Sep 28, 2022

Cushing Terrell

Pelowitz

Hersel

Cushing Terrell has promoted Josh Hersel and Shawn Pelowitz to associate principal. An architect and director of the firm's residential design studio, Hersel is based in Boise, Idaho. Hersel's primary focus is leading transformative multifamily and mixed-use projects. He has been with Cushing Terrell for 17 years, and in addition to residential projects, has expertise in commercial and hospitality design work, melding best practices from across these markets into his current work.

An architect and director of the firm's government design studio, Pelowitz is based in Minneapolis. Pelowitz has 30 years of experience working for the U.S. military and government agencies across the globe, including the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. General Services Administration. Through this experience as an architect, he has gained in-depth and intuitive knowledge of how government agencies operate and how to best support them through design.

Pelowitz has been with Cushing Terrell for seven years, during which time he co-led the government group and also established the firm's office in Minneapolis.

GeoEngineers

Baum

GeoEngineers has hired James Baum as CFO. Baum is an accomplished CFO with more than 35 years of experience in financial management for engineering and construction firms, where he has helped to improve processes, grow business and increase profits. Baum launched his career working for small and mid-sized engineering firms in Southern California. His leadership and strategic skills soon propelled him into a position as controller and then CFO. He spent the next three decades learning the finer points of financial reporting, strategic planning, cash management, budgeting, market development and executive leadership.

Baum has specialized in employee-owned companies, so an employee-owned consulting firm like GeoEngineers is a natural fit. He understands the broader consulting industry, and knows how to pursue mergers when appropriate, develop new markets and encourage collaboration.

Helix Design Group

Kreem

Bassim Kreem has joined Helix Design Group in a project manager role. Kreem earned his bachelor's degree in architectural engineering at Cairo University and then went on to Washington State University to complete his master's in architecture. He has over 10 years' experience working on a multitude of project types, varying from single-family and multifamily residential facilities to commercial and mixed-use projects.

Kreem is an active member in multiple design forums, and in the community. He serves as a member on the city of Olympia Design Review Board and is heavily involved with multiple organizations including AIA and Habitat for Humanity.

HOK

Rippy

Levi J. Rippy has been promoted from senior project architect to technical principal for HOK's San Francisco and Seattle studios. Based in San Francisco, he leads the technical direction and development of projects across HOK's markets.

Rippy is an architect with more than 20 years of experience with aviation and transportation, health care, science and technology, justice, corporate, commercial and hospitality projects. His recent projects include the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Concourse D Annex and Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center.

Rippy is a member of HOK's firm-wide technical board working to improve project delivery and design processes. He also sits on the firm's mentoring task force and has served as chairperson for the AIA Seattle Chapter's Urban Design Forum.

McGranahan Architects

Benjamin Fields and Dion Serra have joined the ownership group at McGranahan Architects. Fields is passionate about creating engaging learning environments and continuing the firm's work around sustainability and diversity and inclusion.

Serra values creating positive environments for the community and fostering rewarding relationships with clients and consultants. Fields and Serra join McGranahan's four current owners.

The Watershed Company

Rogers

Foster

The Watershed Company has hired Drew Foster, arborist, Jesse Rogers, arborist, and Justin Kay, ecologist. An ISA-certified arborist, Foster comes with a master's degree in environmental studies from the University of Washington and has 14 years of working experience in arboriculture, forestry, and natural resource conservation. Foster will play an integral role in Watershed's arborist services, as well as joining multidisciplinary teams to support project permitting and management.

At the company, Rogers will assist with procuring, scoping, and budgeting small and large arborist consulting jobs for public and private clients, and will coordinate arborist tasks and project elements with Watershed's project managers. Kay will assist with environmental field work such as wetland and stream delineations, plant and tree identification, along with the preparation of environmental reports and studies.

Airship

Davis

Portland-based Airship appointed Cindy Davis to its board of directors. Davis is currently a board member of Destination Pet and serves on the board of trustees for William & Mary, Mason School of Business. Most recently, Davis was chief brand officer for Bed Bath & Beyond, while also serving as president of its sister company, Decorist. Prior to that, she was executive vice president and chief digital marketing officer for L Brands. Airship's current board members include Chris Moody of Foundry Group, Puneet Agarwal of True Ventures, John Johnston of August Capital, and Brett Caine of Airship. Airship has a digital platform for companies to manage customer communications.

Edifecs

Edifecs, a health information technology company, hired David Peterson as senior vice president of marketing, and Milla Rahmani as general counsel. Peterson is responsible for all aspects of Edifecs' brand, marketing strategy and execution. He has over 20 years of experience as a health care and technology executive. Prior to Edifecs, Peterson led marketing at several health care companies including AccuReg, Change Healthcare, and SpecialtyCare. As general counsel, Rahmani is leading the legal department with responsibility for the global legal affairs of the company including customer and vendor contracting, corporate governance, intellectual property, risk management, as well as providing legal counsel to internal functions. She has experience in commercial contracting and navigating the legal affairs of private equity-backed technology companies. Prior to joining Edifecs, Rahmani served as Litera's vice president and general counsel. Edifecs is headquartered in Bellevue, with additional offices in Atlanta, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Mohali, India; and engineering centers in Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine.

City of Tacoma

October marks the 21st anniversary of Tacoma Arts Month, a community celebration of the arts. Programming for all ages includes music, theater and dance performances, hands-on experiences, visual art exhibits, film screenings, literary readings, lectures, cultural events, and workshops. All events are open to the public and many activities are free. The opening celebration will be held 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 5 at STAR Center (3873 S. 66th St.). More information is at TacomaArtsMonth.org.