Oct 26, 2022

Build LLC

Ahmann

Kamakaala

Gordon

Lemma

Build LLC has a new partner and three new staff members. Justin Lemma was made partner earlier in 2022. Lemma has a master's of architecture from the University of Washington and a bachelor of science in wildlife and fisheries biology from the University of Vermont. Since joining Build in 2019, Lemma has been instrumental in creating permit and construction documents for fast-tracked projects in Seattle, Deschutes County, and Sisters, Oregon.

Ciera Gordon was hired in early summer as a designer. Gordon holds a master of architecture from the University of California Berkeley and a bachelor of science in architecture and mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Gordon has a background in architecture, mechanical engineering, and energy studies. She focuses on the social and environmental impacts of her projects, and their interdisciplinary challenges and opportunities.

Carrie Kamakaala, also a designer, was hired in early summer. Kamakaala is currently studying for a master of science in construction management at the University of Washington and already holds a master of architecture from the University of Washington with certificates in sustainable design systems and real estate and bachelor of science, architecture, from Washington State University. Kamakaala has a background in architecture, construction management, real estate development, and sustainable systems. Robert Ahmann was hired this fall also as a designer. He holds a bachelor of science, philosophy, from the University of Oregon.

Gensler

Palushock

Santoro

Gensler recently announced the appointment of Jennie Santoro and Edward Palushock as project directors for the firm's Seattle office, where they'll lead two of its fast-growing practice areas: Aviation and Sciences.

Jennie Santoro, AIA, NCARB, is an aviation industry leader and licensed architect with 15 years of experience in terminal planning and design. She's contributed to and led design and delivery for some of the largest and most complex terminal projects in the nation including LAX Terminals 7&8 Redevelopment, SAN Terminal 2 West Expansion, and MCO South Terminal C — a multi-billion-dollar greenfield terminal complex in Orlando, Florida, opening this fall. Santoro was named a “Top 40 Under 40” award recipient by Airport Business Magazine for her academic, professional, and community achievements.

Santoro earned master and bachelor degrees in architecture from the Catholic University of America, School of Architecture and Planning, in Washington, D.C. She is active in industry organizations, including serving as vice chair for the Airport Consultant Council board of directors, has extensive speaking experience, and mentors the younger generation in the industry.

Edward Palushock, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, possesses over 25 years of experience in architecture and design. Palushock's experience involves working on projects of all scales and types including leading planning and design for science and commercial building developments, like the Federal Reserve Building and renovation, The Modern at Third and Lenora, and the 400 Westlake Ave. N. office building.

Palushock earned a bachelor of architecture from the School of Architecture at Syracuse University and a master of architecture from SCI-Arc in Los Angeles. Over the last four years, he served on the city of Seattle's Design Review Board (Downtown District), providing insights and recommendations to help shape the planning and design of the city.

GeoEngineers

Dahl

GeoEngineers welcomed Emily Dahl, attorney at law, as the firm's first associate general counsel. Dahl is an experienced commercial litigator who spent much of her career representing engineering design professionals. As in-house counsel, Dahl will be responsible for reviewing and supervising contracts, supporting risk management and insurance programs, managing potential claims, and providing strategic legal advice to leadership.

Dahl represented homeowner and condo associations early in her career, before moving on to focus on insurance defense, trademark infringement, employment, and general commercial litigation. Her experience as a commercial litigator led Dahl to focus on representing design professionals, guiding her clients through complex multi-party lawsuits, and providing legal advice for the countless issues that come up in the normal course of business. Eventually, Dahl's work as outside counsel introduced her to GeoEngineers.

Herrera

Lancaster

Zhang

Clark

Follansbee

Patel

Herrera welcomed four new employees to its Seattle and Portland offices. Yashvi Patel joins the firm as an environmental engineer based out the Seattle office. She has a bachelor's degree in BTech and civil engineering from Nimra University and a master's degree in environmental science and engineering from University of South Carolina-Chapel Hill. Patel has three years of experience specializing in engineering design, environmental assessment, monitoring, and permitting.

Emily Follansbee was hired as an environmental engineer also based out of the Seattle office. She has five years of experience in civil engineering, environmental science, renewable energy, and data collection and analysis. Follansbee has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Gonzaga University and a master's degree in earth and environmental sciences from Columbia University. She comes to Herrera from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, where she worked as an energy project manager.

Tim Clark joins the firm as a limnologist based out of the Portland office. He has 10 years of experience in lake and watershed management, long-term stormwater and wastewater planning, water quality monitoring, and project management. Clark comes to Herrera from King County Water and Land Resources Division, where he worked as a limnologist/water quality planner.

