Washington Attorney General's Office

Attorney General Nick Brown has named Managing Assistant Attorney General Jason Dickey-North as division chief for the Tacoma Division, taking over for Laura Wulf, who will retire at the end of the year after 35 years of outstanding work at the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

Dickey-North joined the AGO in 2019 as an assistant attorney general in the Labor and Industries Division and has distinguished himself serving as a team lead litigating industrial insurance matters and advising the State Fund and Self-Insurance programs of the Department of Labor & Industries. He exemplified flexibility and leadership during the COVID pandemic when he was the statewide lead litigator of work-related COVID cases during the public health emergency. This work helped provide compensation to frontline and emergency workers during unprecedented times and culminated in a Washington Supreme Court opinion confirming that workers who develop a disease during the course of their employment can receive workers' compensation benefits. He has also demonstrated leadership helping to strengthen training for new AAGs in the office.

Wulf, who joined the office in 1989 as a law clerk, later returned to the AGO in 1992 as an assistant attorney general after graduating from the University of Puget Sound Law School. She has served multiple client agencies, including working in the Social and Health Services Division, Agriculture and Health Division, and Labor and Personnel Division, where she spent 17 years, mastering complex labor and employment law. In 2020, she stepped into the role of Tacoma Division Chief, helping staff navigate the uncertainties and stress caused by the pandemic.

Thirty-eight attorneys and 47 professional staff members work in the Tacoma Division, serving communities in Pierce and Kitsap counties. Employees in the division provide a wide variety of legal services for state client agencies, including the departments of Children, Youth and Families, Social and Health Services, Labor & Industries, Employment Security, and Licensing. Staff in the Tacoma office also handle tort matters on behalf of various state agencies.

In his years at the AGO, Dickey-North has received the William V. Tanner award, is an Excellence Award recipient, and is a member of the AGO Academy Committee helping to orient and train new AAGs in the office. He obtained his JD from Seattle University School of Law in 2018. Prior to law school, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Martin's University in 2015.

Wulf was twice recognized with an AGO Excellence Award as well as Social and Health Services Mental Health Section Outstanding Team Member Award. A champion for diversity efforts, Wulf represented the AGO on the governor's Interagency Committee of State Employed Women, offering guidance on issues affecting women across state government.

Stoel Rives

Moir

Stoel Rives announced that Alyssa Moir has joined the firm's environmental practice group as a partner in its Seattle office. Moir joins from K&L Gates, bringing more than 15 years of experience advising agricultural, timber, energy and technology clients on water rights and complex environmental permitting matters.

A respected water rights lawyer in the Pacific Northwest, Moir counsels clients on the acquisition, evaluation and long-term management of water rights, including water banking, adjudications and regulatory negotiations. Her practice also encompasses air permitting, environmental review and cleanup matters, helping businesses and public entities navigate regulatory requirements affecting their operations and major infrastructure projects.

Moir's arrival follows the recent addition of Ankur Tohan, who also joined the firm's Environmental practice group from K&L Gates. Together, their experience strengthens the firm's ability to help clients navigate complex environmental requirements and advance energy and natural resource projects across the Pacific Northwest.

Moir earned her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2006 and her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2000. Before entering private practice, she clerked for Judge Marlin J. Appelwick of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I.

Clise Properties

Freeburg

Clise Properties announced last month that Benjamin Freeburg has joined the firm as its new CFO. He makes the move from Martin Selig Real Estate. Clise says the industry veteran is succeeding Bryan Joyner, who'll retire in December after 34 years with the company. A.M. Clise said in a statement, “Ben has the right background to understand capital markets, operating platforms and investment strategies to support and elevate our diverse portfolio. We are confident his experience will provide transparent leadership and great collaboration with our internal and external partners.”

Seattle Public Utilities

Seattle Public Utilities has been selected as a 2026 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award winner by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. The award will be presented Oct. 27 during the association's Executive Management Conference in Seattle.

The national award recognizes drinking water systems for environmental stewardship, financial responsibility and equitable service delivery. SPU operates the largest water utility in the Pacific Northwest, serving 1.6 million people in Seattle and the surrounding region.

“Seattle Public Utilities is honored to accept AMWA's Sustainable Water Utility Management Award,” SPU General Manager and CEO Andrew Lee said. “It's wonderful to be recognized for our long history and commitment to sustainable financial management, environmental stewardship, and delivering equitable essential services to 1.6 million people in the Puget Sound region.”

Seattle's drinking water comes from the Cedar River and South Fork Tolt River watersheds, which encompass 100,000 acres of protected forest. SPU's water system includes 1,900 miles of pipeline, and the utility also incorporates climate science into its water-supply planning and participates in regional salmon recovery and water conservation efforts.

