Aug 14, 2024

Jackson Main Architecture

Fortaleza

Jackson Main Architecture has promoted Che Fortaleza to the position of associate. Previously serving as a project manager, Fortaleza brings nearly three decades of architectural expertise to her new role, with a specialized focus on multi-family residential projects.

Since joining the firm in 2019, she has demonstrated exemplary leadership in managing complex projects from conception through completion. Fortaleza is an active member of the American Institute of Architects Seattle Code Committee, the Design Review Board for Downtown Seattle, and the Technical Advisory Group for the Washington State Building Code Council.

Johnston Architects

Simons

Lopez

Borsari

Baiata-Nicolai

Flores

Seikel

Peabody

Johnston Architects (JA) has promoted Jasmyn Flores to senior marketing specialist, Jesse Baiata-Nicolai, Sierra Borsari and Natalie Lopez to associate, and John B. Simons to senior associate.

The firm has also hired Addison Peabody as a designer and James Seikel as business manager.

Flores earned her BA in Apparel Product Development with a Minor in Interior Design from the University of Idaho. She joined JA in 2019 and applies her expertise in proposal management, award submissions, graphic design and website development to the firm's marketing efforts.

Flores has been instrumental in JA's successful pursuits for the Pierce County Library System's new Sumner Library, Puyallup Library Teen Center Remodel and the Camas Public Library Renovation. She led award submissions for the Winthrop Library, which was recognized with an AIA Seattle Award of Honor, AIA Washington Council Civic Design Award and WoodWorks Design Award.

Baiata-Nicolai earned his BS and Master's degrees in Architecture from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. He joined JA in 2021 and serves as the firm's design technology manager, where he optimizes the use of design platforms and Building Information Modeling. His responsibilities range from creating custom parametric content in Revit to developing Python plugins. Recently, he has been instrumental in creating a rendering material library to manage the extensive image assets required for high-quality photorealistic renderings.

Borsari earned her BS in Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and holds Master's Degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering Construction Management from Washington University in Saint Louis. She joined JA in 2022 and brings her expertise in public projects, multifamily developments, and single-family projects to the firm.

At JA, Borsari recently served as the project manager on the Redmond Senior & Community Center. She has also worked as the project architect for a custom residence in Salida, Colorado, and as the project architect for the Lake Wilderness Community Clubhouse.

Lopez studied Human Resource Management at Western Governors University and joined JA in 2022. Lopez has made significant contributions to JA's operational excellence, including improvements to the firm's hiring process, employee onboarding, payroll, staff feedback process, and managing employee relations. This includes creating a new assessment system to gather feedback for managers through anonymous surveys and supporting firm leadership in its implementation.

Lopez also overhauled the performance review process to ensure a consistent experience for all staff. She holds an HR certification through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP).

Simons earned his BS in Architecture from Texas Tech University and a Master of Architecture from the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University. He joined JA in 2019, bringing expertise in design and project management for a mix of project types and scales in New York and abroad. Simons is currently serving as project architect for the 18,000-square-foot Lake Wilderness Clubhouse for the city of Maple Valley and project manager for the new Sumner Library in Pierce County. His experience at JA spans multiple sectors, including multifamily, single-family, civic facilities, and hospitality projects.

Peabody earned his BA in Architecture from the University of Washington, where he graduated Cum Laude with Honors in 2018. He returned to UW to earn his Master's in Architecture and was the program's 2022 recipient of the AIA Medal for Academic Excellence. Prior to joining JA in 2023, Peabody's work included high-rise student housing, mid-rise multifamily and affordable housing developments. He has extensive 3D rendering and visualization experience in traditional and alternative delivery models such as Design/Build. At JA, Peabody served as a designer on the Puyallup Library Teen Center Remodel, Camas Library Renovation and a new library for Park County in Powell, Wyoming.

Seikel received his Bachelor's in History from Purdue University and earned his Master's in Museum Studies from Indiana University, along with his MBA in Finance and International Business from the University of Illinois. Seikel's diverse work history includes roles in museum administration for the State of Utah and the city of Port Isabel, Texas, and in operations for Encompass and Semi-Retired MD. In 2021, Seikel co-founded a bookkeeping business aimed to support small businesses and nonprofits. Seikel brings to JA expertise in accounting, finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, operations, and strategy.

As business manager at JA, Seikel's role is to maintain the firm's accounting and finance practices, streamline operational programs, and ensure clear fiscal communication with clients, consultants and employees.

Parametrix

Jabbar

Drangsholt

Steven Drangsholt has joined Parametrix as a senior consultant with over 17 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry.

