Jan 26, 2024

Binaytara Foundation

Marquart

The Binaytara Foundation named Justin Marquart as its new chief development officer. With a background in philanthropy and development, Marquart transitions to the Binaytara Foundation from Ruffalo Noel Levitz, where he served as vice president and senior consultant. His career also includes significant roles at Sightlife and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. At Sightlife, Marquart served as vice president of philanthropy and business development. He was deputy director for individual giving at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where he was responsible for managing fundraising teams and enhancing development strategies. In his new role at the Binaytara Foundation, Marquart will be working with the founders and board of directors to augment fundraising initiatives both domestically and internationally. His primary focus will be on evaluating and enhancing current fundraising efforts, as well as formulating and implementing strategic plans to identify new revenue streams. The Binaytara Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to improving access to cancer care by developing and implementing innovative projects in underserved areas. The foundation's major projects include hematology/oncology conferences and the establishment of a 200-bed cancer hospital in Nepal.

Department of Ecology

Bowen

Washington Department of Ecology Director Laura Watson selected David Bowen as director of the agency's Central Region Office. Bowen has worked for Ecology since 2016, most recently serving as manager of the agency's nuclear waste program, which oversees cleanup at the Hanford nuclear site. His previous experience also includes private and public sector roles in forestry, planning, renewable energy and economic development. He is a former Kittitas County commissioner and lifelong central Washington resident. Ecology's Central Region Office stretches the length of Washington, encompassing Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan and Yakima counties. As Central Region director, Bowen will oversee the state's regional environmental projects and partnerships with stakeholders, Tribes, and local, state and federal agencies. The office focuses on critical issues affecting the health, economy and development of the region's communities and environment. These include meeting water supply needs, reducing wildfire smoke impacts and addressing legacy pesticide contamination. Ecology staff are also supporting efforts to clean up PFAS contamination at the Yakima Regional Training Center and promote ongoing habitat restoration in watersheds throughout central Washington.

Jan 25, 2024

Small Business Administration

Yarce

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Beto Yarce as the new Regional Administrator for Region 10, serving the Pacific Northwest. Yarce will oversee the agency's programs, offices, and operations in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Originally from Mexico, Yarce moved to Seattle in 2003, where he launched a business and became involved in the local entrepreneurial and immigrant services communities. He went on to lead Ventures, a nonprofit organization working to alleviate poverty through small business ownership. Yarce has leveraged his 20 years of experience to help others realize their dreams of small business ownership as well as advancing economic equity and justice. He has served on the boards of directors and as a trustee of numerous organizations, including the Greater Seattle Business Association, Evergreen Business Capital and Cedarmere Foundation. He also served on Washington State's LGBTQ+ Commission and collaborated with the Mexican Consulate in Seattle and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the federal government in Mexico. In 2016, he earned the District Excellence Award from the SBA's Seattle District Office. The U.S. Small Business Administration empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

F5

F5 appointed Samir Sherif as senior vice president and chief information security officer. In this role, Sherif will lead F5's enterprise cybersecurity strategy and security culture, evolve F5's security capabilities and resilience, and oversee cybersecurity standards and programs for F5's products. Sherif previously served as CISO at Absolute Software and Imperva. He also had an extensive career at Citigroup, including serving as the global head of application security. Sherif takes over F5's CISO role for Gail Coury, who is retiring on March 1 after leading the company's enterprise security efforts for the past three years.

WellSaid Labs

Seattle-based WellSaid Labs appointed Brian Cook to assume the CEO role, effective later this month. Current CEO and co-founder Matthew Hocking will assume the role of executive chairman while assisting Cook in his transition. In Cook's new role, he will guide WellSaid Labs into the next growth phase focused on enterprise teams to produce at scale and build their brands with ethical and authentic voice experiences. Hocking will provide strategic direction and support both Cook and WellSaid Labs' stakeholders in driving the company forward. Michael Petrochuk is the co-founder and CTO of the company. Hocking has led WellSaid Labs' growth since its inception in 2018, acquiring over 15,000 corporate and enterprise customers across entertainment, software, manufacturing, advertising, and financial markets. Prior to joining WellSaid Labs, Cook oversaw Nintex, a workflow software company, and OBS, an IT services organization. Most recently, he founded Incredible Capital, an investment fund focused on software companies.

CCIM

Baker

Clark

Ma

Butler

Mecham

Our state's Certified Commercial Investment Member organization has a new board, it recently announced, which is to be led by Devin Mecham of NAI Black. He said in a statement, “I am humbled and honored to work with such an outstanding group of individuals who are dedicated to the growth and prosperity of our local chapter and its members. We move forward best when we do it together.” Joining him on the 2024 board are Andy Butler of WEB Properties; Lien Ma of 8 Street Group; Steve Clark of North by Northwest Realty; and Travis Baker of Lake Washington Partners, who led the board last year.

Rowell moves to Emerald Heights

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Over in Redmond, the senior housing community Emerald Heights has a new sales and marketing director, effective last month. That would be industry veteran Sue Rowell, who makes the move from Age Boldly Consulting. Emerald's Kay Wallin said in a statement, “We know Sue will be an asset to the Emerald Heights community. Sue has a passion for educating older adults and their families about senior living resources. She will be a tremendous resource not only for those considering Emerald Heights, but to the greater community of Redmond.”

Kidder Mathews

Fairchild

Linda Fairchild has been promoted to lead the asset services division for Kidder Mathews' Eastside market. An industry veteran, she's been with the firm for many years. KM's Erin French said in a statement, “Linda is well known in the industry as a consummate professional who consistently delivers the highest level of service. We are thrilled to have her in this leadership role.”

Sabey Data Centers

Wilson

Sabey Data Centers recently announced a new chief financial officer: John Wilson, an industry veteran, who makes the move from Fairway America. Sabey president Rob Rockwood said in a statement, “We are very happy to welcome John to our executive team. John has an extensive record of financial leadership, and he will undoubtedly play a key role in contributing to our long-term success.”