Rice Fergus Miller

Stallings

Leigh

Bremerton-based architecture, interior design and planning firm Rice Fergus Miller (RFM), recently announced two leadership promotions as it heads into its 40th year in business.

Danielle Leigh has been promoted to business operations and HR director. Leigh will oversee overall business operations in addition to her previous role as HR director. Leigh has more than a decade of experience in human resources, business administration and business management. In this new role, she will align HR strategy with RFM's business goals and support talent acquisition, retention and organizational planning. She holds an MBA from Eastern Washington University, and certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and Tribal Human Resources Professional.

Kati Stallings has been promoted to marketing and business pursuits manager. Stallings will lead marketing strategy and business development. She previously served as senior marketing and pursuits specialist. Stallings has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and business development within the architecture, design and construction industries. In her new role, she will focus on marketing strategy, brand and communications, new business pursuits and partner relationships. She is based in Boise and works with clients and partners across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West.

The Society

Lu

The Society, an interiors-led hospitality design collective based in Portland, with offices in Seattle, has named Sandy Lu as its new design director. Lu takes the reins as the studio marks 10 years of creating story-driven design. Lu brings more than 20 years of hospitality design experience across North America, including work with brands such as Autograph and Le Méridien. She joins The Society from Vancouver, B.C., firm CHIL Interior Design, where she served as hospitality design director for 10 years. In her new role, she will lead the studio's creative direction and expand its work into higher-tier lifestyle projects, food and beverage, and branded residences.

Lu previously worked at Wimberly Interiors in Los Angeles.

Snell & Wilmer

Scisciani

Snell & Wilmer announced Anthony R. Scisciani III joined the firm's Litigation, Investigations, and Trials practice in Seattle.

Scisciani comes from HWS Law Group, where he practiced for 24 years and served as managing partner since 2020. He represents clients throughout Washington and Oregon in complex civil litigation matters with a focus on construction and general liability disputes, including matters involving construction defect, worksite injury, consumer protection, professional liability, fire loss, transportation accidents, and property preservation.

Scisciani regularly helps local, regional and national clients manage risk and navigate challenges on matters arising from development, construction, remediation, and renovation of residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. He has experience representing clients through settlement negotiations, arbitration and trial, leveraging his experience conducting hundreds of fact and expert witness depositions to strengthen clients' interests and resolve claims.

Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 17 locations.

Governor's Space Council

The new Governor's Space Council will advise Gov. Bob Ferguson on how to keep Washington competitive in the industry and identify ways the state can improve its standing as a global leader in the space economy. Ferguson signed an executive order creating the council at the Museum of Flight last week, as the DJC then reported.

Members include representatives from the commercial space industry, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, higher education institutions, labor and more. The Governor's Space Council members include: Andy Lapsa, Stoke Space; Rob Meyerson, Interlune; Jeff Thornburg, Portal Space Systems; Austin Link, Starfish Space; Colin Doughan, Gravitics; Michael Edmonds, Blue Origin; Lisa Scalpone, Amazon LEO; Cornelia Rosu, SpaceX; Kelly Maloney, Space Northwest; Kent Mayor Dana Ralph; Redmond Mayor Angela Birney; Claudia Kauffman, D-47th District; Alex Ybarra, R-13th District; Brendan Wales, FUSE; Jason Chan, IAM 751; Ray Goforth, SPEEA; Bill Pike, PNNL; Mehran Mesbahi, University of Washington; Washington State University President Betsy Cantwell; Lynn Strickland, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee; Trevor Devaney, Hi-Rel Laboratories; Scott Keeney, nLIGHT; and Philip Johnston, Starcloud.

Washington is home to more than 90 space companies employing more than 13,000 workers, generating approximately $4.6 billion in annual economic activity and $1.6 billion in annual payroll. Approximately two-thirds of the world's operational satellites are built in Washington. Washington's premiere universities play a critical role in research, development and growing the industry's future workforce.

Seattle Opera

General and Artistic Director James Robinson announced last week that Huang Ruo, an internationally renowned composer whose opera “The Monkey King” became a sensation when it premiered in San Francisco last year, will serve as Seattle Opera's first composer-in-residence beginning in 2027.

“Huang Ruo is one of the foremost composers of opera in the United States, and I couldn't be prouder to announce his residency with Seattle Opera,” said Robinson, who has directed several of Huang Ruo's operas, beginning with the North American premiere of “Dr. Sun Yat-sen” at Santa Fe Opera in 2014. “Beyond his accomplished record as a composer, Huang Ruo is also a compelling advocate for opera who believes deeply in the art form's power to bring people together. He's one of the most engaging and enthusiastic people I know, and I think Seattle Opera audiences will be fascinated by his perspectives.”

