Mar 12, 2024

Idea Decanter

Idea Decanter, a video marketing agency based in the Seattle area that helps financial advisors write, record, produce, and market custom-created videos, announced a partnership with FMG to bring custom videos to the website platform. FMG powers an all-in-one marketing technology platform designed for financial advisors and insurance agents, and recently launched a new offering that provides enhanced customization options and design support. Through the partnership, Idea Decanter will now enable FMG's customers to record videos in the comfort of their office. The package includes help planning, shooting, and producing video that will integrate with all new FMG Premium Websites. For both existing FMG website customers and advisors who are new to the platform, Idea Decanter will ship out a pop-up studio and direct a remote shoot to record custom video. Idea Decanter was established in 2014 by Laura Garfield and Sharon Gottula. Garfield is a former broadcast journalist, and Gottula has over 20 years of professional photography and multimedia videography experience.

Absolute Software

Absolute Software, a global provider of enterprise cyber resilience, appointed Saul Gates as chief financial officer. As a financial leadership veteran, Gates has guided technology organizations through all phases of growth, from startup to successful acquisitions and IPOs. Prior to Absolute, he was CFO of Level Access, where he oversaw the company's financial operations from its beginning through an acquisition by global investment firm KKR. Before Level Access Gates was CFO at Telarix and INRIX, and held senior roles at Coinstar, Microsoft, and PWC. He is a graduate of the University of Washington Michal G. Foster School of Business. He holds a bachelor's of business administration in accounting. Absolute Software is headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., with offices in the United States, including Seattle.

Kymeta

Flat panel satellite antenna company Kymeta announced leadership and board changes. Effective April 1, Rick Bergman will become the president and CEO of Kymeta. His most recent role was executive vice president, computing and graphics at AMD. Bergman also served as president and CEO of Synaptics (SYNA) during their high growth phase from 2011 to 2019. Nicole Piasecki will be appointed chairperson of the board, succeeding Doug Hutcheson. Piasecki, who joined the board in May 2022, brings an extensive background from the aerospace and defense sector. Additionally, effective March 31, Doug Hutcheson and Walter Berger are retiring from Kymeta. Kymeta recently completed its Series D financing round. These additional funds will be used for ramping up production of the recently announced Osprey u8 Hybrid-GEO-LEO and future product generations. Kymeta is a privately held company based in Redmond.

Mar 08, 2024

Planar

Klein

Planar, a digital display manufacturing company, promoted Tani Klein to senior vice president of North America sales. Transitioning from his recent role as vice president of sales, Northeast, Klein will now oversee all of the company's geographic territories and vertical market teams across the US and Canada. He joined Planar in 2014, first serving as a regional account manager before being promoted to director of sales, senior director of sales and vice president of sales for the Northeast territory. Previously, Klein spent nearly six years at Primeview, where his responsibilities ranged from technical to sales and operations. He also opened the company's first US office. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, with offices and manufacturing facilities in Oregon, Europe and Asia.

Vimly Benefit Solutions

Palmer

Vimly Benefit Solutions named Marc Palmer as its new chief commercial officer. Palmer will lead and support Vimly's client services, customer success, marketing, sales, revenue operations, and mergers and acquisitions. Before joining Vimly, Palmer spent 15 years at Express Scripts, leading sales and creating new departments. Palmer was also CEO of ConnectYourCare and inVentiv Health and COO at SS&C Health and Stonebrook Risk Solutions. Vimly recently secured a strategic majority investment from Rubicon Technology Partners, a private equity firm based in Boulder, Colo., that is focused exclusively on investing in and growing software companies. The investment will accelerate growth through go-to-market expansion, product innovation, and the pursuit of acquisition opportunities. Vimly is a benefits administration company that provides an HRIS SaaS platform that delivers a digital quote-to-card experience for carriers, third-party administrators, general agents, brokers, employers, and employees. Founded in 1993, Vimly is headquartered in Mukilteo.

Mar 07, 2024

Emerald Communities

Okezie

Emerald Communities, a not-for-profit senior housing organization serving Emerald Heights in Redmond and Heron's Key in Gig Harbor, appointed Uche Okezie as its newest board member. In her role on the board, Okezie will serve Emerald Communities, Emerald Heights and Heron's Key for a three-year term. She will also attend seven board of directors' meetings annually, serve on one or more board committees and task forces, and collaborate for the good of the three organizations. Okezie has nearly two decades of project and relationship management experience in multifamily housing, government and not-for-profit organizations. She has worked in the not-for-profit sector both as an employee and as a board member. Okezie earned a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in urban planning from the University of New Orleans. She also has earned certifications in life coaching, coach training alliance, and construction management.

Muckleshoot Casino Resort

Perkins

Muckleshoot Casino Resort, a casino, hotel, and resort destination in Auburn, appointed Tim Perkins as chief executive officer. Muckleshoot Casino Resort recently opened a hotel tower with over 400 guestrooms, an expanded casino floor, and rooftop steakhouse, Smoke & Cedar. The resort will soon open an indoor pool and spa. Prior to joining the Muckleshoot team, he served as vice president and chief operating officer at Laguna Development Corporation. Additionally, he was the general manager at Route 66 Casino Hotel and executive director of operations at Gila River Casino. Prior to his career in the private sector, Perkins served in the United States Air Force for over two decades. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is composed of descendants of the Native people who inhabited the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup watersheds of central Puget Sound.

Wellpoint Washington

Bogard

Wellpoint Washington, a coordinator of Medicaid managed healthcare benefits in Washington and wholly owned subsidiary of Elevance Health, named Lisa Bogard as the health plan's new president. In her new role, Bogard assumes responsibility for all aspects of Wellpoint's health plan operations in Washington. She will also lead efforts to strengthen relationships in the community with state leaders, providers, and other key stakeholders. Bogard has more than 25 years of healthcare experience and executive leadership, including 17 years with Elevance Health. Most recently, Bogard was Medicaid Plan president for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.