Nov 04, 2026

Herrera Environmental Consultants

Johnson

Shanks

Wright

Herrera announced three leadership promotions in its sustainable development practice.

Tyson Wright has been promoted to director of the practice. In his new role, Wright joins Alice Lancaster and Christina Merten as the leader of one of Herrera's three core practice areas, advancing integrated solutions that support sustainable infrastructure, resource management and community resilience.

Mary Shanks was promoted to sustainable development business development director. Bringing a successful history of longstanding client relationships from her concurrent work as associate practice director, in this role she will continue to connect clients with multidisciplinary solutions that address complex environmental and infrastructure challenges.

Kyle Johnson was promoted to sustainable development associate practice director. He will support strategic leadership within the practice while continuing to deliver technical expertise and collaborative project solutions for clients throughout the region.

Together, Wright, Shanks and Johnson bring deep experience in solid waste design and planning, hazardous materials, and mine reclamation, services that comprise Herrera's sustainable development practice.

Olson Kundig

Uribe

Meucci

Dennis

Dean

Chambers

The following members of the Olson Kundig team have been promoted to associate: Niamh Chambers, Hanna Dean, Justin Dennis, Joe Meucci and Julian Uribe.

Systems West Engineers

Kelel

Amber Kelel has been promoted to vice president and chief strategy officer at Systems West Engineers (SWE). She is the first woman to hold the vice president role in the firm's history. In this new role, Kelel will guide the firm's strategic direction, identifying where SWE can grow and how it can best serve its clients and communities in the years ahead.

Kelel joined the firm in 2017 to lead marketing and recruitment. She became an associate in 2020, and in 2022 became an associate principal and joined the board of directors. She led the firm's rebrand and website relaunch, built its internal training and career development programs, and reshaped its recruiting approach.

Kelel graduated University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a B.S. in economics and business administration, and Leadership Eugene-Springfield civic program. She has served on the boards of directors of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Willamalane Park Foundation. She co-chaired the Lane Transit District Community Steering Council and has mentored emerging professionals through SMPS Oregon.

Systems West provides MEP engineering, commissioning, and energy services throughout the Pacific Northwest. Kele is based in the Springfield, OR office.

Mayer/Reed

Morishita

Mayer/Reed has promoted Senior Visual Communications Designer Emily Morishita to associate. Morishita joined Mayer/Reed in 2021 as their first Seattle employee, bringing more than 25 years of experience designing and managing public projects.

She applies her strong interest in designing for the public realm to urban and transportation placemaking and wayfinding systems. Her recent work includes the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, the C Concourse Expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland's West End Street Plazas, including Pride Plaza and the Darcelle XV Promenade.

Mayer/Reed, Inc. is a design studio based in Portland, providing landscape architecture, urban design, visual communications and experiential graphics.

Liberty Bank

Morris

Rhonda Morris, the former executive vice president and chief risk officer of Liberty Bank, has joined the Poulsbo-based community bank's board of directors.

Morris recently retired after 13 years with Liberty Bank, and brings 44 years of banking experience to the board. During her career, she held leadership roles spanning internal audit, compliance, information technology, operations, security, human resources and risk management.

Liberty Bank said Morris' appointment allows the organization to retain her institutional knowledge and community banking expertise while continuing her long-standing involvement with the bank and the industry.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Poulsbo, Liberty Bank serves individuals, families and businesses.

Gesa Credit Union

Don Miller, president and CEO of Gesa Credit Union, has received the 2026 Summit Icon Award from the GoWest Credit Union Association, the organization's highest individual honor.

The award recognizes long-term leadership, advocacy, community impact and commitment to the credit union movement. Miller has spent his entire career at Richland-based Gesa, helping guide its growth from a $100 million institution to one with $6.8 billion in assets and more than 326,000 members.

Miller joined Gesa in a series of executive roles, including chief financial officer, chief operations officer and chief retail officer, before becoming president and CEO in 2013. Under his leadership, the credit union has completed four mergers and acquisitions, including the acquisition of Security State Bank in 2025.

The Summit Icon Award was presented Oct. 9 during the GoWest Credit Union Association's MAXX 2026 conference in Aurora, Colorado. Since 2020, Gesa has invested $22.9 million in Northwest communities, including $5.8 million in 2025.

Nov 03, 2026

Stoel Rives

Stoel Rives has elected six attorneys to its partnership, effective Jan. 1, 2027, including five lawyers based in Seattle, Boise and Portland.

“Our newest partners have distinguished themselves through exceptional client service, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to the firm and the communities we serve,” said Melissa Jones, firm managing partner. “This partner class exemplifies the talent, integrity, and collaborative spirit that define our partnership, and we look forward to their continued impact on our clients, colleagues, and communities.”

In Seattle, Evan Brown was elevated to partner in the firm's Construction & Design practice. Brown advises owners, developers, contractors and public agencies on complex public and private construction projects, from contract negotiation through dispute resolution.

Boise gained two new partners. Cory Carone, a commercial litigator, represents companies in complex business disputes involving contracts, fraud claims, noncompete enforcement and other high-stakes matters. Nick Gourley, a corporate attorney, advises businesses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity financings, joint ventures, securities compliance and governance issues.

In Portland, litigators Jacob Goldberg and Kevin Schock also were elected to the partnership. Goldberg focuses on commercial litigation involving securities, corporate governance, trade secrets, privacy and product liability disputes. Schock represents clients in complex commercial disputes, mass torts, intellectual property matters and government investigations.

The promotions are part of a six-member partner class announced by the firm last week. Lauren Neuhaus, an attorney in the Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources practice, is joining from the San Francisco office.

Oct 30, 2026

Harborstone Credit Union

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Lakewood-based Harborstone Credit Union has agreed to acquire HUSTL, the all-digital banking platform and brand operated by Arizona's Vantage West Credit Union.

Under a purchase and assumption agreement approved by both institutions' boards, Harborstone will acquire HUSTL's assets and intellectual property and assume the platform's associated deposit liabilities. Existing HUSTL deposit members are expected to become Harborstone members, subject to membership eligibility requirements.

Harborstone said the acquisition will expand its digital banking capabilities and extend its reach among digital-first consumers, including freelancers, gig workers and small-business owners that HUSTL was designed to serve.

“The credit union movement has always been built on collaboration, and this transaction reflects that spirit,” said Geoff Bullock, president and CEO of Harborstone Credit Union. “Vantage West has created an innovative digital platform and product offering in HUSTL that serves consumers in new and meaningful ways, and we're honored to continue that work. Together, we're creating new opportunities to serve members, expand financial access, and demonstrate what's possible when credit unions help credit unions.”

The deal follows Harborstone's recent growth through acquisitions of Seattle-based First Sound Bank in 2024 and Mount Vernon-based SaviBank in 2025, as well as its 2025 merger with Community 1st Credit Union. The credit union now reports approximately $3.2 billion in assets, $2.4 billion in loans and $2.7 billion in deposits.

The transaction is expected to close in December, subject to regulatory and customary approvals. Harborstone was advised by McQueen Financial Advisors and Luse Gorman PC.