Oct 01, 2025

Olson Kundig

Vaiculis

Poules

Maggiani

Kingsley

Griswold

Harris

Bragina

Olson Kundig promoted the following leaders within the firm: Meghan Griswold AIA, Jesse Kingsley, and Claudia Maggiani AIA, NCARB, have been promoted to principal; Christian Poules and Vai Vaiciulis have been promoted to associate principal. Lena Bragina and Pinar Harris AIA, have joined the firm as associate principals.

Griswold has worked at Olson Kundig since 2019. She works on high-end residential projects that focus on connections between built and natural spaces. Griswold works with holistic design processes focusing on wood construction to blend projects with the environment.

Kingsley specializes in single-family residential projects from large, complex art homes to small remodels. He has worked with teens at the Design Your [Neighbor]hood program hosted by the Seattle Art Museum. Kingsley joined Olson Kundig in 2016.

Maggiani has 25 years of experience designing and managing projects such as resorts, convention centers, sports and entertainment venues, mixed-use developments and commercial spaces. Prior to joining Olson Kundig in 2020 she worked for almost 20 years at HKS.

Poules is a project manager and design contributor specializing in single-family residential projects across a variety of scales and geographies. He also has been a mentor for SAM's Design Your [Neighbor]hood program.

Vaiciulis is based in New York City and has experience working on a range of projects and scales, spanning cultural, residential and mixed-use buildings throughout Europe and the United States, with a current focus on hospitality and private residences. Vaiciulis has been with Olson Kundig since 2021.

Bragina is an interior designer with over 20 years of experience in high-end residential, hospitality and commercial projects. Also based in New York City, she manages the full project lifecycle, leading multidisciplinary teams and client relationships.

Harris brings over 22 years of experience leading large-scale mixed-use, complex, high-rise residential, and hospitality projects across Florida and the Caribbean. Prior to joining Olson Kundig, Harris worked for over 20 years at 10SB (previously SB Architects).

Nintendo

Pritchard

Bowser

Redmond-based Nintendo of America Inc. (NOA) has announced that Doug Bowser will retire as president and chief operating officer at the end of this year, after more than a decade in multiple leadership positions. He will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, a 19-year veteran of the video game industry and long-standing member of the NOA leadership team. In addition, Satoru Shibata will join NOA as chief executive officer, while continuing his roles as managing executive officer and corporate director, member of the Board at Nintendo Co. Pritchard will also join the NOA Board of Directors and become a Nintendo Co. executive officer.

Bowser's tenure included delivering the Nintendo Switch system and the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 in the Americas. Also during his time with Nintendo, the company saw significant expansion into entertainment ventures such as theme parks and films.

“One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong,” said Bowser. “Since that time, all things Nintendo have continued to be a passion for both me and my family. Leading Nintendo of America has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am proud of what our team has accomplished in both business results and the experiences we've created for consumers.”

Sep 30, 2025

BMW Portland

Jeff Swickard, CEO of Swickard Auto Group, has purchased BMW Portland from Lithia Motors. The transaction includes both the franchise and its real estate. “This purchase is a personal and professional investment in Portland,” Swickard said. “Portland has been a part of my life for decades, and this is my way of investing in its future.” Swickard, a University of Oregon graduate, also purchased the landmark Portland “Big Pink” U.S. Bancorp Tower this summer. Many of BMW Portland's employees remain with the dealership, ensuring continuity for customers while adding Swickard's focus on hospitality and customer experience. Swickard Auto Group operates dealerships in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii with a focus on premium automotive brands and community investment. Swickard Auto Group is headquartered in Summerlin, Nevada.

Sila

Sila, a next-generation battery materials company, has begun operations at Sila Moses Lake, its new automotive-scale silicon anode plant in Moses Lake. The team has begun testing and refining process recipes and the plant will soon begin producing initial batches of Titan Silicon, Sila's Si/C silicon anode material for customer applications including electric mobility, consumer electronics, drones, AR/VR, and satellites. Sila Moses Lake spans more than 600,000 square feet on a 160-acre site. Operations will initially support 2-5 GWh of capacity with the capability to expand up to 250 GWh within five years. By manufacturing domestically, Sila is replacing graphite, a critical mineral overwhelmingly sourced from China, with a higher-performing, American-made alternative. “With the opening of Sila Moses Lake, Washington state is continuing to lead the way in innovation. This facility will create hundreds of good jobs in Moses Lake and help power our transition to electric vehicles with next-generation battery technology, manufactured here in Washington,” said Gov. Bob Ferguson. Founded in 2011, Sila's major financial investors include 8VC, Bessemer Venture Partners, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Coatue, Matrix Partners, Sutter Hill Ventures, and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates. The U.S. Department of Energy including its Advanced Research Project Agency — Energy has awarded Sila over $120 million in grant support over the last decade to develop, scale, and manufacture its Si/C anode technology in the U.S.

