Aug 02, 2023

Helix Design Group

Munsey

Durham

Helix Design Group, Inc. has welcomed two new members to the team.

Danielle Durham has joined Helix Design Group as an interior designer. Durham earned an Associate of Science degree in Building Construction and a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design in her native state of Nebraska. Her experience in commercial design, residential construction and graphic design will be a valuable asset to the Helix team.

Helix Design Group has also welcomed Terri Munsey as an accounting assistant. She brings over 40 years of experience in the accounting/finance field, working her way up in the automotive field from sales secretary, finance manager to general manager. Munsey has spent her career, to this point, training people in the art of sales and finance.

Architects West

DeFelice

Landon DeFelice has been hired as a project architect and brings over eight years of experience to Architects West. DeFelice earned his master's degree from the University of Idaho. He previously worked for NAC Architecture.

He has a special interest in K-12 and medical architecture.

Some of DeFelice's current projects include Post Falls Middle School Secure Entry, Post Falls School District Food Service Building, and Inchelium School Modernization.

Rice Fergus Miller

Carlos

Vigilia

Tomlinson

Zorrozua

Salas

Kaneko

Grimsrud

Nizzoli

Somani

Stewart

Rice Fergus Miller (RFM) recently announced the promotion of four individuals to the position of associate.

Elizabeth Salas, CSI CDT has been promoted to associate. She began her career over ten years ago as a permit expediter in Chicago and then as a project coordinator, giving her a solid foundation in the basic fundamentals of project delivery and client care. Salas has been active in the firm's marketing efforts and has attended several fire industry conferences. Additionally, she is active in the Kitsap community and volunteers at Bremerton High School as a mentor, as well as through the firm's Charitable Contributions Committee and JEDI Committee.

Hope Zorrozua, CSI CDT, CCCA, senior project coordinator has been promoted to associate for her ongoing contributions to project excellence and firm operations including accounting and invoicing. She is responsible for executing project contracts and accounting activities and has helped onboard the firm's new virtual CFO over the last year. She holds her Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) and Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) credentials from the Construction Specifications Institute. Additionally, Zorrozua is a member of the Charitable Contributions Committee and the Culture Committee, helping to ensure that new and existing staff are celebrated and appreciated throughout the year.

Sam Tomlinson has been promoted to associate for his contributions to the firm and to project design excellence including the award-winning Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Healing Clinic. Tomlinson is an architectural designer with a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts and Architecture from Montana State University. As a member of RFM's Civic Studio, Tomlinson lends his design skills to fire stations and other civic and community projects. He attends conferences and supports business development activities, and is always willing to jump in to ensure project and firm success.

Taylor Vigilia has also been promoted to associate. An interior designer at RFM for nearly three years, Vigilia has been instrumental in ensuring the firm's interior design team stays apprised of the latest in material and product innovations. She has organized regular product fairs, vendor meetings, and lunch and learns in the RFM office and virtually. She serves on the JEDI Committee, and works primarily on hospitality projects in the firm's H3 Studio (Housing, Hospitality, and Healthcare). She is a member of NEWH, and is currently the Northwest Chapter's Graphics Chair.

Additionally, RFM announced six new employees hired in 2023:

In January, RFM welcomed Richard Carlos, Daniel Stewart, Fenil Somani, and Victoria Nizzoli to the team. Luke Grimsrud joined in May, and Hana Kaneko joined in June.

Based in Boise, Idaho, Carlos, Assoc. AIA is an architectural designer who has been working on RFM's projects through a partnership with Pivot North Architecture for years. Carlos is currently wrapping up work on the design-Build project Nampa Station 6, in Nampa, Idaho, and two fire stations in Meridian, Idaho.

Stewart, RA, NCARB is a project architect at RFM who lives in Poulsbo, WA. He has a Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Portland State University. He has over seventeen years of experience and works primarily on multifamily housing and tribal projects in the firm's H3 Studio.

Somani, Assoc. AIA is an architectural designer with a focus on housing projects in the firm's H3 Studio. She has a Master of Architecture with a focus on Sustainable Systems from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Architecture from Gujarat University in India. She is currently working on a variety of multifamily housing projects throughout the Kitsap Peninsula.

Nizzoli, RA, NCARB, WELL AP, LEED Green Assoc. is an architect with over eight years of experience in a range of project types including healthcare, education, and senior living. She has a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and loves the puzzle that design presents. She is focused on serving clients in the H3 studio, in particular housing and healthcare and the intersection of the two.

Grimsrud, AIA, joined RFM in May as a project manager and licensed architect. He is based in Spokane and works in the firm's H3 Studio. He brings a strong background in residential and commercial design and construction and solid relationships with building and planning agencies in and around the Spokane area. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and International Code Council, and serves on the AIA Spokane Chapter's Board of Directors.

Kaneko joined the firm in June as a marketing and proposal coordinator. She has a background in marketing, administration, and customer service. Kaneko brings a highly organized and detail-oriented approach to marketing proposals, and helps craft messaging around the firm's unique value to clients. She is a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services' Seattle Chapter, serving on both the Marketing and DEI Committees.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue (BGCB) announced the appointment of four new board members: Washington State Representative Tana Senn., Dr. Courtney Benjamin of Bungie, Inc., Grace Chu of Clark Nuber PS, and Ajay Singh of Nintendo of America Inc.

“We are thrilled to add these four exceptional people to our growing board. They are joining a dedicated team of individuals who care deeply about the youth of Bellevue,” said Tim Motts, CEO of BGCB. “We are excited to tap into the knowledge and skills of Tana, Courtney, Grace, and Ajay.”

