Sate Insurance Commissioner

Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer is visiting Eastern Washington communities in May as part of her Community Connect outreach events, focusing on meeting residents of wildfire-threatened areas and discussing their issues with home insurance.

“Large-scale wildfires are becoming more commonplace, and wildfire risk is an increasingly important aspect of home insurance,” Kuderer said, in a news release Monday.

The first of two events is set for May 16 in Deer Park at the Wildfire & Forestry Safety Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Deer Park Fire Station 41, at 315 Crawford St. The second is on May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Medical Lake City Hall, at 124 S. Lefevre St.

State insurance officials say home insurance nonrenewals and cancellations have more than doubled since 2021, largely in response to increased wildfire risk in parts of the state.

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) recently added Washington to its list of states in which its Wildfire Prepared Home designation is available. The Wildfire Prepared program is a set of research-based mitigation actions that help homeowners and builders in high-risk areas better protect their homes and neighborhoods from wildfire. These home-hardening standards drive insurer confidence and market stability by directly reducing the likelihood of a home igniting.

More can be found at https://www.insurance.wa.gov/.

Sterling Realty Organization

Skager

Gilchrist

Schooler

Over in Bellevue, where Sterling Realty Organization is a major owner and manager of various properties, David Schooler will retire after 47 years (!) with the company. Sterling announced the news last week, along with a reshuffle of its executive suite. Schooler has been executive chairman of the board for the past dozen years. Sterling calls him “an essential contributor to SRO's success and a well-known leader in downtown Bellevue.” Then, with only 40 years at the firm, Tom Gilchrist will become the new executive chair. Then, further divvying up the C Suite responsibilities, Matt Skager becomes president of Sterling, taking Gilchrist's old role. Skager joined the firm in 2014. Founded by John Danz in 1911, during the silent movie era, the growing SRO movie chain later diversified into real estate. It's now in its fifth generation of family ownership. And a sad footnote: Onni Group is preparing to demolish the former John Danz Theatre complex, including the former Barnes & Noble (aka the former Belle Lanes Bowl). Sterling sold the property to the Canadian developer in 2019 for $116 million.

Kidder Mathews

Maturi

Industry veteran Craig Maturi has joined Kidder Mathews, that firm announced this week. He makes the move from Urban Renaissance Group, and will now be based in Kidder's Bellevue office. There, he'll lead asset services on the Eastside, and continue advising institutional, private and governmental clients. Kidder's Erin French said in a statement, “We've built tremendous momentum on the Eastside, and Craig is the right leader to help us continue to expand our presence and raise the bar for our clients. His track record across complex portfolios and diverse markets makes him an excellent addition to an already strong team.”

Kitsap County Superior Court

McKeeman

Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Maureen McKeeman to the position of Kitsap County Superior Court Judge. Effective Aug. 2, the appointment fills the position that Judge Kevin Hull's resignation will vacate.

McKeeman is a career litigator with over 15 years of experience in civil, criminal and family law. She currently practices estate planning, probate, real property and criminal law as a partner at the law firm of Tolman, Hinson & McKeeman in Poulsbo. She also serves as a judge pro tempore in Bremerton Municipal Court, Bainbridge Island Municipal Court and Kitsap County District Court, and she previously served as a municipal court judge for the City of Poulsbo.

Earlier in her career, McKeeman spent three years handling a range of misdemeanor cases and traffic infraction matters as a prosecuting attorney in Bremerton. She spent two years at the law firm of LaCross & Murphy in Port Orchard, where she represented clients in criminal proceedings in Kitsap County Superior, District and Municipal Courts. She also practiced criminal law as a partner at McKeeman & Miller in Silverdale.

Outside the courtroom, McKeeman volunteers at the Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance and teaches estate planning classes with Poulsbo Parks and Recreation. She also served for five years on the board of trustees at West Sound Academy.

McKeeman earned her bachelor's degree from Willamette University and her law degree from Seattle University School of Law.

ShareBuilder

ShareBuilder 401k has announced a 50% off setup promotion on all 401(k) retirement plans to help small business owners establish tax-advantaged savings to help owners and employees alike build for a secure retirement.

