Seattle DJC.com Local Business News And Data – News – Impinj – Seattle Daily Journal Of Commerce

Apr 06, 2022

KMD Architects

Seattle’s KMD Architects welcomed Cindy Lepore as its new senior interior designer. Leporde brings over 12 years of interior design experience. Previously as senior store design manager at Whole Foods Market, Lepore managed the overall design aesthetic for stores, offices, warehouses and distribution centers across 23 states and 3 countries. Current KMD projects include the 50,000 SF Lummi Nation Health and Wellness Center near Bellingham and renovation projects for Kaiser Permanente throughout the Puget Sound region. KMD designed the 17 story Koda Condominiums, recently completed in Seattle’s International district.

Miller Hull

Miller Hull promoted Alexa Burke, April Ng, Chris Grammens, Chris Hellstern, Claire Rennhack, Cris Traber, Eugene Lau, Heather Ruszczyk, Jeff Troutman, Malika Kirkling, Michelle Petersen and Zubin Rao to associate in the company’s Seattle and San Diego studios.

Burke is a human resource manager and has worked at Miller Hull for fifteen years. She led the firm through the pandemic, ensuring Miller Hull’s compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, and was there to support colleagues in whatever way she could. Since joining Miller Hull, Ng has worked on high-performance buildings with aggressive sustainability goals. She is particularly focused on single-family home design and is involved in the Equity Ops group which is helping the firm address diversity and inclusion both internally and in its work.

Grammens is a member of Delivery Ops and contributes to leading the firm’s technology and software. He actively mentors team members and new colleagues on Miller Hull’s technology standards. Hellstern serves as Miller Hull’s Living Building Services Director, ensuring the highest levels of sustainability and performance. Chris consistently speaks on the Living Building Challenge as well as advocacy at the national level.

As a former engineer, Rennhack is an expert in both architecture and structural engineering and has worked on many different projects from large-scale infrastructure to private developer-driven to public sector work. Her involvement in Equity Lab has led to more transparency and openness within Miller Hull. Traber enjoys working in the public sphere. She has managed large public projects including the pivotal San Ysidro Land Port of Entry project for GSA and currently the Newhouse Building Replacement Project on the Washington Capitol campus.

Lau’s role on projects is a balance of designing and managing. He analyzes the parameters of a problem, recognizes stakeholder positions, and makes recommendations for the best outcome. In her role as project architect, Ruszczyk explores design solutions to ensure no stone is unturned. She recently completed the Center for Coastal Studies on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus and is currently leading the City of San Diego Torrey Pines Fire Station on the UCSD campus.

Troutman leads the San Diego studio’s implementation of technology and software, and is also a member of Delivery Ops, striving to improve Miller Hull’s process and quality control. He recently completed Parco, a mixed-use project in National City designed to support a diverse community and demographic of tenants. Kirkling’s role as project architect and manager requires a penchant for design technology, process and production.

Petersen has supported Miller Hull’s U.S. Embassy projects throughout the world and has worked to reduce the carbon footprint wherever there is an opportunity. Rao’s career has been devoted to working with public sector and nonprofit clients.

Olson Kundig

Olson Kundig hired Heather Engstrom as the firm’s director of finance. In this role, Engstrom will define and implement the firm’s financial goals and plans, overseeing and managing financial planning in close collaboration with firm owners. She will also oversee the firm’s internal Finance and Operations team, growing their collective capabilities through recruitment and mentorship.

Prior to joining Olson Kundig, Engstrom worked as controller for Anchor QEA, an environmental science and engineering consulting firm, and also served as their interim CFO. She brings more than 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management, including planning and analysis, audits, business and tax consulting, budgeting, projections and forecasting. Heather is a Washington State University graduate and licensed certified public accountant.

Stantec

Rudy Hoblit, PE has joined Stantec as a senior mechanical engineer. He is based out of the firm’s Seattle office, concentrating on healthcare projects. Hoblit has 17 years of experience as a mechanical engineer specializing in HVAC system integrations. Hoblit has worked for marquee healthcare clients, including Seattle Children’s Hospital, Tacoma General Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Providence and UCLA Health.

Republic Services

Seattle native Ron Paduano recently celebrated his 60th year with Republic Services, a leader in the environmental services industry. Paduano began his career in 1962. His role as lead heavy equipment operator has helped Republic’s Black River C&D recycling center divert 70% of material from the landfill and convert it into recyclable material. Paduano is Republic Services’ longest serving employee. The company is working to help Seattle achieve 2050 carbon neutrality as the city’s growth over the last decade has increased demand for expanded and sustainable local services, including recycling and waste diversion.

JND Legal Administration

JND Legal Administration (JND), a leader in legal administration services, has again been named the nation’s No. 1 Class Action Claims Administrator by The National Law Journal (NLJ) in its 11th annual “Best Of” supplement. Having placed in this award category three times in the last four years, JND has the additional honor of being listed in the NLJ Best of 2022 Hall of Fame. JND was founded by Jennifer Keough, Neil Zola and David Isaac in 2016. The company now has more than 300 employees across four offices, including its 35,000-square-foot headquarters and operations center in Seattle. The company serves plaintiff and defendant law firms, global corporations and U.S. government entities and has offices in Washington, California, Minnesota and New York. JND is the settlement administrator for the $2.67 billion Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Settlement and the Equifax Data Breach Settlement, the largest data breach settlement in history, among hundreds of other recent matters. This is the fifth time in seven years that JND has been recognized as Best Class Action Claims Administrator in the U.S. by NLJ.

