Dec 03, 1996

Mondo Burrito

Mondo Burrito, a gourmet burrito restaurant, has undergone a renovation of its store located in Seattle at 2121 First Ave. Brenda Wallace, a restaurant designer, designed a new configuration that includes an area for the cash register where to-go customers can order and pay in an organized and speedy way. The removal of the barstool/counter area has opened up more seating to accommodate larger crowds. Peter Hook, a local furniture artist/carpenter, helped Wallace with the renovation. Mondo Burrito has also added new features to its menu, which include the addition of three new burritos - the Hawaiian, Mediterranean and the Indian. The expanded menu will also offer new international appetizers, specialty soup and salads and homemade desserts.

Shapiro acquires A.G. Crook Co.

SEATTLE -- Shapiro and Associates, a Seattle-based environmental consulting firm, has acquired the Oregon firm A.G. Crook Co. (AGCO) and has renamed its Portland office SRI/Shapiro/AGCO Inc. The acquisition increases the natural resources services offered by Shapiro and Associates. The 10 people at AGCO have specialized in hydrology, watershed analysis, forestry, range management and natural resources training. SRI/Shapiro/AGCO also offers wetlands, wildlife, permitting, regulatory compliance and land use planning services. Shapiro and Associates purchased the firm SRI three years ago and changed the name of its Portland office to SRI/Shapiro. This new acquisition will make the number of employees in the Portland office jump from 15 to 25. Shapiro's Seattle office has 50 full-time employees. George Berscheid, former president of one of the founders of AGCO, has become a principal of SRI/Shapiro/AGCO. Robert Gill, former AGCO vice president, has assumed the role of general manager in the Portland office. Berscheid and Gill both have experience working with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Other staff joining SRI/Shapiro/AGCO include Aaron English, Phillip Lee, William Lind, Kent Mays, Rita Mroczek, Robert Rallison and Wendell Styner.

EPA holds off on 'sole source' designation

SPOKANE -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that it will not designate the Eastern Columbia Plateau aquifer system a "sole source aquifer" under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA officials say the decision was made because county governments and local organizations in eastern Washington are capable of taking the lead in protecting underground water supplies. In 1994 the EPA proposed that the Eastern Columbia Plateau aquifer system should be declared the sole source of drinking water for the 260,000 people living in a 14,000-square-mile area stretching from the Columbia River into Idaho. The area included all of Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, Adams, Franklin and Whitman counties in Washington, along with a few areas along the western edges of Benewah, Latah and Nez Perce counties in Idaho. A sole source designation would have allowed EPA to review projects funded by federal money to make sure those projects would not cause drinking water to become contaminated. The EPA proposal met with stiff opposition from local governments and residents. Now local Ground Water Management Areas (GWMAs) are being formed in eastern Washington to provide a framework so community-based advisory groups can tackle a number of issues, including nitrate contamination in certain irrigated areas of the region. EPA will work with the state departments of Health, Agriculture and Ecology, the Conservation Commission and Washington State University to help the GWMA process by providing technical and other support and evaluating the success of the GWMAs. EPA's responses to public comments and to criticisms made by a scientific peer review panel on the sole-source issue will be available soon. To request copies, contact Scott Downey, Ground Water Protection Unit, EPA, 1200 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 553-0682 or (800) 424-4372.

Nov 26, 1996

Trillium Corporation

In attempt to diversify its portfolio into the rapidly growing electronic commerce market, the Trillium Corporation has purchased a 25 percent interest in DATA Clearinghouse Corporation. Trillium, a Bellingham-based international investment firm, will provide DATA Clearinghouse with capital and management counsel helping the company to increase market penetration in a growing electronic commerce niche -- the interchange of billing and other information between major corporations and their outside law firms. DATA Clearinghouse offers Pro/Fee Management Services, a combination of software and network-based solutions designed to enhance the solid business relationships which corporations have developed with their outside law firms. Trillium will also hold two of six board positions.

Champion Transfer

Champion Transfer has joined the Associated General Contractors of Washington. The company specializes in moving plans, small packages and documents for architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.

Nov 20, 1996

Integrus

Architects Helen Crowe and Craig Caro have been named associates in the firm of Integrus Architecture. Crowe has been with the firm since 1989, serving as architect ad project manager. Her recent work includes Cascade Elementary School in Renton, Maple Lane School Maximum Security Housing in Centralia, and Mountain Home Air Force Base Commissary in Idaho, a design/build project with PCL Construction. Caro, who has also been with Integrus since 1989, acts as a lead architect specializing in higher education projects. His recent and current projects include Phase I Academic Building and Health Sciences Building in Spokane Higher Education Park at Riverpoint, and ongoing renovation of classrooms and laboratories campus-wide at Eastern Washington State University.

