Oct 11, 2024

Oregon Pacific Bank

Rudge

Oregon Pacific Bank named Lance Rudge as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Rudge brings over two decades of leadership and operational expertise in the banking industry. Rudge will oversee bank operations with a focus on optimizing efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and driving business transformation. Prior to joining Oregon Pacific Bank, Rudge held several senior leadership positions at a major national bank, where he managed $11 billion in deposits and loans, led 86 branches and multiple business-banking teams, and oversaw 600 employees. Outside of his career in banking Ridge has also served as an executive consultant, working with businesses to streamline operations and increase revenue. Oregon Pacific Bank is a community-focused financial institution providing personalized service and financial solutions to businesses and nonprofits.

Auburn Mechanical

Myers

Auburn Mechanical, a woman-owned, full-service mechanical contractor, appointed Liane Myers as the new director of human resources. Myers has over 25 years of experience a variety of industries. In her new role, she will develop and execute a comprehensive HR strategy supporting Auburn Mechanical's overall goals and direction. Her responsibilities include overseeing the administration of policies and programs, enhancing company morale, and serving as the primary HR contact for the executive leadership team and management staff. Myers will provide guidance and expertise in talent planning, culture building, HR processes, performance management, labor relations, recruiting, training, and talent development. Since 1975, Auburn Mechanical has provided mechanical design, HVAC, plumbing, fitting, refrigeration, and maintenance services.

Laird Norton Wetherby

Lazar

Laird Norton Wetherby (LNW) has named Ed Lazar, a nationally known family office expert and long-time wealth management executive, to its board of directors. Lazar brings more than three decades of tax, management and family office experience to the LNW Board. He is currently executive director and responsible for strategic leadership at Milburn Services, a single-family office in Charlotte, NC. Previously, he was president of Threshold Group in the Seattle area, overseeing the firm's growth from a single-family office into a national provider of multi-family office services, and served as a tax practice partner at Arthur Andersen & Co. Lazar has a B.S. in Business Administration from Valparaiso University and is a Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist. The LNW Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and policy guidance drawing on decades of business and financial experience as well as best practices in corporate governance and wealth planning. Each of the firm's directors stands for re-election annually. LNW is a comprehensive wealth management firm, and is both a registered investment advisor and trust company, offering specialized wealth planning, investment management and trust services. LNW has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Oct 10, 2024

Markets! Markets! Markets!

Ziemba

Let's talk capital markets! That's the subject of the coming Oct. 16 NAIOP breakfast gathering at the Hyatt at Olive 8. With interest rates falling, and new developments few, will the borrowing climate improve in the coming months and new year? That's the question to be addressed by industry experts attempting to forecast the near future of capital markets. The panel will feature moderator Sam Ziemba from JLL (pictured), Jordan Lott of Lake Washington Partners, Bill Pollard of Talon Private Capital and Paul Roeter from Cushman & Wakefield. The event begins at 8 a.m. Details and registration: naiopwa.org

Perkins Coie reduces footprint again ... in Portland

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Law firm Perkins Coie made news last fall by announcing a downtown Seattle move from its longtime home at 1201 Third Ave. to the nearby Russell Investments Center. With some 800 attorneys and staff, Perkins then said it would take about half the space, dropping from about 297,000 to 150,000 square feet. Now there's a sequel of sorts to that movie. Perkins said last week that it would keep its Portland home at Brewery Block 2 (pictured), but will reduce its office footprint to 29,239 square feet. That's about half its old total, on three full floors. The firm has about 115 lawyers and staff in Portland. Its Chris Rich said in a statement, “We're thrilled to reaffirm our deep commitment to Portland's business community, and to our many clients in the city and across the greater region.” In the Pearl District, Gerding Edlen began developing the mixed-use Brewery Blocks project circa 2007. It has seven buildings on five contiguous city blocks, and encompasses the historic old armory and Blitz-Weinhard Brewery. Various portions have since been sold to several parties.

Emerging Trends is back, baby!

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It's not too late to register for the annual Emerging Trends gathering from the Urban Land Institute. This year's confab will be held on Nov. 20 at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center (pictured). An elect panel of locals will discuss the concurrently published ULI Emerging Trends report, always a must-read. Panelists have yet to be announced. Quoth the ULI, “During this event, you will gain valuable insights from industry experts who have successfully weathered the storms of economic cycles.” The event begins at 2:30 p.m. Details and registration: northwest.uli.org

TAPCO Credit Union

Stirgus

TAPCO Credit Union promoted Richard Stirgus to vice president of community relations. In this role, he will lead TAPCO's efforts to deepen its community engagement, strengthen partnerships with local organizations, and enhance its impact on the Tacoma region. Stirgus started his career with TAPCO as assistant vice president of community relations. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, Stirgus entered the banking industry through a branch manager training program, advancing through a variety of roles, including teller, banker, service manager, business banker, and branch manager. He later worked in the mortgage sector, helping clients navigate home financing. Now, as VP of community relations, Stirgus continues to champion financial empowerment, fostering meaningful connections and advocating for underserved communities. TAPCO Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative serving individuals and businesses in Washingtonstate since 1934.

Finch, Thornton & Baird

The construction industry law firm of Finch, Thornton & Baird has opened an office on the 18th floor of the Skyline Tower in Bellevue to service clients with projects in Washington and the surrounding area. Partner Daniel Scholz and associate Matthew Seeley have been admitted to the Washington bar to provide service to clients in Washington. Finch, Thornton & Baird provides representation to construction, business and individual clients in all aspects of construction law. Other areas of practice include labor and employment; general business and commercial litigation and transactions; and wealth preservation. Based in San Diego, the firm's lawyers are licensed in California, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.