Mar 11, 2025

Seattle Aquarium

Sloan

The Seattle Aquarium named Peggy Sloan as its new president and chief executive officer. Sloan brings decades of experience in aquarium leadership, strategic planning, and community impact. Sloan begins her new role at the Seattle Aquarium in May. She joins the aquarium at a historic moment, following the opening of the Ocean Pavilion and its public rooftop, and ahead of the aquarium's 50th anniversary in 2027. Most recently, Sloan was at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, where she served as chief animal conservation officer since 2018. As chief of the animal care and science division, she played a key role in executing a $500 million strategic plan, contributing across all areas of operations as part of the executive team, and leading animal care and conservation science. Prior to Shedd, Sloan served as director of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Sloan's leadership and conservation background includes roles in the global effort to restore critically endangered species, serving as board chair for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and chair of the Aquariums Committee of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Sloan first came to Seattle in 1991 early in her marine science and conservation education career to work as a NOAA fisheries observer. She was deployed in the field on catchers and trawlers in the Bering Sea while maintaining a base in Seattle. The CEO search was an extensive, national effort that began in 2023. It was led by a select committee of the board of directors and community members, chaired by incoming board chair Charles Wright. The Seattle Aquarium was founded in 1977.

Amperity

Amperity, an AI-powered customer data cloud, appointed Dawn Lepore as chairman of its board of directors. Lepore brings decades of leadership experience in digital transformation, financial services, and retail innovation. Lepore previously served as vice chairman and chief information officer at Charles Schwab, where she played a leading role in revolutionizing online trading and financial services. She later led drugstore.com as board chair and CEO, guiding the company to record growth before its acquisition by Walgreens in 2011. Her board experience includes leadership roles at eBay, Walmart, and AOL. Lepore currently serves on several corporate and advisory boards, including fintech and AI-driven technology companies. She has previously been recognized as one of Fortune's “50 Most Powerful Women in Business.” Founded in 2016, Amperity operates globally with offices in Seattle, New York City, London and Melbourne.

Mar 07, 2025

Jensen Investment Management

Jensen Investment Management, a 100% employee-owned active equity investment management firm, appointed Jeff Wilson to portfolio manager for the Jensen Quality Growth Strategy. With this promotion, Wilson expands his existing role as portfolio manager for the Global Quality Growth Strategy while continuing his contributions as a research analyst across multiple products. Since joining Jensen in 2019, Wilson has made significant contributions, as a senior member of the team, to the firm's investment process, conducting in-depth fundamental research on potential investments and identifying high-quality companies that align with Jensen's long-term investment philosophy within both the Jensen Quality Growth Strategy and the Jensen Global Quality Growth Strategy. His expertise spans both domestic and international markets. The Jensen Quality Growth strategy is offered in a variety of investment vehicles including the Jensen Quality Growth Mutual Fund, Collective Investment Fund Exchange-Traded Fund, Separately Managed Accounts and Unified Managed Accounts. Prior to joining Jensen, Wilson held positions at Scharf Investments as a senior analyst and at Freestone Capital Management as a senior analyst and portfolio manager. He began his career as an equity analyst at ICM Asset Management. Jensen Investment Management also added three employees to the firm's ownership: Holly Campbell, manager, operations; Crista DesRochers, director, clients services; and Alisa Millerd, associate director, operations. Jensen Investment Management is based in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

Fortive

Fortive Corp. appointed Mark Okerstrom as chief financial officer, effective March 24. Okerstrom will succeed Chuck McLaughlin who, as previously announced, will be retiring from his role as CFO on March 24. McLaughlin will continue to serve in a non-executive officer role through the end of the year to assist with the transition and ensure continuity. Okerstrom most recently served as an external advisor at Bain & Company, a management consulting firm, and at Advent International, a global private equity investment firm. Prior to his time with Bain and Advent, he spent 3 years as president and COO of Convoy. Before that, Mr. Okerstrom spent over 13 years at Expedia Group including as VP then SVP corporate development from 2006 to 2011, CFO from 2011 through 2017, CFO and EVP of operations from 2014 through 2017, and CEO from 2017 through 2019. Earlier in his career, Okerstrom practiced corporate law at Freshfields in London and at Fasken in Canada. He also worked as a case team leader with Bain & Company in Boston and San Francisco, and as an associate at UBS Investment Bank in London. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a JD from the University of British Columbia. He will be based at Fortive's headquarters in Everett. Fortive is a provider of essential technologies for connected workflow solutions across a range of attractive end-markets.

