose Spokane for its U.S. office was the long-term relationship we had. Luckily, these days it doesn’t really matter where you live. When I need to travel to the Seattle and Tacoma ports, it’s an easy 45-minute flight. And the cost of doing business in Spokane is definitely an advantage.

What Teri likes most about Spokane: The people are genuinely nice – even motorists!  When Ray-Mont Logistics executives from Montreal visit, they always comment on our easy-going pace and friendliness.

Regional Voices: Teena Tainio – Tainio Biologicals

Regional Voices: Teena Tainio – Tainio Biologicals

Athena “Teena” Tainio is president and CEO of Spokane-based Tainio Biologicals, which specializes in natural additives that enhance soil and boost productivity. She assumed leadership when her husband, company founder Bruce Tainio, died in 2009. Today, Tainio products are used throughout the United States, Canada, Central America, Australia and New Zealand.

What brought her to the Inland Northwest: My family moved from Puyallup,Wash., to Newport, about 50 miles northeast of Spokane, in 1972.

Company growth: We moved into a new, 13,650-square-foot facility last November. At that time we also changed our name from Tainio Technology to Tainio Biologicals, which better describes what we do.

 Local resources: Washington Trust Bank was great to work with on our construction loan, and Greater Spokane Inc. is an excellent resource. They found a tax-deferral program that we qualified for, saving us a lot of money.

Other career opportunities in Spokane: Before I came to work at Tainio Biologicals, I was a registered nurse. The healthcare industry is one of Spokane’s biggest employers.

 Yesterday and today: I still remember the old train yard downtown, and what an eyesore it was before they razed it to build Expo 74 and Riverfront Park. Today Spokane is a beautiful city. We have all the cultural, healthcare and business conveniences of a big city wrapped in a small-town atmosphere. People are friendly here, and there is a strong sense of community.

Goals: I would like to see more community gardens and self-sustainable neighborhoods.

The Inland Northwest’s appeal: I love all four seasons – particularly our warm, sunny summers and snowy winters.

What she enjoys sharing with visitors: My favorite things to show them are Lake Coeur d’Alene, Steptoe Butte, and the historic Davenport Hotel.

How Teena relaxes: I do yoga. And I love to spend time with my fiancé at our cabin on the Pend Oreille River, sitting on the deck with a glass of wine, watching the eagles and water go by.

Regional Voices: Shahrokh “Shawn” Nikfar – Northwest Fair Housing Alliance, Caffe Affogato

Regional Voices: Shahrokh “Shawn” Nikfar – Northwest Fair Housing Alliance, Caffe Affogato

Shahrokh “Shawn” Nikfar is an assistant director of the Northwest Fair Housing Alliance and owner of Caffe Affogato, a popular downtown coffee shop.

 What brought him to Spokane: When I was a teenager growing up in Iran, my sister, who was a physician at Spokane’s Veterans Administration hospital, persuaded me to move here to attend college in 1980. I left twice for jobs in Seattle and Southern California after I got my graduate degree, but kept missing Spokane and have now returned for good.

Why he launched “The Persian Hour,” a local radio program, 12 years ago: The show was intended to create awareness and understanding, and to overcome fear with kindness.

Other enterprises: I started building my restaurant (Mediterrano) and coffee shop (Caffe Affogato) in 2014. It took a full year before we were ready to open.

Challenges entrepreneurs face: There is a lot of potential for growth in Spokane, but it takes time. I closed Mediterrano just shy of its two-year anniversary, mainly because I was stretched too thin with two businesses, a radio show, a full-time job and family responsibilities. Mediterrano needed someone who was more present and had deeper pockets. However, Caffe Affogato continues to thrive, and I truly enjoy it.

Career opportunities: This is a great place for startups. I think young professionals who enjoy an active lifestyle and the outdoors would find Spokane an ideal place to live.

How Spokane has evolved: Change has always been slow in Spokane, but there seems to be new momentum today. The art scene is flourishing, more young people are staying, and a lot of people from bigger cities are moving here.

Spokane’s advantages: I love the people, and our location is ideal for enjoying the outdoors.

Goals: We have the potential to become more of a hub for arts and higher education. I also would like to see the city develop infrastructure that is more people and environment friendly.

Businesses which would be a good fit: Small high-tech companies, the movie industry, startups focusing on outdoor activities, and colleges all would do well here.

What Shawn likes most about living here: Life in Spokane has a comfortable, small-town feel. Yet we enjoy many big-city perks, as well.

Where he takes out-of-town visitors: I love Riverfront Park, the Spokane Falls, and downtown’s many small shops. I also enjoy taking them to South Hill’s Manito Park for a gentle walk, or to Mount Spokane for a vigorous hike or snowshoeing.

How he relaxes: I meet my friends at Caffe Affogato.