Oct 23, 2025

Get ready for Emerging Trends!

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If you haven't already registered, here's a reminder. The annual Emerging Trends confab, hosted by ULI Northwest, takes place on Nov. 19. Among the speakers will be Mike Wilkerson of ECONorthwest, Mark Katz from JLL and Jaime Zadra of PGIM Real Estate. This year's venue is the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, with the start time at 2:30 p.m. Details and registration: northwest.uli.org

Avatar Financial Group

Tarte

Commercial real estate lender Avatar Financial Group has added to its ranks with the recent hiring of Jim Tarte, that firm announced this week. The CPA and industry veteran makes the move from the SaaS platform. Avatar's TR Hazelrigg IV said in a statement, “Jim's financial leadership is grounded in both precision and perspective. He brings a proven ability to navigate complex capital environments, support strategic growth, and build the kind of financial infrastructure that inspires investor confidence.”

Broderick Group

Cantrell

Broderick Group recently announced its hiring of Tim Cantrell as an associate broker, to be based in Bellevue. He's a recent UW grad, and Broderick says of the fresh talent, “Tim completed two commercial real estate internships, gaining hands-on experience in market analysis and transaction management. His background has equipped him with a strong foundation in navigating complex leasing scenarios and delivering data-driven insights.”

Lifelong

Lifelong has named James Shackelford as its new chief executive officer. Shackelford has more than 25 years of leadership experience in global health, advocacy, and nonprofit management. Shackelford previously held senior roles with amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and Aon, where he led international strategy initiatives. He also founded a consulting firm advising Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits on fundraising, brand development, and awareness campaigns. He is a current member of the Food is Medicine Coalition Advisory Board and the Seattle Pride Advisory Board. Founded in 1983 during the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Lifelong began as the Chicken Soup Brigade — a grassroots volunteer effort delivering meals and support to people living with HIV. Over the decades, the organization expanded its mission to address the broader needs of individuals facing complex and chronic illness, aging, and disability. Today, Lifelong provides an integrated continuum of care that includes food and nutrition services, housing support, health navigation, and advocacy. With programs serving thousands across Washington state each year, Lifelong remains a cornerstone of Seattle's public health and social support network. Under Shackelford's leadership, the organization aims to strengthen its roots in community partnerships while pursuing new pathways for innovation and impact.

Department of Revenue

After nearly 37 years of public service, Department of Revenue Director Drew Shirk announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31. Shirk was appointed as director in 2023 by Gov. Jay Inslee and reappointed to the position by Gov. Bob Ferguson in 2025. Shirk accepted the appointment in 2025 with the intention of retiring in one year. “Drew leaves behind a legacy of advocacy, always seeking to adapt our tax system to meet the needs of today's world while pushing for solutions that make our state more equitable for all,” said Ferguson. “I'm grateful he gave us an extra year of service. I sincerely thank Drew for his leadership of the Department of Revenue and wish him the best in his retirement.” An advocate for sound tax policy, Shirk has worked his entire career to ensure Washington's tax system is fair and equitable. During his tenure, the agency made great strides in realizing that goal while also growing the state's Working Families Tax Credit and Unclaimed Property programs. As director, he oversaw the collection and distribution of nearly $40 billion annually that funds vital public services for Washingtonians. Before his appointment, Shirk served as executive director of legislative affairs for Inslee, where he helped shape and advance the governor's legislative agenda. His appointment at Revenue was a homecoming, having spent nearly 30 years at the agency, rising from a tax collector in the Wenatchee field office to senior assistant director of tax policy.

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.