CNA

CNA Architecture Group of Kirkland has hired five architects. Barbara Walton, interior designer and space planner, has spent most of her career focusing on retail and hospitality projects, including exhibit and training centers for Andersen Consulting and the renovation of 12 stores for Saks Fifth Avenue. Her first assignments at CNA include projects for Trinity Life Center in Sacramento, Precision Aerospace at Carillon Point and Children's Hospital at Providence, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Walton was previously employed with RPA/raymond design associates of Atlanta and Image Design of Marietta, Ga. Her education includes degrees from the Art Institute of Atlanta and the University of Rhode Island. George Braslaw, architect and landscape architect, has 24 years of experience designing buildings and landscapes for large scale public, institutional and commercial clients in Washington and Louisiana. He previously served as principal of Archsoft Consultants, the Seattle firm he founded in 1987. His first project with CNA is to design the expansion of the Federal Express sort facility at Sea-Tac International Airport. In addition to a master of architecture degree from the University of Washington, Braslaw holds a bachelor of environmental design in landscape architecture degree from North Carolina State University. He teaches a University of Washington extension course in computer aided drafting and applications. John Gibbons, architect, specializes in healthcare and laboratory design. He serves as technical architect on his first CNA project, the Children's Hospital at Providence, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. His previous work includes clinics, medical office buildings, hospitals and other facilities in Washington, California, Hawaii and Alaska, most of it as project architect with Simmonds Healthcare and Pacific West Medical Buildings. He is a graduate of California Polytechnic University of Pomona. Vicki Somppi, medical planner, began her career in healthcare and later developed a parallel track in architecture. Most of her architectural work has focused on accessibility and ergonomics, space planning and historical preservation. She was previously employed with Pacific Medical Center, Seattle Public Schools and a number of architectural firms in Seattle and Tucson. Her work at CNA includes projects for Everett Clinic, Wenatchee Valley Clinic in Omak and Trinity Life Center in Sacramento. Somppi earned simultaneously a master of architecture degree and a graduate certificate in gerontology from the University of Arizona, Tucson. She serves as vice chairman of the City of Bothell Landmark Preservation Board. Ken Eckert, architect, joins CNA after 16 years of varied architectural experience that includes retail, hospitality, healthcare, church and prison facilities. He was previously employed with NBBJ, Kohler Associates and other architectural firms in Seattle and Spokane. Eckert is working on a variety of commercial and industrial projects for CNA clients in Seattle and Fife. He earned his bachelor of architecture degree from Washington State University.

John Graham/DLR

Brett Kratzer has been appointed to senior associate at John Graham Associates/DLR Group. He has 15 years of retail design and project management experience. Kratzer recently joined the firm to direct the efforts in the retail /mixed-use market. His portfolio includes large projects such as Bangkok Dome Plaza in Bangkok, Great World City, Singapore, and Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. John Graham/DLR has also appointed the following employees to associates. John Benson is an electrical and technology designer with 16 years of experience in the design of lighting and power systems. Additionally, Benson manages the firm's CAD drafting and programming efforts. Benson currently contributes to the Ala Moana Shopping Center Expansion in Honolulu, Hawaii and a variety of projects for the Camas School District in Camas, Washington. Rand Conger, a registered mechanical engineer, is responsible for HVAC, plumbing and piping systems design. Most recently he has been working on two projects for the Longview School District, City of Camas Police/Court Facility, Whittier Elementary School for Seattle School District and Walla Walla County Juvenile Services Center. Emery Ojala, a registered civil engineer, has three years of experience in the design and review of various structural systems. His recent project experience includes the Ala Moana Shopping Center Expansion, Lakewood Primary School and North Whidbey Middle School in Oak Harbor, Washington.

ABKJ

Andersen Bjornstad Kane Jacobs, Inc. (ABKJ) has promoted the following staff members to the level of associate. Alan C. Johnson has 14 years of engineering experience and was project engineer for the recently completed Federal Detention Center. He is currently working on the structural design of two new schools for the Lake Washington School District and seismic upgrades for Portland Public Schools. Adam R. Koczarski has 15 years of structural design experience. He has been responsible for various structural projects including mid-high rise office/retail complexes and municipal buildings. He is currently working on the ARCO ANO seismic upgrade in Anchorage and Mt. Baker Elementary in Mt. Vernon. Joyce M. Lem has 13 years of design experience in transportation related projects, including bridges, interchanges, widenings, tunnels and retaining walls. Lem was the project manager for 23rd Street Viaduct in Denver and is currently working on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass in Tacoma. Patrick A. Pirtle has been involved in design and drafting for 24 years. His specialized experience in computer-aided drafting serves him well as the manager of ABKJ's CAD department. He is responsible for overseeing eight CAD operators. Lamar E. Scott has 21 years project management and civil engineering design experience and is currently chief civil engineer at ABKJ. He is now project manager for the Port of Seattle's Terminal 5 approach ramp.