Drangsholt has worked with several consulting firms and Seattle Public Utilities. His project experience includes wastewater treatment plant facility planning and combined sewer overflow efforts in Western Washington. He has served in leadership roles with the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association and Water Environment Federation.

At Parametrix, Drangsholt joins the firm's water practice, providing water and wastewater engineering and design services to cities, counties, water districts, and other public agencies across the Pacific Northwest.

Rebecca Jabbar has joined Parametrix as a data scientist. Her expertise includes data analysis and reporting, change management, resource documentation, data science and model training, and project management.

Prior to joining Parametrix, Jabbar was a senior data analyst at the Washington State Department of Transportation. In this role, she led and managed data analysis projects and teams and used machine learning and generative artificial intelligence to streamline processes and forecast future transportation behavior.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Anthropology and a Data Science Professional Certificate.

At Parametrix, Jabbar joins the firm's Corporate Information Technology team as part of the company's Innovation Center, providing data analysis and reporting to public agencies and other clients across the Western United States.

CalmWave

CalmWave appointed Andrew Thompson to the company's Board of Advisors. Thompson is a Silicon Valley-based executive, entrepreneur, and investor. From 2003 to 2020, he was co-founder, chief executive, and board member of Proteus Digital Health, leading the company to unicorn status and a valuation of over $1.5B. The company's digital medicine solutions improved clinical outcomes delivered by oral drugs. From 1994 to 1999, he was co-founder, chief executive, and board member of FemRx, a provider of solutions for women's health. From 1991 to 1993, he was co-founder and chief financial officer of CardioRhythm, providing minimally invasive arrhythmia surgery, acquired by Medtronic. From 1992 to 1995, he was chairman of the board at Kistler Morse, leading a turn-around and sale of the company to Danaher. Thompson is a named inventor on over 50 patents. He received master's degrees in engineering from Cambridge and education and business from Stanford. Seattle-based CalmWave deploys state-of-the art digital technology and provides clinicians with a holistic view of the information with which to make informed decisions regarding alarm management and patient care.

Northwest Natural Holdings

Northwest Natural Holdings hired Raymond Kaszuba to serve as the company's senior vice president and chief financial officer. Kaszuba comes to NW Natural Holdings from AmeriGas, a propane distributor and a subsidiary of UGI Corporation, where he served most recently as interim president, and prior to that vice president and chief financial officer. Previously, he was treasurer of UGI Corporation, an international distributor and marketer of energy products and services, including natural gas, liquified petroleum gas, and renewable solutions. Prior to UGI, he was senior vice president, finance and treasurer at Enviva, a renewable bioenergy producer. His background also includes roles in treasury, finance and audit at ExxonMobil, Allegheny Energy and US Bank. Kaszuba earned an MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Dayton. Northwest Natural Holdings is headquartered in Portland, and has been doing business for over 165 years in the Pacific Northwest. It owns NW Natural Gas Co., NW Natural Water Co., NW Natural Renewables Holdings, and other business interests.

Aug 13, 2024

Partners for Rural Washington

Opheim

Partners for Rural Washington (PRWA) appointed Jody Opheim as its new executive director. Opheim, who has been a part of the organization since 2022, brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. Opheim most recently served as PRWA's Southeast region director. In this role, she provided assistance and guidance to rural governments in eastern Washington, focusing on grant funding, project development and management. She helped advance a wide array of projects, including water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, disaster recovery efforts, public safety, healthcare facilities, and digital equity programs. In her new role as executive director, Opheim will lead PRWA's efforts to support and empower rural communities throughout Washington state. Partners for Rural Washington is the state's federally designated Rural Development Council dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in rural communities across the state through strategic partnerships, resource development, and advocacy. PRWA works closely with local governments, nonprofits, and community groups to address critical infrastructure needs and promote sustainable economic development.

ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo announced that Graham O'Brien, the company's vice president of FP&A, has been appointed by ZoomInfo's Board of Directors as the company's interim chief financial officer beginning Sept. 6. Cameron Hyzer, retiring chief financial officer, will transition to serve in an advisory capacity until Oct. 7. The company has initiated a search process to help identify a permanent successor. O'Brien brings extensive expertise in financial planning and analysis, accounting, and driving strategic corporate initiatives. In his current position at ZoomInfo, O'Brien oversees financial forecasting, budgeting, and reporting processes. Previously, O'Brien held roles at DiscoverOrg, RainKing Solutions, and Kaseya. Additionally, ZoomInfo announced appointment of Domenic Maida and Owen Wurzbacher to its Board of Directors. Maida will serve on the Privacy, Security, and Technology Committee, and Wurzbacher will serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees.