With the multifaceted issues of AI implementations, difficultly attracting skilled talent, and managing complex tax burdens in today's business climate, small businesses are actively seeking effective strategies to build their business, reduce taxes and be in position to retire down the road. Recognizing that many small business employers decide to establish a 401(k) immediately after their spring tax strategy meetings with their accountants, ShareBuilder 401k is offering half-off plan setup costs to make this critical financial step more accessible.

Now through May 26, eligible U.S. businesses establishing a new ShareBuilder 401k plan can receive 50% off the setup of any new plan. The promotion provides up to $375 in initial savings for businesses with more than one employee 401(k) plan and up to $75 in savings for Solo 401(k) plans.

Companies with employees starting their first 401(k) plan can also qualify for tax credits that help offset other 401(k) administration charges and employer matching contributions for the first three years of the plan. For more information on the May promotion, visit http://www.sharebuilder401k.com.

Reid Middleton

Bishop

Stapleton

Matsumoto

Crocker

Hammer

Reid Middleton has appointed Corbin Hammer as president, Paul Crocker as chief operating officer, Brian Matsumoto as group director of structural engineering, and Seth Stapleton and Erik Bishop as principals working in the firm's Everett headquarters.

Hammer joined Reid Middleton in 2002 as a structural engineering intern before advancing to structural group co-director. His experience includes leading fire station design across the Pacific Northwest, seismic evaluations and consulting, and federal/military work across the U.S. and internationally.

Crocker joined in 2004. His leadership, supported by strong organizational and technical skills, contributed to him becoming structural group co-director with Hammer in 2018.

Matsumoto has been with the firm since 2014. He's a client-focused leader who excels at building enduring relationships.

Stapleton has 20 years of structural engineering and project management experience and joined the firm in 2017. He has expanded the firm's structural projects for King County, federal agencies, school districts, and housing and mixed-use developments.

Bishop has been with the firm for 15 years and continues to champion its seismic resiliency efforts, leading numerous seismic evaluation, upgrade, and response plan projects for federal/military, private and healthcare clients.

Architects West

Valentine

Marcus Valentine, a principal with Architects West, has successfully completed the Design-Build Institute of America's comprehensive education and certification testing program to become a nationally certified Design-Build Professional.

Over his 16 years with Architects West, Valentine has focused on serving municipal clients, leading projects ranging from city halls to fire station facilities. His work emphasizes functionality, community impact, and long-term value for public-sector clients.

In addition to municipal work, Valentine has partnered with several Native American Tribes throughout the Northwest, contributing to a wide range of project types that support cultural, civic and community needs.

City of Tacoma

The city of Tacoma's Equity in Contracting (EIC) Program is holding a workshop and Q&A session with the state Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) on the business certification process. The virtual event will be held from 9-10 a.m. on May 18.

Topics include: an overview of the city's EIC Program; federal and state certification; tips on how to successfully complete an application; what documentation is required; what to bring for the follow-up OMWBE Certification 201 workshop; and guidance on becoming a certified business and unlocking new contracting opportunities.

This workshop is the first in a two-part series. The OMWBE Certification 201 workshop will be offered in a hybrid format on May 28, from 9-11 a.m. Event details are available at http://makeittacoma.com/events, or contact Linda Cerna at lcerna@tacoma.gov or (253) 453-9488 for more information.

County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

McBroom

Taylor

King County Exec. Girmay Zahilay announced that John Taylor, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), has accepted an appointment as the new CEO of the Cascade Water Alliance, a partner organization that contributes to safe, clean, reliable water supply in the Central Puget Sound region. Taylor will begin his new role May 29.

Mo McBroom — who has served as deputy director for DNRP since 2020 — has been appointed interim director.

The department completed major projects during Taylor's tenure, including King County's largest-ever floodplain restoration project, a unique onsite battery system that provides reliable power to West Point Treatment Plant, and the renewal of the King County Parks Levy.

Taylor was appointed DNRP director in February 2024 after serving as the first director of the King County Department of Local Services. He previously served as a member of the department's leadership team, and was one of the architects of the Land Conservation Initiative, a partnership protecting urban greenspace, forestland, farmland, river corridors and natural areas while increasing access to the outdoors.

The next director will lead a workforce of 2,300-plus employees. DNRP restores habitat, reduces flood risks, builds and operates major infrastructure that protects Puget Sound, transforms waste management to cut carbon emissions, and expands and enhances regional parks and trails.

