Mar 31, 2009

HomeStreet Bank

Kate Hoyt has been hired as a new residential loan officer at HomeStreet Bank. She will originate mortgages through the bank's Customer Service Center.

Seattle Tilth

A former executive with the Camp Fire USA organization, Andrea Platt Dwyer has been named executive director of Seattle Tilth. Dwyer was chief executive officer of Camp Fire USA's Minnesota Council for 10 years, and a Camp Fire field executive in Seattle. Seattle Tilth is a 31-year-old organic gardening education organization.

Resort Society

Kirkland-based Resort Society, a provider of luxury travel and destination club memberships, has acquired the Society Expeditions International brand and other intellectual property. Society Expeditions, which ceased operations in the United States in 2006, was a luxury soft adventure travel company for over 30 years. Included in the acquisition were the Society Expeditions brand, goodwill, other unique operating systems and customer lists of nearly 50,000 past travelers with Society Expeditions.

Schweiger Memorial Scholarship

The Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund and Advanced American Construction of Portland have selected 12 students to receive $35,000 in scholarships for the 2009-10 school year. Winners of $5,000 scholarships include: Eric Nolan of Yamhill, Ore., a George Fox University junior pursuing a mechanical engineering degree; and Jessica Young of Amity, Ore., an Oregon State University junior pursuing a construction engineering management degree. Winners of $3,000 scholarships include: Ryan Edwards of Amboy, a Washington State University junior planning to graduate next year with a civil engineering degree; Marcus Miller of Pullman, a WSU junior pursuing a civil engineering degree; Jessica Hamilton of Portland, a University of Portland junior in the civil engineering program; Lukas Paulsen of Issaquah, a WSU junior working on his construction management degree; and Marty Flansburg of Washougal, a University of Portland junior pursuing a civil engineering degree. Winners of $2,000 scholarships include: Jessica Fuller of Kennewick, a WSU junior pursuing degrees in construction management and architecture; Jordan Peterson of West Linn, Ore., an OSU junior planning a construction engineering management degree; Jennifer Charpilloz of Corvallis, Ore., an OSU sophomore working on a construction engineering management degree with a minor in business; Megan O’Connor of Battle Ground, a WSU junior pursuing a civil and environmental engineering degree with a math minor; and Anna Ignatenko of Portland, a Portland State University junior to graduate in the fall of 2010 with an accounting degree and minor in Spanish. The awards will be presented May 1 in Portland

Mar 27, 2009

The TAS Group

The TAS Group, a Seattle-based sales effectiveness company, hired Matt Close to the newly created position of vice president, global sales. Close joined TAS in 2004 and has served in several sales executive roles for the company.

Campaign for Equal Justice

Paula Boggs and William Neukom will serve as the 2009-2010 co-chairs for the Campaign for Equal Justice. The campaign raises charitable support for the Washington's 25 plus civil-legal aid programs that provide free non-criminal legal assistance to low-income families and individuals. Boggs is the lead in Starbucks' Law & Corporate Affairs Department. Neukom is managing general partner and chief executive officer for the San Francisco Giants.

Mar 26, 2009

Colliers

Colliers International has hired Leon Titus in the Tacoma office as a real estate sales and leasing professional. Colliers will work with specialized teams within the four Puget Sound commercial real estate brokerage offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and Olympia. He will work with Eric Cederstrand and Tom Brown in Tacoma on sales and leasing of automotive dealerships and related businesses. He was involved in the automotive industry for more than 25 years, and was president of Leon Titus Automotive Group.

Snohomish County

The National Association of Home Builders recognized Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon for leadership on housing issues. Reardon was named Local Official of the Year at a Government Affairs Recognition Awards breakfast, which was part of the NAHB's 2009 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Last year, Reardon signed on to a joint resolution for a local economic stimulus plan focused on housing. He also supported housing-friendly legislation on real estate signs and density, and directed staff to improve the residential building application process.

Tax credit seminar in Portland

Lane Powell and Novogradac are co-presenting “Tax Credit Immersion 2009” at the Nines in Portland on April 22-23. It will cover historic, new markets and renewable energy tax credit programs, and how to use them to plug financing gaps. The event is targeted toward community development professionals, investors, developers and accountants. For more information see http://www.novoco.com/events/conferences/2009/portland/index.php.

ICSC program on viaduct tunnel

The International Council of Shopping Centers' Seattle Next Generation committee will hold a program and reception in Seattle at the Four Seasons Hotel on the Alaska Way Viaduct tunnel from 5 to 7 p.m. The ICSC says in a press release that after “eight years of protests, votes, studies and stakeholder groups, we might finally have a solution on replacing the viaduct.” The event will look at the impact on downtown businesses, commuters and residences; the cost; and what a pedestrian friendly waterfront would do for the city. Kate Joncas of the Downtown Seattle Association will speak. Cost is $40 for members and $55 for non-members. For information see http://www.icsc.org or call (646) 728-3800.

Lane Powell

Lane Powell hired Jeffrey Liang as a member of the Firm's Tax Practice Group. Liang's experience includes working for the IRS's Office of Chief Counsel, and being a law clerk at Keller Rohrback.

Cairncross & Hempelmann

Cairncross & Hempelmann hired David Sandell as of counsel. Sandell has 45 years of experience. He will consolidate his representation of clients in the Seattle area with his representation of clients in the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma, where he is also admitted to practice. Sandell will have an office in Seattle.