Mar 31, 2020

Buchalter

Bradley Hoff joined the Seattle office of Buchalter as chair of the law firm's insurance coverage practice group. Hoff comes from the law firm of Foster Garvey and has 25 years of experience representing insurance policyholders, including litigating and negotiating the resolution of disputes arising under third-party policies. He also has litigated many first-party policies and counsels clients in risk management.

Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle's 2019 Diversity in Contracting Annual Report showed that 15.3% of port contract spending last year went to women- and minority-owned firms. The port commission in 2018 adopted a new diversity in contracting policy to address contracting disparities. The program's five-year goal is to triple the number of disadvantaged firms doing business with the port and increase spending on WMBE contracts to 15%.

USW local 7150

The United Steelworkers extended its labor agreement with Allegheny Technologies for one year. The agreement covers over 1,300 employees at Allegheny's specialty and standard rolled products businesses across the U.S., including members of USW Local 7150 working in the company's Albany, Oregon, plant.

RC Cost Group

Cluness

Richardson

Construction industry veterans Mark Richardson and Andrew Cluness formed RC Cost Group, a Tacoma-based consulting firm. Richardson and Cluness worked together over 15 years ago, then Richardson worked for some of the top local general contractors and Cluness formed his own cost consulting firm, working with local design firms. They reunited to offer construction cost planning and management services to owners, architects, engineers and institutions.

Rock Project Management Services

Burchak

In Renton, Rock Project Management Services hired Sena Burchak as project coordinator. Burchak was a project coordinator at Vanir Construction Management. RPM provides owner's representative services to public and private clients throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

IBTTA Foundation

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association Foundation is accepting applications for five $5,000 scholarships for undergraduates seeking careers in transportation. The money is available to students pursing degrees in various fields of study, including engineering, urban and regional planning, construction management, public administration and finance that benefit the tolling industry. Applications are due April 2 and winners will be announced in June. More information is at http://www.ibtta.org.

Mar 27, 2020

Nordstrom

Seattle retailer Nordstrom has taken several measures to strengthen its financial position in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. They include: suspending its quarterly cash dividend; drawing down $800 million on its revolving line of credit; reducing over $500 million in operating expenses, capital expenditures and working capital; and suspending share repurchases. The company will also will start to furlough a portion of its corporate employees starting April 5 for six weeks. Nordstrom on March 16 temporarily closed its stores; it's extending the closures for at least one week, through April 5.

Delta Dental of Washington

In Seattle, Delta Dental of Washington pledged $10 million in financial assistance to its in-network dentists following orders by the state to halt all non-emergency dental procedures for two months in order to reserve equipment for COVID-19 health care workers. The funding consists of grants and advance payments for care. Grants are up to $15,000 and advances of up to $25,000 are available per practice. Delta Dental is a dental benefit provider covering nearly 3 million people in Washington state and the U.S.