City of Lynnwood

Harrell

The Lynnwood City Council has confirmed Monisha Harrell as the city's next assistant city administrator. The confirmation comes after a nationwide search to fill the position within the City's Executive Department.

Harrell is a senior leader with extensive experience in nonprofit governance, public policy, and organizational management. She has held executive roles in local government, including serving as director of the Office of Equity and Racial and Social Justice for King County and as senior deputy mayor for the city of Seattle.

Harrell has also led complex organizations and initiatives focused on civil rights, education and community impact, including serving as board chair of Equal Rights Washington and in national leadership roles advancing LGBTQ equality.

She holds an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business and a bachelor's degree in film studies from Columbia University.

Lorenz Private Trustees

Bitterman

Lorenz Private Trustees has appointed Heidi Bitterman, J.D., C.T.F.A., as a private trustee, serving clients across Washington, Oregon and California. Bitterman, a licensed California attorney who maintains her bar status, brings nearly two decades of experience in trusts and estates, fiduciary administration and multigenerational wealth advising.

Bitterman's background spans leadership roles in both legal and financial institutions. As vice president and client advisor at The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, she advised ultra-high-net-worth families and provided strategic guidance in estate planning, trust administration, philanthropy, investment management, and complex family governance. She previously served as Estate Settlement Market Director for Bank of America. Earlier in her legal career, she established a trusts and estates practice within a family law firm, managing comprehensive estate planning, probate and trust administration matters.

Bitterman serves on the board of directors for the East King County Estate Planning Council; co-chairs the University of Southern California's Seattle Regional Alumni Network; and is a trustee of Path 2 Healthy, a nonprofit dedicated to holistic health and wellness.

Lorenz Private Trustees provides professional fiduciary services, including trust administration, estate settlement and related support for individuals and families across the country.

Puget Sound Partnership

Puget Sound Partnership is holding an Adaptive Management Forum for Salmon Recovery, May 19-20. Titled “Swimming Upriver: Learning from Our Setbacks to Adapt and Move Forward,” the two-day virtual forum will bring together practitioners, planners, decision-makers, scientists, and implementers from across Puget Sound watersheds to connect, share lessons learned, and explore how adaptive management can strengthen implementation efforts across the region. Through case studies, emerging science and facilitated discussion, the forum is designed to create space for peer learning, reflection and practical takeaways that participants can apply in their own work. Sessions are from 8:30 a.m .to 12:30 p.m. on Zoom. Register online here: https://tinyurl.com/ye6h3khc

PLS Engineering

Lang

Underland

Murray

David Murray has joined PLS Engineering in Vancouver as a junior survey lead. Murray brings a strong background in surveying, including construction staking; ALTA; boundary, topographic and site plan surveys; and line staking. In his prior roles he assisted lead surveyors with field operations, completed topographic and site plan surveys and maintained equipment and supplies to ensure his teams were well-prepared for each new project. Murray holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in surveying and geomatics from Clark College.

Evan Underland recently joined the PLS land survey team bringing valuable hands-on field experience. He began his career as a survey technician and advanced to the role of survey lead with a previous employer. In that capacity, Underland led boundary and topographic surveys, directing small two- and three-person crews. Underland has passed the fundamentals of surveying exam and is a graduate of Clark College, where he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in surveying and geomatics.

Evan Lang joined the PLS survey team in 2018 as a survey crew lead. In 2021 he was promoted to assistant survey manager. In April, Lange received his certification as a professional land surveyor in the state of Washington.

Jackson | Main Architecture

Smith

Jackson | Main Architecture hired Caitlin Smith as office administrator in its Seattle office. Smith brings experience supporting operations and executive leadership across the manufacturing and healthcare sectors, with a focus on process improvement, coordination and administrative efficiency. In her role at JMA, she will support day-to-day operations and internal initiatives across the firm.

Ballard Spahr

Beth Ann Lennon has joined Ballard Spahr's Litigation Department and Labor and Employment Group as partner. An accomplished labor and employment law attorney with 15 years of experience, Lennon is resident in the firm's Denver and Portland offices.

Lennon divides her practice between employment counseling and litigation. She regularly assists clients with the complex legal questions they face as employers, drafts policies and contracts, assists with internal investigations and M&A due diligence, and provides guidance and representation in agency actions and litigation throughout the country. Lennon represents clients across industries, including construction, hospitality, manufacturing, media, sports and technology.

