Jan 11, 2024

Kidder Mathews

Frame

Kidder Mathews announced last week that its Bill Frame has been named a top CEO, among only three fellow honorees, by CEO Today magazine. The publication wrote, “Bill Frame has reshaped the landscape of the real estate sector. Bill has successfully navigated the company through various phases of growth, adapting effectively to the ever-changing market. His leadership has been crucial in cementing Kidder Mathews' position as a leading force in commercial real estate services.” KM says it's the first time a real estate executive has been so honored by the magazine. Frame joined the brokerage in 1993, then was promoted to his current post in 2020.

Starbucks

Sievert

Mohan

Servitje

Starbucks Coffee Co. announced the election of Daniel Servitje, Neal Mohan and Mike Sievert to its board of directors. Servitje has been CEO of Grupo Bimbo since 1997 and chairman since 2013 of the global snack maker. He brings more than 20 years of global operations experience and insight into corporate business development. Mohan is CEO of YouTube. Before his appointment as CEO, Mohan served as the company's chief product officer, responsible for all YouTube products, user experience, and trust and safety. Sievert has been CEO, president and director of T-Mobile US since 2020. Under his leadership, T-Mobile has embarked on a multiyear growth strategy that is building out its 5G network.

AuthenticID

Alex Wong joined AuthenticID as vice president of product management. Wong is an industry veteran with over a decade of experience. He comes from Ping Identity, where he most recently served as a product leader for Ping's authorization portfolio. Prior to that, he steered product management at several industry leaders, including Early Warning and Symantec. Kirkland-based AuthenticID is a global leader in identity proofing and fraud prevention solutions.

TRInternational

Edmond's TRInternational, a chemical supplier since 1994, is rebranding as Catalynt Solutions. Megan Gluth-Bohan, the company's CEO and owner, announced the name change this week in addition to a new logo. As Catalynt heads into its 30th year in business, Gluth-Bohan says the new branding better reflects where the company is today. The new name combines the words “catalyst” and “talent.” Along with the rebrand, Catalynt acquired companies ChemBlend of America and American Chemie. Illinois-based ChemBlend's custom solutions capabilities and on-site lab services will expand Catalynt's offerings in formulating, manufacturing, testing, packaging and distribution. The specialty distribution expertise of Texas-based American Chemie, meanwhile, expands Catalynt's services in the personal care, cosmetics, cleaning, food, animal feed, nutraceuticals and lubricant industries.

Fennemore

Regional law firm Fennemore said it will combine with Seattle-based Savitt Bruce & Willey, effective Feb. 1. The combined firm will be referred to as Fennemore. James Savitt, the managing partner at Savitt Bruce & Willey, will continue as the office managing partner at Fennemore.

“Seattle's rapid ascent as a tech and industry epicenter makes it a natural focus for Fennemore's expansion,” said James Goodnow, CEO and managing partner of Fennemore, in a news release. “Renowned for their impressive litigation track record, the lawyers from Savitt Bruce & Willey will play a pivotal role in establishing and shaping the new Fennemore Seattle office.”

With this strategic combination, Fennemore's footprint expands to 17 offices across five states: Washington, California, Colorado, Nevada, and its founding state, Arizona. Fennemore's clients can be found in various industry sectors, including technology, business, real estate, and other areas that drive the economy.

Avatar Financial Group

Weingart

Avatar Financial Group recently announced its hiring of Jeffrey Weingart, who becomes senior VP of originations. Avatar has its headquarters here, but the 20-year veteran Weingart will continue to work out of Boston. He makes the move from A10 Capital. Avatar president T.R. Hazelrigg IV said in a statement, “Jeffrey has developed a respectable track record during his long and diverse career in commercial real estate, particularly in terms of originating and structuring complex transactions, nurturing client relationships and driving significant loan volumes.”

C&W announces $15M in recent sales

Well north of Seattle, Cushman & Wakefield recently disclosed a pair of separate sales. Byron Rosen, Tim McKay, Dan Chhan, Matt Kemper and Sam Wayne represented the unnamed sellers in the two unrelated deals. First, in Sedro-Woolley, the 28-unit Nicholas Townhomes went for $7.5 million. The low-rise complex is west of downtown, near the junction of Highway 9 and Highway 20. Second, to the south in Arlington, the new 29-unit 6605 Apartments also sold for $7.5 million, or for about $454 per square foot (including commercial space), which C&W says is a record for that city. That property is a little northeast of the airport. The buyer was a California investor. Rosen said in a statement, “The sales of these two quality assets in Q4 in the vibrant Snohomish and Skagit counties reflects the increasing residential investor demand — across a variety of product — in the dynamic, growing northern Puget Sound market.”

Jan 10, 2024

AHBL

Kaul

Brynestad

AHBL has promoted the following individuals: Bart Brynestad to principal and Scott Kaul to associate principal.

After a year as associate principal, Brynestad is now principal within the Civil Division. Brynestad is an experienced civil engineer with 10 years of technical experience in all aspects of land development engineering. His experience includes leading the civil design on residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Brynestad has experience with many municipalities throughout Washington. As a principal, he will be responsible for ensuring AHBL's private and land development market continues to flourish.

