Jun 26, 2020

Traction Guest

Metcalfe

Traction Guest CEO Keith Metcalfe won a Stevie award as “Maverick of the Year” in the Business Services Industries category. The award was part of the 2020 American Business Awards program, which had over 3,600 nominations. Seattle-based Traction Guest operates a cloud-based visitor management service.

Perkins Coie

In Seattle, Perkins Coie hired David Daggett as a partner in its Technology Transactions & Privacy practice. Daggett's practice includes complex technology and related commercial transactions, with a focus on cloud-based products and services, intellectual property, commercial issues in mergers and acquisitions, and technical standard setting. He previously was a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine.

Loge Co.

Outdoor lifestyle hotel group Loge Co. on July 1 will reopen its five properties in Washington, Oregon, California and Colorado. In response to the pandemic, the company has instigated steps that include contactless check-in and room entry, deep cleaning of rooms before and after visits, do-it-yourself housekeeping kits, redesigned outdoor spaces for physical distancing, mandatory mask use for staff and vendors, and pre-shift physical and mental health checks for staff.

Arcimoto

Eugene, Oregon-based electric vehicle maker Arcimoto is partnering with lean design expert Munro & Associates to evaluate Arcimoto's manufacturing processes and supply chain in order to drive down costs and accelerate production. Arcimoto is now taking pre-orders for its three-wheel vehicles from West Coast commuters and fleet operators.

Korean Women's Association

Pierce County Human Services issued a $555,800 grant to the Korean Women's Association to help people impacted by COVID-19 pay their rent. The grant comes from the Coronavirus Relief Fund of the CARES Act. These funds will allow KWA to provide $800 worth of rental assistance for 200 Pierce County households over three months. KWA provides services to diverse communities in 11 western Washington counties.

Jun 25, 2020

NAIOP discusses racial barriers in real estate

Even before the George Floyd protests against police violence against people of color and systemic racism, NAIOP's Washington state chapter had established its Diversity and Inclusion Committee. That arm will conduct a Zoom webinar on inclusion and racial barriers at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Featured participants will be Rocale Timmons of Seco Development, Andrea Caupain of Byrd Barr Place, Pat Foley of Lake Union Partners and Bill Bieber of Exxel Pacific. Registration and details: naiopwa.org.

Lowe launches retail arm

Lowe, of Los Angles, is an active developer in the Seattle area, with the 286-unit Talisman recently opened in Redmond, and about 549 units now under construction at Yesler Terrace. Now it's announced what it calls Retail reVision, under the guidance of Joel K. Mayer, who makes the move from Rockwood and will be based in L.A. He'll work with Lowe's Suzi Morris, who's based in Seattle. The company says it created Retail reVision to pursue the repositioning and redevelopment of underperforming retail properties. The Pacific Northwest will be one of its target markets. Lowe now has about $2 billion worth of projects in its pipeline, according to the company.

DeVries takes over C&W's local offices

Cushman & Wakefield recently disclosed that its Jason deVries, now based in Portland, will be managing its offices in Seattle and Bellevue. He's been with the firm since 2012.

Port of Seattle

Barb Wilson is the new chief of staff on the five-member Port of Seattle Commission. Wilson has 25 years of experience in the private, public and nonprofit sectors in Seattle. She previously was director of government affairs at Vulcan and prior to that was executive director of the Seattle Planning Commission, where she advised city officials on urban planning and development issues.

DSHS

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services selected Candace Goehring of the state Department of Social and Health Services to serve on a commission assessing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by the nation's nursing homes. Goehring is director of the Residential Care Services division within the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration at DSHS. The commission has 25 members and is made up of state and local authorities, nursing home residents, advocates, family members, administrators, academics, and infection control and prevention professionals. It will submit a final report by Sept. 1.

Xenon arc

In Bellevue, Xenon arc added Scot R. Benson to its board. Benson has 35 years of experience in the chemical industry, most recently as president, COO and board member of Element Solutions, a global specialty chemicals company. Xenon arc is a data-driven marketing and sales company.

State of Washington

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said he will donate a scheduled salary increase of over $5,000 to the Thurston County Food Bank through the state's Combined Fund Drive, which promotes contributions to charities from active and retired public employees. Each year, over 15,000 workers pledge more than $5 million to 1,700 local, national and global charities.

Amazon

Amazon established a Counterfeit Crimes Unit in an effort to bring those who violate the law and Amazon's policies by listing counterfeit products in its store to justice. The new unit is a global, multidisciplinary team composed of former federal prosecutors, experienced investigators and data analysts. It will pursue civil litigation against bad actors, work with brands in joint or independent investigations, and aid law enforcement officials worldwide.

Adaptiva

Kirkland-based IT security solutions developer Adaptiva is partnering with UK-based IT consultant OKTiK Technology to expand in Europe and Southeast Asia. The two firms are helping enterprises digitally transform as their workforces go remote due to the pandemic.