Jan 10, 2023

UMC

Bush

Mukilteo-based UMC announced that longtime leader Jerry Bush retired at the end of 2022 after 33 years with the company. Bush served as president and CEO for two decades. The move was part of a leadership transition that began in March 2021 when Steve Brooks was elected president and Bush transitioned solely to CEO. Bush worked his way up through the ranks at the company, as a project manager, construction manager and operations manager. He was appointed president and CEO in 2001, the same year the company's headquarters moved from north Seattle to Mukilteo. He went on to lead the company through 9/11, the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic. Bush also founded the UMC Charitable Foundation, worked with the Mechanical Contractors of America of Western Washington, and negotiated with unions for over 20 years.

“We are all indebted to Jerry's smart, compassionate, and operationally focused leadership style, which helped diversify our service offerings and strengthen our position in the industry,” Brooks said in a news release. “His fortitude led us through opportunities and challenges alike and into our 100th year in business.”

UMC is a mechanical engineering, facilities maintenance and construction company.

Ritchie Bros.

Vancouver, B.C.-based equipment auctioneer Ritchie Bros. acquired a controlling stake in transportation technology and services company VeriTread. Ritchie Bros. says the move will accelerate its marketplace strategy, which brings services, insights and transaction solutions together for a better customer experience. VeriTread, founded in 2013, provides open deck transport, connecting shippers and service providers. Its products include a marketplace for listing and quoting shipments, an in-house brokerage to handle complex and urgent freight deliveries, detailed equipment specifications, and proprietary freight estimator tools. Ritchie increased its stake in VeriTread from 11% to 75% with this acquisition.

Jan 04, 2023

UMC

Yamada

Mukilteo-based UMC named Camilla Yamada, MS, CHFM, CHC, as line-of-business director in the Special Projects Group. The company also announced that Todd Ryland and Cristine Yerxa joined the Finance Group. UMC said Yamada's new role emphasizes its commitment to the health care community throughout the Pacific Northwest. Yamada has 20 years of direct management experience, including 12 years working for health care organizations on both the operations and capital construction sides. She succeeds Joel Perez, who has transitioned into his new role as a preconstruction project manager focused on supporting the Special Projects Group. Ryland joined as an assistant controller, supporting department leaders across UMC. Yerxa is a project accountant who is assisting project managers in the procurement of new job requests, preparation of subcontracts and oversight of vendor billing.

American Abatement & Demo

Mari Borrero and American Abatement & Demo won a 2022 UW Impact Award, specifically the William D. Bradford Minority Business of the Year Award. Borrero is CEO and president of Auburn-based American Abatement. The awards program recognizes business, civic and student leaders who are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in business, and have made a substantial impact in growing businesses in underserved communities and accelerating students' careers.