APWA

The Washington chapter of the American Public Works Association has announced its newest board members, who officially begin their duties this week. Board members will serve the membership and help address goals and challenges facing public works professionals across the state.

Newly elected board members for the 2027-2028 term are Tricia Juhnke, public works director for the city of Shoreline; Travis Rakeshaw, stormwater maintenance lead for the city of Walla Walla; Sonia Palma, operations manager for the Seattle Department of Transportation; and Dustin DeKoekkoek, Seattle office director at Toole Design.

Mary Heather Ames, deputy public works director for the city of Pasco, has been elected secretary for 2027.

The chapter encouraged members to connect with board leaders to share priorities and challenges affecting the public works profession.

Tideworks

Following the recent acquisition by Diversis Capital, Seattle-based terminal operating system provider Tideworks Technology has announced the appointments of Mark Traynor as chief product and technology officer and Guenter Schmidmeir as chief revenue officer.

Traynor brings more than 20 years of experience across terminal technology, operations and automation. He will lead Tideworks' product and engineering organizations, with a focus on advancing the company's product architecture, strengthening integration capabilities and building extensible solutions that can evolve with customers' operational and technology needs.

Schmidmeir brings more than 25 years of experience across the maritime, terminal and logistics sectors. He will lead Tideworks' commercial and revenue strategy, with a focus on expanding into new markets, strengthening customer relationships and translating his terminal-industry experience into new growth opportunities.

“Mark and Guenter bring complementary strengths to Tideworks,” said Subbu Bhat, president of Tideworks Technology. “Mark's experience in terminal technology, integration and product architecture will help us build more connected and extensible solutions. Guenter's industry and commercial experience will help us enter new markets and build relationships with a broader set of terminal operators. Together, they strengthen our ability to turn deep industry knowledge into better technology and greater value for our customers.”

With the support of Diversis, Tideworks will continue investing in its products, people and customer relationships while delivering the technology and service terminal operators around the world rely on.

JLL

Miller

To be based here in Seattle, Patrick Miller has joined JLL, that firm recently announced. He makes the move from Snap, and was previously with Amazon's real estate division. His new role is global president for JLL's technology group. JLL says he now “oversees strategic account management and the delivery of customized real estate management solutions that help technology companies worldwide navigate evolving business and workplace needs through data-driven insights.” JLL's Sanjay Rishi said in the press release, “Patrick possesses a powerful combination of industry expertise, strategic vision and deep understanding of how technology can drive better business outcomes.”

Greystar

Byrne

This week, Greystar announced its hiring of multifamily veteran Jason Byrne, who becomes senior director of development with the builder/developer. He makes the move from Willow Bridge, which was related to Lincoln Property Co. Greystar's Aaron Keeler said in the announcement, “Jason knows this region and the people in it. As we deepen our investment in the Pacific Northwest, that experience will help us continue to identify and execute the right opportunities.”

MacDonald-Miller

Lambert

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, a Pacific Northwest provider of design-build mechanical, electrical and plumbing services, has appointed Matt Lambert as vice president of construction services.

In the newly created role, Lambert will oversee construction development, pre-construction services and project delivery. The company said the appointment is intended to strengthen project execution and deepen collaboration with general contractors across its construction portfolio.

Lambert brings more than two decades of construction industry experience. He spent 18 years with Howard S. Wright, where he worked on major projects including City Center Plaza, Microsoft B87 and the Microsoft Redmond Campus Modernization program in partnership with MacDonald-Miller. Most recently, he served as a vice president at Dycom Industries, leading development and operations across multiple company divisions.

The leadership transition comes as longtime construction executive Bret Lovely prepares to retire at the end of 2026 after 38 years with MacDonald-Miller.

Founded in 1965, MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions employs more than 1,600 workers in Washington and Oregon and is among the largest design-build mechanical firms in the United States. The company serves customers across construction, healthcare, biotech, commercial office, marine, mission-critical and technology sectors and is a signatory of the Climate Pledge.

BERK Consulting

Lobel

BERK Consulting has announced that Bryan Lobel has joined the firm as a senior associate.

Lobel is an urban planner with over 17 years of experience. His work spans economic development strategy, industrial land and market analysis, GMA subarea and housing planning, and land capacity analysis. He has a particular focus on information design to support complex analysis and decision making.

Prior to joining BERK, Lobel worked at urban planning firms in multiple cities in California and Philadelphia before returning to the Pacfic Northwest to lead economic strategy for a decade at a local firm.

Art Anderson

Dreher

Young

Bremerton-based engineering firm Art Anderson hired two new team members, Colin Young and Josh Dreher, bringing its staff count to above 40 employees.

