Apr 15, 2010

NAI Puget Sound Properties

Puget Sound commercial real estate veteran Rich Mermelstein joined NAI Puget Sound Properties' Seattle office as a principal. He had worked at Colliers International, and focuses on leasing, purchasing and selling office and industrial buildings in periphery submarkets. NAI officials say they will continue adding brokers and agents.

Colliers International

Christine Schultz joined Colliers International as marketing director, USA, and Louise Brandy was named IT director, USA. Both will work at the Seattle headquarters. Schultz was national marketing director for Cushman & Wakefield. Brandy previously worked for CB Richard Ellis.

CB Richard Ellis

CB Richard Ellis has been named to the Companies That Care Honor Roll for the third straight year. Companies are honored for commitments to their employees and communities. An independent panel of professionals from different industries names companies to the list. CB, which employs 600-plus people in the Seattle area, has raised $100,000 in recent years for different charities, and worked on a community enhancement project.

Wallace Properties

Wallace Properties said Big Lots has signed a lease to occupy 34,400 square feet at Gateway Center in Yakima. It will take about half of the former Food Pavilion space. Construction will continue throughout the summer with opening this fall. Big Lots will join Target and OfficeMax.

NAIOP events

• Sound Transit CEO Joni Earl will speak at NAIOP's 7:15 a.m. April 21 breakfast meeting at the Seattle Sheraton, 1400 Sixth Ave. She'll talk about the impact of light rail on the Eastside and address whether light rail will be routed through a tunnel under downtown Bellevue or on the street. Cost is $25 to $60. Noon tomorrow is the registration deadline.

• NAIOP's South Sound Developing Leaders' networking event will be at 4:30 p.m. April 29 at Masa Restaurant, 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. Shuttle transportation from Seattle's Union Seattle is being coordinated. Cost ranges from $15 to $20.

Register for both events at naiopwa.org; call (206) 382-9121; or write info@naiopwa.org.