Mar 05, 2024

CDHY

Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Shauna Bilyeu as executive director of the Washington State Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY). The position was previously held by Rick Hauan, who departed last year. A news release says Bilyeu has extensive experience in deaf education and is committed to ensuring all deaf and hard-of-hearing youth reach their full potential. She joined CDHY (then called the Washington School for the Deaf) in 2005 as a high school English teacher. She worked in a variety of administrative roles beginning in 2009 and was named superintendent in 2016. She has served as interim executive director since April 2023. Prior to joining the CDHY, Bilyeu spent a decade teaching at the Columbia Regional Program for the Deaf.

Agility Robotics

Corvallis, Oregon-based Agility Robotics appointed veteran technology leader Peggy Johnson as CEO. Johnson most recently was CEO of spatial computing company Magic Leap, where she led the pivot from consumer to enterprise, reset and recapitalized the company, and launched Magic Leap 2, a leading AR headset for business. Previously, she spent six years as executive vice president of business development at Microsoft, where she was responsible for driving strategic partnerships and transactions to accelerate growth for the company and its customers. Agility Robotics makes a bipedal mobile manipulation robot called Digit. It says it's the only humanoid robot company with a factory on a path to mass production.

Compass Construction

Bieber

Kirkland-based Compass Construction announced that Bill Bieber has joined its executive team as vice president. In his 30-plus-year career in the construction industry, Bieber has held positions at Baugh Construction and Opus Northwest. In his most recent role as vice president at Exxel Pacific, he was responsible for all aspects of operations in the Seattle office. During his 13-year tenure there, Bieber and his team substantially grew the company's annual volume and project diversity year over year, according to a Compass news release. Compass is a general contractor focusing on the multifamily and affordable housing sectors, as well as student and senior housing. Part of Bieber's new role will be to build relationships for projects outside the multifamily sector. Compass says its pipeline includes a “robust” list of current and booked projects through 2027.

Deacon Construction

White

Barnes

Two new members have joined Deacon Construction's Seattle office: Mary Barnes as senior marketing manager and Jessica White as DEI program coordinator. Barnes has over 18 years of experience leading marketing and communications in the AEC industry. She will oversee Deacon's marketing program, collaborating with regional marketing teams in Seattle, Portland and Sacramento, California. White is a Washington state-certified educator with three years of combined experience in DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and education.

Thomas Fragnoli Construction

Root

Longtime Thomas Fragnoli Construction member Dave Root has joined Chris Thomas and Paul Fragnoli on the firm's leadership team. Root, who has been named an associate principal, will focus on leading projects in the greater Seattle area. Root brings over 36 years of experience designing and building homes, the last 10 years with Thomas Fragnoli. He has spent his career straddling the worlds of design and construction, with decades of hands-on experience as a carpenter balanced by a background in architecture. Founded in 2009, Thomas Fragnoli specializes in high-end, custom residential and boutique commercial projects. The company has offices in Seattle, the San Juan Islands and the Methow Valley.

APA

Seymour

Chris Seymour is the newest board member of APA — The Engineered Wood Association. Seymour oversees manufacturing operations of the wood products division at Boise Cascade as senior vice president. He brings 24 years of experience working with engineered wood products to APA's board. Seymour replaces the position vacated by Mike Brown in advance of Brown's recently announced retirement from Boise Cascade.

Mar 01, 2024

Washington State Ferries

Nevey

Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar on Thursday announced that Steve Nevey will serve as assistant secretary for Washington State Ferries, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation. A career mariner, Nevey progressed directly from high school to a maritime academy in the United Kingdom. For the past two years he has served as director of marine operations for WSF and has been instrumental in the development of programs that address ongoing staff shortages in the industry, according to a WSF news release. Nevey will succeed Patty Rubstello, who is stepping down as head of WSF to spend more time with family after more than 33 years with WSDOT. Rubstello will remain assistant secretary to ensure a smooth transition until Nevey begins his new role on March 16.

King County Superior Court

Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced the appointment of Monica Kaup Cary to King County Superior Court. She will replace Judge Matthew Segal, who retired from the bench effective Jan. 17. Since 2022, Cary has served as a family court commissioner at the King County Superior Court. In this role, she has presided over numerous family law matters. From 2013 to 2018, she also served as a King County family law commissioner pro tem. Prior to her current role as a judicial officer, Cary worked for over 18 years at the DuBois Cary Law Group, becoming an owner and partner in 2010.