Oct 01, 2024

Hotel Westland

Lapasin

Aparium Hotel Group named Rod Lapasin as managing director and general manager of Hotel Westland, a luxury boutique hotel, restaurant and rooftop bar opening at RailSpur in Seattle's Pioneer Square in spring 2025. Lapasin brings more than 35 years of industry experience to the property, having held senior leadership roles with brands including, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and the Salish Lodge & Spa. Developed by Urban Villages, and designed by The Miller Hull Partnership with interiors by Curioso, the hotel preserves the original 1907 brick and Douglas Fir timbers of the Manufacturers Exchange Building. The hotel will feature 120 guest rooms, bespoke amenities, a signature restaurant, and a rooftop bar with views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline. It will also showcase 328 Pacific Northwest-inspired art pieces curated by ARTXIV. At Hotel Westland, Lapasin will lead daily operations, focusing on elevating the guest experience. He will also serve as managing director of RailSpur, an adaptive reuse development by Urban Villages that includes Hotel Westland, the newly announced Death & Co cocktail bar, three Sea Creatures restaurants, and 77,000 square feet of workspace with a rooftop event space. Additionally, RailSpur features 26 Sonder Suites and activated alleys hosting regular art, music and culinary events.

Milliman

Seattle-based Milliman, a global consulting and actuarial firm, announced an upcoming transition in leadership. Milliman board chair Ken Mungan is retiring in early 2025 following a full 10-year, term-limited tenure leading the firm. Mungan's time as chair is notable for strong growth, expansion into new markets, and a commitment to mission-driven work. Milliman's new chair will be chosen by its principals, and the announcement of the appointment is expected in late January 2025. The new chair will serve a five-year term, with the possibility of a second five-year term. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe.

Tacoma Rescue Mission

After nearly a decade in business, James Beard Award-nominated Chef Derek Bray has closed his restaurant, The Table, and has rejoined the Tacoma Rescue Mission culinary team. Bray has stepped into a teaching role at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, where he will build a culinary arts program to provide life skills, job training and prepare individuals transitioning out of homelessness for careers in food service industry. “I believe that every person deserves opportunities for betterment and a culinary arts program holds great potential to lift individuals up with skills and joy,” Bray shared. “I look forward to the opportunity of sharing my passion and experience with the clients and community of the Tacoma Rescue Mission.”

Sep 27, 2024

TAPCO Credit Union

Mandery

Jeremy Mandery has joined TAPCO Credit Union as the new chief lending officer. Most recently, Mandery served as vice president of lending and credit administration at Kitsap Credit Union, where he oversaw all aspects of lending and collections. He also played a key role in introducing products that enhanced the member experience and optimized workflows for employees. He previously worked with a Community Development Financial Institution that worked to engage diverse communities and promote equity in financial services. As TAPCO's chief lending officer, Mandery will spearhead initiatives that align with TAPCO's mission to deliver innovative financial products while supporting the broader community. Tacoma-based TAPCO is a not-for-profit credit union serving the South Sound since 1934.

King County Council

Lucero

The King County Council presented the 2024 King County Recovery Champion Award to Esther Lucero, president and CEO of the Seattle Indian Health Board. Lucero was recognized by the King County Council for addressing health disparities and inequities faced by American Indians and Alaska Natives. Under her leadership, Seattle Indian Health Board has led efforts to provide treatment and recovery services for both the Native community and the larger King County community. The organization developed one of the county's first low-barrier treatment clinics offering buprenorphine and has integrated Traditional Indian Medicine healing practices for those struggling with substance use disorder. Lucero is also leading efforts to combat the opioid crisis by spearheading the reopening of the Thunderbird Treatment Center on Vashon Island in 2025. Created in 2022 through legislation proposed by Councilmember Regan Dunn and co-sponsored by Councilmember Sarah Perry, the King County Recovery Champion Award recognizes a person or organization within King County that has demonstrated hard work and passion in helping those with substance use disorders.

