Sep 15, 2021

Washington State Broadband Office

Eychaner

Dawn Eychaner will serve as acting director of the Washington State Broadband Office effective Sept. 30, when current director Russ Elliott leaves the position to serve as Chief Executive Officer of a California telecommunications carrier. Eychaner has served as deputy director of the office since June this year. Eychaner has a background in local infrastructure financing with the Washington State Public Works and Community Economic Revitalization Boards, as well as significant policy experience in the legislature on issues and programs related to early learning, temporary aid to needy families, food assistance and affordable housing.

Since it was established in 2019 with a minimal budget and two full time staff, the Washington State Broadband Office has built successful public-private partnerships across the state to meet the state's aggressive broadband goals and break down digital equity barriers.

AIA Seattle + Seattle Design Festival

Neher

Melissa K. Neher is the new executive director at AIA Seattle and Seattle Design Festival. Neher has decades of experience in nonprofit leadership. She began her career as a social worker for adults with physical disabilities. Later as a social justice lawyer, Melissa advocated for under-served and marginalized communities, including asylum seekers and migrant workers. Most recently, she served as executive director of Architects Without Borders Seattle, an organization formed by a dedicated group of volunteers who came together under the umbrella of AIA to provide access to design to under-served communities.

Neher received her BA in Public Relations with a minor in Art History from James Madison University, and her Juris Doctorate from University of San Diego School of Law where she was a lead articles editor for San Diego Law Review and received the Outstanding Public Interest Advocate award.

Sep 08, 2021

Olson Kundig

Kingsley

Griswold

Clews

Choe

de Hillary

Walters

Walbourn

Terzopolos

Sinn

Olson Kundig announced nine new promotions. Romie de Hillary has been promoted to Director of Legal Affairs and several architectural design staff members have been promoted to Associate: Senan Choe, Simon Clews, Meghan Griswold, Jesse Kingsley, Laura Sinn, Hallie Terzopolos, Todd Walbourn and Brian Walters. Romie de Hillary, JD, works with project managers, principals, and executive and administrative teams to help strategically drive and support projects, business initiatives and growth, assess risk, and protect and promote the firm's designs and reputation. Senan Choe, AIA, has a background in retail, hospitality and residential projects, and has worked on many of Olson Kundig's large-scale luxury hospitality projects, merging both private residential and communal hotel amenities. Simon Clews originally came to Olson Kundig through the firm's International Internship Program, and has risen through the ranks as a project architect / project manager with a focus on custom single-family homes. Born and educated in New Zealand, Simon has been instrumental in expanding the firm's portfolio of residential work across Australia and New Zealand. Meghan Griswold has a wide range of experience working on high-end, award-winning residential projects that enhance connections between built and natural environments. Jesse Kingsley specializes in single-family residential projects, translating ambitious design concepts into refined architecture. Laura Sinn is a versatile designer who has demonstrated her detail-oriented, organized approach on multiple large-scale, mixed-use, technologically complex projects. Hallie Terzopolos has extensive experience on cultural, installation, single-family residential and luxury hospitality projects around the world. Todd Walbourn, AIA, has decades of experience across residential, institutional, workplace, cultural and retail projects and is often challenged to create spaces that combine complex programs with diverse, overlapping uses. Brian Walters, AIA, LEED® AP, is drawn to largescale mixed-use projects, often incorporating tenant improvements, historic building adaptation or food and beverage elements. In his work, Brian seeks to uncover historical threads of the built environment and urban fabric, weaving them into his designs. Olson Kundig provides architecture, landscape architecture and interior design.

EPA

Dunn

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan has appointed 34 new members to EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee. Among those asked to serve in this important advisory role for the federal agency is Snohomish County Councilmember, Megan Dunn. Councilmember Dunn is now one of the 39-members of EPA's LGAC. EPA's LGAC includes representatives from 30 different states, Tribal nations, and U.S. territories, representing a diverse cross-section of cities, counties, towns, and communities across the United States. Chartered in 1993 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Local Government Advisory Committee provides independent policy advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of issues affecting local governments. The Small Community Advisory Subcommittee was established by EPA in 1996 to advise the Administrator on environmental issues of concern to the residents of smaller communities.

ALSC Architects

Garr

ALSC Architects announced two new hires. Matt Garr, AIA has been hired as a project manager. An Architectural Project Manager with seven years of professional experience, Matt Garr attended the University of Idaho where he earned his Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture. Current assignments include healthcare projects for CHAS Health, Adams County Health Center, and New Health. Laura Somerville, a 4th year interior design student at Washington State University, has been hired as an interior design intern. Laura will be assisting ALSC's interior designers on a variety of projects. ALSC provides professional planning and design services for projects ranging from education to retail, and military to sports and recreation.

Velocity Building Technical Service

Jamil Aljasir recently joined Velocity Building Technical Service as Director of Energy Services bringing with him over 20 years of experience in mechanical design, commissioning, LEED administration, and energy assessments. Velocity Building Technical Services provides Test & Balance, Controls, and Commissioning services, as well as highly qualified specialties in Indoor Air Quality improvements, Energy Evaluations, and Fire-Life Safety Compliance to a growing clientele across Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.