Young joined as an electrical engineer. He holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in Washington and Alaska. He brings more than 11 years of experience in power generation, transmission and distribution systems, renewable energy projects, and utility infrastructure planning.

Dreher joined as a civil engineer bringing more than 17 years of experience. He is a licensed professional engineer specializing in waterfront, industrial and infrastructure projects. His background includes the design, analysis, and rehabilitation of marine facilities and waterfront structures, as well as structural design, assessments and construction support.

PLS Engineering

Wilde

Naglich

Uskoski

Valerie Uskoski joins Vancouver, Clark County-based PLS Engineering as a principal civil engineer. Uskoski is formerly an equity owner of Hayward Uskoski & Associates with over 20 years of experience, and is licensed in multiple states including Alaska. A graduate from WSU, she carries a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Her past projects range from subdivisions, surface mine permitting, permit compliance, road realignments, stormwater design and much more. Uskoski is a board member of SAE Oregon and the Baja SAE committee chair.

Also joining PLS from Hayward Uskoski & Associates are Sadie Naglich and Preston Wilde. Naglich is a certified land use planner with nearly a decade of experience in public and private sector planning. She has managed a range of development projects, navigated complex land use regulations from early feasibility through land use approval.

Wilde joins with experience in civil engineering design and land use development. Wilde brings five years of project experience in a wide range of projects from residential, commercial and industrial projects.

Papé Machinery

Humdinger Equipment announced Papé Machinery as its newest authorized dealer. This partnership expands Humdinger's reach, connecting customers in California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington with Tana's landfill and recycling equipment.

As an authorized dealer, Papé Machinery will provide full sales, service, and technical support exclusively for Tana landfill compactors and shredders, delivering dependable, high-performance solutions for customers in waste management and recycling operations.

Papé Machinery offers equipment sales, parts, rentals and service solutions aimed at helping customers maximize productivity and keep operations running efficiently. Papé Machinery is also a leading provider of John Deere construction, forestry and agricultural equipment throughout the western United States.

Alaska Airlines

Siva

Alaska Airlines announced that Amaresh Siva has been named chief information technology officer. Siva will begin next month and will report directly to CEO Ben Minicucci. He will also serve on the company's Executive Committee.

In this newly created role, Siva will bring Alaska's technology and digital capabilities together under a single enterprise leader. He will set and execute the company's enterprise-wide technology, data and digital strategy, with responsibility for strengthening core platforms, advancing digital capabilities and building scalable data and artificial intelligence foundations to support operational excellence, resilience and long-term growth.

“Technology is central to nearly every part of our operation and every interaction with our guests and employees,” Minicucci said. “Amaresh is a proven enterprise technology leader with the experience to strengthen performance today while building the modern, secure and resilient platforms we need for the future. His track record leading complex transformations, scaling data and AI capabilities and developing high-performing global teams makes him the right leader for this important role.”

Siva brings 29 years of experience building and scaling digital, data, infrastructure and AI platforms across healthcare, retail and consumer finance. He joins Alaska from CVS Health, where he most recently served as chief digital and technology officer for Health Care Delivery. His responsibilities also included enterprise data and AI platforms and innovation labs.

At CVS Health, Siva led large-scale modernization and AI initiatives in a highly regulated, high-availability environment, including cloud migration, digital engineering and the deployment of AI tools with measurable business and customer outcomes. Earlier in his career, he held senior technology leadership roles at Target Corp., where he helped rebuild Target.com and the Target app and modernize infrastructure and cloud platforms. He previously spent nearly a decade with GE Capital, building marketing technology used across 18 businesses in 17 countries.

Siva holds an MBA from XLRI (Xavier School of Management in Jamshedpur, India) and a bachelor's degree in technology with honors from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.

Child's Play Charity

Child's Play Charity announced the appointment of Katie Stone Perez as its new executive director.

Perez joins Child's Play after more than two decades at Xbox. Her career has been defined by a commitment to expanding access to play and building inclusive gaming communities.

With a background in child psychology and personal experience navigating pediatric cancer within her own family, Perez brings a deep understanding of the emotional and therapeutic value of play. Her passion for supporting kids, combined with her industry expertise, makes her uniquely suited to lead Child's Play into its next era of growth.

In her new role, Perez will oversee Child's Play's hospital partnerships, therapeutic gaming initiatives, research investments, and community engagement efforts. She will also guide the organization's strategic development as it continues to grow its network hospitals worldwide.

Since 2003 Child's Play Charity has been improving the lives of children in hospitals through the power of play. Founded by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of Penny Arcade, Child's Play partners with pediatric hospitals around the world to deliver games, technology and innovative tools that support healing and bring joy. For 23 years Child's Play has been endowed by the gaming community, and is dedicated to finding new ways to help kids.

