Jun 03, 2025

Tim Lamb Group

Lee

The Tim Lamb Group, the largest auto dealership sales and acquisitions firm in North America, has appointed Jay Lee as director. In his new role, Lee will oversee operations and client engagement across Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and Nevada. Lee brings more than 25 years of automotive retail experience. As a former owner and dealer principal, Lee has built and scaled high-performing dealerships, leveraging strategic analysis to identify opportunities that maximize profitability, expand market share, and elevate customer satisfaction. Lee has also held leadership roles including chief operating officer and platform general manager, where he managed multi-rooftop operations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Having personally navigated the full lifecycle of dealership ownership — from acquisition and growth to eventual sale — Lee offers clients a rare perspective that blends analytical foresight with real-world experience throughout the buy/sell process. Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from New York University and lives in both Seattle and Las Vegas, with his wife and two children.

May 30, 2025

American Equity Underwriters

American Equity Underwriters Inc., provider of workers' compensation insurance for waterfront employers, announced that Steven Ritchie has joined the company as managing director. Ritchie brings nearly three decades of experience in marine insurance, with a focus on workers' compensation for marine construction-related industries. He most recently served as director of USL&H and Specialty Construction at Key Risk, a Berkley Group company. Based in AEU's Seattle office, Ritchie will focus on supporting existing customers and insurance brokers while expanding AEU's presence on the West Coast.

Propeller Airports

Propeller Airports says that the Seattle Paine Field Air Terminal is a recipient of Newsweek's Reader's Choice Award for Best Small Airport in the U.S. Paine Field took third place among a list of airports around the country for the second year in a row. “Paine Field continues to earn accolades from the travel industry and media alike, who recognize and value our innovative and refined approach to the passenger terminal experience,” said Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller. Since its inception in 2019, Paine Field has serviced more than 3 million passengers, with concierge services, valet parking and locally sourced food and beverage options. The state-of-the-art terminal features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, lounge-style seating, fireplaces, and glass jet-bridges. Paine Field is currently served by Alaska Airlines, with direct service to eight destinations on the west coast and Hawaii. Frontier Airlines will launch service from Paine Field on June 2, offering passengers low-cost flights to Denver, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

May 29, 2025

New tenant at Sunset Square

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Once known as Sierra Trading Post, outdoor sports retailer Sierra has announced a new store in Federal Way. It’s taking 18,000 square feet at Sunset Square, which is near Celebration Park, west of Pacific Highway South. The shopping center is owned by Portal Investment Management and the Mandalay Retail Opportunity Fund. Their brokers are Justin Holmes and Josh Parnell at First Western Properties. Terms weren’t announced. The store, which opened earlier this month, represents Sierra’s third outlet in our state. The brand is owned by TJ Maxx. Sierra’s Amanda Johnson said in a press release, “The new store will allow Federal Way residents to discover even more ways to stay active this spring without breaking the bank.” Other tenants include Safeway, Ross, Total Wine and Trader Joe’s.

Gantry lands $14M for Moses Lake lodging

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Gantry recently announced that it has arranged a $14 million refinancing package for a Best Western Plus in Moses Lake. The seven-year, fixed rate loan came from an unnamed bank. Gantry’s Drit Shoemaker led the effort, and said in a statement, “This well-maintained Best Western Plus property was facing a pending maturity after an extensive renovation completed in 2023 that led to a dramatic improvement to performance. This refreshed, high quality, lakefront property continues to see growing revenue from an increase in bookings and restaurant patronage.”

NAIOPWA lauds Bellevue builders

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The focus of our next local NAIOPWA breakfast meeting, on June 11, will be “The Women Who Build the Eastside.” NAIOP-Washington says of the event, “This dynamic event will showcase an all-star panel of women developers and builders who are reshaping the region. Hear firsthand from these trailblazers about their impact on iconic projects and get the inside scoop on groundbreaking developments that are setting new standards in the industry.” Speakers are to include Ann Bishop from Wallace Properties, Mary Fialko of Skanska (developer of The Eight office tower, pictured), Kari Magill of Rowley Properties and, from GLY, Tess Wakasugi-Don. The Meydenbauer Center gathering begins at 8 a.m. Details and registration: http://www.naiopwa.org

Tulalip Resort Casino

Tulalip Resort Casino has been awarded AAA Travel’s 2025 “Inspector’s Best of Inspected Clean” designation, placing it in the top 25% of all AAA-inspected properties in North America for cleanliness and the overall high level of condition of the property for the past two or more years.

AAA standards for cleanliness and condition have long been a foundation for the Diamond Program and Tulalip Resort Casino has earned the coveted AAA Four Diamond Rating for the past 17 consecutive years.

AAA research shows that travelers trust hotels with a high cleanliness score based on an independent, third-party inspection. Those passing the AAA Diamond inspection are “Inspected Clean,” which increases the relevance of the property’s Diamond designation.

AAA’s housekeeping evaluations include objective, scientific validation of the cleanliness of common surfaces throughout hotels. Hotels that meet AAA’s standards for cleanliness and condition with Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) surface testing are recognized as “Inspected Clean” and then assigned a Diamond designation.

May 28, 2025

DLR Group

Majerus

Kobus

Barnum

Global architecture firm DLR group, which has an office in Seattle, recently appointed three new senior principals, 27 principals, 51 senior associates and 111 associates.

The new senior principals are Don Barnum, Rick Kobus, and Jason Majerus.

Barnum is a sports architect and the firm's global sports leader. He has grown DLR's sports division from a $3 million sector to a $27 millon sector. His impact is evident in major projects such as the $270 million renovation of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and $250 million renovations underway for the University of Missouri's Memorial Stadium.

Kobus joined DLR Group in January as part of the firm's merger with Boston-based healthcare design leader, Tsoi Kobus Design. He was instrumental in establishing Tsoi Kobus Design as one of the country's leading healthcare-focused design firms, with industry leadership in medical planning and design. His team's expertise is enhancing DLR Group's global healthcare and higher education studios.

Majerus leads the firm's mechanical engineering practice. Leading multidisciplinary teams on an array of complex projects, he oversees project development, energy analysis, design engineering specifications, construction administration and commissioning. He has earned national recognition for his expertise, particularly in energy-efficient building design.

Downtown Issaquah Association

The Downtown Issaquah Association (DIA) has been designated as an Affiliate Main Street America program for making “meaningful downtown improvements using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.”

The association was among 351 programs nationwide getting Main Street's affiliate designation this year. To quality for affiliate status — Main Street America's second designation tier — is for programs or organizations that are “on the pathway to achieving meaningful economic, social, physical and organizational improvements in their downtown or commercial districts,” according to Main Street America.

The organization's top tier of recognition, or accredited status, is for programs with “a proven track record of planning, implementing and measuring results that align with the Main Street Approach.”

Langley, Sumner and Centralia's downtowns also have affiliate designation. Everett, Port Townsend, Gig Harbor and Olympia have Main Street's accredited designation. DIA's performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization's personnel and board of directors, and Washington Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs meeting the organization's national community evaluation standards.