Feb 05, 2021

Summit Bank

Craig Wanichek, president and chief executive officer of Summit Bank announced that Gina Kaveny has joined the Portland banking team as vice president and market development officer. A native Oregonian, Kaveny and her husband own a small business employing over 50 employees, She serves as a board member and Programs Committee chair for the Association of Corporate Growth in Portland. Summit Bank has offices in Eugene/Springfield, Central Oregon, and Portland. Summit was recognized in 2020 as the Top Small Business Administration Community Bank Lender in the State of Oregon.

Porch Group

Porch Group announced an expansion of their leadership team, including Adam Kornick as president of Insurtech, Andrew Beck as head of Contractor Tools SaaS, Malcolm Conner leading Porch's Home Services group, and Manisha Patel as vice president of finance. Kornick previously led data and technology functions as the chief data technologist at Allstate and was the chief analytics officer at Aviva. Beck served as general manager at EverCommerce where he built a division of home and field services SaaS solutions and supported M&A integrations. Connor served as chief executive officer at NanoSmart Technologies and its subsidiary, NanoSmart Lights. Patel served as the vice president of finance and M&A/Strategy at APR Energy. On December 23, 2020, Porch merged with PropTech Acquisition. On January 14, 2021, Porch announced the strategic acquisitions of V12, PalmTech and iRoofing, as well as its expansion into Insurtech with the acquisition of Homeowners of America, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021. Seattle-based Porch Group provides software and services to home services companies such as home inspectors, moving companies, real estate agencies, utility companies, and warranty companies.

Oksenholt Capital

Oksenholt Capital hired Annie Robertson as chief legal officer & director of public affairs. Robertson will be responsible for overseeing and providing leadership and strategic direction, as well as the management of legal affairs, public policy, charitable giving, and long-term business planning. Robertson most recently served as a partner at the Wenatchee-based law firm of Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward. Previously, she was a partner in the Portland office of Lane Powell, where she worked for ten years. Oksenholt Capital specializes in real estate acquisition, development, and management with a focus on income producing multi-family properties.

Feb 04, 2021

Columbia to manage renovated seminary

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The Lodge at St. Edward Park, the landmarked former Kenmore seminary being renovated by Daniels Real Estate, is now slated to open in May. And Columbia Hospitality announced that it will manage the 84-room facility, with general manager Jenne Oxford. She makes the move from Domicile, a Madrona Ventures hospitality start-up. She had also previously served at Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, where she managed the Alexis Hotel. Amenities will include the Cedar + Elm restaurant (with outdoor patio), two bars, Spa Vita Nova, fitness center, and 12,000 square feet of indoor events space. The park also has many walking trails and waterfront access. Originally developed in 1931 to train Catholic priests, the vacant building was sold to the state in 1977; it's now part of the 316-acre Saint Edward State Park. Daniels has a 62-year lease for the property. Work began circa 2018. The renovation team included Ron Wright & Assoc., architect; and Lydig Construction, general contractor. John Graham Sr. was the original architect. Daniels and Columbia previously partnered on The Emerald condo high-rise in downtown Seattle, which Columbia is managing.

CBRE

Seversen

CBRE has announced the recent hiring of Jennifer Seversen, who becomes a VP in the retail practice. She makes the move from Brookfield Properties. Past experience also includes a stint at University Village; she was also a founder of Real Retail. CBRE's John R. Miller said in a statement, “Jennifer has worked on many of our region's most notable retail projects and has strong relationships with retailers and investors. Her experience and network combined with CBRE's resources will translate to exceptional outcomes for our retail clients.” Seversen will work closely with Susie Detmer to cover the Puget Sound region.

CenterCal plants public art in Totem Lake

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The Village at Totem Lake, where CenterCal Properties is nearing the end of its multiyear redevelopment of the 26-acre old mall, now has some new public art. Dandelions is the new 14-foot-plus installation by Polish artist Mirek Struzik. CenterCal's Elizabeth Clipp said in a statement, “Dandelions are a great addition to the Village and inject some playfulness to our park-like setting. The sculptures are well lit and bring added warmth and richness after dark, which movie-goers and restaurant patrons will enjoy.” CenterCal is partnering with Fairfield Residential, Trinsic Residential Group and Pacific Coast Capital on the mixed-use makeover, which includes apartments, new shops and restaurants, plus a Cinemark multiplex.