Huang Ruo's residency, which will last for three years, will begin at the start of the 2027/28 season with the Seattle premiere of his opera “M. Butterfly.” Based on the Tony Award-winning play by David Henry Hwang, the opera tells the true story of a fateful relationship between a French diplomat and a Chinese opera singer.

Evergreen Goodwill

Sparks

Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington has promoted Derieontay Sparks to chief revenue officer. The expanded role brings the organization's primary revenue-generating functions and key operational teams under a unified leadership. The title change also recognizes his impact on Evergreen Goodwill in a time of major transformation of the organization's operations, systems, and tuition-free adult education programs.

Sparks previously served as senior vice president of Retail, Growth Operations and Customer Experience. Since joining Evergreen Goodwill in 2017, he has held increasingly senior leadership roles across the organization. His expertise also extends beyond Evergreen Goodwill through his participation on the National Retail Federation's Sustainability Council, where he contributes to conversations about sustainability, circularity and the future of retail.

In his new role, Sparks oversees Thrift Retail, E-Commerce, Transportation, Salvage, Outlet, Zero Waste and Donor Services, with responsibility for strengthening performance across the organization's revenue and operational ecosystem. The expanded scope reflects Evergreen Goodwill's focus on creating greater value from donated goods and building a stronger, more sustainable business model.

Flyhomes

Tieu

Nirmal

Moynihan

Flyhomes has announced three new senior hires.

Tyler Moynihan joins Flyhomes as vice president of Business Development, bringing more than 20 years of experience driving growth and building strategic partnerships across real estate and technology. Most recently, Moynihan held a leadership role at Opendoor, following 12 years at Zillow, where he served as vice president of Partnerships & Corporate Development. During his tenure, he helped lead some of Zillow's largest acquisitions, including the $500 million acquisition of ShowingTime, and spearheaded the strategic partnership between Zillow and Opendoor.

At Flyhomes, Moynihan will focus on expanding strategic distribution partnerships with mortgage lenders, homebuilders, brokerages, and technology platforms to bring innovative home financing solutions to more consumers. He holds a BS and MBA from Georgetown University and is an adjunct professor at the University of Washington, where he teaches courses in negotiation and leadership.

Nihit Nirmal is a fintech product leader and AI founder with nearly two decades of fintech product experience. His career follows the rise of Asian fintech. He built payments products at PayU (backed by Prosus), moved into digital lending as SVP of Product and Growth at Lendingkart (backed by Fullerton Financial), and went on to lead product as group chief product officer at Funding Societies (backed by SoftBank Vision Fund and Peak XV), one of Southeast Asia's largest SME lenders. He joins Flyhomes as VP Product to help bring AI speed to home lending.

Wendy Tieu is director of Partner Enablement at Flyhomes, bringing a decade of experience across sales, strategy, enablement and operations. She began her technology career at Flyhomes, growing alongside the business and taking on roles that gave her a broad understanding of how sales teams, operational processes and customer needs connect.

Over the past two years, Tieu has helped scale revenue operations at startups in SaaS and e-commerce, with a particular focus on building and supporting sales teams. She returns to Flyhomes with that experience to drive partner and sales enablement as the company expands its Buy Before You Sell platform. Her focus is on making it simpler for Flyhomes' extensive loan officer network to understand its products, explain their value to clients and move transactions forward.

Based in Bellevue, Flyhomes is a real estate and financial technology company established in 2016.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Costco

(AP) — Costco said it's partnering with DoorDash to offer delivery from its U.S. warehouse stores.

DoorDash already offers Costco delivery in a few markets, including Australia, Sweden and Puerto Rico. But the nationwide partnership is a first for the San Francisco-based delivery company, which said Costco was among the most-searched retailers not yet on its U.S. platform.

DoorDash said it will deliver groceries, household items and electronics from all of Costco's U.S. stores. Delivery will only be available to Costco members, who can link their membership information to their DoorDash account.

Issaquah-based Costco has 81 million members worldwide. Most are in the U.S., where the company has 639 stores in 47 states.

Costco has offered delivery through Instacart for nearly a decade. In 2024, it announced a partnership with San Francisco-based Uber Eats, but under that agreement, Uber Eats only provided delivery in 17 states.

On Tuesday, Uber Eats said it was expanding Costco delivery nationwide. Like DoorDash, Uber Eats already provides delivery from Costco in other countries, including Japan, France, Spain, Canada and Mexico.

DoorDash and Uber Eats have been expanding their U.S. grocery offerings in recent years. Last fall, both companies announced partnerships with Kroger, the nation's largest supermarket chain.