Sep 26, 2025

Summit Bank

Stirek

Oregon business executive John Stirek has joined Summit Bank's Board of Directors. Stirek retired in 2024 after a long tenure with Trammell Crow Company/CBRE, where he served as president of Western Operations and Capital Markets, chief operating officer, and national director of development and investment. He is a co-founder of Rogue Venture Partners and has served on corporate and community boards, including the CBRE Foundation and the Lake Oswego School District Foundation. He also serves on the advisory board of Financial Beginnings, a nonprofit focused on financial education. Stirek holds a B.S. in accounting from Oregon State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. According to Paul Weinhold, chair of Summit Bank's Board of Directors, “After a comprehensive search we believe John's business acumen and community roots are perfectly aligned with our continued growth plans at Summit and our initiatives in the Portland market.” Summit Bank has offices in Eugene/Springfield, Central Oregon and the Portland metro area.

NextCycle Washington

NextCycle Washington is now accepting applications for its six-month Circular Accelerator program. Businesses, entrepreneurs, universities, nonprofits, community-based organizations and tribal nations are eligible to apply with their projects that reuse or repair items, recover organic materials, or use recycled content in new products. NextCycle Washington provides one-on-one business and technical coaching, connects supply chain partners, and helps to identify potential funding pathways. Programming will run January 2026 through June 2026, and includes a two-day in-person workshop in January, followed by strategic training opportunities and access to expert coaches and industry experts. The program culminates with an in-person showcase event in May where participants pitch their projects to a live audience with the chance to attract investors, win monetary awards and generate publicity. Interested organizations have two opportunities to attend virtual information meetings where they can ask questions and engage with program facilitators and alumni teams. Deadline for applications is Oct. 31. Additional information is available at http://www.NextCycleWashington.com/apply. NextCycle Washington is an initiative of the state Department of Ecology and the Washington Recycling Development Center.

MCUSA Consulting

Bellingham-based MCUSA Consulting has appointed John Connor as chief business development officer. In his new role, Connor will lead MCUSA's efforts to transform the senior health insurance marketplace through the creation of Medicare options that blend value-based care principles with flexibility and transparency. MCUSA Consulting is the consulting arm of MedicareCompareUSA, a Medicare insurance-solution network currently supporting more than 650 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and pharmacies around the United States. A veteran of the health insurance industry for more than a quarter of a century, Connor holds an MBA from Boston University and a bachelor's degree in economics from Boston College. Most recently, Connor served as vice president, business development for San Francisco-based FairSquare Medicare where he helped steer strategy and sales for the tech-forward insurance brokerage and innovative AI product developer.

Sep 25, 2025

NAIOPWA looks south

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Tacoma Yacht Club

Oct. 2 marks the date for NAIOP Washington's south Puget Sound breakfast gathering at Tacoma Yacht Club. To be addressed is leasing, including “tenant demand across asset classes, tenant improvements and concessions, subleasing activity, and how tariffs are influencing decision-making,” says NAIOPWA. The expert panel will include Reid Fetters from UrbanWork Spaces, Will Frame of Kidder Mathews, Jake Roselli of Schnitzer Properties and Carrie Walker from Pacific Asset Advisors. The event begins at 8 a.m. Details and registration: naiopwa.org

Cushman & Wakefield

Jackson

After 14-odd years at Urban Renaissance Group, Shawn Jackson has joined Cushman & Wakefield, that firm announced this week. The industry veteran will split his time between the Portland and Seattle offices. He said in a statement, “The Seattle and Portland markets are dynamic and full of potential. I look forward to leading this exceptionally talented team, fostering a culture of collaboration and leveraging our collective strengths to capitalize on the opportunities ahead and deliver exceptional results for our clients.”

