Sep 30, 2026

Parametrix

Vinish

Kirk Vinish has joined Parametrix as a senior business advisor with the firm's advisory practice, serving tribal clients supporting collaborative infrastructure and transportation projects, as well as government affairs.

Vinish has over 35 years of experience in planning and infrastructure leadership across tribal governments, municipalities, higher education and the private sector. He joins Parametrix from the University of Washington, where he served as assistant director of the Northwest Tribal Technical Assistance Program Center, the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium and the Workforce Development Institute.

In those roles, he supported the Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and portions of Alaska and Utah. In addition, he worked to advance transportation research, technology transfer, workforce development, and technical assistance initiatives serving state departments of transportation, local governments, and transportation agencies throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Prior to joining UW, he served as the Lummi Nation planning and public works director.

FSi Engineers

Luzius

Connell

Giamalis

Larson

FSi Engineers has hired Tyler Larson as an electrical designer. Larson is a graduate of Washington State University and brings 11 years of experience in the field. His projects include WSU's Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee, and energy upgrades for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's CapWay building in Olympia.

The firm has also hired David Giamalis as director of electrical engineering. Giamalis brings 17 years of experience and is a graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. Giamalis has worked extensively with Lake Washington and Mukilteo School Districts, WSU, Meta, and Google. Giamalis is leading electrical engineering for construction administration for a new weld shop at Washington State Ferries' Eagle Harbor maintenance facility, and Seattle South Transfer Station Phase II.

FSi Engineers has hired David Connell as a mechanical engineer. Connell is a graduate of Gonzaga University and brings five years of experience in the field. Connell is working on projects with the Port of Seattle, city of Bellevue, and Community Transit.

The firm has also hired Dan Luzius as principal engineering leader. Luzius brings 25 years of experience and is a graduate of Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Luzius has worked extensively with Meta, Google, the state of Washington, and regional school districts. His current projects include the new parks operations facility for the city of Bellevue, and modernization of the Kent civic campus.

McGee Air Services

Reed

McGee Air Services has elected Ben Reed as president, effective Oct. 1, after he served in the role on an interim basis for the past six months.

Reed, a 17-year Alaska Air Group veteran, oversees more than 3,200 employees at the Alaska Airlines subsidiary, which provides ground services at six airports. He is responsible for the company's strategy, growth and financial performance.

Reed was one of McGee's founding leaders, helping launch the company in 2016. He has twice served as managing director of safety and compliance and has also led McGee's Seattle station as managing director of operations. He was named interim president in March. Before joining McGee, Reed held several leadership positions at Alaska Airlines in auditing, airport quality assurance, aviation security, regulatory compliance and station operations support.

“McGee is an important part of how we deliver on Alaska Accelerate safely, reliably and with care for our guests and employees every day,” said Jason Berry, Alaska Airlines chief operating officer and chair of the McGee board. “Ben brings deep operational experience, strong relationships across Alaska Air Group and a clear commitment to McGee's people, making him the right leader for this next chapter.”

Sep 29, 2026

Star Surveying

Star Surveying Inc., a provider of land surveying, mapping, and land planning services in the Pacific Northwest, has officially expanded its operations by opening a third location in Freeland.

Locatec at 1638 E. Main St., Suite 200B, the new branch positions the company to better support subdivisions, boundary surveys, and construction builds across the Whidbey Island region with increased efficiency.

The Freeland office joins Star Surveying's existing locations in Anacortes and Friday Harbor, strengthening the company's coverage across Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties. The firm is led by owner Robert M. Anderson, a professional land surveyor licensed since 1981.

Sep 24, 2026

First Interstate Bank

Rafuse

First Interstate Bank announced that Greg Rafuse has joined the organization as commercial market president. In this role, Rafuse will focus on expanding commercial banking relationships, supporting local businesses, and helping drive First Interstate's continued growth across Western Washington.

