Aug 05, 2025

GLY Construction

Tonkin

Bellevue-based GLY Construction has named Tyler Tonkin as its new president and CEO, effective Oct. 1, the start of the company's new fiscal year. Tonkin will succeed Steve Hoffmann, who is retiring after 30 years with the company. Tonkin joined GLY in 1998 as a field engineer after graduating from Central Washington University in 1995 with a degree in construction management. He advanced to senior project manager and became a principal in 2010. In 2020, he was appointed to GLY's Executive Committee, where he has served as both executive vice president operations and a principal overseeing large, complex development projects. Throughout his career, Tonkin has specialized in healthcare and life science facility construction. His portfolio includes the award-winning Allen Institute project, a research institute in Seattle, and Overlake Medical Center's Project FutureCare in Bellevue — a multi-phased, 6-year campus renewal project successfully delivered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, he led Vulcan's three-tower West Main development project covering a half-block in downtown Bellevue. Tonkin will continue to lead select projects in his areas of expertise. He will also continue to serve on GLY's Executive Committee with executive vice president Bill DeJarlais and chief financial officer Joe Bonacci.

Deacon Construction

Barnes

Deacon Construction has promoted Mary Barnes to director of marketing in its Seattle office. Since joining Deacon in 2024 as senior marketing manager, Barnes has led the development of the marketing team and strengthened cross-departmental alignment, elevating Deacon's brand visibility regionally and nationwide. In her new role, Barnes will oversee marketing operations across all of Deacon's offices and continue to work closely with leadership and business development teams to drive strategic growth, support work acquisition initiatives, and lead the firm's client engagement program.

Aug 01, 2025

Employment Security Department

Employment Security Department recently took home two awards for its leadership in disability inclusion. Employment Security received the agency-wide Respect, Acceptance and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities award from the Disability Inclusion Network (DIN). The award recognized ESD for its commitment to its core values of access, equity and belonging. Bill Kinyon, an Employment Security Department employee who works at WorkSource Spokane, also received the Advocate of the Year award. DIN said Kinyon “builds empowering relationships and respect for people with disabilities and identifies and removes structural barriers to access.”

“We are honored to receive these awards from the Disability Inclusion Network,” said Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek. “Our mission is to contribute to healthy communities by providing people equitable access to the resources they need to improve their economic security. We don't do this work to receive awards, but being recognized in this area is extremely meaningful.”

The Disability Inclusion Network is a business resource group for members of the disabled community and allies who work for Washington state agencies, higher education institutions and more. Employment Security provides a financial safety net through unemployment benefits or paid family and medical leave. Along with state and community partners, the agency helps people find jobs and employers find workers thought WorkSource. Employment Security also provides the latest labor market information.

doxo

Seattle-based doxo, an all-in-one bill payment platform, has been recognized as a Great Place To Work for 2025. The award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at doxo. Great Place To Work is a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. “Earning a Great Place To Work certification for the third consecutive year underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where our team can thrive,” said Steve Shivers, co-founder and CEO of doxo. “When 98% of our employees say doxo is a great place to work, it validates that we're not just building innovative technology – we're building a culture that empowers people to do their best work while making a meaningful impact on how millions of Americans protect and manage their financial health.” Doxo's platform transforms the bill pay experience for consumers, billers and financial technology providers. For over 10 million consumers, doxo's all-in-one bill pay makes it simple to organize and pay any bill on any device through a secure checkout.

Jul 31, 2025

NAIOPWA says, Let's convert!

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The Ainsworth & Dunn building (aka the Old Spaghetti Factory)

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Board & Vellum’s office-to-resi conversion in Uptown

Sustainable development will be the topic de jour at a NAIOPWA confab to be held on Aug. 21. Let's note the venue first, since the new BNBuilders HQ is an excellent example: That's the Ainsworth & Dunn building (aka the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant), a former warehouse sustainably converted into boutique offices. On hand to discuss such conversions, and all things sustainable, will be Bryan Zagers from Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Eric Vander Mey of Delta E Consulting, Case Creal of Gensler, Emily Evenson from Seneca Group and Marc Angelillo of Stream Real Estate. From the latter firm, let's also give a nod to its current office-to-resi conversion in Uptown, where a tired old 1980s office building will become 74 apartments. (CPL is also on that job.) Also, Gensler recently emerged as the architect for Vanbarton's planned residential conversion of the former American Can/Zulily building on the waterfront. The event begins at 4 p.m. Details and registration: naiopwa.org