Nintex

Bellevue-based Nintex, a global provider in intelligent process automation powered by AI, appointed Sarah Visbeek as its new general counsel. Visbeek is an experienced general counsel with over a decade of experience spanning numerous industries, including technology, entertainment, and health and wellness. She has served in senior legal roles at public and private companies, including most recently at Limeade, an immersive employee well-being software company, acquired by WebMD. Prior to Limeade, Visbeek held roles at Big Fish Games, Williams Kastner, Forsberg & Umlauf.

Mar 06, 2025

Tommy Bahama renews at 400 Fairview

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When so many office buildings have big vacancies, 400 Fairview remains a welcome exception. It was fully leased last summer, with JLL as the broker. Now owner Pembroke and JLL have announced a big lease renewal from Tommy Bahama, which just re-signed for its 125,000 square feet. The retailer's Joan Wright said in a statement, “The decision to commit to what will in total be 22 years in the same location was significant for our organization and is representative of the quality of 400 Fairview and its ownership group at Pembroke.” The latter's Stacey Spurr added, “We are thrilled to be extending our relationship with Tommy Bahama as the anchor tenant at 400 Fairview.” JLL's Jim Allison and Lisa Stewart were the brokers. Said Stewart, “This is a place where companies and their people can come together to collaborate, connect and do their best work.” Other tenants include Skanska (the building's original builder and developer), Group14 Technologies and Impinj.

Corliss adds more apartments at Sunrise

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Corliss Management Group recently announced the latest addition to Sunrise, the large phased development south of Puyallup and east of Frederickson. The 64-unit Douglas at Sunrise East is now leasing. (Douglas West has 120 units.) Eric Corliss said in a statement, “For five generations, my family has worked to build something that not only lasts but also enriches the Puyallup area. Sunrise is a place close to our hearts, and we're grateful for the opportunity to continue developing it.” Thrive Communities is the property manager. The larger Sunrise spans about 1,400 acres, much of it devoted to single-family housing. Sunrise began in the 1980s, and could eventually see 4,700 units of housing in all categories.

Commercial Brokers Association

Frame

Will Frame of Kidder Mathews has been elected to the board of the Commercial Brokers Association. He said in a statement, “CBA has been an incredible resource for brokers across the Pacific Northwest, and I'm honored to serve on the board as we continue to strengthen our industry and provide real value to our members.” Frame works out of the Tacoma office, and has been a CBA member for the past decade. During the same period, he's helped close some $800 million in deals.

NAIOPWA contemplates return-to-office

March 19 will mark the next monthly breakfast gathering for our local chapter of NAIOP. The topic? “Generational Trends in Return to Office.” NAIOPWA explains it thusly: “As Gen Z continues to enter the workforce, and the ‘silver tsunami' pushes further demographic shifts, the yearslong return to office effort is shaped by generational trends.” Trend experts on the panel will include Kevin Sauer of Sauer Strategy Works, Ellen Post of Concordia Consulting, Dayna Eberhardt (an HR specialist), Evanne Webster of Westlake Consulting Group and Norris Cooper of Holland Partner Group. The event takes place at the Westin Seattle, beginning at 8 a.m. Details and registration: naiopwa.org

JLL aids Oregon motel conversion project

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Working out of its Seattle office, JLL's Tom Wilson, Steve Petrie and Jake Davidson recently arranged a motel conversion loan down in Gresham, Oregon. The $15.9 million came from AGP Capital, structured as a two-year bridge loan. The borrower is PH Development, which will convert the motel into Woodland Flats, with 120 units and retail space. The firm founder, Phil Hoban, said in a statement, “We only do a select few of these hotel-to-apartment conversions that meet our strict underwriting criterion. We'll present renters an essentially brand new product but at rent rates well below nearby competition.” Those future monthly rents will be in the $1,200 to $1,600 range, with units running from studios to two-beds. The former Quality Inn conversion project will take about 10 months to complete.

Inland Northwest AGC

The Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors (AGC) has launched the ConstructHer Network, a new initiative aimed at empowering women within the construction industry. The program focuses on creating leadership pathways, providing mentorship opportunities, and inspiring more women to join the construction sector.

“The ConstructHer Network is a testament to our commitment to fostering inclusivity in the construction field,” said Cheryl Stewart, executive director of the Inland Northwest AGC. “By fostering connections and promoting career growth, we aim to create new opportunities for women and enhance the industry as a whole.”

The inaugural meeting of the ConstructHer Network is scheduled for April 3, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Inland Northwest AGC headquarters, at 4935 E. Trent Ave., Spokane.

The launch of the ConstructHer Network coincides with Women in Construction Week 2025, underscoring the AGC's dedication to expanding career opportunities for women in construction.

For more information about the ConstructHer Network and upcoming events, visit http://www.nwagc.org/constructher-network/

The Inland Northwest AGC is a professional association serving the construction industry in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. It provides resources, advocacy, and support to its members, promoting excellence and integrity in the built environment.