Jun 17, 2026

Washington Forest Protection Association

The Washington Forest Protection Association announced that Jason Cross will serve as its new director of Forest Operations and Environmental Programs, bringing more than two decades of experience in silvicultural science, forest management research, data modeling, and natural resource policy analysis to the organization.

In this role, Cross will provide scientific, technical, and operational leadership on forest management, Washington's forest practices regulatory framework, and related state and federal requirements. And as part of WFPA's commitment to grounding work and policy in science and best-practices, Cross will apply strong technical analysis and help translate applied science into practical policy guidance to support solutions and approaches that protect public resources while maintaining a viable forest products industry. Cross also will help track rulemaking, implementation issues and agency guidelines affecting forest operations.

Cross joins WFPA after serving as a principal with the Stand Management Cooperate at the University of Washington, independent consultant, and researcher. Cross is a University of Washington graduate, earning a MS in Silviculture and Stand Dynamics as well as bachelor's degrees in Forest Management and Mathematics.

Cross joins WFPA as longtime Forest Operations and Environmental Programs leader Doug Hooks remains with the association through 2026 to support a smooth transition.

The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) represents private forest landowners growing and harvesting trees on about 4 million acres in Washington State.

Jun 16, 2026

City of Seattle

Smith

The city of Seattle welcomes Shannon Smith as its new chief technology officer. Joining Mayor Katie B. Wilson's leadership team, Smith will play a pivotal role in advancing the administration's commitment to transparency, accountability, and community-centered service.

Smith has led local government technology for over 18 years in Seattle, Bellevue, and King County. She has been noted nationally for her expertise in AI, data governance, and cybersecurity for local government leadership by the National Association of Counties, and she has spoken on these topics at various national and state organizations.

Smith brings over a decade of deep expertise in government technology to her new role. Most recently, she served as director of Public Sector — Local Government — at CAI, where she led strategic planning and implementation of cutting-edge initiatives in cybersecurity, AI, and health and human services across city and county agencies. She is also a certified government chief information officer (CGCIO), a nationally recognized executive leadership program designed to address some of the most critical issues facing public sector technology leaders.

As chief of staff for the King County chief information officer, she was accountable for all technology implemented during the King County-Seattle Public Health's COVID-19 response.

The CTO reports to the mayor and serves on the mayor's cabinet, with overall responsibility for vision, strategy, and leadership of information technology resources, as well as for the management of the work of Seattle IT. The Seattle IT department employs 633 people, and the CTO is responsible for an annual operating budget of $280 million with a capital budget of $20 million.

Jun 12, 2026

Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition

Lemay

The Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition (PNBRC) has appointed Lionel Lemay as chairperson. A leader in engineering, sustainability, and industry advocacy, Lemay is known for building high performing teams and programs that advance innovation and growth across the building materials sector.

Lemay is the founder and CEO of ConcreteNexus LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to strengthening resiliency, innovation, and sustainability in the concrete industry through education, certification, and building codes and standards advocacy.

Prior to founding ConcreteNexus, Lemay served in several senior leadership roles, including executive vice president at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) for 21 years, managing director at the Portland Cement Association (PCA) for 10 years, and director of engineering at Hansen Lind Meyer for seven years.

He is a registered professional engineer and structural engineer in Illinois, a LEED accredited professional, and an active member of ACI, ASTM, and ASCE committees. Lemay holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering and applied mechanics from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Lemay succeeds Bill Larson, who is retiring after 10 years as Chairperson.

PNBRC’s mission is to unite the resources of the cement, concrete, masonry, and reinforcing steel industries to position concrete, through education and advocacy, as the material of choice for low-, mid-, and high-rise construction across the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.

Highline College

George

Des Moines City Attorney Tim George has been named Highline College’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus for his impact in creating public spaces and services for the community he grew up in.

With all city projects requiring his legal sign-off before moving forward, the South King County native views his role as a problem solver. If issues arise, he fixes them to keep the project on track and on time. Some of the projects George has approved include the Link light-rail extension, marina improvements, a fishing pier replacement, new parks and forested areas.

Starting as a Running Start student, George graduated from Highline with an associate degree in 2002, and said that having grown up in the area, it’s especially rewarding to give back to the community that gave him so much.

Harking back to his years at Highline, George’s interest in law was sparked by a few criminal justice classes. He also took writing classes and discovered an interest and a talent for writing that was ignited by his professor.

