Jun 06, 2024

You can't spell NAIOP without AI

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Overhyped fad or a necessary new tool to use? Artificial intelligence is inescapable in the media at least, if not commercial real estate. So NAIOP has convened an AI panel to discuss at its June 12 breakfast meeting. The event starts at 8 a.m. at the Four Seasons Seattle. Your AI evangelists are Ian McFarland of Buildings IOT, Emmanuel Daniel of ALOSANAR, Zander Geronimos of PRODA and Michael Villegas from IA Interior Architects. Registration and info: naiopwa.org.

Wright Runstad

Yoo

In an announcement last month, Wright Runstad & Co. named Michael J. Yoo as its new chief investment officer. He'll also be a principal at the firm. He makes the move from J.P. Morgan Asset Management. At his old post, he helped with the financing of Wright Runstad's Rainier Square and Spring District projects. The developer's Andy Bench said in a statement, “We are delighted to welcome Michael to our leadership team. His institutional relationships and capital markets experience will be invaluable as we continue to source new business and development opportunities.”

JLL

Jones

JLL announced this week that Rachel Jones is joining the firm as a director on the industrial investment sales and advisory team. She makes the move from Newmark, and is also a lawyer as well as a broker. JLL's Buzz Ellis said in a statement, “We are thrilled to welcome Rachel to our team. Her exceptional track record and background make her a valuable asset. We are confident that Rachel's passion for real estate and her commitment to delivering outstanding service will greatly contribute to the ongoing success of our clients.”

ULI takes you to Everett

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There's a lot happening at the Port of Everett, with its new Hotel Indigo, apartments (including the Carling, pictured), retail and restaurants, etc. So it's a good time to travel north with our local chapter of the Urban Land Institute, which will conduct a walking tour at the port's steadily expanding Waterfront Place (and perhaps beyond) on June 26. Details and registration: northwest.uli.org.

Sage invests $100M for hotel conversions

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Based in Kirkland, Sage Investment Group recently paid about $13 million for an old motel (pictured) in the Eastgate area of Bellevue. That will be converted to workforce housing, which is Sage's investment model. This week the firm announced that has now deployed over $100 million in such investments. Prior to purchasing the Eastgate Quality Inn, it deployed $23 million in the first quarter, the company said. It now has 25 properties with over 1,800 units in five states. Sage CEO Ryan Sudeck said in a statement, “This accomplishment reiterates our strong belief that affordable and secure housing should be accessible to everyone.” Co-founder Emily Hubbard added, “Through these investments, we can continue our mission of bringing attainable housing to the communities that need it most.”

Alston Construction

Jones

Alston Construction announced the promotion of Tim Jones to senior superintendent in the Tacoma office. Jones brings more than 27 years of construction experience in various building types including industrial, mixed-use, multifamily and retail.

In addition to his extensive construction background, Jones brings valuable military experience, having served more than five years in the U.S. Army. He holds a certificate from the 4-year program at the Construction Industry Training Council of Washington (CITC).

Alston Construction is a general contractor and has been building since 1986.

Jun 05, 2024

Rice Fergus Miller

Kincaid-Slate

Dickerson

Kent

Waggoner

Mshar

Earle

Leuck

Bremerton-based architectural, interior design, and planning firm, Rice Fergus Miller (RFM), has welcomed nine new team members to the company.

In late 2023, Suzanne Hudson, Bali Mshar, Scott Waggoner, McKenzi Kent, Tim Dickerson, and Claire Kincaid-Slate joined the firm. John Leuck, Courtney Mosby-Gee, and Jenna Earle were welcomed in early 2024.

Hudson joined in July 2023 as a project coordinator, with a focus on RFM's Civic Studio. She has been working within the A/E/C industry for over two decades and brings four years of architectural spec writing and construction documentation development to her role. She holds an Associate of Business Administration degree from Cascadia College.

Based in Spokane, Mshar is a recently licensed project architect with a focus on hospitality projects in the firm's Housing, Healthcare, and Hospitality (H3) Studio. She served as project manager on multiple projects at her previous firm and demonstrates adeptness in client communication, consultant collaboration, and city regulatory compliance. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design from the University of Washington and joined RFM in August of 2023.

Waggoner is a project manager and architect who brings nearly four decades of hospitality, residential, and high-rise design expertise to RFM. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Washington State University. Waggoner joined RFM in September 2023 and is utilizing his expertise primarily in the firm's hospitality market.

Kent joined RFM in October 2023 as a project coordinator focused on the H3 Studio. She has a background in administration and specializes in streamlining processes and procedures.

Dickerson is a Spokane-based project architect who joined the firm in October 2023. He brings a diverse background in a range of project types from tenant improvements to higher education, residential, and commercial projects. He is licensed in Washington and Montana and holds his NCARB registration. Dickerson is supporting RFM's healthcare market, including the new Generations Healing Clinic for the Nisqually Indian Tribe, and an extension of the Jamestown Healing Campus in Sequim.

Kincaid-Slate is a project manager who is both a licensed architect and interior designer. Based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, she joined RFM's growing Spokane team in November 2023 and is currently working on multiple tribal healthcare projects for clients including the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Lummi Nation. She has focused most of her career on healthcare projects. Other experience includes commercial, civic, education, and mixed-use work.

Leuck joined RFM in January 2024 and brings nearly 25 years of leadership and management experience in senior housing, hospitality, and commercial projects. He has worked with many clients throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. At RFM, Leuck is serving clients in the housing market as part of the firm's H3 studio.

Mosby-Gee joins RFM as a human resources assistant, a new role at the firm. With a career spanning various HR capacities, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise. She will support RFM's director of business operations.

Earle joins RFM's marketing department as a marketing assistant. Earle's background and skillset developed in her previous role as a digital marketing specialist and will be utilized to further develop RFM's communications efforts with clients and industry partners. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles and a Minor in Business Marketing from Washington State University.

Jun 04, 2024

Rock Project Management Services

Huynh

Arlt

Renton-based Rock Project Management Services hired Josh Arlt as a construction manager and inspector. The firm also announced the hiring of Ammy Huynh as marketing coordinator. Huynh worked previously as a social media coordinator, as well as a marketing intern, for multiple firms. RPM provides owner’s representative services to public and private clients throughout Washington that have education, technology, health care, transportation, and municipal projects.