AGRA

AGRA Earth & Environmental, Inc. (AEE) has promoted Jim Brisbane and Tim Hyden to the level of associate with the firm. Brisbine has participated projects throughout the state involving subsurface explorations, laboratory testing, foundation design, and retaining walls. Current projects include Richard Road widening, Seattle University Law School and Chapel, Kamber Road widening, Tumwater Texaco Terminal and Union Hill Water Tank. Hyden, who manages AEE's construction inspection and materials testing group, has over 20 years experience in the industry. Current projects include Redmond Town Center, Bellevue Community College Archives Building, and Northgate Mall improvements.

Meng

Sarah Murdoch has joined Meng as an intern architect. Her interests lie in school design and historical preservation. At Meng she has worked on a variety of official projects, and is currently compiling research for a state-wide high school construction projects report. Chris Worley joins as marketing/administrative assistant with over two years of experience in the local architectural/engineering community. Her responsibilities include production and coordination of marketing materials, as well as general office management. Emilie Anderson has joined the company as receptionist. She has worked as a administrator for various companies for over 12 years. She brings two years of experience as an administrative assistant with a civil-based construction company. Kim Hanke joins as accounting manager. She has 20 years of accounting experience, with five years in the A/E business. Last year her first book, Turning to Torah -- The Emerging Noachide Movement, was published by Jason Aronson Publishers.

SSOE

Bill Meehan joins the Bellevue office of SSOE, Inc. as a new national account executive. He brings over 23 years of professional sales and marketing experience to the company. He will be responsible for new client development in the Pacific Northwest. Meehan was formerly with Atrium Productions in Scottsdale, AZ. Ann Napier has joined SSOE as an HVAC designer. She brings over 14 years of design experience to SSOE's mechanical department. She was formerly with Team Engineering. Glen Elliott joins the firm as a process piping designer. Formerly with Schreiber Foods in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he brings over eight years of design experience to SSOE.

Hacker

Chris Chin has joined Thomas Hacker and Associates (TH&A) of Portland with nine years of experience in public transit, institutional and educational projects. Prior to joining TH&A he was an associate with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership. Chin is currently project architect on the Portland State University Urban Center.

Brumbaugh

Darwin Webb has joined Brumbaugh & Associates (B&A) as a senior project manager and designer. With over 12 years of practice, Webb brings experience in residential, commercial and public sector projects. He is currently designing and managing projects for Safeco in Atlanta and St. Louis, as well as multi-family complexes in the Portland area for Trammell Crow Residential. Prior to joining B&A, he was a senior project manager at The Berger Partnership.

The Onyx Group

Mitsuru Otose has joined the Poulsbo office of The Onyx Group as a facilities planner. He will provide architectural support for The Onyx Group's large CAD-based facilities planning project for the U.S. Navy in Okinawa, Japan. He holds a bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

W &H Pacific

Kenneth Rabbers has joined W&H Pacific's Bellevue office as project manager. Rabbers has more than 24 years of experience in the design industry. His expertise includes project administration and planning; municipal engineering; and development engineering for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

DRS

C. Reid Cain has joined D.R. Strong Consulting Engineers (DRS) as a surveying party chief and as a assistant engineer. Reid is a graduate of Renton Vocational - Technical Institute and he has seven years land surveying. Elmar Eugster joins DRS as an assistant engineer and as a surveying party chief. Elmar is a graduate of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology with a master of science degree in water management and land surveying.

Meng

Sarah Murdoch has joined Meng as an intern architect. Her interests lie in school design and historical preservation. At Meng she has worked on a variety of official projects, and is currently compiling research for a state-wide high school construction projects report. Chris Worley joins as marketing/administrative assistant with over two years of experience in the local architectural/engineering community. Her responsibilities include production and coordination of marketing materials, as well as general office management. Emilie Anderson has joined the company as receptionist. She has worked as a administrator for various companies for over 12 years. She brings two years of experience as an administrative assistant with a civil-based construction company. Kim Hanke joins as accounting manager. She has 20 years of accounting experience, with five years in the A/E business. Last year her first book, Turning to Torah--The Emerging Noachide Movement, was published by Jason Aronson Publishers.

