May 19, 2023

StanCorp Financial Group

Barkouli

Kaye

Portland-based StanCorp Financial Group, and primary operating subsidiary Standard Insurance Company appointed Mark Kaye and Al Barkouli to their boards of directors. Kaye is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Moody's Corporation, a global provider of credit rating opinions, integrated risk assessment insights and tools for financial risk measurement and management. Prior to that, he was chief financial officer for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company U.S. Barkouli is chairman and chief executive officer of David Evans and Associates, a professional services consulting firm and its parent company, David Evans Enterprises. Prior to his current role, he held several positions with David Evans and Associates including president and chief operating officer. StanCorp's subsidiaries offer group and individual disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group dental and group vision insurance, absence management and paid family leave services, retirement plans products and services, individual annuities, origination and servicing of fixed-rate commercial mortgage loans and investment advice.

Glowforge

Seattle-based Glowforge announced it has raised an additional $20 million in Series E funds, bringing its total financing to $135 million. Returning investors DFJ Growth and Foundry Group co-led the round, which saw additional funding from Revolution Growth and True Ventures, also returning investors. Glowforge will use the funding to accelerate innovation and expand product offerings and services. The financing comes on the heels of the company's launch of Magic Canvas, which uses generative AI to create physical products. Glowforge is the creator of a 3D laser printer that cuts, engraves, and scores hundreds of materials, including wood, leather, acrylic, paper, fabric – even chocolate. It was founded in 2015 by Dan Shapiro, chief executive officer, and Mark Gosselin, chief technology officer.

Tasso

Tasso, a provider of patient-centric, clinical-grade blood collection solutions, has been recommended for certification from the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP), under which a single regulatory audit of a medical device manufacturer may satisfy the requirements of multiple regulatory jurisdictions participating in the program. The certification confirms Tasso's compliance with the standards and regulatory requirements of Australia, Canada and the United States, opening potential new global markets for Tasso. Tasso completed its audit on February 16, 2023. Once received, the certification also can streamline the process of reaching additional markets covered under the MDSAP, including Brazil and Japan. The company previously received U.S. Food and Drug Administration Class II medical device clearance. Audits are conducted by auditing organizations authorized by the participating regulatory authorities to audit under MDSAP requirements. Headquartered in Seattle, Tasso is privately held and funded by grants, investments and co-development deals with various industry leaders.

May 18, 2023

Alderwood Water & Wastewater District

McClellan

After a six-month recruitment process, John McClellan was selected as the Alderwood Water & Wastewater District's new general manager. The district's board of commissioners unanimously agreed to promote McClellan, who served as interim general manager for the past six months. McClellan is a licensed professional engineer with a long career in the public sector, including 15 years with Everett Public Works. McClellan joined AWWD in 2017 as engineering and development director. He also volunteers as the chair of King County's Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee. AWWD is a Washington special purpose district, providing water and wastewater services to southwest Snohomish County. Founded in 1931, it says it's the largest special purpose water and sewer district in the state.

Emerald Communities

Feddersen

Emerald Communities, a not-for-profit senior housing and service organization serving Emerald Heights in Redmond and Heron's Key in Gig Harbor, hired Denisa Feddersen as corporate controller. Feddersen will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of accounting including financial reporting, audits, actuarial studies, payroll and financial analysis. Feddersen previously worked as vice president of finance and corporate controller at a senior living community in California. She also has experience as a CPA auditor and tax professional. She earned an MBA from St. Mary's College, a bachelor's degree in accounting from San Francisco State University, an MIT executive certificate in management and leadership, and her CPA license. With the hiring of Feddersen and the recent promotion of Michelle Wood to vice president of operations, the Emerald Communities executive leadership team is now comprised entirely of women.

PRR

Communications agency PRR hired Kyana Wheeler as senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion. Wheeler has 20 years of DEI experience including systems analysis, group facilitation, anti-racist leadership development, and policy impact analysis that includes more than seven years of consulting experience. With a focus on organizational change through an anti-racist lens, Wheeler works with large, complex organizations to embed institutional practices that create sustainable change and develop infrastructure that supports conversations about systems of oppression. Wheeler will lead PRR's DEI practice focusing on external equity efforts and working with clients to facilitate anti-racist work. She also joins PRR's Management and Client Services Leadership teams. Wheeler previously was deputy manager of the Race and Social Justice Initiative for the city of Seattle. PRR has offices in Seattle; Portland; Washington, D.C.; Norfolk, Virginia; and Baltimore.

Urban Renaissance Group

Olson

Urban Renaissance Group has a new VP of human resources, the firm recently announced. That would be Anna Olson. She makes the move from Big Fish, the gaming company that once occupied the now mostly vacant Maritime Building on the downtown waterfront. CEO Patrick Callahan said in a statement, “Anna brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Urban Renaissance Group. I'm thrilled to announce her hire, and confident that her proven track record and passion for HR will be a great asset for our 200-plus team members.” She'll be responsible for developing and implementing what the firm calls “people strategies.” Olson said she looked forward to “fostering a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and employee engagement.”

IWG lures bike commuters

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Once called Bike to Work Day, that May notion has now expanded and evolved to Bike Everywhere Month. OK, fine. As part of the fanfare, flexible office provider IWG says that it's allowing complimentary access to its business lounges in markets including ours. The invite is for May 15 through Friday (which some still mark as BTWD); so you have two days to visit and explore. IWG CEO Mark Dixon said in a statement, “Sustainability is top of mind for many companies around the world — and their employees are looking for ways to decrease their carbon footprint. The shift to the hybrid work model is bolstered by the rising popularity of the concept of the 15-minute city, where people live and work within 15 minutes of their home.” Download the IWG app if you're curious. IWG has over a dozen locations in Seattle and Bellevue, with brands including Spaces, Regus and Industrious. One of the nicest is the Spaces in the landmarked Ainsworth & Dunn building, conveniently located on the waterfront where the Elliott Bay Trail feeds out of the sculpture park.

What's next for SLU? NAIOP demands answers!

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June 14 will mark the next monthly breakfast gathering for NAIOP, at the Hyatt at Olive 8. After the networking, which begins at 9 a.m., a panel will address “Lake Union's next wave.” Says NAIOP, “Most of us know Lake Union as an epicenter of scientific research and innovation, and in the last few years, it has also seen a major growth in development.” So true. An unnamed panel will share insights about SLU and Eastlake, where life-science projects are sprouting seemingly everywhere. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Vulcan Real Estate and BioMed Realty are particularly active in the area, and life science is one of the few bright spots in commercial real estate these days. As to the panel, it'll include “some of the key players who are leading the way on these projects.” Details and registration: naiopwa.org.

Official shovels at U District Station Building site

The DJC first reported in March that work was underway on the U District Station Building, which is to rise atop U District Station itself. Developer LPC West confirmed the news earlier this month, and held an official groundbreaking on May 10. The UW owns the air rights, and will occupy about half the 12-story, 266,000-square-foot office tower, which was designed by Perkins & Will. GLY Construction is the builder, and Intercontinental Real Estate is a partner with LPC West. The latter's Alex Aigner said in a statement, “We are so fortunate to work with UW and other great partners to deliver an innovative building that embraces best practices in transit-oriented development.” Completion is expected by the end of next year; occupancy should be in 2025. What's newsworthy is that the UW is no longer taking the whole building, likely a change prompted by hybrid schedules and work-from-home. Floors two through six will go to the university, and the remaining 130,000 square feet — floors 12 down to seven — are being offered by Cavan O'Keefe, Tim O'Keefe and Jesse Ottele at Newmark. There's no set asking rate; floor plates average around 22,167 square feet.