Mar 18, 2026

USAFacts

Woodman

USAFacts, the nonpartisan government-data organization founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, has appointed Lauren Woodman as its next president. Woodman is a technology and data executive with more than 25 years of experience leading teams and initiatives at the intersection of technology, development and education. As USAFacts expands its use of technologies to analyze and present federal, state and local government data, Woodman's experience will help guide the organization's next phase of growth. She becomes the second president in the organization's 10-year history.

Woodman previously held leadership roles at NetHope, Microsoft and most recently served as chief executive of DataKind, a nonprofit that applies data science and AI to social challenges. Her work has focused on data modernization, digital governance, and the ethical deployment of emerging technologies.

USAFacts was launched in 2017 by Ballmer to make government financial and performance data more accessible to the public.

CarePartners Senior Living

Seattle-based CarePartners Senior Living, a provider of independent living, assisted living and memory care services in Washington state and Arizona, has announced an expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Shawn Tacey as chief executive officer and Shilpa Patel as chief operating officer.

Tacey previously served as lead business counsel for the organization.

“For more than 15 years, Shawn's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the culture and operational standards that define CarePartners,” said Bill Moore, founder, managing member and chairman of the Management Committee of Round Lake, owner of CarePartners Management Group. “With an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care, Shawn brings the experience necessary to lead our continued growth in the Pacific Northwest, the Desert Southwest and beyond.”

Patel is a veteran of the industry with extensive experience at Merrill Gardens.

“Shilpa leads with the clarity and high standards required for our success,” said Tacey.

CarePartners Senior Living was established in 1998.

Mar 17, 2026

Washington Patriot Construction

Powell

Florance

Washington Patriot Construction (WA Patriot), a Gig Harbor based general contractor, has promoted Zerah Florance to director of Preconstruction and Alex Powell to senior project manager and assistant operations manager.

Florance was the first employee hired to WA Patriot in 2010 and has been managing constructions projects for 16 years with over a decade leading design-build preconstruction efforts. Florance holds a DBIA professional designation and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Notable projects include Tool Gauge Expansion, University of Puget Sound Athletics and Aquatics Center, and the almost complete Helpline House on Bainbridge Island.

Powell joined WA Patriot as project engineer and later became a project manager. Notable design-build projects he's led include the Gig Harbor 7 Seas Waterfront Taproom and the Gig Harbor Peninsula Food Bank. In 2025, Powell shifted his focus to managing federal projects for the AYKO-WA Patriot Joint Venture, while also overseeing work with Tacoma Public Schools.

Mar 13, 2026

PCC Community Markets

PCC Community Markets has been named Best Organic Retailer at the third annual “An Organic Night Out with Sprouts and Friends,” an awards event celebrating innovation and leadership in the organic industry. The awards were presented during the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, where more than 600 attendees gathered to recognize organizations advancing the $76 billion organic sector.

The event honors standout brands, companies, retailers, and researchers who are helping expand the reach and understanding of certified organic products and the USDA Organic seal.

PCC received the Best Organic Retailer award for its creative and effective in-store and digital communication that educates and motivates shoppers to choose organic. Judges highlighted PCC's leadership in connecting consumers with the environmental, health and community benefits of organic food.

“We're honored to be recognized by our peers in the organic industry,” said Susan Livingston, PCC's vice president of marketing + purpose. “For more than 70 years, PCC has been committed to advancing organic agriculture, supporting farmers and educating our community about the power of organic food. This award belongs to our staff, partners, and member-owners who work every day to build a more sustainable and resilient food system.”

Founded in Seattle in 1953, PCC Community Markets is a certified organic retailer and the largest food co-op in the United States with more than 122,000 active member-owners.

Mar 12, 2026

Washington State Supreme Court

Angelis

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced that Theo Angelis will replace retiring Justice Barbara Madsen on the Washington State Supreme Court.

