Pearman-Gillman Representing Eastern Washington's Technology Sector

SPOKANE, Wash., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kim Pearman-Gillman, senior vice president for Avista Development, an affiliate of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA), has been named by Gov. Gary Locke to the Washington Technology Center Board of Directors for a two-year term.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040128/SFW031LOGO )

The Washington Technology Center Board of Directors provides a collaborative effort between the state's universities, private industry and government in performing and commercializing research on a statewide basis to benefit the economic vitality of the state. The 26-member board consists of 14 individuals representing technology-based industries, eight representing state universities and four statutory members.

Pearman-Gillman brings a depth of economic development and technology experience to the statewide board. She is currently spearheading the development of Spokane's downtown University District, and as a loaned executive from Avista, Pearman-Gillman created the office of economic development for the City of Spokane and served as its first economic development advisor. Prior to that she served on-loan from Avista as the founding CEO of the Inland Northwest Technology Education Center (INTEC), a community-wide workforce strategy focusing on creating living-wage jobs in the technology sector. Pearman-Gillman was honored with the Washington State Governor's 2003 Economic Development Award for Leadership.

Pearman-Gillman's development projects for Avista Development in downtown Spokane's Terabyte Triangle include the National Historic Preservation Award-winning Steam Plant Square and the Courtyard Office Center, as well as serving as the chair of the Davenport Arts District board during the economic revival of this historic arts and business district for four years.

Pearman-Gillman's current community involvements include serving as chair of the International Trade Alliance Board of Directors and secretary of the executive board for INTEC, in addition to serving on the boards of directors for Northwest Energy Technology Alliance, Spokane Neighborhood Economic Development Alliance (SNEDA) and Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. She is also the campaign chair and trustee for the Spokane County United Way Board of Directors and serves on the advisory boards for the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Gonzaga University and the Whitworth College Herbert B. Jones Advisory for entrepreneurship. She is a co-founder and past chair of TechNet, an organization designed to bring high-tech executives together to collaborate for advancing the Inland Northwest's future.

Pearman-Gillman co-chaired the City of Spokane's successful bid to be named one of the "Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the World" from the World Teleport Association for 2003-2004 and was named the YWCA's 2002 Woman of Achievement in the Professional category.

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.
    -0-                             07/13/2004
    /CONTACT:  Debbie Simock of Avista Corp., +1-509-495-4174, or
debbie.simock@avistacorp.com/
    /Photo:  NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040128/SFW031LOGO
             AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.avistacorp.com /
    (AVA)

CO:  Avista Corp.; Avista Development; Washington Technology Center Board of
     Directors
ST:  Washington
IN:  UTI OIL
SU:  PER

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