Kaul is now an associate principal within the Civil Division. Kaul is an experienced civil engineer with 18 years' experience designing a variety of project types including residential, commercial, municipal, educational, military, and industrial. His technical experience includes a broad knowledge of site development including entitlements, site utility design and calculations, site grading, storm drainage design, and construction administration. In his new role, he will continue to manage projects for developers and architects on single-family subdivision, multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use project types; and work closely with the principals to learn AHBL's business model and contribute to its continued success.

Art Anderson

Loboda

Art Anderson, a Bremerton-based multidisciplinary engineering services firm, has hired Michael Loboda as an electrical engineer. Loboda will work in the firm's Architectural & Design Division and be responsible for electrical engineering and related services for a wide range of A/E project types.

Loboda brings a broad background of knowledge in electrical systems, problem solving, and adaptability. He graduated from Eastern Washington University with an electrical engineering degree and has served as a radio operator and technician in the Marine Corps.

BCRA

Dean

Wolch

Robbin

BCRA has announced one promotion, one board appointment, and one new team member.

Lori Robbin has been promoted to managing principal. Robbin brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of the AEC industry. In her new role, she will continue to lead BCRA's community-centric design initiatives and extend her influence to include operational oversight of the human resources and marketing departments.

Robbin's commitment to BCRA spans two decades, during which she has dedicated the last 11 years to leading the Interior Design Group. Robbin is involved in various market sectors, with a particular focus on delivering education and early learning projects.

Jim Wolch, a current principal and healthcare market lead at BCRA, has been appointed to the Community Life Resources Board of Directors, reinforcing his dedication to the advancement of health care and behavioral health initiatives. Wolch's active involvement with the board aligns with his vision for inclusive and accessible health care in Washington state and highlights his commitment to organizations that prioritize the enhancement of the state's health systems.

In his role as the Healthcare Market lead, he guides BCRA to deliver community-centered health care projects with a design philosophy that revolves around the creation of transformative health care facilities that foster meaningful connections among individuals. Through embracing biophilic and trauma-informed design principles, the BCRA health care team crafts thoughtful spaces that not only support patients in their healing journey but also enhance the overall experiences of health care staff.

Mara Dean has been hired as the firm's new director of marketing. Dean brings 16 years of experience in the AEC industry. She has a passion for architecture, research, writing, and collaboration with multidisciplinary firms, and anticipates bringing BCRA's marketing strategies to new heights, including the fostering of community-centric designs across their diverse market sectors.

Gensler

Simons

Gensler Seattle has promoted Jacob Simons to principal. As Gensler's NW Regional Strategy Practice leader, Simons leads a team of researchers, strategists, and designers, and offers thought-leadership across a diverse array of clients and industries. As a director of design strategy, he integrates his background in social science and design to tackle a host of complex problems and opportunities.

Simons is responsible for building partner relations; strategic advisory and facilitation of research, strategy, and prototyping; and elevating the cohesion and impact of Gensler's global strategy practice.

SeaShare

Lindoff

Bainbridge Island-based SeaShare, a nonprofit helping the seafood industry donate to hunger-relief efforts in the U.S., announced the appointment of Hannah Lindoff as executive director, effective April 1. Lindoff succeeds Jim Harmon, executive director, who will retire in August. Lindoff is a long-time executive at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), a public-private economic development partnership between the state of Alaska and Alaska's seafood industry. She is currently senior director of global marketing and strategy at ASMI, and has worked with the organization's international program for over 15 years. Lindoff has a bachelor's degree from the University of Mary Washington and a master's degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Founded in 1994, SeaShare is the only U.S. nonprofit focused on seafood as a source of nutrition for food banks, and has distributed over 265 million servings.

City of University Place

Figueroa

Wood

The University Place City Council elected Council Member Javier Figueroa to serve as the city's new mayor and Council Member Ed Wood to serve as mayor pro tem. Both will occupy their new roles for the next two years, through the end of 2025. This change in leadership is standard practice in University Place, where the council sets the term for these positions on a two-year cycle. Figueroa served the last two years as mayor pro tem and also served as the city's mayor in 2016 and 2017. He has been a member of the University Place City Council since 2010 and serves on numerous regional organizations, including the executive boards of the Pierce County Regional Council and Puget Sound Regional Council. Wood was elected to the University Place City Council in 2021, beginning his term of service in November 2021. He has served the last two years as the city's finance committee chair. He has also been on the public safety advisory commission since 2010, serving as co-chair beginning in 2017, and serving as its chair in 2020 to 2021.

Gold Reserve

Following its earlier announcement that Rockne Timm will retire as CEO of Spokane-based Gold Reserve effective Feb. 13, the company announced further changes that will become effective upon Timm's retirement. James Coleman, currently executive chairman of Gold Reserve, will become president and chairman emeritus and continue his role as a senior executive of the company in that capacity. Robert Cohen, currently a director of Gold Reserve, will be appointed board chair. Timm will continue to serve as a director and advisor to Gold Reserve following his retirement. Gold Reserve's board is actively searching for a full-time CEO to manage the day-to-day affairs of the company.