May 27, 2020

University of Washington

Pitre

The University of Washington awarded the 2020 Charles E. Odegaard Award to Emile Pitre, longtime staff member in the school’s Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity. Pitre is a 1969 UW graduate and a Black Student Union founder. Prior to retiring in 2014, Pitre spent over three decades at the UW, serving in various roles including director of the Instructional Center and associate vice president for assessment. He continues as a senior advisor to the OMA&D vice president. The award honors individuals whose leadership in the community exemplifies former UW president Odegaard’s work on behalf of diversity.

Sustainable Restaurant Holdings

Portland-based Sustainable Restaurant Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to keep its operations afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Related to the restructuring plan, the company received a commitment for up to $1.9 million in debtor-in-possession financing led by the Bain Capital Double Impact fund. The financing will provide liquidity while the company seeks a buyer. Sustainable Restaurant Holdings operates Bamboo Sushi and QuickFish restaurants in the Portland area, as well as in Seattle, the Bay Area, Denver and Phoenix. The chain’s goal is to rehire furloughed workers and resume full operations as soon as health risks subside and government restrictions are lifted.

City of Tacoma

The Chinese city of Fuzhou donated 70,000 disposable medical masks and 500 disposable medical gowns to the city of Tacoma to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The masks and gowns will be distributed throughout the local community, but the city will hold some in reserve in case of a resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall and winter. Fuzhou has been Tacoma’s sister city since 1994.

Prevencio

Kirkland-based Prevencio inked a deal with Seattle Children’s Research Institute to develop a blood test that diagnoses Kawasaki disease in children. Kawasaki disease may be triggered by COVID-19 and exhibits similar symptoms. Prevencio says it uses artificial intelligence, algorithms and multi-proteomic biomarkers for cardiovascular diagnostic and prognostic tests that are significantly more accurate than standard-of-care stress tests. There currently is no diagnostic test for Kawasaki disease, according to the company.

May 22, 2020

Washington Board of Education

Wang

Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Kevin Wang to the Washington State Board of Education. Wang is a former educator, Microsoft engineer and social entrepreneur. While at Microsoft, Wang was involved in launching Office 365 and founded Microsoft Philanthropies' Technology Education and Literacy in Schools program, which helps high schools across the country build diverse computer science programs.

Altavair

In Seattle, Altavair and investment firm KKR closed the sale and leaseback of six Airbus A321-200 aircraft with Delta Air Lines. The acquisition was made through Altitude Aircraft Leasing, which was established by KKR's credit and infrastructure funds in 2018 to acquire aircraft to be serviced by Altavair, a financier of aircraft.

State of Washington

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said 1,400 Washington residents who have long-term care policies through Time Insurance Co. of Wisconsin will maintain their benefits while the state of Wisconsin orders the company into rehabilitation and manages its operations. Policyholders will be notified within 30 days of the rehabilitation ordered by Wisconsin. All claims will continue to be paid while the company is in rehabilitation.

U.S. Gain

Appleton, Wisconsin-based U.S. Gain signed supply agreements for renewable natural gas in Oregon with Salem Area Mass Transit District, Gresham Sanitary, Heiberg Garbage & Recycling and Pride Disposal. The company claims the agreements make it the largest RNG supplier in Oregon. U.S. Gain also recently inked an RNG supply agreement with the Port of Seattle for use at Sea-Tac Airport. U.S. Gain develops, procures and distributes sustainable energy for the transportation and energy markets.

Comcast

Comcast Washington donated $55,000 to Asian Counseling and Referral Service in support of the nonprofit's COVID-19 response effort and digital literacy training in western Washington.

Because Health

Seattle-based Because Health now offers coronavirus testing conducted at the workplace using blood or nasal swab tests. Samples are collected by certified medical personnel and results are available in 24 to 72 hours. Because Health connects patients and specialist physicians through video chat, messaging, and/or in-person office consults.