Xiaoyu “Shawree” Zhang was hired as a scientist based out of the Seattle office. Zhang interned with Herrera throughout the summer and will now join the team full-time. Zhang is a recent graduate of the University of Washington, with a bachelor's degree in environmental science and resource management–wildlife conservation.

Herrera also announced the appointment of Alice Lancaster as regional manager at the firm's Seattle office. In her 18 years at Herrera, Lancaster has played an integral role in the firm's strategic growth, while managing several of Herrera's largest projects in Washington.

As Seattle's regional manager, she will drive, coordinate, and support Seattle region business development, Seattle-based multidisciplinary projects, and staff engagement and development. In addition to this new role, she will continue to lead projects and share her expertise in green stormwater infrastructure across the West.

Skylab

Akin

Dillan

Skylab announced the addition of two operations team members, Jennifer Dillan, marketing and business development director, and Randall Akin, business manager. Dillan brings 25 years of experience working in marketing and branding in a variety of industries. In her role, she leads overall direction for the firm's business development efforts across all of the firm's focus markets including commercial, hospitality, retail, and residential, as well as the firm's special expertise in branding, mass timber and planning. She also leads special initiatives including the launch of the firm's first book, “Skylab: The Nature of Buildings,” which will be released by Thames & Hudson in early 2023. Dillan holds a master of real estate development from Portland State University, and business certifications from Cornell and Yale universities.

Akin brings over 20 years of experience in business operations. With a background that spans finance, operations, and human resources, Akin will provide operations and business oversight for the firm. Most recently, he served as finance director and portfolio director for global finance and strategy and global finance processes at Nike. Akin holds a master of business from Portland State University.

Madrona

Seattle-based Madrona appointed Wei Gao as venture partner, Anna Baird as operating partner and Vivek Ramaswami as partner. Gao will help identify new investments and provide strategic and operational advice to Madrona portfolio companies. She brings over 20 years of operating leadership across product, technology and business operations. As a 16-year veteran of Amazon, she worked in increasingly senior technical leadership roles, including as technical adviser to Jeff Bezos and vice president of Amazon Grocery. She later became the COO at shared experiences platform Hopin. Baird has been a COO, CFO and CRO — most recently at Outreach.io, a sales engagement platform. Prior to Outreach, she was CFO of Livongo, senior vice president at McAfee, and partner at KPMG. Baird also serves on the SeatGeek board of directors. Ramaswami, based in the Palo Alto, California, office, joins Madrona from Steadfast Capital. Prior to Steadfast, Ramaswami was a principal at Redpoint Ventures. Madrona is a venture capital firm with over 25 years of experience investing in early-stage technology companies.

State of Washington

At the Governor's Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) 30th Annual Governor's Employer Awards Program, six public and private employers were honored for their work recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing workers with disabilities. Two individuals were also recognized for their commitment to improve the lives of those with disabilities. Recipients of the awards were: Walgreens in Sedro-Woolley for Youth Employer of the Year; Spectrum Studios in Kennewick for Small Nonprofit Employer of the Year; Seattle Children's Hospital for Large Nonprofit Employer of the Year; Restoration Management in Kent for Small Private Employer of the Year; JCPenney in Marysville for Medium Private Employer of the Year; and ABM Business & Industry in Seattle for Large Private Employer of the Year. The committee also honored Ivanova Smith and Mary Sabetto. Smith was awarded the Governor's Trophy in Memory of Carolyn Blair Brown. This award, named after a former GCDE member, is the highest honor given to someone with a disability who has significantly empowered people with disabilities in Washington. Sabetto was awarded the Direct Support Professional of the Year Award. Sabetto works for Washington Vocational Services, where she has helped numerous employers recognize the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. A panel of GCDE members, business representatives and previous award recipients selected this year's honorees. The GCDE advises the governor, Legislature, state agencies and other policy makers on issues important to people with disabilities.

Altavair

Commercial aviation finance firm Altavair announced a deal to lease 10 Airbus A330-300 aircraft to Amazon Air. The aircraft will be delivered following freighter conversion by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH, a joint venture between ST Engineering Aerospace and Airbus. The aircraft are owned by funds and accounts managed by KKR, with Altavair acting as lease servicer. The first of the A330 freighters will be placed in service with Amazon Air in late 2023. KKR Capital Markets and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) acted as joint mandated lead arrangers, and MUFG acted as structuring agent and hedge provider in this transaction. Altavair is an asset manager focusing on the acquisition of new and used commercial aircraft for leasing to domestic and international passenger airlines and cargo operators. It maintains offices in Seattle, London, Dublin and Singapore.