As a member of the Labor and Employment Group, Lennon joins a coast-to-coast team of more than 50 attorneys. The group is noted for its thought leadership, including the Best Practices for Best Employers Labor and Employment Seminar, which has for over four decades been an indispensable resource for employers in the Pacific Northwest.

Ballard Spahr LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm founded in 1885, headquartered in Philadelphia, with over 700 attorneys across the U.S. In 2025, Ballard Spahr combined with Lane Powell, adding offices in Anchorage, Portland and Seattle.

American Bankers Association Foundation

The American Bankers Association Foundation is now accepting submissions for its 14th annual Community Commitment Awards, the organization's highest recognition for banks demonstrating exceptional community engagement.

Banks of all sizes are invited to submit nominations for innovative programs that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.

The entry deadline is July 6.

The awards recognize bank initiatives across seven categories, including affordable housing, financial education, volunteerism and financial inclusion. In addition, the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award honors a non-CEO bank employee who shows extraordinary commitment to their bank and community. Winners will be selected by nationally recognized experts and honored at the ABA Annual Convention in October in Salt Lake City.

Banks interested in applying can find entry forms and a list of past winners at http://www.aba.com/awards. For more information, contact Melissa Murray at awards@aba.com or call (202) 663-5440.

Evergreen Goodwill

Brown

Hurd

Nordstrom

Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors, further strengthening the organization's leadership in tuition-free adult education and the reuse of clothing and other products through its popular thrift stores. The additions underscore the organization's role as a nonprofit social enterprise advancing workforce development, reuse, and long-term community investment across the Puget Sound region.

New board members include:

Erik Nordstrom, co-CEO, Nordstrom, Inc., a fourth-generation member of his family business, is part of the ownership group that took the company private in 2025.

A-P Hurd, president of SkipStone, is a civic leader whose 25-year career spans real estate, finance and technology.

Julie L. Brown, MBA, MFA, is senior associate vice president, COO, and chief budget officer for Advancement at the University of Washington.

SanMar and Beat the Bridge

SanMar, a supplier of wholesale accessories and apparel, will serve for the second year as the presenting sponsor of Seattle's Beat the Bridge for Breakthrough T1D, a charity race now in its 44th year. The event benefits Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, formerly known as JDRF.

This year's event will take place at Husky Stadium on the University of Washington campus on May 9.

SanMar, headquartered in nearby Issaquah, also operates a distribution center in the Seattle area.

Beat the Bridge, founded by Nordstrom in 1983, is now the largest Breakthrough T1D Walk event in the U.S.

F5 Inc.

Eswaran

F5 Inc. has appointed Anand Eswaran to its board of directors, serving as a member of the board's Audit and Talent and Compensation Committees.

Eswaran currently serves as chief executive officer at Veeam Software, where he is spearheading Veeam's commitment to helping customers to accelerate AI at scale through data security, data governance, and data resilience. He is a seasoned technology executive whose career spans leadership roles at leading software and AI-first businesses. He brings more than 25 years of experience in transforming technology companies into high growth industry leaders with robust profitability.

Eswaran served as president and chief operating officer at RingCentral. He has held leadership roles of progressive responsibility across Microsoft, SAP, and Hewlett-Packard. He also served as a founding advisory board member for the Technology Services Industry Association. Eswaran earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Engineering from University of Mumbai, and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from University of Missouri at Columbia.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has launched its first-ever nonstop flight between Seattle and Rome, marking the carrier's inaugural service to Europe and the first direct connection between the two cities.

The seasonal daily service runs through Oct. 23, operating between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport. Alaska says the route opens one of Seattle's largest previously unserved markets and improves one-stop connectivity between Hawai‘i and Europe via Seattle.

Flights are operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and feature Alaska's newly introduced international business class Suites experience.

The new Rome service also advances Alaska's growing global cargo business. Alaska is now the first U.S. passenger airline to offer daily nonstop cargo service between Seattle and Rome, expanding the airline's cargo network to 109 destinations worldwide.

Executives from Alaska Airlines, the Port of Seattle, and Rome Fiumicino hailed the route as a boost to tourism, business travel, and economic ties between the U.S. Pacific region and Italy.