Business Briefing

REGIONAL NEWS

Alaska Airlines introduces its virtual assistant, 'Jenn'

In 1995, Alaska Airlines became the first of the North American carriers to sell tickets online. On Thursday, the Seattle-based airline rolled out a virtual assistant named "Jenn" that can answer flight-related questions on the company's Web site. Jenn will even discuss pets and favorite foods.

The ActiveAgent technology was developed by Spokane's Next IT and also has been used on the Army's Web site with a virtual recruiter named SGT. STAR.

Fred Brown, chief executive of Next IT, says the technology creates a "new, enhanced way for Web users to interact with companies online."

Emeritus Corp. agrees to buy 23 properties it now leases

Emeritus Corp., a provider of housing services for seniors, agreed to buy 23 properties it now leases for $305 million, excluding transaction costs.

Emeritus will add 1,672 units through the acquisition, the Seattle-based company said Thursday in a news release. Emeritus will borrow about $280 million to finance the deal and pay the rest with cash on hand, the company said in the release.

Emeritus said it would take a one-time charge of $3.6 million when the deal closes in the second quarter of 2008.

NEW TOP OFFICERS

Organic To Go named Peter Tremblay vice president of retail operations.

BECU promoted Kathy Elser to chief financial officer/vice president of finance and administration.