Sep 28, 2021

Compass Construction

Bennett

O'Connell

Auld

Messer

McElwee

Lopez

Kirkland-based Compass construction hired Eber Lopez as project engineer, Dani McElwee as human resource generalist and Scott Messer as assistant superintendent. It also promoted Chris Auld, Ryan O'Connell and Steve Bennett to senior superintendents. Lopez interned at Compass in summer 2020 and recently received a bachelor's degree in construction management from the University of Washington. McElwee holds a bachelor's degree in human resources management from Western Governors University and in June obtained her human resources certification. Messer previously worked for a contractor/developer and is experienced in multifamily construction. The role of senior superintendent was created to leverage the experience of Auld, O'Connell and Bennett. They are now charged with developing young superintendents while identifying and preparing promising assistants to take the next step in their careers.

Trico Companies

Wittman

Conijn

In Burlington, Trico Companies hired Joel Conijn as civil project manager and Joe Wittman as superintendent. Conijn has eight years of experience in civil construction, working on projects for multiple state agencies and private clients. He holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Washington State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in South Carolina and Washington. Wittman has over 30 years of construction experience, initially working in residential construction and then moving to commercial construction, including tenant improvements, steel building erection and mixed-use buildings.

ABC of Western Washington

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington announced its 2022 slate of officers and board members. Officers are: Glen Kuntz of Tekton Group, chair; Dawn Lanz of Sea Tac Electric, chair-elect/secretary; Jason Wandler of Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker, immediate past chair; Josh Griesse of Washington Commercial Painters, vice chair of government affairs; Stephanie Carlin of Propel Insurance, vice chair of membership; Eric Brock of HST Construction, vice chair of safety; Travis Hull of Mechanical & Control Services, vice chair of the professional development council; and Cindy Axthelm of Axthelm Construction, treasurer. Directors are: Mitch Neeley of Neeley Construction; Candi Pfluger of Peterson Sullivan; Shelley Bloom of The Blue Book Building & Construction Network; Karen Say-Valadez of Saybr Contractors; Scott Garcia of Parker, Smith & Feek; Doug Bolar of Accountable Custodial; Jose Gutierrez of Deacon; and Byron Kelly of Compass Construction. Members leaving the board at the end of the year are Marc Victor of Rafn Co. and Mike Yore of Olympian Precast.

Sep 21, 2021

Trico Companies

Kiel

Burlington-based Trico Companies hired Christopher Kiel as president. Kiel has 30 years of executive management experience, primarily in the building trades industry, including contracting, subcontracting and the supply sides of the industry. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration management with concentrations in finance and economics from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Kiel is taking over daily operations of the company from Bruce Berglin, who remains as CEO and is focusing on long-term planning and growth. Trico is a design-build general contractor.

Sequoyah

Santos

Tom Santos joined Redmond-based Sequoyah Electric and Network Services as prefabrication and manufacturing director. Santos is in charge of integrating engineering, virtual design, prefabrication and construction operations processes. He has been in the manufacturing industry for over 15 years, most recently at a large electrical contractor. Sequoyah's electrical team has expertise ranging from complex, multi-phased design-build projects to technically challenging industrial and low-voltage installations.

Ledcor Group

Vancouver, B.C.-based Ledcor Group of Companies made a few executive leadership changes: Ron Stevenson is now vice chairman of Ledcor Group of Companies; Tom Lassu is president of Ledcor Group of Companies; and Jeff Watt is president of Ledcor Industries. Stevenson has been with Ledcor for over 50 years, starting as an equipment operator and later moving into senior management. He became president of Ledcor Industries in 2002 and was promoted in 2016 to president of Ledcor Group of Companies. Lassu is a professional engineer who has been with the company for over 35 years. He previously was president of Ledcor Industries. Watt has worked at Ledcor for over 20 years and previously was president of energy, mining and infrastructure operations. Ledcor has built several projects in the Puget Sound area, and its clients included Costco and Starbucks. Years ago it had a local office in Bellevue, but its website lists U.S. offices only in California, Nevada, Hawaii, Texas and Illinois. Its U.S. head office is in San Diego.