Aug 27, 2026

Kidder Mathews

Schmeltekopf

Cobb

Stafford

Beeson

Martindale

Kidder Mathews is expanding to Texas, with its new office there in Dallas. The brokerage has long operated in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona. It announced this month that Mart Martindale, Brandon Beeson, Wilson Stafford, John David Cobb and Claire Schmeltekopf have joined the firm, bringing its national footprint to 20 offices across six states. Kidder's Bill Frame said in a statement, “Dallas has long been one of the country's most dynamic commercial real estate markets, and we have been deliberate about finding the right people before planting our flag.” Most of the new hires come from Edge Realty Partners. Kidder calls itself the largest fully independent commercial real estate firm on the West Coast, now with a headcount of over 900.

CFRE Commercial Real Estate

Delay

Jack Delay has joined CFRE Commercial Real Estate, that firm announced this month. He's a recent Gonzaga grad. CFRE's Gary Hunter said in a statement, “Jack's background in sales, construction, and property management aligns perfectly with our integrated service model at CFRE.” Delay will serve in a specialized broker role to facilitate client and tenant communications across both apartment and commercial asset management sectors, says CFRE, which is based in Bellevue.

Panattoni Development

Zaborowski

Panattoni Development said this month that Drew Zaborowski has joined the firm as senior development manager. He makes the move from Bear Creek Real Estate, and has ample experience with the industrial market in Frederickson. Panattoni’s Travis Hale said of Zaborowski, “His depth of experience, strategic mindset and strong understanding of the Northwest market make him an outstanding addition to our team.”

Town & Country Markets

Town & Country Markets has appointed Jennifer Daquiz Hare, Leslie Rice and Ed Nakata to its board of directors, the grocery retailer announced. Nakata also will serve as president of the company's Family Council, helping guide family governance and future ownership planning. CEO Ryan Ritter said the appointments support the company's long-term strategy and commitment to serving customers while preserving family values. He said the new directors bring a range of expertise and perspectives to the board. Daquiz Hare joins the board with more than 30 years of experience in corporate finance, strategy and business growth. She most recently led PNC Bank's Corporate & Institutional Banking expansion in the Pacific Northwest.

Rice brings more than three decades of leadership experience in finance, operations and strategic planning, including executive roles with Wells Fargo, Safeco, DaVita and PEMCO. Nakata brings more than 20 years of experience in technology strategy and digital transformation, including leadership roles at Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase and McKinstry.

Founded in 1957 by brothers John and Mo Nakata and friend Ed Loverich, Town & Country Markets operates as an independent, family-owned grocery retailer.

Aug 26, 2026

Cochran

Gillett

Gennaios

Cirrotti-Caruso

Burge

Adams

Rabe

Morton

Lierman

Ketz

Greshowak

Doran

Cochran

Scott

Robinson

Last week, Cochran announced the expansion of its ownership structure from two to 14, adding new owners Cody Adams, Chrys Burge, Seth Cirrotti-Caruso, John Gennaios, John Gillett, Dan Greshowak, Don Ketz, Jesse Lierman, Brad Morton, Ryan Rabe, James Robinson, and Alan Scott. They join LeeAnn Cochran and Bill Doran, who remain as owners and continue in their leadership positions.

The new owners will continue in their existing roles, and represent disciplines from across the company including operations, preconstruction, field operations, technology, regional businesses, finance, growth, and corporate functions.

“As our company grows, we need more leaders thinking beyond their individual roles and divisions to make decisions in the best interest of the entire organization,” said LeeAnn Cochran. “Expanding the ownership group better aligns priorities while strengthening our ability to serve customers, develop our people, and invest thoughtfully in the future.”

“Ownership at Cochran is more than a financial interest or a title,” said Bill Doran. “It is a commitment to protect the company, take care of the people who make it successful, and earn the trust of our customers every day. The leaders joining the ownership group understand that responsibility.”

Cochran is a privately held electrical and technology contractor founded in Seattle in 1954.

Generations of the Cochran family have owned and operated the company since then.

WSECU

Zhu

Harry Zhu will be WSECU's next president and CEO, the credit union announced last week. He will join the member-owned cooperative on Sept. 21.

Zhu succeeds Gary Swindler, who will retire next month after a 37-year career with the $5.1 billion credit union. Zhu was hired following a nationwide search by the board of directors.

“We are excited for Harry to build on our past success and elevate WSECU to the next level of member service and organizational growth,” said Vikki Smith, WSECU's board chair. “With his depth of executive experience, people-focused leadership and success in helping institutions evolve in a fast-changing landscape, we know Harry is the right leader at the right time.”