Tana Senn serves as State Representative for the 41st Legislative District. Tana chairs the Human Services, Youth and Early Learning Committee in the Washington State House of Representatives, championing early learning, children's mental health, a strong safety net and support for working families. Tana has a bachelor's degree in education from Washington University in St. Louis and her master's degree in public policy and administration from Columbia University.

“I'm excited to serve on the board of this amazing organization that provides such needed services--from childcare and mental health to teen programming and sports--for youth across Bellevue,” says State Rep. Senn. “Our families and community would not be nearly as strong without them!”

Dr. Courtney Benjamin is currently the head of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at Bungie. Before joining Bungie, she worked with Amazon Web Services and has also held positions at T-Mobile and Microsoft. Dr. Benjamin earned her Ph.D. in cultural studies with an emphasis in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) from Washington State University.

Grace Chu is an ACS Manager at Clark Nuber PS. As an accounting professional she has 11 years in the public accounting, with experience in client, project and team management. Prior to that Grace worked in the commercial banking industry. She holds a bachelor's degree from University of Washington. Grace has two children that attend our Cherry Crest location, so we are happy to have her as a Club parent as well.

Ajay Singh currently serves as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and General Counsel at Nintendo of America Inc. where he has held various leadership positions for more than 10 years. Prior to that Ajay was in private practice, and also spent time working as a hardware design engineer. Ajay holds a law degree from Duke University.

Current board members for 2023 are: Chair, Jane Boulware; Treasurer, Richard Bray; BGCA Liaison, Robbie Bach; Past Board Chair, Matt Rossmeissl; Patrick Arpin, Tia Avril, Leo Backer, Dr. Courtney Benjamin, Kellen Carter, Grace Chu, Brian Cohrt, Eileen Days, Jeff Durrell, Stephanie Ferguson, Brian Franklin, Regina Gutierrez, Robert Harvie, Tyler Hay, Chris Kang, Perrin Kaplan, Michael Kneip, BJ Kuula, Jennifer Liu, Justin Luger, Monica Marmolejo, Marissa Mattson, Pete Parsons, David Petterson, Tana Senn, DeShawn Shead, Ajay Singh, Tony Williams.

Aug 01, 2023

Trico Companies

Heil

Norton

Miller

Steen

Anderson

Phillips

Macauley

Burlington-based Trico Companies promoted several of its team members: Aaron Macauley and Carson Phillips are now carpenters, Andy Anderson is lead carpenter, AJ Steen is project manager, Audrey Miller is small parts mechanic, Greg Norton is Service Business Unit leader, and Madalyn Heil is project engineer.

Skanska

Mindy Uber, senior director of environmental health and safety at Skanska USA Building, was appointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. As an employer representative on the 15-person committee, Uber will serve a two-year term and provide advice and assistance on construction standards and policy matters. Based in Seattle, Uber oversees safety for building operations in the western region, covering Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona. She has been with Skanska for nearly 17 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Western Washington University, and a master's degree in environment and community from Antioch University Seattle. She is also a Certified Industrial Hygienist, a Certified Safety Professional and a LEED AP practitioner.

Jul 28, 2023

Outstanding Legislator Awards

Ryu

Mullet

The Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts (WASWD) presented two Outstanding Legislator Awards this year, to Senator Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah), and Representative Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline). According to the WASWD, Both Mullet and Ryu were responsible for significant efforts to ensure the success of special purpose water and sewer districts in the state of Washington. Mullet is a small business owner, previous Issaquah City Council member, and has been a senator for over a decade. He is currently vice-chair of the Ways and Means Committee, and has been involved in negotiating the capital budget, including several efforts with specific benefits to special purpose utility districts. Mullet's negotiations for funding the state's Public Works Assistance Account this year brought back funding for infrastructure after years of funds being diverted, giving local districts and other government agencies access to affordable, low-interest infrastructure financing for 2023 and 2024. From her initial involvement as a Shoreline City Council member and mayor, to her election to the House in 2010, Ryu has focused on community development and consumer protection — core tenets shared by special purpose utility districts. Her efforts this past session included sponsoring and shepherding legislation to provide equal treatment for all local governments undertaking public works procurement processes. The WASWD exists to advance the work of over 175 special purpose districts that provide water and sewer utility services throughout Washington state through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

Wine Industry Foundation

Camden

Jeremy Camden, senior vice president, senior relationship manager, and regional lead at Bank of America was appointed to the board of directors for the Washington Wine Industry Foundation. The foundation was founded in 2001 to focus on wine industry needs and challenges. Camden has a business administration degree from Washington State University majoring in finance. Over the past 15 years, he has held positions at Bank of America, J.P. Morgan and Union Bank, where he worked with commercial industries including agriculture, non-profits, public and private universities, and technology.

5th Avenue Theatre

Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre appointed Katie Maltais as managing director, succeeding Bernadine (Bernie) Griffin, who retired after 21 years at the organization. A search committee of staff, board members, and community leaders was formed in late 2022 to partner with Tom O'Connor Consulting Group to find the next executive leader. Maltais will lead the business operations for the theatre, collaborating closely with Bill Berry, The 5th's producing artistic director. Maltais has served as managing director of Stages in Houston since 2021. Prior to that, she served as managing director at Curious Theatre Company in Denver. Maltais also served on the executive team of the Lone Tree Arts Center. She worked for the international consulting firm TRG Arts, where she oversaw the client services team. She earned her bachelor's degree in arts administration and theatre from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.