May 16, 2014

Taiyo Pacific Partners

Taiyo Pacific Partners, a Kirkland-based firm that calls itself “a pioneer in friendly activist investing in Japan,” said it has joined Junichi Miki, CEO of the digital musical instruments maker Roland Corp., in a management buyout of Roland. Taiyo said it will help rebuild the brand. Taiyo manages over $2.5 billion in Japan-focused funds.

Washington State Connections

A new Washington State Connections retail store is opening in Everett giving Washington State University alumni and fans two Puget Sound locations to buy apparel, Cougar Gold cheese and Wine By Cougars. The store is at 2809 Colby Ave. in downtown Everett. WSU is preparing to take over administration of University Center of North Puget Sound in July. The other Washington State Connections store is moving next month from Westlake Center to Rainier Square.

Expeditors International

Expeditors International of Washington said Philip M. Coughlin, executive vice president of North America, is now president of global geographies and operations. He will be in charge of all geographic reporting. Expeditors is a global logistics company headquartered in Seattle.

May 15, 2014

Kirkland Waterfront Market refinances

[enlarge]

Mike Wood and Austin Johnson of NBS Financial Services arranged $8.5 million to refinance Kirkland Waterfront Market, a 24,000-square-foot mixed-used building at 130 Lake St. HomeStreet Bank was the lender. Wood said the loan was a challenge because the building is mixed-use and condos were used as collateral, but Wood said the location near the waterfront made the building worth the investment. NBS Financial Services is the financial arm of Portland-based Norris, Beggs & Simpson Cos.

Bridge financing for 954 E. Union

Louis Weisman of Berkadia Commercial Mortgage and Tim Ufkes of Hendricks-Berkadia closed $14.7 million in bridge financing for a six-story, 79-unit apartment building now under construction at 954 E. Union St. on Capitol Hill. The developer, Seawest Investment Associates, is using the money to finance construction. The building is one block from the Seattle Streetcar line, which is scheduled to open later this year. Berkadia Commercial mortgage provides acquisition, construction and refinance loans for real estate properties and manages a portfolio of more than $229 billion.

Two CCIM chapters combine

Two regional chapters of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute have combined: Washington State and Inland Northwest. The change brings 150 new members from the Inland Northwest into a new chapter that will cover all of Washington and northern Idaho. CCIMs include brokers, investors, developers, property managers, appraisers and other commercial real estate experts. There are more than 8,400 CCIMs in North America.

Cutter & Buck

Freet

Joel Freet, previously head of corporate business for Cutter & Buck, has been named CEO of the Seattle-based sportswear company, replacing Jens Petersson, who will take an executive position with the parent company, New Wave Group AB. Cutter & Buck designs, manufactures and distributes products for golf, corporate, collegiate, professional sports and specialty retail markets.

Saltchuk Resources

Rosas

Saltchuk Resources named Colleen Rosas vice president of human resources. She was vice president, human resources for the Foss family of companies, a subsidiary of Saltchuk. Since coming to Foss in 2013, Rosas has aligned HR systems across the organization. Saltchuk has five business lines: shipping and logistics, marine services, trucking, air cargo, and petroleum distribution. Rosas also worked at Swedish Health Services.

United Way of Pierce County

United Way of Pierce County directors recently elected Linda Nguyen, CEO of WorkForce Central, as chair-elect to work alongside current Chair James McCormick of Messina Bulzomi Christensen Attorneys.