Apr 29, 2021

Evergreen Home Loans

Evergreen Home Loans has named a new chief marketing officer and director of marketing. Carolyn Garris has been promoted to director of marketing. She previously served as the company's senior marketing manager and has been with the company nearly seven years. In this new role, Garris will continue to oversee field marketing for Evergreen Home Loans and lead a marketing team responsible for the creation of thousands of custom marketing pieces each year. Jeanne Hussin has been promoted to the role of chief marketing officer — the first in the company's history. Hussin previously served as vice president and director of marketing for more than eight years. Hussin will be responsible for providing both strategic oversight and hands-on, tactical execution of the company's marketing communications efforts. Evergreen Home Loans has offices in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Tacoma Maritime Innovation Incubator

The Tacoma Maritime Innovation Incubator (TMII) will begin accepting applications to complete its inaugural cohort of seven companies. Based out of the Center for Urban Waters on the Thea Foss Waterway in the Tideflats region of Tacoma, the program assists early stage companies in growing their business. TMII offers a professional space for companies focused on trade/logistics, clean water, clean energy, and other maritime-related fields. It also provides professional services such as engineering assistance, web development, and sales consulting, plus access to the Washington Maritime Blue network of investors, potential customers, and partners. All of this is done at no cost to the companies. This project is the fulfillment of over a year of collaboration between the city of Tacoma, Washington Maritime Blue, and a collection of community members. Applications are open until May 15. Interested companies may apply at http://www.maritimeblue.org/tacoma or through the F6S platform under Tacoma Maritime Innovation Incubator ‘21.

Convoy

Digital freight network Convoy was named to FourKites' Premier Carrier List for the first quarter of 2021, the eighth consecutive quarter Convoy has been recognized since the award was introduced. For the first time, the list highlights organizations that are registered as partners in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program. SmartWay helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking and improving freight transportation efficiencies. Convoy has been a partner of SmartWay since 2017. FourKites' latest PCL showcases 366 carriers, brokers and 3PLs that have achieved the highest standards of visibility-related operational excellence, as demonstrated by their ability to provide high-quality, consistent, accurate data on the vast majority of their loads. Convoy moves thousands of truckloads around the country each day through its optimized, connected network of carriers.

Seattle Housing Authority

Lofton

Seattle Housing Authority executive director Andrew Lofton is retiring in May, after 17 years with the agency. As part of the commemoration of his planned retirement, after 47 years of public service, the city of Seattle has declared May 7 to be Andrew Lofton Day. The official proclamation reads in part, “Director Lofton led the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace, resulting in a vibrant, mixed-income community and a net increase of 1,300 new homes, while providing former tenants housing in affordable units either in the new development or at another publicly subsidized property.” And more, “During director Lofton's tenure, nearly 3,000 more children and adults have stable, safe housing and services to help them improve their lives.” And Lofton was recently honored with the 2021 Carla Okigwe Lifetime Achievement Award from the Housing Development Consortium. His successor will be Rod Brandon, SHA's current director of housing operations.

Keller Williams

Fanta

Keller Williams Greater Seattle announced the recent addition of residential broker Adisu Fanta. He makes the move from Skyline Properties, where he last year closed over $10 million in deals. KW's Angie Mykel said in a statement, “We are extremely excited to welcome Adisu. We believe in succeeding through people, and having Adisu on our team is a huge win for us.” Fanta added, “Even though I have only been with the firm since March, I have already seen incredible gains!”

Vulcan Real Estate

Coleman

After two decades with Vulcan Real Estate, during which time the firm has reshaped much of South Lake Union, Sharon Coleman recently announced that she'll retire next month. She said in a statement, “This has been the most challenging and rewarding career that anyone could ask for, and I am so proud of the work that our team has accomplished together over the years. I am happy to be ending my professional career on a high note and look forward to beginning this new chapter of my life.” Vulcan said that Coleman helped oversee the development of 9 million square feet, some still in planning or construction, with about 3 million of that for Amazon in SLU. Vulcan's Ada M. Healey said, “I cannot think of another person in our region as admired and accomplished as Sharon. Her projects are immaculately designed, financially successful and exceed market expectations.” Succeeding Coleman as senior director of commercial development will be Murray Crampton, who joined the company two years ago.

Colliers

Schneider

Colliers announced the recent hiring of veteran mortgage banker Jim Schneider. He makes the move from M&T Realty Capital, after a prior stint with JLL. Also moving with him from M&T are Madeleine Roach, William “Wim” Roach, Brian Lorenz and Shawn Needham. The team brings expertise in agency lending from HUD, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, etc. Colliers' Hal Collett said in a statement, “Jim and team are known for their ability to provide comprehensive and innovative solutions for structuring even the most complex transactions. This expansion of our services in the Pacific Northwest reflects our commitment to building the Colliers national agency debt platform.” Said Schneider, “We're looking forward to working with Colliers' local teams to streamline the client experience by providing additional solutions for them to access funding for real estate investments.”

Africatown seeks public art

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For its planned Africatown Plaza, with 126 affordable units near 23rd and Union, Africatown Community Land Trust will have a large public plaza where public artwork is planned — along with other areas of the seven-story building (designed by GGLO). To that end, the nonprofit recently issued a call for art, in all disciplines and media, to focus “on restoring and celebrating the city's Black and Pan-African communities.” About 20 art stations will be curated by local organization Wa Na Wari with architect Dream Collaborative. Africatown CEO K. Wyking Garrett said in a statement, “We need the genius of our local and global artists to help tell the stories of our journey; a lot of what has happened has been traumatic, so we need to build spaces of healing and restoration.” For more info, see africatownplaza.com. The deadline for entries is May 14. Africatown Plaza itself has passed through design review, and is now in fundraising mode. No start date or general contractor have been announced.

CBRE

Hunter

Wright

Clark

Meitl

CBRE has added four specialists to its multifamily team, the company recently announced. Making the move from Marcus & Millichap are Beau Meitl and Spencer Clark. Joining from Paragon Real Estate Advisors are Peter Wright and Reed Hunter. CBRE's John R. Miller said in a statement, “We are excited to add proven talent in the private capital multifamily sector. Spencer, Peter, Reed and Beau will bring energy and experience to a space with enormous growth potential.” The quartet will join multifamily forces with Eli Hanacek, Jon Hallgrimson, Frank Bosl and Kyle Yamamoto.