Aug 21, 2026

UMC

Kim

Justin Kim, P.E. has been named a project executive at UMC. Kim joins the Business Development team focused on growing client relationships, supporting strategic planning, and helping ensure successful project delivery.

“Justin brings a unique combination of engineering expertise, project leadership, and strategic thinking that makes him an incredible addition to our team,” says Audie Wallace, director of Development.

Kim earned his Bachelor of Science in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Washington before beginning his career as an MEP project engineer intern. After graduation, he transitioned into structural engineering for mechanical systems, earning his Professional Engineer (PE) license, before returning to construction with a focus on healthcare and life sciences projects.

Throughout his career, Kim has contributed to a variety of complex projects, including Kaiser Permanente's Everett Ambulatory Surgery Center, St. Michael Medical Center's Phase 2 Expansion, the University of Washington Life Sciences Building, and numerous industrial and specialty projects.

Originating in 1920 to serve the Pacific Northwest as a mechanical contractor, UMC has added a range of comprehensive, integrated services in facility performance and maintenance, energy and environment, building automation, and manufacturing.

Absher Construction

On Aug. 26, Absher Construction Company will formally announce its participation in the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program.

PaYS provides an opportunity for soldiers to serve their country while preparing for their future by partnering with a cross-section of corporations, companies, and public sector agencies. The PaYS partners guarantee soldiers an interview and possible employment after their service in the Army. The program is part of the Army's effort to partner with America's business community and increase soldiers' success.

Absher CEO and President Jeff Richards said of the partnership, “We have a tremendous amount of respect for the men and women who serve our country. We're also fortunate to have veterans working throughout Absher, along with employees who continue to serve today in the Reserve and National Guard. We want to continue supporting the military community through the projects we build and the people we employ.”

Absher Construction Company provides a complete range of preconstruction and construction services to public and private clients. Its primary markets include education, federal, transit, and multifamily housing. With offices in Puyallup, Bellevue, and Wenatchee, Absher serves clients throughout Washington state, as well as nationwide.

Aug 20, 2026

Puget Sound Partnership

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed David Troutt to the Puget Sound Partnership's Leadership Council, the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership. Troutt has served as the Nisqually Indian Tribe's Director of Natural Resources since 1987, overseeing a diverse department comprising salmon harvest management, two large salmon hatcheries, shellfish management, data operations, environmental management, wildlife management, dive services, legal, administration, and budget development and monitoring.

“I look forward to working more closely with David Trout on the Leadership Council. He always asks the tough questions and then works collaboratively to solve them,” said Kate Dean, vice chair of the Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council. “He will be a strong voice for the Puget Sound and for the Tribes he has worked with for many years.”

Troutt previously chaired the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board and currently chairs the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council. He has been a leading voice in numerous regional efforts for salmon recovery. Troutt received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington School of Fisheries and has served as the chair of the Nisqually River Council since 2006.

Kitsap County

The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners has named Lieutenant Ken Dickinson as the interim sheriff. The board intends to swear in Dickinson at the Aug. 24 its regular board meeting.

Dickinson will serve until certification of the November 2026 general election, when voters elect the next Kitsap County Sheriff.

Lieutenant Dickinson served the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office for more than 31 years, before retiring in May 2025. During Dickinson's tenure, he served as a patrol deputy, traffic investigation deputy, patrol sargeant, civil and support services sergeant, traffic sergeant, and ultimately the civil and support services lieutenant. He also served in collateral roles as a field training officer, marine services unit deputy, sergeant, and public information officer.

Aug 19, 2026

Reid Middleton

Sabra

Hansen

Haile

Frizzell

Krall

Layman

Yerokhin

In Everett, Reid Middleton has promoted Katy Krall and Ben Frizzell to associate principals, Solomon Haile, Casey Hansen, and Rami Sabra as senior engineers, Ruvim Yerokhin as design engineer, and Cooper Layman as designer II.

HKS

Wilson

Ritchey

Global design firm HKS has hired Eric Ritchey as principal and office technical leader, and Richard Wilson as vice president and senior project architect in the firm's Mission Critical Studio, both at the Seattle office.

With more than 25 years of experience, Ritchey has built a reputation for leading technically sophisticated projects while aligning multidisciplinary teams around a shared vision. As office technical leader, he will help strengthen technical design performance and innovation across the Seattle practice.

Wilson joins HKS with a diverse portfolio of work across the West Coast, including renovations, tenant improvements, high-density developments and technically complex facilities utilizing wood, steel and concrete construction. His experience includes federal and military-sector projects for U.S. government clients, where security, operational continuity, technical precision and coordinated delivery are essential. As senior project architect within the firm's Mission Critical Studio, Wilson will help lead complex projects and advance integrated, sustainable design solutions for clients.

Skanska

Martin

Leptich

Skanska, a leading global construction and development firm, has promoted Tom Leptich to vice president of operations, and Albert Martin to vice president/account manager for its Skanska USA Building operations across the Puget Sound region and the Inland Northwest. Each has spent more than two decades with the company and cultivated a reputation based on leadership, integrity and delivering outstanding results.

Leptich will oversee project execution and field operations across Washington, partnering with account managers to support projects, people and customers.

Since joining Skanska in 2000, Leptich has demonstrated a strong commitment to operational excellence, developing people, and delivering successful project outcomes. Over his 26-year career with Skanska, he has built extensive experience leading teams across a diverse portfolio of projects, including commercial office, healthcare, hospitality, higher education, K-12, life sciences, industrial and multifamily markets.

Martin will continue his focus on building Skanska's K-12 market, as well as strengthening and expanding client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and ensuring the company continues to deliver value to clients.

Aug 18, 2026

Seattle Opera and Classical KING

Seattle Opera and Classical KING will welcome the public behind the scenes during their annual Opera Center Open House on Sept. 26, offering free activities, performances and tours at the Opera Center in Seattle. The event, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., will give visitors an opportunity to explore the inner workings of two of the region's leading arts organizations while engaging with artists and community partners.

This year's Open House will highlight Mexican arts and culture in advance of Seattle Opera's January production of “El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego,” a new opera by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank and librettist Nilo Cruz. Activities will include performances by mariachi musicians from the Highline School District, a community mural project, and a panel discussion on Chicana/o arts traditions presented by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery.

Attendees will also get a preview of Seattle Opera's 2026-27 season through a concert featuring excerpts from upcoming productions, a discussion with company leaders and a live feed from a rehearsal of “Salome,” which opens the season in October. Additional performances throughout the day will feature winners of the Seattle Opera Guild's Singer Development Award and members of the Youth Opera Project.

Visitors will be able to tour Seattle Opera's costume and props facilities, visit Classical KING's broadcast studios and participate in hands-on arts activities, including costume try-ons, crafts, dance instruction and an operatic sing-along. Organizers said the event is designed to showcase the collaborative work that brings opera to the stage while strengthening connections with the broader arts community across the Pacific Northwest.

Information and RSVPs at http://seattleopera.org/openhouse