North Seattle College

North Seattle College received a $100,000 grant renewal from Johnson Controls, for a total award of $300,000, as part of the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program. This funding enhances on-campus training and educational opportunities for future professionals in the HVAC, digital, fire and security industries. Since its inception in 2021, the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program has provided funding annually to community colleges in North America to help prepare students for career paths in sustainable building practices. Recipients can renew the grant for up to three years, creating long-term opportunities for program development. With last year's funding, North Seattle College supported students studying electronics with scholarships, embedded classroom and lab assistants to support student learning, and dedicated student support services. The renewed funding will open doors for new initiatives and projects. In addition to financial support, Johnson Controls employees in the surrounding area will continue to engage with North Seattle College students through mentoring programs. Johnson Controls, a global provider of equipment for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, operates a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries.

Sep 26, 2024

Kidder Mathews

Fairchild

Kidder Mathews announced earlier this month that its Linda Fairchild, after a dozen years with the firm, has been promoted to executive VP of operations for asset services. She's also on the strategic planning committee and serves as one of five women on Kidder's 10-member executive leadership team. Kidder's Erin French said in a statement, “Linda has consistently gone above and beyond to elevate our operations, setting new standards for excellence in property management.” Fairchild has over 20 years of experience in the field.

Up your alley?

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Next Wednesday will provide the occasion to participate in an Urban Land Institute walking tour of our notable downtown alleys. We're talking about Post, Nord and Maynard alleys and more. Also, the transverse alleys of RailSpur, and the renovated Harbor Steps ... not really an alley, but still worth the walk. Quoth ULI, “Mixed-use alleyways are inherently cool: They bring down the scale of a big, bustling downtown to something more intimate and charming, provide right-sized spaces for small businesses, promote unique and varied architecture, and foster a sense of community by encouraging pedestrian traffic.” The 1.3-mile march begins at 3 p.m. at Cannonball Arts, at 1930 Third Ave. (aka the vacant former Bed Bath & Beyond space at the Securities Building's north garage).The slog concludes with a happy hour at venue TBD. Details and registration: northwest.uli.org.

Heartland

Agarwal

Vishakha Agarwal has joined Heartland as an asset management analyst, that firm recently announced. Heartland said in a statement, “She holds a master's degree in real estate from Portland State University, where she specialized in asset management within commercial real estate. She began her career as an Interior Designer in Bangalore, India, working on residential and commercial projects, and in more recent positions has worked on multifamily and retail investment projects, employing various tools to conduct detailed investment and market analyses.”

Cornerstone General Contractors

Lampert

Goldman

Everett

Bothell-based Cornerstone General Contractors promoted three employees to the role of senior project manager. Matt Everett has been part of numerous projects throughout his 16-year career at Cornerstone. He has led project teams to multiple firsts for the company, including the first large-scale mass timber project at Van Asselt Middle School in Seattle and the first progressive design-build project at Cougar Mountain Middle School in Issaquah. He is experienced in supporting clients in preconstruction planning, and has been a keynote speaker on multiple panels to educational facility designers and builders across the state about the benefits of mass timber to the learning environment. A graduate of the University of Washington, Everett holds a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Josh Goldman has enjoyed a 15-year career in construction, and most of it with Cornerstone. His contributions have included the successful completion of large education facilities constructed on occupied sites. Most recently, he helped Cornerstone earn its first collegiate project award to build the Gateway CC5 Building for Cascadia College. He is currently leading a team to construct the new Evergreen High School in Seattle. He is a LEED AP, holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and is a graduate of the University of Washington's Construction Management Program. Dan Lampert joined Cornerstone in 2021. Prior to that, he spent 13 years constructing projects including public schools, and facilities for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including work at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Since joining Cornerstone, he's led the completion of several large, complex education projects. Lampert is currently leading the project team building the new $174 million Bethel High School in Graham. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Idaho.

Empire Airlines

Dickey

Empire Airlines has promoted Brett Dickey to vice president of technical services. Dickey brings over 25 years of industry experience starting with Goodrich Aerospace in Everett. He joined Empire in 2006, contributing to the company in various front-line technical and supervisory roles. He later transitioned into management where he served as quality manager, and then director of quality assurance. Dickey holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Western Governors University and an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Management from the University of Montana. He obtained his FAA Airframe and Powerplant license in 1999. In his new position, Dickey will report to President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Marikis. Empire Airlines is located in Hayden, Idaho.