Jul 27, 2023

Washington Trust Bank

She

Washington Trust Bank added Cheryl She to its Home Loan division in Bellevue to serve as a mortgage loan officer. She has over 12 years of experience in real estate and financial services, and joins Washington Trust Bank from Key Bank, where she served in a similar position. She is a graduate of the East China Normal University in Shanghai, where she earned an associate degree in public relations. Since graduating, she has continued her professional development as a member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America. Washington Trust Bank is a full-service commercial bank, serving the Northwest since 1902. Headquartered in Spokane, Washington Trust Bank currently has over 40 branches and offices in Washington, Idaho and Oregon.

King County Library System

Rosenblum

King County Library System (KCLS) Executive Director Lisa Rosenblum announced her retirement, effective Nov. 30. Rosenblum joined KCLS in January 2018. KCLS has won numerous awards for outstanding services and innovation during her tenure, including a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for three consecutive years. This year, KCLS was also named a National Medal finalist by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. During the coronavirus pandemic Rosenblum implemented new online programming, expanded digital collections, boosted Wi-Fi hotspots in library parking lots, and created safe and convenient access to print materials through curbside service and 24/7 library lockers. In 2019, she oversaw the completion of the 2004 Capitol Bond Building Program. The voter-approved $172 million Capital Bond funded the construction of 17 new libraries, 11 expanded libraries, 15 renovated libraries, a parking lot expansion and a three-level garage. In 2020, Rosenblum established a new diversity, equity and inclusion department, which has strengthened KCLS's commitment to provide equitable services to its communities. Rosenblum has spent the past 35 years working for public libraries. Prior to joining KCLS, she served as the director and chief librarian of the Brooklyn Public Library, as well as the director of multiple library systems in Silicon Valley. The KCLS Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for the position with the support of an executive-level search firm. Founded in 1942, KCLS supports the communities of King County (outside the city of Seattle), and has 50 libraries.

Metropolitan Grill

Seattle's Metropolitan Grill received Wine Spectator's Grand Award. The Metropolitan Grill is one of only two restaurants in the Northwest to receive the award, the other being Canlis. There are only 93 restaurants in the entire world that received this honor this year. Since 1981, Wine Spectator has been honoring restaurants with extraordinary wine programs. The top honor is the Grand Award, granted to those that show exceptional commitment to their wine selections and service. The wine program is led by Wine Director Chris Lara. The Metropolitan Grill is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and features wines from around the world, with a focus on local labels.

Jul 26, 2023

BECU

BECU, the country's fourth-largest credit union, hired Nathan Ramachandran as its executive vice president and chief technology officer. In his new role, Ramachandran is responsible for leading the organization's technology operations, architecture, engineering and business solutions teams. He joins BECU with 20 years of technology leadership and execution experience, including senior roles at Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Most recently, he led the Data & Applied Intelligence division for Accenture's Financial Services West Market. He holds a Master of Science in Mathematics from Annamalai University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry from University of Madras. He also earned a Certified Cost and Management Accountant degree from Institute of Cost Accountants of India, an Advanced Software Engineering diploma from National Centre for Software Technology, and Amazon Web Services certification. Fumbi Chima, BECU's chief technology and transformation officer, will support Ramachandran's transition to BECU until she departs the credit union at the end of 2023.

Moda Health

Moda Health is now offering large group plans in Idaho. Moda Health entered the Idaho market in 2022. Moda Health continues to partner with the Saint Alphonsus Health Alliance network; the Patient Quality Alliance network, a comprehensive network of hospitals and physicians throughout Southeast Idaho; and Minidoka Memorial Hospital, along with other local providers. Moda Health's Individual and Employer Group plans for 2023 are now available in Ada, Adams, Bannock, Bingham, Boise, Canyon, Caribou, Elmore, Gem, Minidoka, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Power and Washington counties. Medicare Supplement plans are available statewide. Founded in Portland in 1955, Moda Health also serves communities in Oregon, Alaska and Texas. In Idaho, the company offers Individual & Family, Group and Medicare Supplement medical plans.

Jul 25, 2023

T-Mobile

T-Mobile US appointed finance executive James Kavanaugh to its Board of Directors. He will also serve on the board's Audit Committee, effective August 1, 2023. Kavanaugh's career in technology and telecommunications industries spans almost four decades. He has served as chief financial officer of International Business Machines since January 2018, overseeing accounting and controllership, financial planning and analysis, tax, internal audit, investor relations, corporate strategy, corporate development, and treasury of the company's worldwide financial operations. Kavanaugh joined IBM from AT&T, where he was the chief financial officer for its Americas Global Services. He earned his MBA from Ohio State University. Based in Bellevue, T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile.

PPM Technologies

Duravant, a global engineered equipment and automation solutions provider to the food processing, packaging, and material handling sectors, has acquired PPM Technologies from Stonehenge Partners. PPM is a manufacturer of conveying, coating, and thermal equipment that designs, engineers, and manufactures processing solutions for a wide range of end markets including snack foods, confectionery, cereals, nutraceuticals, nuts and seeds, vegetables, meats, poultry, and seafood. PPM is headquartered in headquartered in Newberg, Oregon. PPM serves national and multi-national customers in over 50 countries, and has two manufacturing sites in the U.S., a sales office in the UK, and direct sales support in Mexico. Duravant is headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois. Stonehenge Partners is an Ohio based private equity fund that focuses exclusively on middle market companies.

MacMillan-Piper

GSC, a nationwide third-party logistics provider, acquired Northwest specialty transloader MacMillan-Piper. MacMillan-Piper has provided services to importers and exporters for over 50 years. With the acquisition, GSC bolsters its portfolio with a network of proprietary rail transload facilities, additional warehousing capacity, and expanded transloading capabilities with expertise in agricultural, paper, lumber, steel and dry bulk commodities. The acquisition strengthens GSC's service offerings in the Pacific Northwest market by adding five warehouse facilities encompassing over 380,000 square feet with 80 railcar spots and more than 100 dock doors. The combined MacMillan-Piper and GSC Transport fleet will now exceed 100 trucks. Mark Miller, previously the owner, CEO and president of MacMillan-Piper, will continue to lead the MacMillan-Piper team as president and serve on GSC's executive leadership team. GSC provides fully integrated transportation, logistics and transloading solutions nationwide through a network of companies headquartered in Oakland.