CBRE does Yakima deal

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On the east side of the Cascades, CBRE announced its recent role — on both sides of the deal — in selling two medical office buildings on the MultiCare campus. MultiCare leases all 95,986 square feet in the duo. Terms weren't announced, nor were buyer and seller named. Chris Bodnar, Brannan Knott, Mindy Berman, Zack Holderman, Cole Reethof, Jesse Greshin and Marcus Yamamoto represented the seller. Paul Carr represented the buyer. Bodnar said in an announcement, “The hospital has occupied these buildings since 2005 and recently made a long-term commitment to continue to lease the facilities. These are mission critical assets to the hospital, housing some of their most important and profitable service lines at the campus.”

Keelbase Capital

Engst

Roeter

Keelbase Capital announced its launch earlier this month. The new shop, focusing on overleveraged properties and value-add investments, is led by industry veterans Cooper Engst — previously with Eastdil Secured — and Paul Roeter, who departs Cushman & Wakefield. Their goal is to raise up to $250 million in a climate where, in their estimation, about $105 billion in real estate is distressed. “We founded Keelbase Capital to meet the moment,” said Engst. “Property owners face a significant challenge today, with asset values that remain well below the peak and traditional lenders that can't provide cash-neutral refinancing. We're stepping into that void with flexible capital that will give owners a path forward.” Roeter added, “Values have dropped, owners are feeling pressure from lenders, and growing deal volume is finally providing pricing clarity.”

Buchalter adds to real estate practice

The law firm Buchalter has offices in Portland and Seattle. It recently added two attorneys in both, who both specialize in real estate. In Seattle, Ian Taylor brings experience in landlord- and tenant-side leasing, various forms of contracts and even airport hangar deals. In Portland, Michelle Da Rosa adds similar skills. Buchalter president Adam Bass said in a statement, “Ian and Michelle's exceptional skill sets and deep knowledge of complex real estate transactions will be a great asset to our clients and further expand our real estate capabilities in the Pacific Northwest.”

Skagit County

Janicki

Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki has announced she will retire at the end of 2025 after 11 years of serving as County Commissioner for District 3. Janicki was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in November 2014. Prior to running for county office, she worked for over 30 years as the chief financial officer for Janicki family businesses, which included oversight of several companies that encompassed forestry, land development, engineering, and composite aerospace manufacturing. Janicki was a founding member of North Star, a collaborative effort between all four city mayors, county commissioners, and service organizations in Skagit County to end homelessness and streamline effective crisis response, recovery and support services. Janicki oversaw the development of Martha's Place, the first permanent supportive housing development in Skagit County, Skagit First Steps Shelter, and the STAR Center. The STAR Center includes the currently operating North Sound Evaluation and Treatment Center, which offers 16-beds for acute inpatient mental health care. The second phase of the STAR Center includes a 48-bed crisis-stabilization center, and is expected to open in early 2026. Janicki has represented Skagit County on various boards statewide, as well serving on community boards such as the United Way of Skagit County, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, and Gonzaga University's Board of Regents. With the decision to retire before the end of her elected term, there will be a nomination process to select a replacement.

Helion

Helion, a Washington-based fusion energy company, has begun work on the site of its first fusion power plant, Orion, marking a major step in bringing fusion electricity to the grid. Located in Chelan County, the site was chosen for its ready access to transmission and legacy of energy innovation. In 2023, Helion announced a power purchase agreement that will provide energy from the plant to Microsoft by 2028, with Constellation Energy serving as power marketer. Helion began building in Malaga, Chelan County, on land it is leasing from the Chelan County Public Utilities District. This followed a mitigated determination of non-significance through Washington's SEPA environmental review process. Since 2023, Helion has been actively engaging with local and state stakeholders – including government agencies, tribal nations and the general public — in preparation for a siting and permitting decision. Helion will continue to work through the remaining steps in the permitting process to construct and operate a commercial fusion power plant on the site.