Angelis is an accomplished attorney with 25 years of legal experience. He currently focuses on appellate work, intellectual property litigation, and general litigation as a partner at K&L Gates. Angelis also engages in extensive pro bono work, for which he has received numerous awards, including the American Civil Liberties Union's Humanitarian Award for his work on behalf of unrepresented minors in immigration proceedings. Angelis worked with a broad team of lawyers to challenge the federal government's practice of requiring children to represent themselves in immigration proceedings if they couldn't afford counsel.

Angelis is a past president of the Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington (MELAW), and will be the first Justice of Middle Eastern descent on the state Supreme Court. He has degrees from Claremont McKenna College, the London School of Economics, Oxford University, and Yale Law School. He clerked on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Next Health

Next Health, a comprehensive brand of health optimization and longevity centers, announced the upcoming opening of its newest location in Bellevue at 10425 N.E. Eighth St.

“Bellevue deserves a place they can trust with their health optimization journey, and we've been meticulously building a best-in-class local team that understands both the science and the human side of care,” said area developers Zahra and Nick Salisbury.

Founded a decade ago by surgeon and entrepreneur Darshan Shah, Next Health was created to streamline patient access to health optimization and advanced longevity services with the goal of extending the human healthspan. Shah developed the proprietary concept of Medicine 4.0, an integrated model that combines preventative, lifestyle, functional and longevity medicine. Medicine 4.0 protocols and the services offered at Next Health are supported by Next Health's Scientific Advisory Council.

Next Health in Bellevue is the brand's first location in Washington state, and the second location opening for Zahra and Nick Salisbury, who opened Next Health in Montecito, California, in 2025. As part of their multi-unit development plans, they will lead a third opening this summer in Vancouver, B.C., the brand's first location in Canada.

Mar 11, 2026

Puget Sound Partnership

Roberts

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Mindy Roberts as the new executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership.

Roberts brings decades of experience in clean water, habitat protection, and environmental policy. She previously served for 10 years as Puget Sound program director at Washington Conservation Action, an environmental nonprofit, where she worked to advance environmental policies at the state, federal and local levels; strengthen clean water regulations; and protect and restore healthy habitat for salmon, orcas and people.

Before joining Washington Conservation Action, Roberts served 16 years as an environmental engineer at the state Department of Ecology. She helped develop the original Marine Water Quality Vital Sign adopted by the Partnership and led Ecology's Salish Sea modeling efforts to understand how sewage and toxic pollution impact people and natural resources. She also served as affiliate faculty at the University of Washington Tacoma from 2008 to 2023, where she developed and taught an undergraduate field course on stream ecology.

She earned three engineering degrees, including a bachelor's from the University of California, Berkeley, master's from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Ph.D. from the University of Washington.

Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency that leads the region's collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. The Partnership works with hundreds of tribal, federal, state and local partners on actions that advance recovery based on science.

Mar 10, 2026

Novelty Hill-Januik Winery

Smith

The Novelty Hill-Januik Winery has added Tanner Smith as the new executive chef at its Woodinville Winery.

Classically trained in French cuisine, deeply immersed in Latin-style cooking from a young age, and with an affinity for foods from throughout the world, Smith's approach is grounded in technique, guided by exceptional ingredients, and driven by the heart.

The winery's philosophy is creating food that is elevated in quality while remaining welcoming and accessible. Smith brings this perspective to the Tasting Room, Wine Club, and private events.

Most recently, Smith served as executive chef for the restaurant group behind Brimmer & Heeltap and its sister projects.

Bellevue College

Bellevue College has been designated a 2026 Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility.

“This designation as a Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream belongs to Bellevue College's entire community,” said Bellevue College President David May. “Our vision is rooted in transforming lives and strengthening our region through education. Together, we are building systems that not only help students enroll, but persist, graduate, and contribute meaningfully to the Eastside region and beyond. We are building a future-focused, vibrant community as a result.”

ATD created the Leader College of Distinction designation in 2018 to recognize institutions that have demonstrated sustained excellence in advancing student success outcomes over time. Leader Colleges of Distinction must demonstrate sustained and expanding success in early momentum metrics, such as course success rates and student retention, as well as in milestone momentum outcomes, such as rates of completion; a strong culture of data-informed continuous improvement; and evidence that effective practices are institutionalized.