Rafuse brings more than 20 years of banking experience to First Interstate, with a career focused on commercial lending, relationship management, business development, and market leadership.

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Rafuse studied Business at Bellevue College and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. He has extensive expertise in commercial credit and risk analysis and is committed to bridging the gap between bank credit administration and commercial client needs, always keeping client success at the center of his work.

First Interstate is a community bank headquartered in Billings, Montana, delivering banking and wealth management services across Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.

Sep 23, 2026

FSi Engineers

Luzius

Connell

Giamalis

Larson

FSi Engineers has hired Tyler Larson as an electrical designer. Larson is a graduate of Washington State University and brings 11 years of experience in the field. His projects include WSU's Tree Fruit Research Facility in Wenatchee, and energy upgrades for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's CapWay Building in Olympia.

The firm has also hired David Giamalis as director of electrical engineering. Giamalis brings 17 years of experience and is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Giamalis has worked extensively with Lake Washington and Mukilteo School Districts, Washington State University, Meta and Google. Giamalis is currently leading electrical engineering for construction administration for a new weld shop at Washington State Ferries' Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility, and Seattle South Transfer Station Phase 2.

David Connell joins the firm as a mechanical engineer. Connell is a graduate of Gonzaga University and brings five years of experience in the field. Connell is working on projects with the Port of Seattle, city of Bellevue, and Community Transit.

The firm has also hired Dan Luzius as principal engineering leader. Luzius brings 25 years of experience and is a graduate of Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Luzius has worked extensively with Meta, Google, the state of Washington, and regional school districts. His current projects include the new Parks Operations Facility for the city of Bellevue, and modernization of the Kent Civic Campus.

Starbucks

Starbucks is building a global technology hub in Chennai, in southern India, according to a letter sent earlier this year to employees from Starbucks technology chief Anand Varadarajan, and shared Monday on the company blog.

“This is an important milestone in how we continue to build a more flexible and globally connected Technology organization,” Varadarajan said in the letter. “Our teams already work closely with technology vendors in India and other countries. Establishing a Starbucks Technology hub in India gives us the opportunity to build a more partner-centric organization which will be created by bringing capability inside Starbucks over time and creating stronger connections to the work, priorities and culture of our business,” he said in the letter.

Varadarajan said Chennai was selected because of its access to and retention of strong talent retention, its ability to support the company's long-term business needs, and alignment with the ways Starbucks teams work across Seattle, Nashville, London and Hong Kong.

The hub is expected to be operational in fiscal year 2027, and could employ as many as 800 tech workers. Chennai, once known as Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu on the Bay of Bengal.

Sep 22, 2026

Mutual of Enumclaw

Mutual of Enumclaw has unveiled a new brand identity aimed at strengthening its market position and supporting long-term growth as it builds on 128 years of service across the Pacific Northwest.

The Washington-based mutual insurance company said the refreshed brand shows its evolution into a modern regional insurer while maintaining its longstanding commitment to members, agents and communities.

“Our new brand reflects the strength of the company we have built and our growth plans for the future,” said CEO Bob Otis. “We are proud to show up as the powerful, modern insurance brand we have become.” Otis added that the rebranding effort is intended to create a clearer expression of the company's strategy while reinforcing its position as a trusted insurer with deep roots in the Northwest.

Mutual of Enumclaw continues to invest in new capabilities and expand partnerships with independent agents. Company officials said the brand refresh supports key priorities that include strengthening its presence across the Pacific Northwest, growing agent relationships and enhancing the experience it delivers to policyholders.

“Our history gives us a strong foundation, but our focus is on what comes next,” Otis said. “We have the financial strength, relationships, people, and ambition to grow. This brand represents our confidence in Mutual of Enumclaw and the opportunity ahead.”

Founded in Enumclaw in 1898, Mutual of Enumclaw has spent more than a century providing personal, business, farm and ranch insurance coverage. The new branding began appearing across the company's digital channels, communications, workplaces and community presence on Sept. 21.