Oct 15, 2020

Liberty Bank

Preston

Liberty Bank, which recently changed its name from Liberty Bay Bank and expanded from Poulsbo to open a new office in Bellevue, has named investor Susan Preston to its board of directors. Preston is managing partner of SeaChange Fund. She taught in the MBA program at the University of Washington and is former chair and lead instructor for the Angel Resource Institute.

Takeda Pharmaceutical

Takeda Pharmaceutical, Accenture and Amazon Web Services have entered into a five-year agreement to accelerate Takeda's digital transformation. This collaboration will leverage cloud and data-driven insights to accelerate drug development, increase operational agility and reduce technology costs. Takeda is headquartered in Japan, Accenture is a professional services company, providing a range of services in strategy and consulting, technology and operations.

Alaska Power & Telephone

Alaska Power & Telephone Company (AP&T) announced that its subsidiary AP&T Wireless, has been selected to receive a $21,545,167 grant award through USDA Rural Utility Service's ReConnect grant program for the “SEALink” broadband project. AP&T will provide over $7 million in matching funds. Funds will be used to construct local networks which will provide high-speed broadband to all premises in Kasaan and Coffman Cove, and to develop and install an estimated 214-mile fiber optic cable between Prince of Wales Island, Petersburg, and Juneau.

Slow Grind Publishing

Seattle-based Slow Grind Media, the media production firm founded and led by NBA-All Star Isaiah Thomas, announced its expansion into publishing with Slow Grind Publishing. Hoops Heist written by Jon Finkel, will be the first offering under Slow Grind Publishing. The book will revolve around Seattle, the Super Sonics and the players who came from this region. Slow Grind Media was founded in 2016.

Bothell apartments receive $36M refi

[enlarge]

Dwight Capital announced late last month the provision of a nearly $36.2 refinancing loan for the Willina Ranch Apartments in Bothell. Dwight's Josh Sasouness and Josh Hoffman originated the transaction. The HUD loan also earned a Green Mortgage Insurance Premium (or MIP) reduction of 25 basis points, according to Dwight, which is based in New York City. The 175-unit Willina Ranch was developed in 2000 by R.D. Manning, which still owns the garden apartment complex, just west of Interstate 405.

Covington roadwork leads to future mixed-use

[enlarge]

Oakpointe Communities recently announced that preliminary work has begun to facilitate LakePointe, a phased development in Covington that could eventually have 1,500 homes. The future 214-acre project is also slated to include 850,000 square feet of retail, hospitality and office space. It'll replace the still-functioning Lakeside Gravel Mine at 18808 S.E. 256th St. (where that street meets Highway 18), with a new 20-acre lake at its center. That land is still owned by the Hawk family, which runs Lakeside. The state has approved a reclamation plan, and the city has approved development plans for LakePointe. Covington mayor Jeff Wagner said in a statement, “It's an honor to partner with Oakpointe Communities and the state of Washington to finally get the Covington Connector moving forward.” That work entails road improvements and extensions near state Route 516 and Highway 18. It's part of a city-state project to which the state has allocated $24 million. Work should last about a year.

Zillow

Adamski

Zillow Group recently announced that Kristina Adamski is a new VP of communications and public affairs. She makes the move from Nissan. Zillow said she'll lead teams dedicated to business and executive communications, financial communications, public affairs, industry communications, thought leadership, brand and market public relations and editorial content.

Oct 14, 2020

Cushing Terrell

Eberle

Cushing Terrell promoted Kara Eberle to associate principal in the Seattle office. Eberle is an architect, project manager and Equity by Design team lead who has been with the firm for nine years. She has served as designer and advisor for clients from the initial design phase through project completion and beyond. Eberle specializes in the retail and commercial markets with a focus on gourmet grocery stores and workplaces for high-tech clients. Cushing Terrell is an architecture, engineering and interior design firm.

McKinstry

Owen

Seattle-based McKinstry promoted Megan Owen to the newly created position of vice president of sales and marketing. In her role on the executive team, Owen will lead efforts that shape McKinstry's market-facing activities. She will focus on expanding its reach and evolving strategies to connect with and serve clients. Owen joined the company more than a decade ago focused on government affairs. She transitioned to support its national energy business where she has focused on creating demand for new products and services. She has experience in the public and private sectors with an emphasis on policy, business development and strategic planning. McKinstry designs, constructs, operates and maintains high-performing buildings.

Vanbarton Group

Vanbarton Group, a privately owned real estate investment and advisory firm, announced the installation of the NeedlePoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) system at 901 Fifth Avenue, the first high-rise implementation in Seattle. The installation of NPBI at the downtown Seattle office tower is part of Vanbarton's efforts to enhance its buildings' air quality and help reduce the transmission of airborne illnesses, such as the novel coronavirus. NPBI technology is integrated into buildings' HVAC systems. Vanbarton has corporate offices in New York City, San Francisco and Seattle.

Fortive

Fortive announced that it has completed the separation of its industrial technologies segment through the spin-off of Vontier.

Approximately 134.9 million shares of Vontier common stock were distributed in the separation to Fortive shareholders, with approximately 33.5 million additional shares of Vontier common stock retained by Fortive. Fortive, headquartered in Everett, is a diversified industrial growth company, with of approximately 17,000 employees in more than 50 countries around the world.

Alaska Community Care Network

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a contract to TriWest Healthcare Alliance to administer VA's Community Care Network (CCN) in Region 5, which covers the state of Alaska. Under the CCN Region 5 contract, TriWest will be responsible for building and maintaining a network of community health care providers, paying claims, and providing customer service to VA and providers in the state of Alaska. TriWest Healthcare Alliance is based in Phoenix.

Lutheran Community Services

Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCS Northwest) and Compass Housing Alliance (Compass) have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent for Compass to become an affiliate of LCS Northwest. An affiliation would create one of the region's largest non-profit alliances providing support to people experiencing homelessness, and under-served populations in the Pacific Northwest. Combined, the organizations serve more than 50,000 people each year and employ more than 800 people in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The execution of a definitive agreement is subject to the approval of the LCS Northwest and Compass Board of Directors, and closing conditions. Under than anticipated agreement, Compass will operate as a separate subsidiary of LCS Northwest, with LCS Northwest the parent organization.