Skagit County Superior Court

Sebens

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Haley Wolcott Sebens to the position of Skagit County Superior Court Judge.

Sebens' appointment, effective Jan. 1, fills the new position created by a law signed by Ferguson earlier this year. This is the first new position added to the Skagit County Superior Court since 2006.

Sebens is a judicial officer and longtime litigator with over 16 years of legal experience. She has served as a Skagit County Superior Court Commissioner since January 2025. As a Commissioner, she presides over court calendars including domestic and family law, child welfare and dependencies, at-risk youth, guardianship, probate and estate cases. She serves on the Superior Court Judges Association Family and Juvenile Law Committee and the Minor Guardianship Committee.

Prior to being appointed as commissioner, Sebens acted as judge pro tem for municipal and district courts including Snohomish District Court, city of Ferndale and city of Lynnwood.

Sebens earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Washington. She graduated from Gonzaga Law School, where she served as an editor of the Gonzaga Law Review.

Highline College

As the first community college in King County, Highline College recently celebrated its founding 65 years ago.

On Oct. 10, 1961, the college opened its doors to 385 students and operated out of 14 portable classrooms on the campus of the former Glacier High School on South 142nd Street in SeaTac/Burien.

It now serves approximately 14,000 students annually and has more than 350,000 alumni. In addition, it is one of 34 community and technical colleges in the state of Washington and has been located on its 80-acre campus in Des Moines since 1964.

WASWD

The Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts (WASWD) recently awarded $12,000 in scholarships to 12 Washington state individuals who are preparing for careers in the clean water industry.

In continuation of WASWD's Clean Water Careers outreach program, this year's scholarships broke previous records in the number of recipients and total amount awarded, enabling students from all around our state to pursue careers ranging from fluid mechanics and environmental sciences, to the administrative management of water and wastewater utilities.

Here are the winners: Elisabeth Clary, Bellingham; Benedicte Diakubama, Kent; Gavin Eliason, Spokane Valley; Alexandra Estrada, Ephrata; Maddie Fannin, Des Moines; Cloey Fletcher, Olympia; Kara Glassman, Arlington; Sarah Lord, University Place; Kurin Miller, Tumwater; Mya Schlepp, Seattle; Ruby Warner, East Wenatchee; and Grace Willis, Orcas Island.

Named after Walt Canter, an industry advocate and commissioner of the Cedar River Water and Sewer District for nearly 50 years, WASWD's Scholarship Fund facilitates and encourages entrance, advancement and retention of employees in the water and wastewater industry.

Olson Kundig

Walters

Sami

Harris

Olson Kundig has promoted Pinar Harris, Vikram Sami and Brian Walters to principal.

Harris brings over 23 years of experience leading large-scale mixed-use, highrise residential, and hospitality projects across Florida and the Caribbean. Recognized for her progressive technical approach, collaborative leadership and effective communication, Harris works with clients to translate business goals into design solutions. She streamlines complex processes while focusing on design excellence to support project delivery at every scale.

Sami has been a leader in high-performance buildings for over 23 years, combining technical expertise with a love of design as Olson Kundig's Director of Building Performance. Sami leads Olson Kundig's participation in the AIA 2030 Commitment and mentors teams across the firm, bringing his expertise in building performance to projects including DARA, a free, accessible dashboard that empowers designers to balance embodied and operational carbon over a building's full lifespan.

Walters joined Olson Kundig in 2013, developing his expertise through urban commercial and mixed-use projects spanning a variety of scales. From interiors-focused tenant improvement projects to large, multi-block developments, each created opportunities to engage with the existing context of a project site and to contribute to the layers of history and development that compose the urban fabric. Walters collaborates closely with diverse groups of stakeholders to develop solutions to complex program and site requirements, while advocating for each project's specific vision and goals.

Washington Attorney General's Office

Attorney General Nick Brown has named Managing Assistant Attorney General Jason Dickey-North as division chief for the Tacoma Division, taking over for Laura Wulf, who will retire at the end of the year after 35 years of outstanding work at the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

Dickey-North joined the AGO in 2019 as an assistant attorney general in the Labor and Industries Division and has distinguished himself serving as a team lead litigating industrial insurance matters and advising the State Fund and Self-Insurance programs of the Department of Labor & Industries. He exemplified flexibility and leadership during the COVID pandemic when he was the statewide lead litigator of work-related COVID cases during the public health emergency. This work helped provide compensation to frontline and emergency workers during unprecedented times and culminated in a Washington Supreme Court opinion confirming that workers who develop a disease during the course of their employment can receive workers' compensation benefits. He has also demonstrated leadership helping to strengthen training for new AAGs in the office.