ABKJ

Andersen Bjornstad Kane Jacobs, Inc. (ABKJ) has promoted the following staff members to the level of associate. Alan Johnson has 14 years of engineering experience and was project engineer for the recently completed Federal Detention Center. He is currently working on the structural design of two new schools for the Lake Washington School District and seismic upgrades for Portland Public Schools. Adam Koczarski has 15 years of structural design experience. He has been responsible for various structural projects including mid-high rise office/retail complexes and municipal buildings. He is currently working on the ARCO ANO seismic upgrade in Anchorage and Mt. Baker Elementary in Mt. Vernon. Koczarski is also the IS/IT Manager for ABKJ. Joyce Lem has 13 years of design experience in transportation related projects, including bridges, interchanges, widenings, tunnels and retaining walls. Lem was the project manager for 23rd Street Viaduct in Denver and is currently working on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass in Tacoma. Patrick Pirtle has been involved in the field of design and drafting for 24 years. For the past ten years he has worked exclusively with computer aided design. This specialized experience serves him well as the manager of ABKJ's CADD department. He is responsible for overseeing eight CADD operators. Lamar Scott has 21 years project management and civil engineering design experience and is currently chief civil engineer at ABKJ. He is currently project manager for the Port of Seattle's Terminal 5 Approach Ramp.

SSOE

Bill Meehan joins the Bellevue office of SSOE, Inc. as a new national account executive. He brings over 23 years of professional sales and marketing experience to the company. He will be responsible for new client development in the Pacific Northwest. Meehan was formerly with Atrium Productions in Scottsdale, AZ. Ann Napier has joined SSOE as an HVAC designer. She brings over 14 years of design experience to SSOE's mechanical department. She was formerly with Team Engineering. Glen Elliott joins the firm as a process piping designer. Formerly with Schreiber Foods in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he brings over eight years of design experience to SSOE.

John Graham/DLR

Brett Kratzer has been appointed to senior associate at John Graham Associates/DLR Group. He has 15 years of retail design and project management experience. Kratzer recently joined the firm to direct the efforts in the retail /mixed-use market. His impressive national and international portfolio includes the design and master planning of large scale projects such as Bangkok Dome Plaza in Bangkok, Great World City, Singapore, and Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. John Graham/DLR has also appointed the following employees to associates. John Benson is an electrical and technology designer with 16 years of experience in the design of lighting and power systems. Additionally, Benson manages the firm's CAD drafting and programming efforts. Benson currently contributes to the Ala Moana Shopping Center Expansion in Honolulu, Hawaii and a variety of projects for the Camas School District in Camas, Washington. Rand Conger, a registered mechanical engineer, is responsible for HVAC, plumbing and piping systems design. Conger has authored articles published in the "AIAA Journal" and "Journal of Fluids Engineering." Most recently he has been working on two projects for the Longview School District, City of Camas Police/Court Facility, Whittier Elementary School for Seattle School District and Walla Walla County Juvenile Services Center. Emery Ojala, a registered civil engineer, has three years of experience in the design and review of various structural systems. His recent project experience includes the Ala Moana Shopping Center Expansion, Lakewood Primary School and North Whidbey Middle School in Oak Harbor, Washington.

The Onyx Group

Mitsuru Otose has joined the Poulsbo office of The Onyx Group as a facilities planner. He will provide architectural support for The Onyx Group's large AutoCAD-based facilities planning project for the U.S. Navy in Okinawa, Japan. He holds a bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

W &H Pacific

Kenneth Rabber has joined W & H Pacific's Bellevue office as project manager. Rabbers has more than 24 years of experience in the A/E consulting industry. His expertise includes project administration and planning; municipal engineering; and development engineering for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

Brumbaugh

Darwin Webb has joined Brumbaugh & Associates as a senior project manager and designer. With over 12 years of practice, Webb brings experience in residential, commercial and public sector projects. He is currently designing and managing projects for Safeco in Atlanta and St. Louis, as well as multi-family complexes in the Portland area for Trammell Crow Residential. Prior to joining B&A, he was a senior project manager at The Berger Partnership.

DRS

C. Reid Cain has joined D.R. Strong Consulting Engineers (DRS) as a surveying party chief and as a assistant engineer. Reid is a graduate of Renton Vocational - Technical Institute and he has seven years land surveying. Elmar Eugster joins DRS as an assistant engineer and as a surveying party chief. Elmar is a graduate of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology with a master of science degree in water management and land surveying.