Aug 09, 2023

Lund Opsahl

Mason

Bowles

Bower

Roberge

Structural engineer Lund Opsahl is under new leadership. The new leadership team comprises partners Shawn Roberge, Owen Bower, Jeremiah Bowles, and Tony Mason who have worked diligently to integrate into company leadership and management processes to ensure a seamless transfer.

The partnership is focused on continuing to grow the 35-person company.

Olson Kundig

Shirley

O'Toole

Terzopolos

Sinn

Olson Kundig recently announced multiple promotions within the firm. Laura Sinn and Hallie Terzopolos have been promoted to principal, and Terzopolos has also been named the co-director of Interiors.

On the marketing team, Cate O'Toole has been promoted to communications manager and Lucy Shirley has been promoted to graphic design manager.

Sinn brings a detail-oriented, organized approach to many of the firm's largest mixed-use and workplace projects. As a mentor within the office and an organizer of Olson Kundig's weekly Crit meetings, Sinn works to foster the firm's long-standing culture of open design dialogue, experimentation, and collaboration.

Terzopolos brings a strong focus on narrative and storytelling to her work on hospitality and residential design, as well as cultural projects and installations. In her role as co-director of Interiors, she works with interior design and architectural team members to build concepts around the user experience and spatial procession that integrate architecture, interiors, and landscape.

O'Toole manages Olson Kundig's communications team, who work closely with leaders and technical staff to develop narrative content, support internal and external communication initiatives, and share the firm's work, people, and cultural touchstones with a wide audience. A published fiction writer, O'Toole is active in the Seattle chapter of the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS).

Shirley leads the graphic design team at Olson Kundig, drawing on visual storytelling to explain complex concepts. Shirley collaborates with firm leadership and team members to develop materials in support of business development and communications efforts, aligned with the visual identity of the firm. She is active with the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) chapter in Seattle.

Salas O'Brien

Derse

Kraakmo

Architecture and engineering services firm Salas O'Brien's Seattle office is observing its 40-year anniversary at the end of Sept. 2023 and a transition in leadership.

On Aug. 1 Arnold Kraakmo, NCARB, AIA, CDT, stood down as managing principal of the Seattle office, a position he had held since 2012.

As Kraakmo is freed from managing principal responsibilities, he plans to return to doing the work he loved as an architect, managing projects, mentoring younger staff, and collaborating with consultants and contractors.

On Aug. 1, Karoline Derse, NCARB, took over as managing principal. Derse came to Salas O'Brien (then known as KDW Architects) in 2004 as an architectural intern and over time advanced into leadership roles, increasing her expertise in telecommunications facility design, tech lab, office interiors, and retail. Ms. Derse plans to build on the solid foundations of the past 40 years, promoting the firm's work to new clients while striving for improved ways to deliver services.

Seattle Art Museum

Two weeks ago Seattle Art Museum shared the news that Amada Cruz was stepping down as SAM's Illsley Ball Nordstrom Director and CEO for the past four years. Yesterday, SAM announced that former director Kimerly Rorschach has agreed to serve as SAM's interim director and CEO. Rorschach retired in September 2019 after seven years of leadership at SAM as the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Director and CEO. Rorschach will begin in early September, allowing overlap time with Cruz prior to her departure in early October, to ensure a seamless transition.

“We are delighted to welcome Kim back to SAM, a place she loves and led with great vision and care,” says Constance Rice, Chair of the Board. “The museum flourished under her leadership, and we are grateful that she will bring her deep knowledge of SAM and her many relationships with trustees, donors, staff, and larger arts community to bear in this moment.”

Kim is a highly regarded leader with 25 years of experience as a museum director. During her tenure at SAM, Rorschach planned and oversaw an extensive renovation and expansion of the Seattle Asian Art Museum, a project that brought SAM's 1933 historic Volunteer Park building up to 21st-century structural and environmental standards and reimagined the presentation of its celebrated Asian art collection. She led a successful $150 million fundraising campaign for SAM, which included $50 million for the Seattle Asian Art Museum project. She also launched DEI initiatives at the museum and diversified the exhibition and acquisition programs. Exhibitions devoted to Kehinde Wiley and Yayoi Kusama, among others, attracted broad new audiences to the museum.

Aug 08, 2023

Puyallup Tribe

The Puyallup Tribe has purchased candy maker AMES International Inc., the Puyallup Tribal Council announced last week.

AMES, based in Fife, has been an important part of the local business community for more than 35 years. It was founded by George Paulose and is perhaps best known for its product line Emily's Chocolates & Nuts, named after one of Paulose's daughters. In recent years, the company expanded into new retail channels and geographic markets with its proven product line. The company also makes and sells gourmet tea and is one of the largest nut roasters on the West Coast.

The Tribe's purchase through its economic development wing, Puyallup Tribal Enterprises, further diversifies the Tribe's revenue streams, and its financial investment into the company will allow AMES to continue expanding. The acquisition brings together the best of AMES International's product innovation, customer relationships, and The purchase of AMES International Inc. is the latest in a series of economic development initiatives the Tribe has launched since 2020, when it opened its new $400 million Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.

Trico Companies

Dalseg

Eickhoff

S. Phillips

Russell

Kim

Williams

M. Phillips

Burlington-based Trico Companies announced that it has promoted additional team members: Mason Phillips to IT help desk technician; Maya Williams to accounting assistant; Mark Kim to senior project manager; Reilly Russell and Savannah Phillips to project managers; Will Eickhoff to project engineer II; and Zach Dalseg to project engineer.

Rosendin Electric

San Jose, California-based Rosendin Electric has opened an office near Boise, Idaho. The address is: 1423 Lauren Lane, Suite 101, Caldwell, ID 83605. Rosendin says it moved into the Boise market due to increased demand for high-tech infrastructure as the region continues to appeal to large technology, commercial and health care companies. The new office is led by senior project manager Dustin McIntosh, who has over 20 years of experience guiding construction teams. Rosendin is also working with Idaho schools to develop workforce training programs and a skilled trades camp for kids, and with the ACE Mentorship program to educate high school students about jobs in the trades. It also has hired a summer intern from Boise State University's construction management program, and is partnering with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 291 to offer career training and apprenticeships.

Colvos Construction

Tacoma general contractor Colvos Construction recently received three awards. It was named to the Washington State Middle Market Fast 50 Companies list by the Puget Sound Business Journal, as well as the publication's Top 100 of Washington's Best Workplaces. The third award came from the Tacoma Rainiers baseball team, which named Colvos as its Small Business of the Month for Colvos' customer service and support of the local community.