Wulf, who joined the office in 1989 as a law clerk, later returned to the AGO in 1992 as an assistant attorney general after graduating from the University of Puget Sound Law School. She has served multiple client agencies, including working in the Social and Health Services Division, Agriculture and Health Division, and Labor and Personnel Division, where she spent 17 years, mastering complex labor and employment law. In 2020, she stepped into the role of Tacoma Division Chief, helping staff navigate the uncertainties and stress caused by the pandemic.

Thirty-eight attorneys and 47 professional staff members work in the Tacoma Division, serving communities in Pierce and Kitsap counties. Employees in the division provide a wide variety of legal services for state client agencies, including the departments of Children, Youth and Families, Social and Health Services, Labor & Industries, Employment Security, and Licensing. Staff in the Tacoma office also handle tort matters on behalf of various state agencies.

In his years at the AGO, Dickey-North has received the William V. Tanner award, is an Excellence Award recipient, and is a member of the AGO Academy Committee helping to orient and train new AAGs in the office. He obtained his JD from Seattle University School of Law in 2018. Prior to law school, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Martin's University in 2015.

Wulf was twice recognized with an AGO Excellence Award as well as Social and Health Services Mental Health Section Outstanding Team Member Award. A champion for diversity efforts, Wulf represented the AGO on the governor's Interagency Committee of State Employed Women, offering guidance on issues affecting women across state government.

Stoel Rives

Moir

Stoel Rives announced that Alyssa Moir has joined the firm's environmental practice group as a partner in its Seattle office. Moir joins from K&L Gates, bringing more than 15 years of experience advising agricultural, timber, energy and technology clients on water rights and complex environmental permitting matters.

A respected water rights lawyer in the Pacific Northwest, Moir counsels clients on the acquisition, evaluation and long-term management of water rights, including water banking, adjudications and regulatory negotiations. Her practice also encompasses air permitting, environmental review and cleanup matters, helping businesses and public entities navigate regulatory requirements affecting their operations and major infrastructure projects.

Moir's arrival follows the recent addition of Ankur Tohan, who also joined the firm's Environmental practice group from K&L Gates. Together, their experience strengthens the firm's ability to help clients navigate complex environmental requirements and advance energy and natural resource projects across the Pacific Northwest.

Moir earned her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2006 and her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2000. Before entering private practice, she clerked for Judge Marlin J. Appelwick of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I.

Clise Properties

Freeburg

Clise Properties announced last month that Benjamin Freeburg has joined the firm as its new CFO. He makes the move from Martin Selig Real Estate. Clise says the industry veteran is succeeding Bryan Joyner, who'll retire in December after 34 years with the company. A.M. Clise said in a statement, “Ben has the right background to understand capital markets, operating platforms and investment strategies to support and elevate our diverse portfolio. We are confident his experience will provide transparent leadership and great collaboration with our internal and external partners.”

Seattle Public Utilities

Seattle Public Utilities has been selected as a 2026 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award winner by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. The award will be presented Oct. 27 during the association's Executive Management Conference in Seattle.

The national award recognizes drinking water systems for environmental stewardship, financial responsibility and equitable service delivery. SPU operates the largest water utility in the Pacific Northwest, serving 1.6 million people in Seattle and the surrounding region.

“Seattle Public Utilities is honored to accept AMWA's Sustainable Water Utility Management Award,” SPU General Manager and CEO Andrew Lee said. “It's wonderful to be recognized for our long history and commitment to sustainable financial management, environmental stewardship, and delivering equitable essential services to 1.6 million people in the Puget Sound region.”

Seattle's drinking water comes from the Cedar River and South Fork Tolt River watersheds, which encompass 100,000 acres of protected forest. SPU's water system includes 1,900 miles of pipeline, and the utility also incorporates climate science into its water-supply planning and participates in regional salmon recovery and water conservation efforts.

Rice Fergus Miller

Stallings

Leigh

Bremerton-based architecture, interior design and planning firm Rice Fergus Miller (RFM), recently announced two leadership promotions as it heads into its 40th year in business.

Danielle Leigh has been promoted to business operations and HR director. Leigh will oversee overall business operations in addition to her previous role as HR director. Leigh has more than a decade of experience in human resources, business administration and business management. In this new role, she will align HR strategy with RFM's business goals and support talent acquisition, retention and organizational planning. She holds an MBA from Eastern Washington University, and certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and Tribal Human Resources Professional.

Kati Stallings has been promoted to marketing and business pursuits manager. Stallings will lead marketing strategy and business development. She previously served as senior marketing and pursuits specialist. Stallings has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and business development within the architecture, design and construction industries. In her new role, she will focus on marketing strategy, brand and communications, new business pursuits and partner relationships. She is based in Boise and works with clients and partners across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West.