With a sobering re-emphasis of its basic energy and energy-related businesses, Spokane, WA-based Avista Corp. announced last week that two of its longtime executives were retiring, and rather than filling the positions the company will collapse their duties into expanded roles for two existing executives at the company. It is part of a “realignment” of its overall management structure that stresses “back-to-basics,” a company spokesperson said.

After taking what the spokesperson called “a big hit” in its earnings as part of the post-2000/2001 energy crisis, Avista is realigning to get “more efficient” as a way to “regain our financial health and our good reputation.” Retiring are Lloyd Meyers, vice president of power supply for the Avista utilities (June 2003) after 28 years, and Terry Syms, vice president/corporate secretary (early 2004) after 37 years.

Avista is also reassigning its business development executive, Roger Woodworth, to be a corporate vice president in charge of a new utilities division that combines operations with “business, community and economic development,” along with communications/marketing. In the meantime, Karen Feltes, the human resources vice president, will add Syms’ corporate secretary duties; and Ronald Peterson, corporate vice president/treasurer, assumes Meyers’ duties in the newly created position of vice president for energy resources and optimization in the utilities division.

In short, the company is definitely returning to its utility roots, said the spokesperson, noting that it previously announced a search for a partner(s) for two of its non-utility businesses — energy services (Avista Advantage) and fuel cell development/marketing (Avista Labs).

As part of its financial austerity program now in effect, Avista has suspended any new hiring for almost two years now, the spokesperson said.

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