Apr 18, 2024

Sila

Belmontes

Sila, a next-generation battery materials company, hired Erika Belmontes as its new human resources manager at its Moses Lake plant. Belmontes has over a decade of HR experience in employee relations, organizational design, and learning and development with an emphasis in production manufacturing. Prior to this role, she worked in HR departments at Grant County Public Utility District, Tree Top, Mission Vista and Lamb Weston. In her previous roles, she developed, directed and managed various HR functions while aligning business objectives with people strategies, programs, processes, and tactics across various functions and geographies. At Sila, Belmontes will be responsible for aligning business objectives with employees and management, and partnering with the Moses Lake community on local initiatives such as the education program with Big Bend Community College and Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center.

Absolute Software

Seattle-based Absolute Software changed its name to Absolute Security. The change reflects a long cybersecurity heritage and vision to provide organizations with cyber resilience capabilities across mobile and hybrid workforces. The Absolute Cyber Resilience Platform is built to help customers maintain constant connections to PC fleets, ensure devices and security software are operating as intended, and quickly restore normal business operations following cyberattacks and disruptions. Christy Wyatt is the CEO of Absolute Security.

Banner Bank

Newsweek selected Banner Bank as one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies 2024, ranking Banner third among the 27 banks and credit unions that made the list. This list is compiled by Newsweek in collaboration with market research partner Statista, a statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The trustworthy companies were identified in an independent survey based on a sample of U.S. residents who rated them in terms of customer trust, investor trust and employee trust. A total of 97,000 evaluations were submitted. All U.S. public and private companies with more than $500 million in revenue were considered in the study. From that, Newsweek and Statista teams selected the 700 most trustworthy companies across 23 industries. Banner Bank, headquartered in Walla Walla, is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho.

Apr 17, 2024

Red Dot

Beering

Red Dot named John Beering chief executive officer. Beering has over 30 years of experience across a range of industries including commercial vehicle development, energy storage solutions and mobility equipment sales. He replaces John Kaestle, who made significant contributions to Red Dot in his four years as CEO, including leading the corporation through the pandemic and overseeing the purchase and move to new manufacturing facilities in Puyallup and Memphis, Tennessee. Kaestle will continue on Red Dot's board of directors. In his new position, Beering will work closely with the board, executives and team members to drive the strategic vision for the company. Most recently, Beering led operations, growth and strategic consolidation of BraunAbility Arch Retail | United Access, the nation's second largest retail provider of wheelchair-accessible vans and mobility equipment. He also served as COO of Trojan Battery and senior vice president and general manager of commercial powertrain with Eaton Corp. Puyallup-based Red Dot makes mobile HVAC units and components for heavy-duty commercial and military vehicles. Red Dot was founded in 1965 and is owned by its employees.

Smartsheet

Bellevue-based Smartsheet, an enterprise work management platform, appointed Jo Deal as chief people officer. Deal will be responsible for leading the company's people and culture team, and evolving its people strategies to support the company in its post–$1 billion annualized recurring revenue growth phase. Deal has over 20 years of HR expertise at global technology companies, including GoTo, Citrix and Informatica. Most recently, she served as chief people officer for GoTo, where she was responsible for all aspects of human resources and led the company's people and culture strategy through significant business milestones.

Apr 16, 2024

Delta Dental of Washington

Slaughter

Delta Dental of Washington named Nicolette Slaughter as its new workforce development program manager. Slaughter will lead Delta Dental's efforts in expanding diversity at all levels within the dental profession, and progressing oral health equity with the goal of improving dental health outcomes within historically underrepresented communities statewide and nationwide. As part of this effort, she will lead Delta Dental's program — Dental Careers Discovery: A Hands-On Journey — which introduces middle- and high-school students to dental career opportunities. Previously, Slaughter helped to create more equitable and accessible care for vulnerable populations in roles at MultiCare Health System and DSHS. She currently serves on the board of Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children and is past chair of the Pierce County Local Impact Network, which addresses oral health disparities countywide.

Upwards

National childcare network Upwards will receive funding from the city of Bellevue to bolster local childcare providers. The Boost program offers childcare providers free access to Upwards' management platform. The app automates administrative duties, and uses family matching technology and marketing assistance to help fill available childcare spots with local families. Additionally, providers enrolled in the program gain access to financial management tools such as attendance tracking, tuition processing and subsidy reimbursement. They can also use a library of professionally curated activities to simplify lesson planning. Alongside the technical features, Boost provides childcare owners with business coaching and assistance, including hiring new staff, expanding licenses, and acting as the liaison between providers and families. Since the launch of the Upwards' Boost program in 2022, the program has grown to support over 13 communities across four states. Upwards is a technology-driven care solutions company matching families with caregivers, and connecting families with the resources they need to afford care, whether through government subsidies or workplace benefits.

Whatcom Community College

Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown announced her plans to retire as president of Whatcom Community College. The college, located in Bellingham, experienced significant growth during her 17-year tenure, according to a news release. Under Hiyane-Brown's leadership, WCC expanded and developed certificates, associates and applied baccalaureate programs in such areas as engineering, health professions, business management, cybersecurity and social work; was named the National Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity Education and Training, and the state Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity; and significantly grew its physical campus. Additionally, Hiyane-Brown serves as a founding and executive committee member of the National Asian Pacific Islander Council, an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges, a member of the Higher Education Research and Development Institute West Advisory Board, and a member of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Advisory Board. Hiyane-Brown will continue in her role through March 1, 2025. Whatcom Community College's board of trustees will establish a timeline and process for recruitment of the next president.