Apr 30, 2012

Hotel 1000

Seattle-based Hotel 1000 hired Peter Birk as executive chef of Boka restaurant and bar. Birk was executive chef at Harborside. Hotel 1000 is a luxury hotel.

Metropolitan Market

Metropolitan Market hired Mike Barnhart as vice president of operations. Barnhart was general sales manager of Northwest Supermarkets for Bunzl Distribution, a national food supplier. Metropolitan Market is an independent grocer with six locations in the Seattle region.

City of Seattle

Mayor Mike McGinn said Bill Schrier, the city's chief technology officer, is retiring from city service after 30 years. Schrier led the development of the data.seattle.gov website that increased access to information generated by several Seattle city departments.

Apr 27, 2012

Umpqua Bank

Oregon-based Umpqua Bank hired Les Bedford as senior vice president and regional manager of the Puget Sound home lending group. Bedford worked as vice president and regional manager for Cherry Creek Mortgage Co.

Delta Dental/Washington Dental

Berg

Delta Dental hired Brad Berg as chief financial and operating officer. Berg was a principal at Bader Martin, a CPA and business advisory firm. Delta Dental/Washington Dental Service provides dental benefits for Washington residents.

Community and Technical Colleges

Charlie Earl, executive director for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, announced his retirement effective July 31. Earl has worked in government for more than 40 years.

Apr 26, 2012

Sorrento Hotel

Gilmore

Seattle's Sorrento Hotel hired Dan Gilmore as executive chef for the Hunt Club restaurant. Gilmore worked as executive chef at Palisade. The Sorrento is a boutique hotel on First Hill.

Legal Voice

Sterritt

Seattle law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatts Lisa Sterritt, office administrator, joined the board of directors of Legal Voice. Legal Voice helps women and girls achieve economic, social and political equality through litigation, policy and educational tools.

Dow Hotel Co.

Seattle-based Dow Hotel Co. hired Sean Klos as food and beverage director of Basil's Kitchen in the Embassy Suites at SeaTac. Klos was food and beverage director at Holland America Cruise lines. Dow is a hotel investment and management company.

WSU School of Hospitality

Washington State University's School of Hospitality Business Management is working with four Seattle companies — Emeritus Senior Living, Leisure Care/One Eighty, Aegis Living, and Merrill Gardens — to bring executives to Pullman to teach students about running retirement communities. The class also includes field trips to Seattle, mentorships and scholarships. More information is at youtube.com/watch?v=rvoncmoocbw.

Fairplay Financial

Kirkland-based Fairplay Financial acquired Sound Mortgage, a privately held mortgage bank in Federal Way with business in Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. Sound Mortgage will keep its name and staff, and provide take-out financing for investors who acquire properties at foreclosure auctions with bridge loans. Sound Mortgage last year funded 738 loans totaling $180 million. Fairplay said this is part of its plan to move into new markets.

John L. Scott, BDR Homes

BDR Homes is a new client of TeamBuilder John L. Scott. BDR's is building Allegro, 41 townhouses near the Columbia City light rail station. The sales center opened earlier this month. BDR is the developer and contractor, and Weber Thompson is the architect.

Newmark Realty Capital

Newmark Realty Capital arranged permanent financing of $91 million on a portfolio of 13 retail properties in the Seattle area for a private investor. Public records list the investor as Panos Properties of Seattle. The 500,000-square-foot portfolio includes four grocery-anchored centers and neighborhood retail. Michael Taylor, Dan Lowen and Patrick Taylor in Newmark's Seattle office arranged the financing through Principal Real Estate Investors.

NBS Financial Services

NBS Finance Officer Jeff Henderson arranged $16 million for the PPE Building, a 93,500-square-foot office property in Tumwater. He also arranged a $10.3 million loan for the I-5 Technology Center, a 98,850-square-foot office building in Federal Way. Henderson said most lenders that NBS represents are looking to increase investments in the Northwest.

NWMLS

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service unveiled its first mobile application that lets brokers navigate the MLS system software using iPad, iPhone and Android devices. The NWMLS expects to add BlackBerries soon. Members can search listings using GPS or different search fields, and can connect to mapping, navigation and email. A “spotter” feature shows previewing information on nearby listings. The app was developed with feedback from brokers. MLS officials say they're researching other apps.

CREW meeting on Sodo

There will be a discussion about the future of the Sodo area at the May 10 CREW lunch at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle. Greg Smith of Urban Visions, Henry Liebman of American Life and Jim Reinhardsen of Heartland are the speakers. Register at crewseattle.org.