NuScale Power

Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has joined Japan NuScale Innovation (JNI) in making a strategic investment of $110 million in NuScale through a purchase of equity from Fluor Corp., who remains the majority owner in NuScale. This investment in NuScale represents an expansion in U.S.-Japanese cooperation to progress the deployment of advanced nuclear energy technology. In 2021, NuScale secured significant investments from Japanese companies, JGC Corporation and IHI Corp., signaling Japanese and global growing interest in NuScale as a climate solution. The investment will solidify JNI’s position as the second largest investor in NuScale Power. JBIC is a policy-based financial institution of the government of Japan that conducts lending, investment and guarantee operations while complementing private sector financial institutions, and the organization has a priority to invest in businesses that will protect the global environment. NuScale is headquartered in Portland and has offices in Richland; Corvallis, Oregon.; Rockville, Maryland; Charlotte, North Carolina; and London.

Apr 05, 2022

Standard Insurance

Portland-based Standard Insurance (The Standard) announced that Micah Rubenstein has been promoted to assistant vice president of long term disability claims and disability management resources. Rubenstein started his career at The Standard in 1995. He has held a variety of leadership roles in employee benefits on the LTD regional and national teams as well as various specialized LTD and individual disability income claims teams. Most recently, he was senior director of disability benefits. In his new role, Rubenstein will be responsible for LTD claims and disability management resources including clinical administration and the special investigation unit. In business since 1906, the Standard is a family of companies providing financial protection products and services for employers and individuals.

Fluke Networks

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has recognized Seymour Goldstein, engineering fellow/principal engineer in the Advanced Development Group at Fluke Networks, in its TIA Star Awards. The awards recognize TIA’s most active companies and individuals for their contributions to the advancement of TIA and industry objectives and initiatives. TIA recognized Goldstein as being in the top 5% of individual TIA participants regarding engagement, leadership, and contribution across all TIA committees. Goldstein is a globally recognized expert on test and measurement for fiber optic communication cabling. He has more than 40 years of experience in fiber optic test equipment and systems research, calibration, and product development, and is an international public speaker on fiber optic test and measurement, inspection, materials, and instruments. Goldstein has been an engineer at Fluke Networks since 2000. Fluke Networks, based in Everett, is a worldwide leader in certification, troubleshooting, and installation tools for professionals who install and maintain critical network cabling infrastructure.

Maritime High School

The Northwest Maritime Center has received gifts from maritime industry leaders, Saltchuk companies Foss Maritime, TOTE, and NorthStar Energy ($500,0000) and Lake Union Drydock ($200,000) in support of Maritime High School, an innovative, project-based learning school within the Highline Public School District. Company founders and leadership have pledged an additional $150,000. Maritime High School opened last fall to a class of 35 students. Funding from Saltchuk and Lake Union Drydock will support start-up costs for the first four years, and allow the school to grow to 400 students by 2025. Graduates will be equally prepared to enter into the maritime workforce or continue their education at a two or four-year college. The gifts also provide momentum toward a $7.5 million goal set by the Northwest Maritime Center to support the first four years of the school. Jason Childs is president and CEO of Saltchuk Marine. Lake Union Drydock is an integral part of Seattle’s maritime industry. Bruce Jones, chairman, and Hobie Stebbins, president and CEO, are third-generation leaders of the 100+-year-old business. Maritime High School is currently accepting applications from incoming ninth and 10th graders for the 2022-23 school year. Admission is open to all students in Washington state. Additional information about Maritime High School can be found at http://www.maritime.highlineschools.org/admissions. The Northwest Maritime Center engages and educates people of all generations in traditional and contemporary maritime life.

Wenaha Group

Tacoma-based Wenaha Group hired Alsea Fishel as logistics project manager; Hunter Byrnes, Jennifer Huang and Kelsey Edwardsen as project managers; and promoted Kaliska Day to senior project manager I. Fishel is working on the FF&E and Move Management team. She has a background in education and counseling, and holds a master’s degree in social and sustainable management from Seattle Pacific University. Byrnes is working in the Portland office. He has experience in both architecture and construction, and holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Huang is also working in the Portland office, supporting Wenaha’s efforts in affordable housing. She has experience in construction management and architectural project management, holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon, and is a LEED Green Associate. Edwardsen, a licensed professional engineer, is working in the Federal Way office. He has over a decade of experience in areas ranging from operations management to civil engineering. He holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering for sustainable development from Cambridge University. Day, MS, PMP, has been a key player in the firm’s growth in the Portland market, contributing to marketing and business development efforts.

UMC

Mukilteo-based UMC made a few promotions in its Marketing group: Sandy Chapin is now marketing and communications director, Leah Curulla is marketing and pursuit manager, and Jessica Bobinac is communications manager. Chapin has 21 years of AEC marketing experience, and joined UMC in 2018. She oversees UMC’s strategic plan, growth initiatives and brand awareness. Curulla has over 20 years of AEC marketing experience, and joined UMC in 2018. She manages the project pursuit and business development side of the marketing department. Bobinac also came to UMC in 2018. She manages communications, campaigns and digital marketing. This team developed UMC’s new corporate identity and brand that launched in 2019.

Trico Companies

Burlington based Trico Companies hired Carlos Rocha-Alatorre as project engineer. Rocha-Alatorre transitioned into the construction industry from the automotive validation industry. He has served on multiple projects in different capacities over the past five years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Eastern Washington University.

Republic Services

A lunch was held Friday by Republic Services to honor Ron Paduano, who has been with the company for 60 years. Paduano’s role as lead heavy equipment operator has helped Republic’s Black River construction and demolition waste recycling center in Renton divert 70% of material from the landfill and convert it into recyclable material. Paduano was recruited and trained by his dad in 1962 to operate heavy equipment at Republic. He is Republic’s longest serving employee and has no plans to retire.