Dec 29, 2015

The Rush Companies

Hilmes

Larsen

Brown

The Rush Companies of Gig Harbor hired Heather Brown as vice president of finance and operations, Renee Larsen as HR manager and Kelsey Hilmes as marketing coordinator. Brown has more than 15 years of experience in financial planning and operations management, and previously was vice president of finance at Sound Physicians. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pepperdine University and is a CPA. Larsen has more than 20 years of HR experience, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business and human resources from Gonzaga University. Hilmes previously was a communication specialist in the nuclear industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and public relations from Pacific Lutheran University. Rush provides design, development, construction and property management for commercial and residential projects.

Wells Fargo & Co.

Algeo

Christopher Algeo has been named Washington business acquisition manager for Wells Fargo. He is based in Tacoma and oversees five business development officers in Washington. He was senior relationship manager with Key Bank.

Signostics

Signostics, a Kirkland start-up in highly miniaturized ultrasound technology, named Jeffrey Markwood chief financial officer and vice president of administration. Markwood has more than 25 years of senior and executive-level accounting and financial management experience, and was with SonoSite.

Dec 24, 2015

HFF arranges $308M mall financing

HFF said it arranged $308.4 million in financing for three shopping malls in Washington, Illinois and Connecticut. HFF secured financing on behalf of a joint venture of Centennial Real Estate Co., Montgomery Street Partners/Blum Capital, USAA Real Estate Co. and Westfield America. The malls total 2.3 million square feet. They are: Vancouver Mall in Vancouver; Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, Connecticut; and Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Claudia Steeb, Jim Curtin and Barry Brown led the HFF debt placement team. The joint venture recently acquired the malls, as well as two others, from Westfield for $1.1 billion.

NAI helps sell Kent industrial park

Taylor Hoff and Mike George of NAI Puget Sound Properties brokered the sale of a three-building industrial center in Kent. Rosen Property Investments paid $8.6 million, or $90 per square foot, for Kent Business Center at 25500 74th Ave. S. The buildings total 95,972 square feet, and are 58 percent leased with a mix of small and medium-sized companies. NAI Puget Sound Properties is based in Bellevue and has 45 brokers.

WSHFC approves $89M for housing

Washington State Housing Finance Commission approved $89 million for housing complexes in Everett and Federal Way. Gateway Apartments is at 13000 21st Dr. S.E. in Everett, with 177 units that caters to families. Celebration Senior Living West is at 1316 S. 328th St. in Federal Way. Celebration West will have 189 units, and is the second phase of a low-income complex near Celebration Park. The commission finances housing by issuing tax-exempt bonds or notes and allocating Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Blazing Onion opens in Silverdale

Blazing Onion, a fast-casual burger restaurant, has opened in The Trails at Silverdale Mall, a 220,000-square-foot mall developed by CenterCal Properties. This is Blazing Onion's first location in Kitsap County. The mall is at state Routes 3 and 303. AT&T, Home Goods and Ulta Beauty also have opened there. In January, more stores will open: Chipotle, MOD Pizza and Silverdale Smiles Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics. Set to open in the spring are Corner Bakery, DSW, Sleep Number, Total Wine and Verizon.

Propel Insurance

Swan

Propel Insurance added Carl Swan to the national senior living practice as a sales executive. He has experience with long term care communities and insurance. Seattle-based Propel provides an array of insurance in North America.

Bergman Draper Ladenburg

Sims

Craig Sims, former chief of the criminal division for Seattle City Attorney's Office, has joined the law firm of Bergman Draper Ladenburg. Sims will represent families in mesothelioma cases. He has worked in private practice and with King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Washington State University

Jessica Mason is the new psychologist and counselor in the student affairs office at Washington State University Spokane, replacing Jack Severinghaus, who has retired. Mason was a counselor at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.