Mar 24, 2021

Olson Kundig

Parwani

Seattle-based Olson Kundig promoted COO/CFO Hemanshu Parwani to CEO. He will join the ownership group. Parwani has worked in international operations, corporate and strategic development for over 30 years as CEO, COO and CFO for international firms in the AEC industry. Since joining Olson Kundig in 2018, he has been responsible for directing operations and finance, including the firm's business and organizational development, human resources and finance departments, information technology and the administrative team. Previously, he was CEO for Wilson Associates, a global interior architecture firm, and chief operating officer of international operations for Aecom, a multinational engineering firm. Olson Kundig provides architecture, landscape architecture and interior design.

Sazan Group

Herron

Sazan Group promoted Reid Herron to associate. Herron has over 30 years of experience and will work to grow the Seattle team's K-12 market sector. His background includes mechanical system design and construction administration services. He is working on seismic and HVAC upgrades at North Beach Elementary School in Seattle and HVAC upgrades at Brier Terrace Middle School in Brier. Sazan Group provides MEP services and lighting, fire protection, and information technology system design.

MG2

Schmitz

Schneider

Seattle-based architecture and design firm MG2 promoted Janelle Schneider and Dave Schmitz to principal. Schneider has led teams for over 20 years, delivering design concepts for retail brands worldwide. With a background in in-store planning and project management, she has worked with clients such as Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, DSW and Allen Edmonds. Schmitz is a project management leader with over 30 years of experience in retail, shopping centers and mixed-use complexes. He is an architect who has worked on projects such as Washington Square in Portland and Westfield San Francisco Centre. He is working on Crossroads in Bellevue, which is transforming from a predominantly retail environment to a multifamily, mixed-use community.

Cushing Terrell

Walzak

Cushing Terrell hired Keith Walzak as its director of planning and landscape architecture. Walzak will focus on expanding the firm's urban development portfolio in the western United States, with special focus on Seattle, Denver, Austin and Boise. He has 35 years of experience in public and private sectors leading efforts to build communities through placemaking design. His experience includes serving as the integrated planning program manager for the Unified Port of San Diego, and leading urban design and planning programs for firms that include NBBJ, Nelsen Partners, Entranco Inc. (Aecom) and most recently VIA Architecture in Seattle. He is based in Cushing Terrell's Seattle office, but is moving in spring to the Denver office of the architecture, engineering and interior design firm.

TCF Architecture

Smith

TCF Architecture of Tacoma promoted Holli Smith to associate principal. Smith oversees and executes the firm's marketing efforts, while working as an interiors architect in the education studio. She worked on Seattle Public Schools' renovation of the historic Webster School; Tacoma Public Schools' Browns Point Elementary; and Tumwater School District's Peter G. Schmidt Elementary. TCF provides architecture, planning and interiors services.

BCRA

Amoth

Casteen

Comery

Barene

Johnson

Zimmerman

In Tacoma, BCRA hired Tauna Johnson as its first associate of opportunities + growth. It also hired Michael Barene as an associate of civil engineering, Rianna Comery as an associate of interior design, Andrew Casteen as an information systems associate, Jordan Amoth as an experiential graphic designer and Sophie Topping-Zimmerman as an associate of architecture. Johnson's professional background includes development, admissions and stewardship for nonprofit organizations such as the YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties. Her education in social welfare will support her while serving in BCRA's recruitment efforts. She is a graduate of the University of Washington. Barene holds a bachelor's in civil engineering from Montana State University. He was an intern at KPFF Consulting Engineers where he worked on stormwater management and analysis. He will join the public works market. Comery is on BCRA's interior design team and will support the health care and education markets. She holds a bachelor of fine arts in interior design from George Fox University. Casteen was an IT help desk intern in BCRA's Tacoma office while earning a bachelor's in information technology from the University of Washington, Tacoma. He is working on coding automated reports which will aid the firm's project management and strategic planning efforts. Amoth was with IA Interior Architects. He has a background in workplace EGD, which will help support him while serving in the health care market. Topping-Zimmerman has a bachelor's in architecture from California Polytechnic State University. She will focus primarily on the multifamily market. BCRA provides architecture, interior design, civil engineering, structural engineering, land use planning and landscape architecture.

