Dec 16, 2004

Unico

Unico has promoted Jonas Sylvester to vice president of Investments in Seattle. He was manager of the division. He's focusing on assembling a portfolio of medical office buildings. While maintaining Unico's core investments in Class A office properties, Sylvester's goal is to help the company diversify its portfolio to include medical office buildings. Unico looks to both develop properties with health systems and acquire existing facilities.

John L. Scott Real Estate

Ted Barger has been named vice president of network operations for John L. Scott. Previously, he was franchise sales director and director of operations and member services for Realty World Northern California, and director of franchise sales and development with Prudential Real Estate Affiliates and GMAC Real Estate. John L. Scott has several new agents: Kathy Gephart at the Bellevue office; Jaye Peal, Sammamish Plateau; Michelle M. Sotelo, Lynnwood West; Carol-Lin Terhune, Redmond; and Craig Tsubota, Kirkland.

Seattle-King County Association of Realtors

The 7,200-member Seattle-King County Association of Realtors named Kimberly Brangwin of Coldwell Banker Bain Associates on Capitol Hill Realtor of the Year. Other honorees are Tara Cummins, also of Coldwell Banker Bain Associates on Capitol Hill, Realtor Achievement Award; Joan Probala, Windermere in Issaquah, Government Affairs Volunteer of the Year; Thach Nguyen of John L. Scott Real Estate in Renton, Irene Potter of Coldwell Banker Bain Associates in Federal Way and Carole Tinker of Coldwell Banker Bain Associates in Issaquah, Realtor Community Service Awards; Deanna Morgan of Fidelity National Title in Bellevue and Jillayne Schlicke of First American Title and Escrow in Seattle, Affiliate of the Year Awards; Steven Wayne of Windermere in Mount Baker, Realtor Cultural Diversity Award; Maury King of Windermere in Mount Baker and J. Lennox Scott of John L. Scott Real Estate in Bellevue, President's Awards; and John L. Scott Foundation, Pacesetter Award. The association also announces its 2005 officers: Dan Murphy, Windermere in Fauntleroy, president; D'Ann Jackson, John L. Scott, Mercer Island, president elect; Marian "Mimi" Strother of Re/Max Northwest Realtors in Kirkland and Philip Matricardi of Coldwell Banker Bain Associates on Capitol Hill, vice presidents; and Beverly Read, Windermere of Lake Forest Park, vice president elect.

Shurgard

Wendell J. Smith has retired from the Board of Directors of Seattle-based Shurgard Storage Centers, and Harrell L. Beck has resigned from the board. Smith, who according to Shurgard officials retired for personal reasons, was a board member since 1994. Beck was a board member since 1993; he'll continue on Shurgard's senior management team. The board named President and CEO David K. Grant to Beck's seat; he will stand for election at the annual meeting of stockholders. Also, Jane A. Orenstein has been promoted to vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. She was assistant general counsel. She replaces Christine M. McKay, who is leaving to spend more time with her family. Shurgard is a real estate investment trust that operates more than 600 storage centers in the United States and Europe.

Gibraltar LLC

Gibraltar LLC, a Seattle commercial real estate company, has expanded to the Tri-Cities. Broker Gayle Stack heads Gibraltar Tri-Cities in Kennewick. Gibraltar Principals Kurt Fisher and Gerry Pigotti said they spent several years studying where to site the company's first franchise and picked the Tri-Cities because of what they called the area's rapid growth, high number of residents who hold doctorate degrees, and the high per-capita income. They add Gibraltar is considering new markets to franchise in 2005. The company already has tapped into New York investors, and may consider a franchise in the New York area.

Hendricks & Partners

O'Hare Pioneer Villa LLC of Camano Island has bought Pioneer Villa, a 35-unit, Section 8 apartment complex for senior citizens in Sequim, for $1.7 million from Pioneer Villa LLC of Seattle. Robert Di Pietrae of the Seattle office of Hendricks & Partners negotiated the deal.

Dec 13, 2004

Stoel Rives

Natacha D. Allred, Maren R. Norton and Douglas S. Silin joined the Seattle office of Stoel Rives. Allred will work in the real estate section on leasing and financing. Norton is an associate in the litigation section and will focus on commercial litigation. Silin practices in the corporate section.

Dec 09, 2004

Windermere

Carroll

Grimm

Painter

Matt Carroll has been promoted to president of Windermere Services Co. He was executive vice president of real estate services, a position Pat Grimm will fill. Grimm was general manager of Windermere's Bellevue Commons and Builder Services. Chip Painter is the new vice president of affiliate development. He previously worked for Sappi Fine Paper.

Cain Inc. and RealData Inc.

It took 15 years but Tom Cain of Cain Inc., and Randy Zonge of Phoenix-based RealData have struck a deal to offer better multi-family market research. They tried to trade some apartment properties back in 1989, but it didn't work out. Zonge left brokerage and launched RealData, a research service, in Arizona. Now he and Cain are teaming up to increase Cain Inc.'s database and make it more detailed. They're targeting the first quarter of 2005 to offer the service.

Colliers International

Collier's Advanced Technology Real Estate Group in Seattle has struck an alliance with GE Commercial Finance/Global Electronics Solutions. The partners say it will help semiconductor and electronics manufacturers buy or sell real estate and equipment together for the first time. Global Electronics values and finances equipment. Colliers handles the sale of real estate. Stephen Rothrock and Doug Barrett head the Colliers group.

John L. Scott Real Estate

The John L. Scott Real Estate office in Lakewood will have its grand opening at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, says broker/owner Gideon Epistola. Dennis Bauer is manager of the office at 10136 Bridgeport Way S.W. Agents from the University Place branch are helping open the office, which has 50 agent desks, a real estate school and in-house mortgage services through an affiliate Response Mortgage.

Realty Executives Professionals

Ken Bell, owner of Realty Executives Professionals in Bellevue, has acquired the master franchise rights to the Realty Executives Northwest Region, which includes Washington and Oregon. Bell, who opened Realty Executives Professionals in Bellevue in 2001, says he plans to develop franchises throughout the Northwest. Realty Executives International is based in Phoenix.

Quadrant Homes

Erinn Goff has been promoted to accounting manager of compliance and financial reporting of Quadrant Homes, and LaRuith Walker has been promoted to accounts payable supervisor. Goff was senior accountant. Walker was accounts payable coordinator.

HomeStreet Bank

Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank is starting a builder preferred lending program. It offers benefits to mortgage customers who purchase new homes. A builder designates HomeStreet as a preferred lender. Homebuyers who finance through the program can get reduced closing costs, lower down payments or down-payment assistance. Homebuyers also can lock in their interest rate a year in advance of closing.

NAIOP

Reservations are due Monday for the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties' 7 a.m. Dec. 15 breakfast at Bell Harbor Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle. Panelists are Douglas Howe of Touchstone, Richard Stevenson of Clise Properties and Mark Griffin of the Port of Seattle. It's $25 for members and $40 for nonmembers; get reservations at http://www.naiopwa.org or (206) 382-9121.