Sep 12, 2019

ThriftBooks

Hagen

Barbara Ann Hagen is the new vice president of sales and marketing at Seattle-based ThriftBooks. Hagen has more than 16 years of experience as a senior marketing executive, including stints at Best Buy, Target and Microsoft. She most recently was a vice president at The Mars Agency in Seattle. ThriftBooks is an online used book seller.

WestRiver Group

Buckner

Laurel Buckner joined WestRiver Group as a managing director of its Pacific Northwest Fund. Buckner has over 20 years of operational and investing expertise, most recently as senior vice president and managing director at ATN Ventures. She also has experience in corporate law and mergers and acquisitions, working as a lead M&A attorney at Dell. At WestRiver, Buckner is co-leading the Pacific Northwest Fund with Anthony Bontrager.

Conversa Health

Cameron Ough is the new chief technology officer at Portland-based Conversa Health. Ough spent 10 years at Cigna, where he was a senior IT director. Prior to that, he worked for 10 years at Intel as an engineering and architecture lead. Conversa connects patients and caregivers through its healthcare conversation platform.

Stoel Rives

Portland-based Stoel Rives achieved Mansfield Rule 2.0 Plus Certification — a program designed to boost representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership. Stoel Rives considers at least 30% women, lawyers of color and LGBTQ+ lawyers for leadership roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities and senior lateral positions.

ULI Emerging Trends

Save the date: The ULI's annual Emerging Trends gathering will be Oct. 16 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle (808 Howell St.). Mitch Roschelle of PwC will deliver his usual animated remarks. The event begins at 7 a.m. Details and registration: northwest.uli.org.

Conn. lender backs 2 local firms with $30M

[enlarge]

Knighthead Funding of Greenwich, Connecticut, announced two separate first mortgage loans worth almost $30 million to a pair of local developers.

For Vekst Development's new four-story Nors, at 5253 15th Ave. N.E. in Seattle, Knighthead loaned $4.6 million to complete the deck and minor punch list items. That project, with 28 SEDUs (small efficiency dwelling units), was designed by KOArchitecture and is being built by H. Armond Enterprises. And for Rise on 67th, at 829 N.E. 67th St. in Seattle, Knighthead provided over $25.5 million to pay off the construction loan and bridge the project through lease-up. That six-story, 178-unit congregate was recently completed by Barcelo Homes after beginning with Jim Potter of Footprint. Skidmore Janette was the architect, and Barcelo apparently built it.

Knighthead's Henry Boeckmann said of the projects, “Each property's proximity to the University of Washington, the light rail and all necessary amenities make both attractive housing options for tenants.” The lender has now backed three Seattle projects in the last nine months.

Columbia Hospitality inks management deal

[enlarge]

Developed a decade ago at 500 106th Ave. N.E., the Bellevue Towers condominium has joined the stable of properties being managed by Columbia Hospitality. The company's Michael Kosmin will manage the property. Columbia also manages the Escala and Cosmopolitan condos in downtown Seattle.

CREW luncheon

Sept. 19 is the date for CREW's “Women of Influence” luncheon. On hand will be panelists Susan Wagner of Microsoft, Renee Cheng of the University of Washington and Maria Barrientos of Barrientos Ryan. Cori Palmer of CREW will moderate. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt Seattle (721 Pine St.). Details and registration: crewseattle.org.

Keller Williams adds Sanchez to team

Keller Williams announced the hiring of Dan Sanchez, whose Seattle Home Advisors LLC was previously associated with Coldwell Banker Danforth. Sanchez moved from commercial brokerage to residential about a decade ago. Angie Mykel of KW said in a statement, “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Dan will be a great fit, and all of our customers will truly benefit from him joining us.” Sanchez is an instructor for the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and the author of “Winning Seattle Real Estate.”