Mar 24, 2023

Orca Security

Portland-based Orca Security announced the appointment of co-founder Gil Geron as CEO. With this move, Orca co-founder Avi Shua will transition to the newly-created position of chief innovation officer and will remain on the board of directors. Recently, Orca secured a patent for its agentless SideScanning technology, was recognized as a top startup employer by Forbes, and was named the AWS Global Security Partner of the Year. Gartner recognized Orca Security as a representative vendor for CNAPP in its 2023 Gartner Market Guide for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms, and Frost & Sullivan honored Orca with the 2023 Customer Value Leadership Award. The Orca Cloud Security Platform delivers comprehensive coverage and visibility of risks across the cloud.

Steller

Steller announced it has acquired Travel Mindset, a travel-focused influencer marketing company. This addition will allow Steller to expand its offerings in the influencer marketing field. Travel Mindset has been connecting influencers and brands in the travel space since 2012. The agency offers a full suite of services ranging from editorial, video and social media to event and campaign management. Its client base includes Fairmont Hotels, Celebrity Cruises, Under Armour and several state and national tourism boards. As part of the acquisition, Harley Schachter, founder and CEO of Travel Mindset will join Steller as the company's first chief revenue officer. Steller also added Rik van der Kooi to the company's board of directors. van der Kooi recently spent 11 years as the corporate vice president of Microsoft advertising, where he led the company's global advertising business. Steller, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Kirkland, is a travel discovery platform that guides travelers from inspiration to planning and booking. Pete Bryant, is Steller's CEO. Travel Mindset was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago.

AuthenticID

Seattle-based AuthenticID, a global provider in identity proofing and fraud prevention solutions, announced a new partnership with CentralAMS. CentralAMS will use AuthenticID's ID document verification software as part of its Identity Orchestration solution for its clients in the gaming, gambling, and esports industries. CentralAMS offers gaming and gambling operators and platform providers the ability to verify player know-your-customer (KYC) information with its Identity Orchestration solution, inclusive of FHE biometrics, ID verification, KYC, and Sanctions checks. Clients are able to customize their unique identity solution to meet their compliance requirements for both online and on-premise operations. Founded in 2001, AuthenticID has expertise in verifying government-issued identification documents with an AI platform for fraud detection and identity verification. AuthenticID's patented platform is used by financial services firms, wireless carriers, and identity verification platforms.

Mar 23, 2023

Buffington Mohr McNeal

Dang

Buffington Mohr McNeal, an Idaho-based wealth management firm, added Ali Dang as their newest portfolio manager and wealth management advisor. Dang has more than 8 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Buffington Mohr McNeal, Dang was a portfolio manager and vice president at J.P. Morgan's Treasury and Chief Investment Office in New York City. In this role, she was responsible for credit research, trading, security selection, and risk management for the firm's municipal fixed income portfolio. Prior to her time in New York City, Ali spent 4 years at J.P. Morgan's London office, where she worked as a FX trader and portfolio manager for the branch's European government bond portfolio. Dang has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from The College of Idaho. Dang will be responsible for portfolio analysis and management, developing new client relationships, and helping current clients of the firm define and implement their wealth management strategy.

Seattle Opera

Christina Scheppelmann, Seattle Opera general director, appointed Marissa Betz-Zall chief financial officer, and Angela Gist chief operations officer. Betz-Zall and Gist succeed Jane Repensek, who had served as COO/CFO since 2017. As CFO, Betz-Zall will manage the financial health of the company, seeking new funding strategies and overseeing the $25 million budget. Betz-Zall began with Seattle Opera in 2013 as a senior accountant and later as a controller, before serving as associate director of finance from 2019–2021. In her most recent position as CFO client consultant for RADAR Nonprofit Solutions, Betz-Zall oversaw the onboarding of multiple new organizations, including Seattle Opera, to the remote finance platform. As COO, Gist will oversee the company's facilities, IT, and human resources departments, and will work closely with the board to chart the company's future. Gist joined Seattle Opera in 2021 as director of human resources. Previously, Gist served as artistic director of Vashon Center for the Arts and as managing director of Freehold Theatre. Seattle Opera was established in 1963.

Alaska Pacific University

Ameresco, a cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, announced its partnership with Alaska Pacific University (APU) to design and upgrade existing infrastructure at the institution's Thomas Training Center on Eagle Glacier, a training ground for APU Nordic Ski Center's winter Olympic athletes and world championship cross country skiing hopefuls. In partnership with Olgoonik Construction Services, an Alaska-based Native Corporation, Ameresco will work to install a new boiler, baseboard heaters, convection heaters, water heaters and retrofit the facilities' existing 750-gallon water tank with a new 500-gallon water tank. Implemented upgrades will help reduce Thomas Nordic Training Center's energy consumption, which will work to advance and improve the facility's wastewater treatment and water conservation efforts. The majority of Ameresco's work will be performed during the summer and fall of 2023. Upon completion, the Thomas Training Center will have the capacity to house 16 residents, including athletes and coaches. Ameresco is based in Framingham, Massachusetts. APU Nordic Ski Center is located on the campus of Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage. It was established in the 1960's as a new model for creating international success in American Nordic skiing.

Mar 22, 2023

Suquamish Tribe

Forsman

The Suquamish Tribe reelected Leonard Forsman as Tribal council chairman and elected Irene Carper as Tribal council secretary. The election was part of the tribe's annual General Council gathering, which also included honoring new Tribal Elders and hearing reports from government and tribal enterprises staff. Outgoing secretary Windy Anderson, opted not to run for reelection this year. Members of the Tribal Council are elected for staggered three-year terms by adult citizens of the Suquamish Tribe. Forsman was first elected to Tribal Council more than 30 years ago and he has served as chairman since 2005. He is also president of the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians and serves on the numerous boards across the state and region. In 2021 he was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to the Board of Regents for the University of Washington. Carper has been on the forefront of the Indian gaming industry in Washington state since operations first began in Suquamish. Now, with more than two decades of experience working for the tribe's business ventures, Carper currently serves as the chief operating officer of Port Madison Enterprises. Carper is also a veteran of Suquamish Tribal Government service. Her election marks her second tour on Tribal Council after being first elected in 2009.

Advanced Vapor Devices

Fischer

Seattle-based Advanced Vapor Devices (AVD), a vertically integrated manufacturer and distributor of cannabis vaporizer technology, appointed Doug Fischer as general counsel. His addition will enhance AVD's capabilities to offer greater client support and proactively lead industry regulatory matters. In this new role, Fischer will work alongside AVD's leadership team to be a resource for the company's clients, collaborate with them in navigating the complexities of the cannabis industry, and keep them updated on important regulatory matters. He will direct all aspects of the company's legal affairs, including the global expansion of AVD's intellectual property portfolio. Additionally, Fischer will be supporting corporate development, including partnerships and M&A activity. Fischer has legal executive experience inside and outside the cannabis industry navigating novel regulatory matters, leading complex corporate transactions, and designing and implementing compliance programs. Prior to joining AVD, Fischer served as the general counsel of Ascend Wellness Holdings, a multi-state operator with cannabis assets in seven states. Previously, he was general counsel of Greenlane Holdings, where he led the first-ever IPO of an ancillary cannabis company on a major exchange and the acquisition of publicly traded KushCo Holdings. He has also served as the chief legal officer of the National Association of Cannabis Businesses and sat on the Policy Council of Marijuana Policy Project and the Policy Committee of the U.S. Cannabis Council.