Jul 29, 2009

Foster Pepper

Law firm Foster Pepper has launched a new employment and labor service targeted toward the health care industry. Your Employment Services or YES!, provides a guaranteed number of employment and/or labor-related hours of legal services per quarter at a fixed price. Each YES! client also receives access to a secure, individualized extranet. Julie Kebler, a member in the firm's Employment and Labor Group, developed the concept.

The Coast Guard

The Coast Guard presented Melissa Montgomery, program manager for Washington State Department of Natural Resources' Derelict Vessel Removal Program, with the Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award for her environmental accomplishments. Montgomery is credited with creating a system to remove derelict and abandoned vessels that pose a safety risk to navigations and often contain harmful pollutants.

State Highway and Transportation Officials

Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond was unanimously elected by transportation directors from 18 states to serve as president of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials during the organization's annual meeting. Her term will run through July of 2010.

Jul 28, 2009

Water For Humans

Water for Humans, a nonprofit social enterprise group, launched its pilot project this month to bring low-cost, safe drinking water to two communities in Oaxaca, Mexico, called Guadalupe Etla and Santo Domingo Barrio Bajo Etla. The nonprofit began as a graduate school project by Stan Brown and Rick McKenney at Bainbridge Graduate Institute. It installs water purifiers to provide families, health clinics, schools and restaurants with a low-cost alternative to purchasing bottled drinking water.

Kent Station

Tarragon, the developer of Kent Station, announced seven new retailers, restaurateurs and an office tenant will open in the near future, bringing the South King County shopping center to 95 percent leased. New tenants include the Social Security Administration, Kaiten Sushi, Mama Stortini's Ristorante, H&R Block, Kay Jewelers, Games Workshop and Renaissance Yarns.

Kittredge Art Gallery

The Kittredge Art Gallery at the University of Puget Sound and the Tacoma Art Museum are forming a partnership. Staff from the art museum will manage and program the art exhibitions at Kittredge, a university gallery known for its support of regional and national artists. Margaret Bullock, curator of collections and special exhibitions at Tacoma Art Museum, will assume oversight of Kittredge, including the Abby Williams Hill collection and a small permanent collection.

The Bravern

Italian luxury brand Piazza Sempione will open a store at The Shops at The Bravern on September 12. Piazza Sempione is a women's clothing and accessories brand. The Bravern is a new development in Bellevue with an outdoor shopping area.

Jul 24, 2009

Williams Kastner

The law firm of Williams Kastner hired Paul Battaglia to its Seattle office as of counsel. Battaglia has 18 years experience and will focus on matters related to real estate, leasing and collections.

LeMay Museum

Tacoma's LeMay Museum added Neal Dempsey to its board of directors. Dempsey is managing general partner at Bay Partners and has guided more than two dozen start-up companies.

Little Red School House

Little Red School House hired Deb Anderson to head the newly formed development department. Anderson worked at the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce as vice president of sales and marketing. Little Red is a community-based service provider for Snohomish County families with children under age three who have developmental disabilities, developmental delays or are at risk of falling behind their peers.

Lakewood's Northwest Commercial Bank

Lakewood's Northwest Commercial Bank has established a private banking department. Edward Fischer, a long time private banking executive, will head up the new operation. Fischer spent the past 10 years with Columbia Bank.