Oct 22, 2025

Terracon

Hauck

The consulting engineering firm Terracon announced this month the promotion of Kristopher Hauck, P.E., to senior geotechnical consultant for the Pacific Northwest, including Seattle, Tacoma, Tri-Cities and Portland. He was most recently operations manager for the Portland office. Hauck will focus on projects for public and private clients including transportation, public parks and remote areas; structures for civic, industrial, office mixed-use/multifamily, healthcare, education, digital infrastructure, retail and commercial uses; landslides, power generation and transmission and more. He has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering, with an emphasis on geotechnical engineering, from Montana State University, is a licensed professional engineer in Washington and Oregon, and is involved with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

PACE

Brauns

PACE Engineers, a Kirkland-based, interdisciplinary engineering and landscape architecture firm, has hired Jeff Brauns, PE, as transportation manager. With over 33 years of experience in public works and consulting, Brauns has led complex transportation improvement projects throughout the Northwest. He currently serves as Washington Chapter President of the American Public Works Association (APWA) and is an active member of its transportation committee. In his new role, Brauns will drive PACE's transportation business line, focusing on roadway improvements, non-motorized trails, transit facilities, multimodal enhancements and complete streets projects.

Parametrix

Featherstone

John Featherstone, PE, has joined Parametrix as a senior consultant in the environmental planning and compliance team. He brings over 20 years of experience in planning, design, and management for surface water, stormwater, and wastewater utilities projects. Featherstone comes to Parametrix from the city of Shoreline where he served as the surface water and wastewater systems manager. In that role, he oversaw various planning, engineering, and operational functions for the city's surface water and wastewater utilities. This included master plan development and implementation, regulatory compliance, capital program and project management, system inspections and maintenance, asset management, water quality monitoring, as well as public education and engagement.

Summit Bank

Gabbert

Louie-Smith

Summit Bank named Jamie Louie-Smith as senior vice president, business client advisor, and Heather Gabbert as vice president, market development officer. They will be based in the Eugene/Springfield office in Oregon. Louie-Smith has expertise in banking for healthcare, nonprofit, and affordable housing. Her prior experience includes serving as a commercial banking officer at a regional bank and as chief financial officer at a regional healthcare nonprofit. Louie-Smith is a University of Oregon graduate and a Western Banking School alumna. Gabbert has more than a decade of experience in relationship banking, branch leadership, and operations. Gabbert was named a 2025 Women Business Leader Finalist and a 2022 “20 Under 40” Rising Business Star by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Summit Bank Group, through its wholly owned subsidiary Summit Bank, has offices in Eugene/Springfield, Central Oregon, and the Portland metro area.

Oct 21, 2025

Banner Bank

Oxford

Banner Bank has promoted Dan Oxford to executive vice president and chief risk officer. In his expanded role, Oxford will oversee enterprise-wide risk management, including enterprise risk, compliance, financial crimes, fraud, vendor risk, and credit review teams. Oxford, who joined Banner in 2010, will now chair the bank's Risk Management Oversight Committee. He previously served as senior vice president, risk services director & chief appraiser, and has held several leadership positions with increasing responsibilities during his 15-year tenure at the bank. Before joining Banner, Oxford worked in the real estate industry. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Northwest University and an MBA from Gonzaga University. Oxford is also a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School and holds professional designations including Member of the Appraisal Institute and certified appraisal specialist. Banner Bank, headquartered in Walla Walla, operates in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. The bank is part of Banner Corporation, a $16.56 billion bank holding company.

Olalla Recovery Centers

Olalla Recovery Centers, a nonprofit substance abuse treatment provider serving the Puget Sound area, has announced Derek Murphy as its new executive director. Murphy steps into the role following the leadership of Christine Lynch, who guided the organization after the retirement of longtime chief executive Kevin Merrick. Murphy first joined Olalla Recovery Centers in 2017 as director of outpatient services at Gig Harbor Counseling, where he oversaw client care and programming for adults and adolescents. In 2020, he advanced to director of clinical services, overseeing treatment quality and program development across the organization. With a degree in psychology/counseling from Johnson State College, Murphy brings an extensive background that bridges both law enforcement and addiction recovery. A former law enforcement officer, he transitioned into social work and community-based advocacy, aligning his career with social justice and recovery-focused services. He is a federally qualified substance abuse professional and an active member of the Pierce County Opioid Task Force, helping shape regional responses to the opioid crisis. Founded in 1969, Olalla Recovery Centers provides inpatient and outpatient treatment programs through two programs: the Olalla Guest Lodge, a residential facility offering inpatient treatment and sub-acute detoxification services for adults, and the Gig Harbor Counseling program, which provides outpatient services for both adults and adolescents.

Oct 17, 2025

XCharge North America

XCharge North America, the North American subsidiary of XCHG Limited and a provider of high-power EV charging and battery-integrated solutions designed to strengthen the North American electrical grid, has formed a new partnership with Wildhorse Resort & Casino's Arrowhead Travel Plaza to deploy four, dual-dispenser GridLink chargers. This new deployment in Pendleton, Oregon, which brings XCharge NA's total U.S. footprint to 18 states, will provide Arrowhead Travel Plaza's growing EV customer base with a fast, efficient, and reliable charging experience and will also serve as the first solar-plus-storage DC fast-charging station in the state. This installation was strategically enabled by NetZero Energy which identified the initial opportunity for collaboration and provided essential services, including due diligence, system design, and comprehensive project management, acting as a pivotal partner in bringing this state-first deployment online. As part of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino enterprises on tribal lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Arrowhead Travel Plaza serves over 1.7 million vehicles on Interstate 84.

“This project supports the Tribe's dedication to sustainable practices and our mission to deliver a forward-thinking experience for all guests and travelers,” said Gary E. George, chief executive officer at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

XCharge, founded in 2015, offers comprehensive EV charging solutions, which primarily include the DC fast chargers and the advanced battery-integrated DC fast chargers as well as its accompanying services. Founded in 2014, NetZero Energy is a Pacific Northwest–based company focused on advancing the EV charging market, providing turnkey solutions that bring projects from concept to completion.

City of Tacoma

The city of Tacoma's Community & Economic Development Department is offering a free workshop to help local entrepreneurs select, design, and permit physical business spaces that foster community and drive growth. The workshop — Space, Place, and People: Designing Business Spaces That Thrive — will take place on Nov. 5, from 3–5 p.m. at the Downtown Tacoma Public Library's Cascade Room (1102 Tacoma Ave. S). The workshop will feature practical insights from members of Tacoma's business community, including Kevin Lee of Third Space Cafe and Sonia Abenojar and Sergio Legon-Talamoni of the design firm La Union Studio. The workshop also provides direct access to subject matter experts who can help entrepreneurs navigate common challenges, from permitting to design. Additional information is available by contacting Dierdre Patterson at dpatterson3@tacoma.gov.