Jun 18, 2014

AssureStart

AssureStart, a Seattle-based startup that sells small business insurance on the Internet, has opened for business in Oregon, Missouri and Colorado. It currently sells policies in about six states, including Washington, serving firms with one to 30 employees, and is backed by American Family Mutual Insurance Co. Policies are underwritten by Midvale Indemnity, a subsidiary of American Family. The company formed in February 2013 and is expecting to operate in all states by mid-2015, and add commercial auto and workers' comp insurance.

Signs By Tomorrow Tacoma

Signs By Tomorrow Tacoma has changed its name to Image360-Tacoma. Owners Al and Rose Mednick said the new name reflects a new approach to graphic solutions and customer service. The firm is at 3838 S. Warner St. and is a member of Alliance Franchise Brands.

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear

Christopher Sweeney, a partner in Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP's Seattle office, was elected president of the Washington State Patent Law Association. He has been an active member since 2007. The law firm is based in Orange County, California, and has offices in California, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Jun 17, 2014

Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker

Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker said Barat M. LaPorte has joined as a partner in Anchorage in the Commercial Litigation group. Before entering private practice, LaPorte was a clerk for the Alaska Supreme Court.

Highline Community College

The Highline Community College is going back to its original name: Highline College. It will offer several bachelor of applied science degree programs starting fall quarter, providing the third and fourth years of college for people who have a two-year technical degree. The programs are cybersecurity and forensics, global trade and logistics, respiratory therapy, and youth development.

Estate Planning Council of Seattle

The Estate Planning Council of Seattle has new officers for 2014-2015: Michael Vranizan of Vranizan & Associates is president; immediate past president is Joan Albee of Wellspring Group CPAs; Kurt Olson of Fahlman Olson & Little is treasurer; and Ron Nagle of Peterson Sullivan is secretary. The executive committee is Kathryn Garrison, Ford Clary, Kammie Lewis and Kristina Udall.

Jun 13, 2014

Blue Box

Two former Tier 3 senior executives from CenturyLink Cloud have joined Blue Box. Last month, Tier 3's former CEO Matthew Schiltz became the CEO of Blue Box, a Seattle-based managed private cloud technology provider. Now Tier 3's chief revenue officer Bob DeSantis is chief revenue officer at Blue Box and Ken Cavallon is vice president of partners, responsible for indirect channels.

Snap Skout

Snap Skout, a Seattle media tech startup that recommends offers and deals to users, hired Steve Nieker as chief operating officer. Nieker has founded and led a series of tech ventures in online publishing and advertising, including AdKeeper and Sphere, which was purchased by AOL in 2008.

U.S. Bank

Starbucks Center has added a full-service U.S. Bank branch. The building is corporate headquarters for Starbucks Coffee, and also has Sears, Office Max and a number of start-up companies. The 600-square-foot branch is on the third floor. Mark Evans is manager.