May 22, 2025

Take the train to Spoke with NAIOPWA

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Mere steps from Redmond's recently opened Marymoor Station is Spoke, a two-building apartment project from MainStreet Property Group. Those 211 units opened this spring, before rail service began. And if you're Spoke- or rail-curious, you can join a NAIOPWA tour of the property next Thursday, May 29. It's open to NAIOP members and non-members alike. Likely to join the 4 p.m. tour are representatives from MainStreet, which built the project with its affiliate GenCap Construction, and architect Tiscareno. Says NAIOP, “Attendees are encouraged to take the light rail to the Spoke and see firsthand how transit access enhances this community's design and livability.” Details and registration: naiopwa.org

Jensen finds new retail perch with BH Properties

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BH Properties is based in Los Angeles, and has a Seattle office. Here, too, it has a significant retail footprint that includes Pacific Place, which it acquired last year. The firm recently announced the hiring of local retail specialist Janel Jensen, who makes the move from Unico Properties. BH says her portfolio will include Pacific Place, Anchorage Square in San Francisco and, in San Diego, Hazard Center. The firm said in a press release, “With more than a decade of experience shaping vibrant retail environments in both urban cores and suburban mixed-use developments, Jensen brings a depth of market knowledge and creative deal-making expertise to her new role.”

Port of Everett

Photo via the Port of Everett [enlarge]

The Port of Everett's free seasonal waterfront shuttle service, serving Waterfront Place visitors, will return Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The all-electric shuttle service takes visitors around the 100-acre waterfront, from Thursday to Sunday, from 4-9 p.m.

The service was piloted last summer and will now be a permanent seasonal offering.

The port is expanding service in 2025, adding a second shuttle and additional pick-up zones.

The shuttles will run a standard route with nine pick-up zones spanning Waterfront Place restaurants, parks and plazas.

To learn more, visit http://www.portofeverett.com/seasonalshuttle

May 21, 2025

CannonDesign

Dekker

Brandon Dekker has been named executive director of CannonDesign's west region.

In this firm-wide leadership role, Dekker will focus on advancing strategic growth and design impact, both across the firm and with a specific emphasis on the west region. He will support the continued success of design teams in the firm's Seattle office, as well as offices in Portland, Irvine, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Dekker previously served as office practice leader for the Irvine and San Diego offices. In 2024, under his leadership, CannonDesign was named the #1 Best Place to Work in both San Diego and Orange County by their respective Business Journals.

Recent and ongoing west region projects include the Resnick Sustainability Center at Caltech, Hollywood Burbank Replacement Passenger Terminal, SPC Jesus S. Duran Eastside Library, UW Medicine's Center for Behavioral Health and Learning, Hillsboro Hops Stadium, and the long-range master plan for Riverside Health System.

May 20, 2025

HUB International NW

Schmidt

Global insurance brokerage HUB International Northwest named Tim Schmidt as senior vice president, commercial lines. He will play a key role in supporting HUB's clients, particularly in the construction sector, with tailored, strategic risk management solutions. Schmidt will collaborate closely with the HUB team to craft customized programs in key areas such as general and auto liability, worker's compensation, contractor's professional and environmental liability, builder's risk and inland marine, OCIPs and CCIPs, captives and loss sensitive programs.

Skagit County

The Skagit County Board of Commissioners appointed Jill Boudreau to the vacant Housing Authority of Skagit County (HASC) board seat. The search for a new board member comes in response to the resignation of board member Daniel Valdez. Boudreau currently works in the Whatcom County Executive's Office as a senior policy and project manager and previously served as mayor for the city of Mount Vernon for 12 years before stepping down in 2023. Boudreau also has a background working on board organizations such as the Association of Washington Cities, Skagit Transit, Skagit Council of Governments Transportation Policy Board, and North Star. Skagit County works with local housing authorities to maximize housing resources such as housing choice vouchers for vulnerable communities, which is also part of the mission of North Star, of which Boudreau was a founding member. North Star aims to ensure safe and stable housing for everyone by building a pipeline of affordable housing and ensuring pathways to housing are faster and predictable. Skagit County formed HASC in 1979 to bring housing choice vouchers to the community. These vouchers are fully funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. By law, HASC is governed by a board whose members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. HASC expanded its programs several years ago to include housing development and preservation. Boudreau's term will expire on Dec. 9, 2028.

Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC

Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians has raised nearly $13,000 for Seattle Children's Hospital Uncompensated Care Fund through a collaboration with the Seattle Kraken, a professional National Hockey League team, and iHeartRadio, a division of iHeartMedia. “We are honored that we can provide this donation to ensure that families whose children need the hospital's services can focus on caring for their loved ones instead of worrying about the costs of care,” said Dan Hartsough, co-owner of Harts. “At Harts, it's our priority to give back to the community. By spotlighting a popular sports team in our donation efforts, we are also able to increase awareness about the Uncompensated Care Fund and its goal to care for this area's children regardless of their families' ability to pay.” As part of the collaboration, Harts donates $50 for every goal scored by the Kraken. During the 2024-25 season, the Kraken scored 253 goals, resulting in a total donation of $12,650. In 2024, Seattle Children's Hospital provided $310.6 million in uncompensated care. The Uncompensated Care Fund allows the hospital to recover some of those costs through private donations. In addition to its fundraising efforts with the Kraken, Harts has also developed an independent $50/$50 offer to encourage its customers to join them in supporting Seattle Children's Hospital. Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians was founded in Tacoma in 2013 by co-owners Richard Hart and Dan Hartsough.

May 16, 2025

WellSaid

Dorr

Seattle-based WellSaid, an AI voice platform for businesses, appointed Benjamin Dorr as chief executive officer. Dorr, previously WellSaid's chief financial officer, is taking on the leadership role to help the company drive further growth in enterprise solutions for WellSaid Studio and expand the potential of AI voice through the official rollout of its “Caruso” foundational model. Dorr brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience operating and investing in high-growth companies. Prior to joining WellSaid, Dorr was the chief operating officer of Cordial, an enterprise cross-channel marketing platform. He also held executive roles at Rhythm NewMedia, Rustic Pathways, Counsyl, and Valassis, where he helped quadruple digital revenue through acquisition. Dorr started his career at Citi, Morgan Stanley, and The Carlyle Group. He received his bachelor's degree from Harvard in computer science and public policy. WellSaid's enterprise AI voice platform enables users to create natural sounding voiceovers for corporate training, advertising, products, experiences, video production, publishing, audiobooks, and more.

SanMar

SanMar has been selected as a 2025 US Best Managed Company. The Best Managed Companies program is a mark of excellence for private companies. U.S. designees have revenues of at least $250 million. Hundreds of private companies around the world have competed for this designation in their respective countries through a rigorous and independent process that evaluates four key criteria in their management skills and practices: strategy, execution, culture and governance/financial performance. U.S. program sponsors are Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. “We are grateful to again be recognized by Deloitte and The Wall Street Journal as a U.S. Best Managed Company. I'm proud to share with our team that their dedication to our customers and their communities has been acknowledged for the fourth time, earning us the recognition of Gold Standard”, said Jeremy Lott, president & CEO of SanMar. SanMar supplies wholesale imprintable clothing and accessories in the United States. Family owned and operated, SanMar is based in Issaquah, with nine distribution centers nationwide and apparel from more than 30 brands