LRS Architects

Frank

Mileham

Portland-based LRS Architects promoted Steve Mileham and T. Paul Frank from managing principal to senior principal. They will focus on client development and mentoring staff. Mileham has been with the firm for 33 years and led the design of a number of its significant projects. His work has included Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville, Albany City Hall, Hillsboro Civic Center, New Seasons Market stores and the new 90,000-square-foot Wingspan Event Center in Hillsboro. Frank has been with LRS for 30 years and helped develop the auto, housing and retail studios. He has been principal designer for its senior housing projects. In 2007 he led the firm's expansion into China, spending 13 years focused on high-tech campus planning, senior housing and medical clinics. Most recently, he led the design of the $15 million mountaintop Sahale Lodge at Mount Hood, Oregon. LRS provides architecture, planning and interior design.

Mar 17, 2021

Freiheit Architecture

Langston

Amonson

Caudle

Thorlakson

Bellevue-based Freiheit Architecture named Dustin Thorlakson as president and promoted Jen Caudle, Chris Amonson and Michael Langston to the senior leadership team. They succeed president David Hills and principal Rick Grimes who are retiring after 35 years with the company but will continue to serve it as advisors to support the new senior leadership team. Each member of the senior leadership will continue to be lead architect and the main point of contact for day-to-day aspects of projects in addition to their expanded roles in the operations of the company. Thorlakson was hired in 2012 as a designer, quickly becoming principal and executive vice president. In addition to providing design services, he has played a major role in shaping the company's focus on client relations, finance, operations, employee training and recruitment, and helped it transition through the pandemic and remote work. Freiheit provides architecture and interior design.

Mahlum

Saunders

Thompson

Gutierrez

Wood

Harmon

Endy

Barry

Mahlum promoted Nancy Harmon to director of finance, Karen Wood and Octavio Gutierrez to associate principal and Jeremy Thompson, Claudia Saunders, Carissa Barry and Stephen Endy to associate. Harmon's career in accounting spans over 30 years and has included positions with public and private organizations. She has been with Mahlum for 12 years and oversees project accounting, financial reporting, taxation and business planning. Wood has been with the firm for 15 years, working in project delivery including design, construction and cost and schedule management. A project manager, her efforts have included Kellogg Middle School, Arlington Elementary School and Edwin Pratt Early Learning Center. Gutierrez was hired in 2017 and has worked on projects in the K-12, higher education and healthcare markets. His 20 years of experience covers all phases of design, with a focus on residential environments. Thompson is an architect with over 15 years of experience in the profession and knowledge about a variety of project types. He recently worked on the historic modernization of Grant High School. Saunders has over 13 years of interior design experience on projects that include public works, educational facilities, life science research facilities, student housing and commercial workplaces. Barry has 17 years of experience in architecture, including on large-scale sports, government, healthcare and student housing projects. A project architect, she helps lead the firm's construction administration group. Endy has more than 22 years of experience and has worked on living and learning facilities. He was a contributing editor to the 2018 AIA COTE Top Ten Toolkit, now known as the national AIA Framework for Design Excellence. Wood, Harmon and Saunders work in the Seattle office and Barry, Thompson, Gutierrez and Endy work in Portland. Mahlum provides architecture, planning and interiors.

Bogard Pascua Engineers

Pascua

Bothell-based Bogard Engineers named Rod Pascua as new acting partner and vice president. Pascua was previously promoted to principal after successful work as senior project manager on the engineering team. The firm offers mechanical design and specialized services including commissioning, energy/life cycle studies, and constructability reviews for projects across the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. Its other offices are in Bellingham and Honolulu.

Dark Light Design

Kelly

Hagland

Seattle-based Dark Light Design promoted lighting designer Kristen Hagland to associate and hired Danielle Kelly as a lighting designer. Hagland joined the firm in 2014. Her project experience includes civic, workplace, biotech, higher education and residential. In addition to her design responsibilities, she leads the development of documentation and graphic standards for the lighting design firm. Kelly has worked on projects that include research institutes, museums, healthcare and coffee shops. She also teaches the Lighting for Interiors course at Bellevue College.

Elliott Bay Design Group

Gonzalez

In Seattle, Elliott Bay Design Group, a naval architecture and marine engineering firm, hired Jasmine Gonzalez as a senior project coordinator. She reports to the chief financial officer and will support departments with project execution and development of enhanced business reporting and procedures. She has worked at a tug and barge operator, shipyard and a salvage company in the Northwest and has a bachelor's in business administration from California Maritime Academy.