Jul 17, 2020

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Seattle — King County and Kittitas County Habitat for Humanity are partnering to expand services and production of affordable homes for families in Kittitas County. The partnership is expected to result in significant cost savings for Kittitas Habitat by consolidating its operations with Habitat SKC's headquarters in Renton. These operations include administration, IT, human resources, accounting, legal, loan origination, construction and project development, and fund development. Kittitas Habitat staff will be retained. A search is underway for an area director who will serve as the local liaison with Habitat SKC, as well as a construction supervisor for Kittitas Habitat. Two Kittitas Habitat board members — Susan Ralston and Delano Palmer — have also been appointed to Habitat SKC's board.

Smartsheet

In Bellevue, Smartsheet formed an advisory board composed of federal government executives from civilian, defense and intelligence agencies. These experts are providing strategic insights into government-specific market needs and helping the company grow within the federal sector. The board is led by Gene Farrell, Smartsheet's chief product officer, and retired Gen. Peter Chiarelli. Other members are: Jerry Davis, former CIO of NASA Ames Research Center; Kathryn Condon, former executive director of Army National Cemeteries; Marina Nitze, former CTO of the Department of Veteran Affairs; and retired Lt. Gen. William Bender, former Air Force CIO. Smartsheet is a cloud-based platform for work execution.

City of University Place

The University Place City Council approved acceptance of $992,700 from the state as part of the federal CARES Act. The funds will be redistributed into the community to assist with COVID-19 recovery efforts, including $500,000 as grants to support local businesses affected by shutdowns. Applications are due July 22, with the goal of beginning distribution of funds by the end of the month. More information is at http://www.cityofup.com/business-relief-program.

Amazon

Seattle-based Amazon started a pilot program with Crossover Health to open health centers near Amazon fulfillment centers and operations facilities across the country. The first neighborhood health center for Amazon employees and their families will be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This will be one of 20 centers in five cities, including Phoenix; Louisville, Kentucky; Detroit; and San Bernardino/Moreno Valley, California. All will be operated by Crossover Health. If the pilot works, Amazon will roll out more in other cities.

ZoomInfo

Business technology review site TrustRadius recognized ZoomInfo with its 2020 Top Rated Award for Marketing Intelligence Software. This is ZoomInfo's second Top Rated Award of the year, previously winning in the Sales Intelligence Software category. The awards are determined by customer feedback. Vancouver-based ZoomInfo sells access to its database of business people and companies to sales, marketing and recruiting professionals.

Jul 16, 2020

Banzai

Bilafer

Kurt Bilafer is the new chief revenue officer at Seattle-based Banzai, a developer of cloud software for webinar and event marketing. Bilafer has over 25 years of sales and marketing experience, with stints at Amazon, SAP, WePay and PwC. He also started a number of companies, including Pilot Software, which was acquired by SAP in 2007.

WGU Washington

Maheshwary

In Kent, WGU Washington added Steven Maheshwary to its advisory board. Maheshwary is director of economic development and lead for the state's information and communication technology sector. Prior to that, he was an Amazon program lead focusing on products and services for low-income customers and underserved communities. WGU Washington offers online bachelor's and master's degrees.

NanoSurface Biomedical

Seattle-based NanoSurface Biomedical changed its name to Curi Bio as part of a comprehensive rebranding effort that included relocating its headquarters from the University District to a 5,000-square-foot laboratory and office near Olympic Sculpture Park in Belltown. The company also appointed Dr. David Mack, an associate professor at the University of Washington's Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, to its scientific advisory board. Curi Bio develops human stem cell-based biotechnology products.

FiRa Consortium

Beaverton, Oregon-based FiRa Consortium and the UWB Alliance agreed to jointly promote ultra-wideband technology, which uses low energy for short-range, high-bandwidth communications. As a part of the liaison, UWB Alliance is focusing on promoting and safeguarding ultra wideband and advancing rule updates of the technology in the U.S. and European Union. FiRa is focusing on specifications, interoperability and certification. UWB Alliance is a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C.

Lithia Motors

Medford, Oregon-based Lithia Motors acquired Smolich Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and Nissan dealerships in Bend, Oregon. Together, the two dealerships generate about $100 million in yearly sales. Lithia owns car dealerships across the country.