Aug 08, 2024

A bit more about that Olympic Block sale

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The two-building Olympic Block in Pioneer Square changed hands this spring, as the DJC then reported. BH Properties acquired the mostly vacant offices — but not the condos on top — in a zero-dollar foreclosure sale. (It also assumed the old loan.) Now Gantry has supplied some additional details about the acquisition. Working out of the firm's Los Angeles office, its Mark Ritchie and Alicia Sabanero arranged a $3 million bridge loan to HB from an unnamed life insurance company. Of the three-year, fixed-rate loan, which carries interest-only terms, Ritchie said in a statement, “We're fortunate to have institutional capital providers that recognize this is an opportune time to finance the acquisition of underperforming assets, particularly at a greatly discounted basis compared to just a few years ago.” Gantry's recent press released called the Olympic Block a distressed asset. At the time of the sale, the offices were about 90% vacant, and Broderick Group newly represents the space. BH is moving its Seattle office into the main building. Its Jim Brooks said, “This loan puts us on track to reposition Olympic Block and re-energize one of the premier creative office environments in downtown Seattle.” Frontal Trust is also a partner in the new ownership.

Hill to head ULI board

Hill

Our local chapter of the Urban Land Institute has announced a new leader for its board of directors: Lori Hill, of Clise Properties. The industry veteran becomes the new chair for ULI Northwest. Says the organization, “In the next two years, Lori is looking forward to supporting the implementation of the ULI Northwest Strategic Plan and engaging with key stakeholders to explore additional ways to enhance value for members, sponsors and community.”

Refresh for Kidder Mathews offices

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Kidder Mathews announced a new lease this June for a new and lower floor at Two Union Square, with a slight reduction in space. It's been there for three decades. The new space, suite 2700, was recently renovated under the guidance of JPC Architects. Kidder's Bill Frame said in a statement, “Our 10-year renewal in downtown Seattle confirms our commitment to expanding our presence here and throughout the Western U.S. We are bolstering our investments in infrastructure, technology, research and marketing to enhance our already strong platform. KM has offices all across the West Coast, with about 900 staffers in 19 locations. Frame added, “We are in a more nimble position to serve the needs of our brokers and clients than many of our publicly held competitors. While other companies continue to reduce support, commissions and stock dividends, we are maintaining 90/10 commission splits and paying dividends to our Kidder Mathews shareholders.”

Nuveen pours $92M into Harvest

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Harvest, the 20-acre wine-themed development in Woodinville, is a very active building site, now with four cranes overhead. Under construction are a hotel (pictured), apartment building, retail and townhouses, all with different but sometimes overlapping owners. Wood Mountain is the lead developer. To finance all that, Nuveen Green Capital announced its recent provision of $92 million in the form of a C-PACE loan. (That's commercial property assessed clean energy.) The loan supports the Somm hotel, expected to open next year, the 31-unit River Run Townhomes (to overlook the Sammamish River Trail) and The Yard, the retail buildings. Over the past 12 months, Nuveen said it has made $440 million in such green loans around the West Coast.

Twidale moves up ranks at Kidder Mathews

Twidale

After nearly 20 years with Kidder Mathews, Christina Twidale continues her climb up the ranks into leadership. Kidder announced her promotion late last month to senior VP of marketing and communications. She's now also one of five women on Kidder's 10-person leadership team. CEO Bill Frame said in a statement, “Christina has played a pivotal role in shaping a best-in-class culture and brand, allowing Kidder Mathews to stand out in the industry and better serve our clients.” Said firm president Brian Hatcher, “She came in at an entry-level marketing position and put in the hard work to rise through the ranks in a very competitive industry. Now, I'm proud to serve with her on our leadership team.”

NAIOP focus on energy efficiency

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Rooftop solar panels and bioswales? We can't get enough of them, and neither can NAIOP. The venue for its Aug. 15 gathering, the 400 Westlake building, is appropriate for the subjects at hand: sustainable development and energy efficiency. (You'll recall that 400 Westlake, designed by Perkins&Will, was honored as NAIOP's Sustainable Development of the Year at last fall's Night of the Stars gala. Martin Selig Real Estate was the developer.) Speaking on green topics will be Jericho Jones from ARCO National Construction, Nancy Hirsch of the NW Energy Coalition, Matt Miller from Puget Sound Energy, Austin Scharff of the state Department of Commerce and Uzma Siddiqi from Seattle City Light. The event begins at 4 p.m. Details and info: naiopwa.org.