Jul 18, 2023

Rafn Co.

Miller

Ambrey

Cottell

Bellevue-based general contractor Rafn Co. promoted Jered Cottell to project manager, Ben Ambrey to senior project engineer, and Dan Miller to assistant superintendent. Cottell has a bachelor's degree in construction management from Washington State University, and has been at Rafn for 10 years. He is leading the Nook at Northaven Apartments project in Seattle. Ambrey has nine years with Rafn, and is a graduate of the construction management certificate program at the University of Washington. He is also working on the Nook at Northaven. Miller has been a carpenter and foreman at Rafn for 29 years, and is working on a manufacturing facility expansion in Auburn.

Lakeside Industries

Lakeside Industries, an Issaquah-based asphalt paving and construction company serving western Washington and northwest Oregon, acquired Watson Asphalt Paving Co., a full-service asphalt production and paving company covering western Washington and the greater Puget Sound area since the 1940s. Watson is based out of Redmond, and also operates the Palmer gravel pit east of Kent. As with Lakeside, Watson has been family-owned and operated since its beginning. “These two employee groups are amongst the most talented and dedicated in the industry. We are confident that the experience, resources, and services that the Watson team brings will further contribute to our ability to provide our customers with the exceptional service they deserve,” said Lakeside President Mike Lee in a news release. The deal was scheduled to close last Friday.

Deeny Construction Co.

Deeny

Patrick Deeny, vice president of Deeny Construction Co., was chosen by Family Business Magazine as one of the 22 members of the 2023 class of “NextGens to Watch.” This annual list spotlights rising stars under the age of 35 that the magazine says are “making stellar contributions to their family business, family enterprise or family governance system.” Deeny joined the firm in early 2014 and was named vice president in 2022. He manages many of the company's projects, in addition to his role as chief estimator. He eventually will take the reins of the company from his father, Jon Deeny. When this happens, Patrick will become the fourth generation leader of the family business, which was founded in 1938 by his great-grandfather John Deeny. Deeny Construction specializes in underground utility installation, mass excavation and grading projects throughout the central Puget Sound region.

IUOE Local 612

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 612 is teaming with Washington Virtual Academies and the Omak School District to offer the new Operating Engineers Career Pathway Program to high school students across the state. This program gives students the opportunity to enroll in online elective courses that are designed to introduce them to the heavy equipment industry. Students also may receive hands-on experience operating equipment at the Local 302/612 training center in Ellensburg. Pathway participants earn high school credit and are also eligible for apprenticeship credit after graduation. Students can remain enrolled in their local school while taking four one-semester classes that cover topics from equipment fundamentals to grade and construction math. Fall enrollment is now open. To learn more, visit http://www.iuoelocal612.org or http://wava.k12.com.

Jul 11, 2023

Hensel Phelps

Jewett

Spady

General contractor Hensel Phelps relocated Nick Spady from Southern California to become operations manager for the Pacific Northwest region; and promoted Dustin Jewett to project superintendent. Originally from Portland, Spady returns to the Pacific Northwest to oversee design-build transportation, aviation, higher education and health care projects. His 25-year career brings significant health care experience, including the $574 million San Diego Medical Center and parking structure, and the $281 million University of California Irvine Medical Center replacement hospital. Jewett joined Hensel Phelps in 2018, working on the company's most significant projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Hensel Phelps says Jewett is an advocate for safety and quality-focused jobsite culture.

ABC of Western Washington

Three firms have become new members of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington. They include Renovate Design|Build, which provides residential remodels in the greater Seattle area; Arlington Electric, an electrical contractor that works on design-build, solar, energy storage and generator install projects; and Pacific Construction Supply of Woodinville, a supplier, wholesaler and merchant of construction products and building materials, as well as a broker of durable and non-durable goods and specialty goods.