After graduating from Highline, George pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Washington and a Juris Doctor degree at California Western School of Law.

Jun 11, 2026

Dermody

McCarthy

Dermody, a diversified private equity investment management company focused exclusively on the national logistics real estate sector, has hired Manali McCarthy as vice president of Investor Relations.

In her role, McCarthy will lead investor communication and interaction, supporting future fundraising efforts while developing and implementing programs to achieve company and investor priorities. McCarthy will work with Kathleen Briscoe, chief capital officer at Dermody, to ensure investor relations support the company’s capital strategy and execution.

Prior to joining Dermody, McCarthy was a principal for ESG & Sustainability at Third Economy where she led the annual sustainability reporting process for more than 30 corporate clients. She specialized in helping companies build their sustainability programs from the ground up, developing reporting frameworks and long-term strategy while implementing investor and client programs such as workshops and sustainability surveys to advance company ESG.

McCarthy holds a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and geography from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a LEED Green Associate, a credential from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), recognizing expertise in green building principles and sustainable design.

Founded in 1960, Dermody has developed more than $10 billion of total capital across all platforms nationwide, having acquired and developed approximately 110 million square feet of logistics and industrial facilities. In addition to its corporate office in Reno, Nevada, it has regional offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New Jersey, Northern California, Phoenix, Seattle and Southern California.

King County Metro

Green

King County Metro’s Emergency Management Administrator Matthew Green was recently honored with the Top 40 Under 40 award by the International Association for Emergency Management (IAEM-USA).

The recognition is given to individuals under age 40 for their outstanding leadership and notable contributions to the emergency management profession. This honor is a symbol of excellence and a testament to the achievements and hard work of the next generation of emergency management professionals.

At Metro, emergency management is an essential function to keeping the community safe. As emergency management administrator, Green focuses on emergency and continuity planning and founded and chairs the department-wide Emergency Management Steering Committee, the place where leaders across Metro collaborate on emergency management and continuity solutions.

Green has been at Metro since September 2024, after spending many years as an emergency management consultant working across the country.

Jun 10, 2026

Patrick Hardwoods

Gray

Patrick Lumber Company, a century-old lumber wholesaler and specialty wood supplier, promoted Mark Gray to president of Patrick Hardwoods, a new premium hardwoods business the company launched last year. After more than a decade spent shaping the strategic direction of the Patrick Lumber family of companies, Gray is well-equipped to lead and support Patrick Hardwoods' growing reputation in the Pacific Northwest hardwood market, the company said.

“Mark has spent more than a decade across our trading and manufacturing operations,” said Natalie Heacock, president of Patrick Lumber. “He knows where specialty wood creates value, and he'll put that knowledge to work building Patrick Hardwoods' position in the Pacific Northwest.”

A graduate of Gonzaga University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Finance, Gray joined Patrick Lumber in 2013 and has held a range of leadership positions across the company's trading and manufacturing operations. Most recently, he served as the vice president of Patrick Lumber Manufacturing. When PLC established Patrick Hardwoods in 2025, expanding into premium local hardwoods, Gray was central to its formation and early direction. Today, he brings the same tenacity and drive to his latest role as president of Patrick Hardwoods.

Patrick Hardwoods operates out of a dedicated hardwood mill at the company's Philomath, Oregon campus, manufacturing a range of Pacific Northwest hardwood species, including an unconventional longer-length alder that exceeds the industry's typical 12-foot standard.

Jun 09, 2026

King County Superior Court

Manca

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Jessica Murphy Manca to the position of King County Superior Court Judge. Manca's appointment, effective July 1, fills the position that Judge Karen Donohue's resignation will vacate.

Manca is a career prosecutor with more than 15 years of experience in criminal law. She currently practices as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington, where she serves as the U.S. Attorney's Office's Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator — leading investigations of hate crimes and criminal violations of people's constitutional rights. Her practice has also focused on cybercrime, cyberstalking and financial crimes, and she previously served as the Western District of Washington's Project Safe Neighborhoods Program Coordinator — working with community leaders and nonprofits on gun-violence prevention, intervention and reentry programs.

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Manca spent a decade at the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as a criminal trial and appellate lawyer. She appeared daily in King County's superior and district courts, handling hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases, including approximately fifty jury trials. Manca earned a promotion to Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2017.

Manca earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard University and her law degree with high honors from the University of Washington School of Law.