May 06, 2010

Ashforth Pacific

San Francisco's Orrick Building, which Ashforth Pacific of Portland owns and manages, won three industry citations: BOMA's Earth Award, an Urban Land Institute award and the San Francisco 24x7 Energy Challenge. The 10-story building, is part of Foundry Square. Ashforth Pacific owns and operates office and industrial properties. Its portfolio includes the Exchange Building in Seattle.

HREC

HREC, a hotel and casino real estate advisory firm, has opened an office in Bellevue that appraiser Mark Lukens will oversee. He joined HREC as a senior vice president. In addition to appraisal work, his experience includes hospitality brokerage, feasibility consulting, franchise sales, acquisitions, development and strategic planning. He previously headed Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' Seattle office. HREC has been expanding in anticipation of an upturn in hotel transactions beginning later this year. It also launched a new hotel loan program, sourcing loans of $12 million to $35 million. The program is geared toward Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood and Intercontinental branded hotels.

CREW panel looks at stimulus

CREW Seattle & Sound's May 13 luncheon will include a panel discussion about the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Panelists are Daniel Malarkey of the state Department of Commerce, Ann Grodnik of Seattle-Northwest Securities and David Bolin of The Freehold Group. The event begins with registration at 11:30 at the Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., in Seattle. Cost is $37 to $52. Register at crewseattle.org.

UW students & NAIOP happy hour

NAIOP's Developing Leaders and University of Washington real estate students are having their first joint happy hour at 5:30 p.m. May 13 in Rooms 110 and 114 of Gould Hall at University Way Northeast and Northeast 40th Street. It's free for students and $5 for NAIOP members. Register at naiopwa.org.

Tech's impact on the real estate

Chris Pratley of Microsoft will talk about how technology could affect commercial real estate in the coming years at NAIOP's May 19 breakfast at the Westin Seattle, 1900 Fifth Ave. Registration starts at 7:15 a.m. and the program begins at 8. Tickets are $25 to $60. Register at naiopwa.org.

Seattle Parks and Recreation

Mayor Mike McGinn named Christopher Williams acting superintendent of the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, following the resignation of Superintendent Timothy Gallagher. Williams, a Parks and Recreation employee for 20 years and deputy superintendent under Gallagher, will take over management of the department immediately.

EarthCorps

The Seattle-based environmental organization EarthCorps has awarded The Boeing Co. its highest corporate honor, the Corporate Great Citizen Award. Boeing partnered with EarthCorps in involving volunteers on large-scale environmental service events. Past awardees include REI and Mithun.

Small Business Development Center

The Washington Small Business Development Center has given Leonard Felix, president and owner of CID Bio-Science, its 2010 Small Business Exporter of the Year Award. The award, presented by the Small Business Administration, is given to an individual who owns and operates a small business engaged in exporting.