Dec 22, 2011

Columbia Bank

Melanie Dressel, president and chief executive of Columbia Bank, was named Community Banker of the Year by American Banker.

Homewood Suites by Hilton

Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of all-suite, residential-style hotels, hired Scott Snofsky as general manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton-Seattle at 1011 Pike St. Andrew Harris has been named that hotel's director of sales. Snofsky was general manager at a hotel in Austin, Texas, and has 16 years of experience in the industry.

Fearey Group

The Fearey Group, a public relations agency, promoted Aaron Blank to president. Blank will manage day-to-day operations and lead the executive team. Blank has been at Fearey for six years.

Dec 21, 2011

WPUDA

The Washington Public Utility Districts Association announced the winners of its 2011 awards. Clallam PUD Commissioner Ted Simpson received the Lifetime Achievement award, the highest honor given by the association. Simpson won for his leadership and commitment to public power.

Surge

Surge, a Seattle software development and consulting firm, acquired Wind-Up Studios, a web design agency. Vida Clement, director and founder of Wind-Up Studios, joined Surge as vice president of marketing.

The Rock

The Rock, Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits, a gourmet pizza restaurant, is opening its first urban location Dec. 30 in The Maxwell Hotel. Catamount Constructors of Denver is the contractor for the 4,100-square-foot space and David A. Clark of Auburn is the architect. It is owned and operated by Gigandet and Bellis' Wedge Corp., which also owns the Washington state locations in Covington, Federal Way, Lake Tapps, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Renton and Tacoma. The Rock plans to open about 30 new restaurants around the country in partnership with the H. Katz Capital Group. This will be its 14th location.

Dec 20, 2011

Riddell Williams

Riddell Williams hired Hannah Ard as counsel in the Litigation Group. Ard was recently counsel at WilmerHale in Washington, D.C., where she focused on complex commercial disputes.

Warwick Seattle Hotel

Warwick Seattle Hotel hired Timothy Bathke as general manager. Bathke will oversee the second phase of the hotel's renovation. He was general manager at a global franchise in Portland.

Sound Transit

The Sound Transit Board elected Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy as the chair. McCarthy will serve for the next two years, starting Jan. 1. Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon and King County Council Member Julia Patterson were elected vice chairs.