Ryan Companies

Ferris

Ryan Companies announced the recent hiring Chris Ferris as director of construction Northwest region. He makes the move from Holland Partner Group. Ryan's Daniel Bergstein said in a statement, “Chris will stand as a leader to take charge and continue our growth and success as we take on more projects. His ability to define project goals and metrics early in the project process will set our teams and customers up for success.” In Seattle, Ferris has worked on past projects including Premiere on Pine and 1101 Westlake. Coming up, says Ryan, is an apartment project on Mercer Island. That's where Ryan last year paid over $46 million for the vacant old Farmers insurance building. The offices are being renovated, and the expectation is that the structured parking will become a new mixed-use development.

Align secures $14M for Lynnwood apartments

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Align Finance Partners of San Francisco said that it recently provided a $14.4 million loan for the developer of Rainier Place, a 184-bed student housing development at Edmonds College. The building was developed circa 2009 by the non-profit Ecco Properties, which is associated with the National Development Council. Align bought the 2015 tax-exempt bonds issued by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and Key Government Finance. The deal closed at year's end. Align's Dani Evanson said in a statement, “This transaction meets Align's investment objective to invest in tax-exempt debt that supports affordable housing. Align's financing provided the borrower with a unique financing solution that addressed the property's significant vacancy due to COVID-19.”

Northwest Seaport Alliance

The Northwest Seaport Alliance, a marine cargo operating partnership between the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma, named Dick Marzano and Fred Felleman as new co-chairs for 2021. The Northwest Seaport Alliance is overseen by a board of managing members which include the elected commissioners from the north and south harbors. Marzano recently retired after 52 years as a Tacoma longshore worker, serving as president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23 for six years. Felleman was elected to the Seattle Port Commission in 2015. He serves on the Board of Maritime Blue and the Puget Sound Regional Council's Executive Board.

Alaska Communications

Alaska Communications expanded broadband service by more than 3,700 locations in underserved areas of Alaska during 2020. The expansion was funded in part through the Federal Communications Commission Connect America Fund Phase II program. Once complete, the project will be the single largest deployment of affordable broadband under any one program in Alaska. Alaska Communications provides advanced broadband and managed IT services for businesses and consumers in Alaska.

Evolution Advisors

Global insurance broker Acrisure announced the formation of Evolution Advisors, a new joint venture to focus on the insurance needs of minority-owned businesses and diverse communities across the United States. Russell Wilson and his wife, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, Ciara, are founding partners and equity owners in the joint venture and will help guide the business and its community impact strategies. The joint venture will focus on providing greater access and more effectively distributing insurance products to minority-owned enterprises. Additionally, the joint venture will also seek to make a specific impact through community-focused efforts, building on Wilson and Ciara's work through their Why Not You Foundation, and Acrisure's focus on children's health.

Pop-Up Dining

Seattle-based Columbia Hospitality announced the inaugural Puffy Jacket Pop-Up Dining Series, a limited-time, outdoor dining experience to be held at 14 hotels, resorts and restaurants throughout Washington and Oregon. This six-week program will be held at The Dining Room at Salish Lodge & Spa, Packers Kitchen + Bar at Semiahmoo Resort, Copperleaf Restaurant at Cedarbrook, Ben Paris at The State Hotel, Hearth at The Heathman Hotel, Waterleaf Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Interurban, Jetty Bar & Grille at Hotel Indigo, JJ Hills Fresh Grill at Icicle Village, The Restaurant at Friday Harbor House, Strikers' Bar & Grille at Echo Falls Golf Club, The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar at McCormick Woods Golf Club, The Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge and Public Coast Brewing. The Puffy Jacket Pop-Up menus will be available every Friday and Saturday from Feb. 19 through March 27. All participating properties will adhere to Columbia Clean, a set of health, hygiene and sanitation standards, and will offer outdoor seating and extra touches, including heat lamps, blankets and fire pits.