Most recently, Zhu served as CEO at USAlliance Federal Credit Union in Rye, New York, recognized as one of the nation's most innovative credit unions as well as a top employer. He previously spent 13 years as a senior executive at Alliant Credit Union, a nationwide digital-only $20 billion institution, where he held roles including chief retail lending officer, chief financial officer and chief risk officer. In these positions, Zhu led significant initiatives that helped Alliant grow from $7 billion to $18 billion in assets, more than double its membership, and improve the member banking experience.

He holds master's degrees in both business administration and engineering from the University of Michigan and brings Fortune 500 leadership and strategic consulting experience to the role. Zhu will live and work in WSECU's headquarters area of Olympia.

WSECU is a not-for-profit credit union open to all Washington residents, with a special emphasis on serving those who embrace the values of giving, sharing and supporting their communities. WSECU was founded by a small group of Washington state employees in 1957 and now has over 315,000 members, 25 branches, $5.1 billion in assets and has been recognized on the Forbes Best-In-State Credit Unions list for Washington state for six consecutive years.

Aug 25, 2026

PCC Community Markets

Srinivasan

PCC Community Markets announced that CEO and President Krishnan “Krish” Srinivasan plans to retire on Jan. 29, 2027, after more than eight years with the organization. Srinivasan will remain in his role while the co-op's Board of Trustees conducts a national search for his successor and will help support the leadership transition.

Srinivasan joined PCC as chief financial officer in 2018 and became the co-op's seventh CEO in 2022. A longtime PCC member and shopper since the 1990s, he said the decision to retire followed significant personal reflection and comes as the organization is well positioned for its next chapter.

During his tenure, Srinivasan helped guide PCC through challenges stemming from the pandemic, including rising costs and supply chain disruptions. Under his leadership, PCC more than doubled its membership, secured two collective bargaining agreements with industry-leading compensation and benefits, and returned to long-term financial stability. The co-op reported $487.8 million in net sales in 2025, an 8.4% increase from the previous year.

Before becoming CEO, Srinivasan served as PCC's CFO (2018—2022) and held leadership positions at Microsoft, Amazon, Lyft and Remitly. He has also contributed his expertise through board service with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Seattle Association, and National Co-op Grocers, among others.

Board Chair Joe Rogoff praised Srinivasan for strengthening PCC's financial foundation, re-engaging members, and establishing a strategic vision for the future.

Srinivasan will continue leading the organization through the transition and oversee key initiatives, including the opening of PCC's 17th store in Seattle's Madison Valley neighborhood later this year.

Aug 21, 2026

UMC

Kim

Justin Kim, P.E. has been named a project executive at UMC. Kim joins the Business Development team focused on growing client relationships, supporting strategic planning, and helping ensure successful project delivery.

“Justin brings a unique combination of engineering expertise, project leadership, and strategic thinking that makes him an incredible addition to our team,” says Audie Wallace, director of Development.

Kim earned his Bachelor of Science in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Washington before beginning his career as an MEP project engineer intern. After graduation, he transitioned into structural engineering for mechanical systems, earning his Professional Engineer (PE) license, before returning to construction with a focus on healthcare and life sciences projects.

Throughout his career, Kim has contributed to a variety of complex projects, including Kaiser Permanente's Everett Ambulatory Surgery Center, St. Michael Medical Center's Phase 2 Expansion, the University of Washington Life Sciences Building, and numerous industrial and specialty projects.

Originating in 1920 to serve the Pacific Northwest as a mechanical contractor, UMC has added a range of comprehensive, integrated services in facility performance and maintenance, energy and environment, building automation, and manufacturing.

Absher Construction

On Aug. 26, Absher Construction Company will formally announce its participation in the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program.

PaYS provides an opportunity for soldiers to serve their country while preparing for their future by partnering with a cross-section of corporations, companies, and public sector agencies. The PaYS partners guarantee soldiers an interview and possible employment after their service in the Army. The program is part of the Army's effort to partner with America's business community and increase soldiers' success.

Absher CEO and President Jeff Richards said of the partnership, “We have a tremendous amount of respect for the men and women who serve our country. We're also fortunate to have veterans working throughout Absher, along with employees who continue to serve today in the Reserve and National Guard. We want to continue supporting the military community through the projects we build and the people we employ.”

Absher Construction Company provides a complete range of preconstruction and construction services to public and private clients. Its primary markets include education, federal, transit, and multifamily housing. With offices in Puyallup, Bellevue, and Wenatchee, Absher serves clients throughout Washington state, as well as nationwide.