Feb 05, 2026

Council on Vertical Urbanism

Dr. Roy Denoon has joined the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU) as director of research development. With more than 30 years of experience as a leader in wind engineering and building performance, Denoon has contributed to the council's work for over a quarter of a century, including as a co-author of technical guides, a member of review panels and juries, and a frequent conference presenter. He currently chairs the CVU Engineering Assembly and was named a Fellow in 2019 in recognition of his sustained contributions and influence in advancing knowledge related to tall buildings and the urban habitat.

In his new role, he will focus on strengthening CVU's research development capabilities, with particular emphasis on commissioned research. He will work closely with CVU's global development, research and regional teams, and in coordination with Dan Safarik, who continues in his role as research director.

Beyond his long-standing involvement with CVU, Roy has played a significant role in the development of design standards and guidelines for the built environment. He currently serves as a voting member of the ASCE 7 Main Committee and its Wind Loading Subcommittee, and he lectures and teaches regularly for professional organizations worldwide.

Council on Vertical Urbanism is based in Chicago.

Washington Supreme Court

Gov. Bob Ferguson offered the following statement on Justice Barbara Madsen's announcement that she will retire from the bench effective April 3. “Justice Madsen goes down in history as the first woman ever to be popularly elected to the Washington Supreme Court. She is also the second longest-serving justice in our state's history.

“In her 33 years on the high court, Justice Madsen served two terms as chief justice and took part in deciding thousands of cases — leaving a lasting legacy on Washington state jurisprudence.

“Justice Madsen devoted her career to public service. After graduating from the University of Washington and earning her law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law, she worked as a public defender, prosecutor, and municipal court judge before running for the Washington Supreme Court. Washingtonians clearly approved of her service — they re-elected her five times.

“I want to express my deep appreciation to Justice Madsen for her lifetime of service to the people of Washington and the rule of law.”

Ferguson will appoint a new justice to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Washington Supreme Court. He expects to make an appointment no later than April 3.

Feb 04, 2026

Hensel Phelps

Koob

Hensel Phelps' Pacific Northwest Region announced the promotion of Dave Koob from senior estimator to chief estimator. Koob has more than 22 years in the A/E/C industry — including 19 years dedicated to Hensel Phelps.

Over that time, he has advanced through multiple roles within the company, building on his technical and leadership capabilities. His progression reflects his mastery of complex cost modeling and procurement strategies. As chief estimator, Koob leads the region's estimating and procurement team responsible for all preconstruction budgeting, risk evaluation, bid strategy and buyout oversight.

Throughout his career, he has supported a diverse portfolio totaling more than $4.1 billion across a wide range of vertical markets — including aviation, civic, data centers, healthcare, hospitality, housing, industrial, manufacturing, mixed-use developments, office, research laboratories and water/wastewater facilities.

KIRO Newsradio

Benson

KIRO Newsradio announced that The Chad Benson Show will join the station's weekday lineup beginning this week. The program will air Monday through Friday from 7 pm-10 pm. The station said Benson's conversational, informative, and often funny approach to the issues has been a refreshing addition to talk stations across the country.

“Chad has a unique ability to break down complex issues in a way that's engaging and accessible,” said Bryan Buckalew, director of news and talk programming for KIRO Newsradio. “He respects the intelligence of the audience, values facts, and understands how to connect with listeners in a meaningful way. He's a strong addition to our evening programming.”

Feb 03, 2026

Expert Drywall

Biffle

Miller

O'Connor

McDade

Expert Drywall has announced the transition of company ownership from Martin Holberg and James McDade to four internal leaders: Alec McDade (co-president, principal), Joshua O'Connor (co-president, principal), Ryan Miller (vice-president, principal), and Leif Biffle (vice-president, principal). This transition continues Expert Drywall's proud tradition of local ownership since 1948.

“We've planned for this transition carefully to ensure continuity for our clients, employees, and business partners,” said Holberg. “These four individuals have been the foundation of our success for many years. We have complete confidence in their ability to continue delivering the quality, safety, and reliability that Expert Drywall is known for.”

Alec McDade, who joined Expert Drywall in 2021, will take on an expanded leadership role as part of the company's ownership team. McDade began his career in 2015 as a project engineer at Howard S. Wright. His portfolio includes major projects such as the Microsoft Campus Modernization and REI Headquarters, now owned by Meta.

“It is an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to help lead this company alongside my partners,” said McDade. “We will continue to focus on being the premier framing and drywall contractor in the Northwest, known not only for our work, but for the way we treat people, clients, employees, and subcontractors alike.”

O'Connor began his career with Expert Drywall in 2006. Over the course of his 20-year tenure, he has held a variety of positions. In 2014, O'Connor transitioned into the office as a project manager/estimator, and he now serves as chief estimator and contract administrator. His work has included high-profile projects like Providence Medical Center Everett, Koda Condominiums, AMLI Tower and the Microsoft Campus Modernization.

New owners Miller and Biffle have also demonstrated proven expertise in project delivery, client relationships, and operational excellence throughout their careers with Expert Drywall.

