Dec 11, 2019

Evergreen Market

Vetto

In Renton, cannabis retailer Evergreen Market named Shannon Vetto as its first CEO. Vetto was Evergreen's chief strategy officer since 2017. She has 28 years of experience as an executive and business leader, including stints as a tax/audit CPA and as an executive at Russell Indexes. Evergreen operates stores in Auburn, Renton, Bellevue and Kirkland, and next year will open its first store in California.

Maven

Zimak

Seattle-based Maven hired Avi Zimak as chief revenue and strategy officer. Zimak was publisher of New York Magazine, where he turned the print-focused publication into a digital-focused business that was recently acquired by Vox Media. Maven says Zimak intends to lead a similar turnaround for Sports Illustrated and other traditional publications that have recently migrated to Maven's digital ecosystem. Maven is a group media network platform.

Columbia Sportswear Co.

Sarah A. Bany, a longtime director of Columbia Sportswear Co., resigned from the Portland company's board in order to focus on administering Gert Boyle's estate. Bany is a daughter of Boyle, who was board chair until her death last month at age 95. Bany served on the board since 1988.

Dry Soda Co.

Seattle-based Dry Soda Co. is investing and partnering with Sans Bar, the first sober bar in Austin, Texas. Sharelle Klaus, founder and CEO of Dry, is assuming a new role as a strategic adviser to expand Sans Bar's reach nationwide through curated and experiential pop-up events. A national pop-up tour with the two companies will start Jan. 10 in Seattle and visit 15 cities across the country.

Comcast

Comcast is opening three new Xfinity stores and a remodeled fourth store in the Portland metro area. The first store is opening Thursday at Clackamas Mall, 12130 S.E. 82nd Ave., Suite H241. It replaces a store on Southeast Oak Street in Milwaukie, which is closing today. On Dec. 19, Comcast will open at Sunset Esplanade, at 2231 S.E. Tualatin Valley Highway in south Hillsboro. The remodeled store will open Dec. 21 on Northwest 185th Avenue in Hillsboro. The third new store will open Dec. 23 at Eastport Plaza, 4124 S.E. 82nd Ave., Suite 500, Portland.

Dec 10, 2019

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann is stepping down after more than five years in the role to focus on health and family. The foundation appointed Mark Suzman as the new CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2020. Suzman is the foundation's president of Global Policy & Advocacy and chief strategy officer. He has been with the foundation for 12 years.

Molina Healthcare

Bothell-based Molina Healthcare picked 16 community-based organizations to receive nearly $1 million in grants through the inaugural year of the Molina Community Innovation Fund. The fund supports programs and initiatives that help reduce barriers to health care. The recipients are: Council for the Homeless; Friends in Service to Humanity; Neighborcare Health; YWCA Seattle King Snohomish; CHAS Health; Dave Purchase Project/Tacoma Needle Exchange; Hepatitis Education Project; Pregnancy Resource Center; Puget Sound Kidney Centers Foundation; Community in Schools of Tacoma; Family Health Centers; Family Solutions; Peer Spokane; Toddler Learning Center; Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho; and Tri Cities Community Health.

HomeStreet

Seattle-based HomeStreet Inc., the parent company of HomeStreet Bank, sold its interest in Penrith Home Loans to a subsidiary of Windermere Services. Penrith operates a single-family mortgage origination business. Windermere Services will continue to operate Penrith in conjunction with Windermere Real Estate Co. franchise owners. HomeStreet is refocusing on commercial banking.