Colliers finds $42M for Shoreline units

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Postmark

As the DJC reported earlier this month, the 5-year-old Postmark apartments then sold for over $82 million to John Stephanus and his Epic Asset Management. Kidder Mathews represented the new owner of the 243-unit Postmark, and JLL represented the seller and original developer, Wolff. But there's another name in the honor roll. Colliers says its Mark Plenge sourced the $42 million acquisition loan from Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance. The fixed-rate note has a 30-year term. Stephanus said in a statement, “Working with Colliers Mortgage on the financing for the Postmark was a smooth and efficient process because Mark and his team brought deep market insight and had a clear understanding of our long-term vision for the project and our portfolio overall.” Said Plenge, “This transaction is a great example of how creative structuring can unlock value, even in a challenging rate environment.”

Lee & Associates

Corp

Lee & Associates used social media this week to announce its hiring of Rachel Corp. She'll be based in the Tacoma office. Said Lee on Instagram, “Rachel brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to everything she does, both in business and in life. She's known for building lasting relationships, staying grounded in her values, and showing up for her clients and community with integrity and care.” She makes the move from KW Commercial.

M&M lands $28M for Renton refi

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In Renton, the 108-unit Sunset Terrace sold soon after completion in 2023 to an investor group associated with iCap. (That firm was also part of the original development team.) The deal was then worth about $44 million. A new refinancing package came last month, with a fresh $28 million HUD 223(f) loan sourced by Lument and Marcus & Millichap, the latter firm announced. Tammy Linden led the effort for M&M. The new money replaces a prior bridge loan secured by the same two parties for the new ownership.

Aegis Living

Aegis Living announced this summer that it hired Dirk Burghartz as to be its new company president. The hospitality industry veteran, once a chef, replaces Sandra Preyale, who has retired. Aegis CEO Dwayne Clark said in a statement, “We reviewed more than 70 candidates across the country in search of the perfect blend of head, heart and guts. Dirk rose to the top — not just for his track record, but for his humanity. He understands what it means to lead with purpose. And he's joining us at exactly the right time.” Burghartz makes the move from Life Properties International, which manages private club communities.

Cowlitz County Superior Court

Karmy

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed current Cowlitz County Superior Court Commissioner Jill Karmy to the position of Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge. Karmy's appointment, effective Nov. 1, fills the position that Judge Marilyn K. Haan's resignation will vacate. Karmy is a career public servant with more than two decades of legal experience as a superior court commissioner, civil attorney and prosecutor. She has served more than three years in her current role as Cowlitz County Superior Court Commissioner in Kelso, where she presides over a wide range of civil and criminal dockets.

Karmy runs a solo-practice law firm, where she has represented plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of cases and claims. She also serves as a contract prosecutor for the cities of Battle Ground, Ridgefield and La Center, handling criminal prosecution and city code enforcement matters. Earlier in her career, Karmy spent several years as a partner at Parham, Hall & Karmy in Longview. She also served as an associate attorney at several firms in and around the Portland area. She served on the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors from 2014-2017, including one year as the state bar treasurer, representing Southwest Washington's Congressional District 3. Karmy earned her bachelor's degree from Pacific Union College and her law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School.

Redmond Police Department

The Redmond Police Department (RPD) has been named the winner of the Aerial Achievement Award in the category of Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program Excellence. The honor was announced during the Aerial Achievement Awards Dinner and Celebration at Skydio's Ascend Conference.

Presented annually by Skydio, the Aerial Achievement Awards recognize outstanding drone programs and their mission impact across industries nationwide. “This award reflects the vision, leadership, and commitment of our team in building Washington's only full-time Drone as First Responder program,” said Police Chief Darrell Lowe. “More than just technology, it signifies real-world results that lead to safer outcomes for our officers and community. The recognition is a testament to the dedication of everyone at RPD who embraces innovation to enhance public safety.” Launched in April 2024, the Redmond Police Department's DFR program enhances emergency response capabilities by deploying drones to 911 calls. The drones arrive on scene ahead of officers, providing live aerial visuals that allow for faster, more accurate assessments. This real-time intelligence supports better decision-making, de-escalation of potentially volatile situations, and, when appropriate, the cancellation of unnecessary ground responses, preserving resources for higher-priority incidents.