Holberg and McDade will remain involved as senior advisors during the transition period.

Founded in 1948, Expert Drywall provides steel-stud framing, prefabrication, weather barriers, plaster and drywall services.

Jan 30, 2026

State of Washington

Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Jane Nesbitt as interim director of the Washington state Office of Independent Investigations (OII), following the departure of Director Roger Rogoff. Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Rogoff as the first director of OII — created by the Legislature in 2021 to provide independent investigations of police use of deadly force _ in June 2022. Prior to leading OII, Rogoff was a King County Superior Court judge, a senior deputy prosecutor in the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office and a Law Enforcement National Security Team attorney for Microsoft. His resignation is effective March 3. He departs the agency to join the Seattle law firm Osborn Machler & Neff.

Nesbitt has served as chief of staff at OII since August 2022, where she is responsible for overseeing the agency's mission, vision, growth and development. She provides strategic leadership across key areas such as hiring, training, policy and organizational development. In her new role, Nesbitt will work closely with the executive leadership team on the transition process, as well as continue efforts to expand OII's area of operations in Washington state. Before joining OII, Nesbitt served 18 months as the first statewide COVID compliance operations manager for the State Emergency Operations Center during the pandemic. She has been in state government since 2014 and has a Ph.D. from Creighton University School of Medicine. Nesbitt's appointment is effective Feb. 1.

Oregon Pacific Bancorp

Green

The Board of Directors of Oregon Pacific Bancorp, the holding company for Oregon Pacific Bank, announced that Ron Green will retire in 2026. Green joined the bank in 2007 as the chief credit officer and was promoted to president and CEO in 2013. The board has enacted the CEO Succession Plan whereby Amber J. White, the current chief financial officer, will succeed Green as the president & CEO upon his retirement. She will also be appointed as a member of the board of directors of the bank and the company. The company has begun the process of identifying a chief financial officer to replace White. Green will remain as a director and CEO of the bank and as director, president and CEO of the company until his official retirement later in 2026. White has served as the chief financial officer since December of 2017 and has more than 17 years of experience in the banking industry. Prior to working at a commercial bank, White worked for Moss Adams, where she became a Certified Public Accountant licensed through the Oregon Board of Accountancy in 2008. She graduated Cum Laude from Oregon State University.

Oregon Pacific Bank was formed in 1979 in Florence, Oregon. Today the bank focuses on commercial, small business and nonprofit banking solutions, along with Trust and Wealth Management fiduciary services in the communities of Florence, Eugene, Coos Bay, Medford, Roseburg and Portland.

Jan 29, 2026

NWCCA

Sumsion

Knutson

Henricksen

Kahler

Orlosky

Mehrer

Reichenbach

The Northwest Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association has elected its officers for 2026, including Robert Orlosky of Olympic Interiors as board president. Other officers are vice-president James Kahler of Northwest Partitions, and Don Henricksen of D.L. Henricksen as secretary-treasurer. Directors are Greg Knutson of G.K. Knutson, Nathan Sumsion of Western Partitions, Shawn Reichenbach of Performance Contracting, and immediate past-president Kurt Mehrer of Mehrer Drywall. The NWCCA mission is to provide exceptional member services, harmonious labor relations through unified employer representation, and the advancement of industry standards to empower and strengthen signatory wall and ceiling contractors' businesses.

Unexpected Productions

Beeman

Seattle improv company Unexpected Productions has named Tony Beeman as its new artistic director. Beeman steps into the role after serving as assistant artistic director and as a longtime company member. Over the past 25 years, Beeman he has performed, directed and taught improvisational theater locally and internationally, and is known for work that emphasizes ensemble storytelling, poetic language, and genre-driven theatricality. Seattle audiences may recognize him from his long-running portrayal of the Three Ghosts of Christmas in A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol, a role he has performed for more than 15 years, or from his annual turn as Edgar Allan Poe in Poe Unexpected. Behind the scenes, Beeman has created, directed or co-directed more than 30 full-length productions for Unexpected Productions. As artistic director, Beeman aims to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors while expanding whose stories are centered on stage. For 43 years, Unexpected Productions has focused on the art of storytelling, incorporating audience suggestions and weaving them into compelling stories. Unexpected Productions performs 10 shows a week at the Market Theater in Pike Place Market, and has a growing presence in Georgetown and Issaquah.

Dorsey & Whitney

Busacker

Bret Busacker has joined Dorsey & Whitney as a partner in the Benefits & Compensation group in Boise. Busacker represents private and public businesses in addressing corporate, governance, and benefits issues. He has significant experience addressing complex employee benefits issues for many types of businesses in a variety of industries. His subject matter expertise includes health and welfare plans; qualified and nonqualified plans; cash and equity-based compensation arrangements; and benefits issues in mergers and acquisitions. Busacker joins Dorsey from Holland & Hart, where he was a partner. He received his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, his M.B.A. from Washington State University, and his B.A. from Brigham Young University. Dorsey & Whitney has locations across the United States and in Canada, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.