SPOKANE, Wash., Dec 02, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via Comtex/ -- Kim Pearman-Gillman, senior vice president of Avista Development, a subsidiary of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA), was the recipient of Gov. Gary Locke's 2003 Economic Development Award for Leadership. The award was presented to Pearman-Gillman as part of Gov. Locke's 2nd Annual Economic Development Conference in Seattle.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990629/AVALOGO )

Pearman-Gillman received the leadership award for her long list of significant contributions to the Spokane area community. While on loan from Avista to the City of Spokane, she established a first-ever economic development advisor position, a business and development ombudsman, a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund and Brownfields Assessment Pilot, the Mayor's Office of Film, and the Innovation Economy entrepreneurial focus. Pearman-Gillman leads the International Trade Alliance as chair of the board of directors. In August 2003, Pearman-Gillman collaborated with the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau to conceptualize, organize and complete a tourism trade mission to Calgary, Alberta, which resulted in the establishment of an important economic partnership between the two cities.

"Kim is most deserving of this award. She has long demonstrated her community service leadership through her active involvement in some of Spokane's key community and economic development projects and initiatives," said Scott Morris, president of Avista Utilities and senior vice president of Avista Corp. "Kim has an infectious passion for her work, our community and in building our region's capacity to grow."

During the awards ceremony, Pearman-Gillman was recognized for work that "significantly enhanced the city of Spokane's position to effectively partner with a broad base of community interests and organizations dedicated to revitalizing the overall community health and economic condition. She has demonstrated her community service leadership and her passion for collaboration. Pearman-Gillman has made a lasting mark on Spokane, both in community and economic development initiatives."

Pearman-Gillman has also been involved in several other key community service projects. She helped establish the Community Stewards Program and is now facilitating the development of the University District in downtown Spokane. She serves on the board of the Spokane Neighborhood Economic Development Alliance (SNEDA) and is a co-founder of Technet, an organization designed to bring high-tech executives together to collaborate for advancing the Inland Northwest's future. Pearman-Gillman was a key leader in the renovation of Steam Plant Square, a historic preservation project that received national acclaim, winning the coveted National Trust for Historic Preservation award in 2001. She was the founding CEO of INTEC, a community-wide workforce strategy that focused on creating living-wage jobs in the technology sector. She currently serves on the board of United Way of Spokane County as campaign co-chair and is the immediate past-chair of the Davenport Arts District.

In 2002, Pearman-Gillman was honored by the YWCA as Spokane's Woman of Achievement - Professional.

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is a company operating division that provides electric and natural gas service to customers in four western states. Avista's non-regulated subsidiaries include Avista Advantage and Avista Energy. Avista Corp.'s stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA" and its Internet address is www.avistacorp.com.

NOTE: Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Avista Corp.

Photo    : NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990629/AVALOG

Debbie Simock of Avista Corp, +1-509-495-4174, or
debbie.simock@avistacorp.com

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