Apr 12, 2018

Danforth developer offers contest

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The 16-story, 265-unit Danforth is scheduled to open in July at Broadway and Madison Street. To entice renters, developer Columbia Pacific Advisors has created a contest called “Experience Danforth: Live Well, Do Good, Have Fun.” For each free entry, $1 will go to three local nonprofits: Artist Trust, Seattle Humane and Country Doctor. Each will get a minimum of $2,500. Contest packages include events at The Frye Art Museum, OOLA Distillery, Northwest Film Forum and Willows Inn on Lummi Island.

Chris McDougall new CEO at CBA

McDougall

The Commercial Brokers Association named industry veteran Chris McDougall president and CEO. He replaces Michelle Mills Clement, who is now CEO of the Chicago Association of Realtors. McDougal makes the move from Colliers, and has prior experience at ATREG, LoopNet and Grubb & Ellis. Jeff Johnson, chairman of the CBA board of directors, said McDougall's background in IT, research and brokerage makes him uniquely qualified to run CBA.

Quadrant partners with Amazon

As part of its HomeSmart initiative, Quadrant Homes has added Amazon Alexa devices to its suite of technology features. They include Echo Show, Echo Dot and Echo Spot. Alexa will also be able to communicate with Samsung's SmartThings Hub, Schlage door locks and Nest thermostats. Quadrant is wiring all its homes for a router. The company's Ken Krivanec said in a statement that the goal is to create “an intuitive home that responds to the buyer's individual needs.”

Wallace Properties hires Hanhart

Hanhart

Wallace Properties named Christine Hanhart a new vice president. She'll focus on retail and industrial leasing, plus property investments. She makes the move from Mohr Partners, and has managed over 1 million square feet of office, industrial, biomedical and retail space. Her Wallace portfolio includes Gateway Center in Yakima.

Wenatchee firm joins Berkshire

Veteran broker NormaJean Jessup said her firm has joined a new franchise network and will take the name Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Jessup Real Estate. Jessup founded her company in 2014, and expects it to double in size by 2020. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices now has about 45,500 agents and 1,350 offices.

Symetra Life Insurance

In Bellevue, Symetra Life Insurance Co. promoted Jeremy Freestone to senior vice president of its medical stop-loss insurance business. Freestone was vice president and senior actuary in the Benefits Division. He joined Symetra in 2005 as an actuarial assistant. Medical stop-loss insurance protects companies that self-fund their health insurance plans against catastrophic claims.

FirstThursday Seattle

Bridgette Washington was named president of FirstThursday Seattle, an association representing black and minority businesses. Washington owns With Style Catering. She replaces Patricia Smith, who will remain as an adviser. FirstThursday also announced that Leonard Simpson, owner of Len Can Builders, is the new executive vice president, and Anthony Hopkins of AWH Productions continues as board vice president.

WSU

Dean Luethi, associate professor and coordinator of music education at Washington State University, was named director of the School of Music. Luethi teaches choral music and conducting, and directs WSU's tenor/bass and treble choirs. He replaces professor Greg Yasinitsky, who teaches jazz.

REI

Outdoor co-op REI this fall will open a store in Kalispell, Montana. The 20,000-square-foot store at Old Reserve Drive and U.S. Highway 93 will be REI's third store in Montana. Julie Lochner is REI's retail director for the mountain district.