Oct 30, 2009

Pacific Baseball Ventures

Zachary Fraser has been hired as general manager to lead Pacific Baseball Ventures in Walla Walla and its expansion franchise in the West Coast League. Fraser has four years experience in Minor League Baseball and recently worked with the Seattle Storm.

Office of Gov. Chris Gregoire

Gov. Chris Gregoire hired Marty Loesch as director of external affairs and senior counsel. Loesch is general counsel and will continue to work as a member of the governor's legal team. Loesch is assuming the external affairs duties of Ron Judd, who is moving to the Department of Transportation.

National Federation of Independent Business

Puyallup entrepreneur Dave Morell was named the National Federation of Independent Business/Solveras Small Business Champion of the Year. The award is given to one small business owner in the country every year. Morell and his wife, Gloria, run multiple businesses: a grouting firm, landscaping and lawn maintenance businesses, a retail nursery and an outdoor event venue called Rock Creek Gardens.

Oct 29, 2009

Nichols Bros. Boat Builders

John Collins has been named chief executive officer of Nichols Bros. Boat Builders of Freeland. Collins was president and CEO of a Birmingham, Ala.-based consulting firm. Collins replaces Len York who led the company through its 15-month transition from bankruptcy. York said in a press release that he is considering several corporate turnaround offers.

Stoel Rives

Seattle law firm Stoel Rives hired two food and beverage attorneys in the Seattle office. They are Susan Johnson as a partner and Stephanie Meier as an associate. Johnson recently practiced at Graham & Dunn where she managed the firm's Food and Beverage Practice. Prior to becoming an attorney, Meier spent more than a decade working with beer, wine and spirits manufacturers on liquor law issues.

LifeCenter Northwest

LifeCenter Northwest of Bellevue, an organ procurement organization for Alaska, Montana, North Idaho and Washington, hired Kevin O'Connor to head the largest geographic donation service area in the United States as president and CEO. Diana Clark, current CEO, will be retiring after 12 years. O'Connor worked at the New England Organ Bank as senior vice president overseeing operations in a service area of 11 million people.

GVA Kidder Mathews

Tyler Litzenberger has joined the South Seattle office of GVA Kidder Mathews as leasing director for WCV Commercial Properties at Tukwila Commerce Center. He helped open the Seattle office of Duke Realty Corp., and worked with Opus West in Arizona and New Mexico.

Northwest Financial Advisors

CMG Mortgage of San Ramon, Calif., a wholesale mortgage bank, has acquired the Kirkland-based mortgage company Northwest Financial Advisors. Chris George, president and CEO of CMG Mortgage, said this is part of his firm's expansion plans in the Northwest because of the stability of this region's housing market. Jack Bentler is the founder and president of Northwest Financial.

NAIOP

The Washington State Chapter of NAIOP will hold its annual Night of the Stars gala at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Nov. 6. The black tie event begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. NAIOP has added some new award categories and SIOR (The Society of Industrial and Office Retailers) will present its Broker of the Year Award during the event. NAIOP said Larry Benaroya and Marvin Stein will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Tim Farrell and Larry Springer will be recognized as Public Officials of the Year. Ticket and table sales are open. To register contact Jillanne Bates at jillanne@naiop.org or go to http://www.naiopwa.org.

Development incentives conference Nov. 6

The Seminar Group will hold the Real Estate Development Incentives conference Nov. 6 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. It will look at federal, state and local programs including tax credits and grants, public financing, green building, and public and private partnerships. Case studies will be presented. For information and registration, got to http://www.theseminargroup.net or call toll free (800) 574-4852.

Keller Williams Realty

Sue Morrow, a real estate sales professional in Seattle, has joined the Keller Williams Realty Seattle Metro West Market Center. Morrow has a background in sales and business management and has been in the real estate industry for over four years. She owned The Homing Instinct on Queen Anne for 12 years.