Sep 26, 2024

Cornerstone General Contractors

Lampert

Goldman

Everett

Bothell-based Cornerstone General Contractors promoted three employees to the role of senior project manager. Matt Everett has been part of numerous projects throughout his 16-year career at Cornerstone. He has led project teams to multiple firsts for the company, including the first large-scale mass timber project at Van Asselt Middle School in Seattle and the first progressive design-build project at Cougar Mountain Middle School in Issaquah. He is experienced in supporting clients in preconstruction planning, and has been a keynote speaker on multiple panels to educational facility designers and builders across the state about the benefits of mass timber to the learning environment. A graduate of the University of Washington, Everett holds a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Josh Goldman has enjoyed a 15-year career in construction, and most of it with Cornerstone. His contributions have included the successful completion of large education facilities constructed on occupied sites. Most recently, he helped Cornerstone earn its first collegiate project award to build the Gateway CC5 Building for Cascadia College. He is currently leading a team to construct the new Evergreen High School in Seattle. He is a LEED AP, holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and is a graduate of the University of Washington's Construction Management Program. Dan Lampert joined Cornerstone in 2021. Prior to that, he spent 13 years constructing projects including public schools, and facilities for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including work at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Since joining Cornerstone, he's led the completion of several large, complex education projects. Lampert is currently leading the project team building the new $174 million Bethel High School in Graham. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Idaho.

Empire Airlines

Dickey

Empire Airlines has promoted Brett Dickey to vice president of technical services. Dickey brings over 25 years of industry experience starting with Goodrich Aerospace in Everett. He joined Empire in 2006, contributing to the company in various front-line technical and supervisory roles. He later transitioned into management where he served as quality manager, and then director of quality assurance. Dickey holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Western Governors University and an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Management from the University of Montana. He obtained his FAA Airframe and Powerplant license in 1999. In his new position, Dickey will report to President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Marikis. Empire Airlines is located in Hayden, Idaho.

Sep 25, 2024

Community Roots Housing

Community Roots Housing’s CEO Christopher Persons will begin his long-planned retirement in approximately one year. Community Roots works to develop and manage affordable housing in the Seattle area. Persons has led Community Roots as CEO for 17 years. The Community Roots Housing Board has assembled a search committee and will hire an executive search firm in the coming months, and anticipates launching the search for its next CEO in early 2025. Persons plans to serve as CEO until his successor is identified and fully onboarded into the organization. The grand opening of its newest apartment, Africatown Plaza will be Oct. 5. Building on the success of the nearby Liberty Bank Building, Africatown Community Land Trust and Community Roots Housing have partnered again to address affordability, displacement, and cultural preservation in the Central District with Africatown Plaza, a seven-story, 126-unit mixed-use development featuring affordable, family-sized apartments located at 23rd Avenue and East Spring Street.

Banner Bank

Newsweek again named Banner Bank one the World's Most Trustworthy Companies, ranking Banner fifth among all banks on the 2024 list and the highest-ranked U.S. bank. Newsweek's list recognizes companies that have earned the confidence of consumers, investors and employees by producing quality products, paying employees fair wages and appointing effective leaders. Newsweek created this list in collaboration with market research partner Statista Inc. Together, they selected 1,000 companies across 23 industries and 20 countries. The ranking is based on an independent survey of more than 70,000 participants and 230,000 evaluations from customers, investors and employees. Earlier this year, Newsweek named Banner Bank one of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America, using similar criteria. Banner has received additional national recognition this year, including being named to Forbes list of the 100 Best Banks in America for the eighth consecutive year and Newsweek's Best Regional Banks in America. Banner has also received a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial for 44 consecutive quarters, earning the bank the additional designation of an Exceptional Performance Bank. Banner Bank, headquartered in Walla Walla, is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho.

Sep 24, 2024

Harborstone Credit Union

Bullock (left) and LeFree

Harborstone Credit Union plans to merge with Community 1st Credit Union, headquartered in DuPont. The partnership has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both institutions, and is subject to approval by state and federal regulators, as well as a vote by the membership of Community 1st Credit Union. The combined credit union will continue to operate as Harborstone Credit Union under the leadership of President and CEO Geoff Bullock. Community 1st and Harborstone will combine to offer additional products and services, including green lending programs, and will increase their presence with five additional branch locations serving the DuPont, Lynnwood, Olympia, Tacoma and Tukwila communities. After the merger, the combined credit union will serve more than 100,000 members with 21 branches, a responsive call center and omnichannel digital service channels. This transaction follows two Harborstone Credit Union-announced bank purchases in the last year, with the acquisition of Seattle-based First Sound Bank closing on May 16, 2024, and the announcement of the SaviBank acquisition, located in Mount Vernon, set to be complete in early 2025. Harborstone Credit Union is headquartered in Lakewood. Founded in 1955 as McChord Federal Credit Union serving airmen on McChord Air Force Base, Harborstone has 16 branches located throughout King, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Founded in 1925, Community 1st Credit Union was founded in 1925, and is the longest-operating credit union in Washington. Dan LeFree is president and CEO of Community 1st Credit Union.

Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho

Edmunson

Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho hired Clete Edmunson as its new executive director. Born into a logging family, Edmunson worked as a logger in southwest Idaho before teaching in the Council area and later working in school administration. He served three terms in Idaho's House of Representatives starting in 2002, and then worked three years as an advisor to Gov. Butch Otter on matters concerning education and transportation. Edmunson replaces Shawn Keough who is retiring after 24 years as executive director. Keough will work alongside Edmunson through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition. As executive director, Edmunson will work to represent the interests of ALC-Idaho's 500-plus logging and wood hauling member businesses. Edmunson holds two bachelor's degrees from Idaho State University, a master's degree in history from Boise State University, and two master's degrees in education from the University of Idaho. Prior to joining ALC-Idaho, Edmunson most recently spent 10 years as a high school principal and district superintendent in Idaho.

Sep 20, 2024

Trew Auto Body

Texas-based Quality Collision Group has expanded its locations in Washington by acquiring Trew Auto Body. Trew Auto Body has provided repairs and served customers in the Bremerton and Olympia areas for four decades. Trew Auto Body is run by Tammy Trew; the company was founded by her parents, Jerry and Sheri Trew, in 1984. Quality Collision Group operates 70 facilities across 10 states, and specializes in restoring vehicles to their pre-accident condition using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and procedures. Trew Auto Body holds nine OEM certifications, including BMW and Volkswagen.

Snoqualmie Casino

Snoqualmie Casino announced several leadership changes as the property undergoes a major expansion. Mary Lou Patterson, the former chief financial officer, has been promoted to interim chief executive officer. Additionally, Daniel Hanson, previously the director of the Snoqualmie Gaming Commission, has been appointed as the new chief financial officer, and Asim Bajwa has been named to lead the casino's hotel operations. Patterson has been a cornerstone of Snoqualmie Casino's financial leadership since joining the organization in January 2016. She was promoted to chief financial officer in 2019, drawing on over 36 years of experience in the casino industry, including executive finance roles within Tribal Gaming for the past 15 years. Her expertise spans a wide range of key projects, from hotel renovations and centralized scheduling to gaming and financial system conversions, as well as the development of guest service programs. Hanson has over 15 years of experience in the Tribal gaming industry, and has held key regulatory and executive management roles. He previously served as the executive director of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribal Gaming Agency. In March 2016, Hanson was appointed as the executive director of the Snoqualmie Gaming Commission, a position he held for nearly nine years. Bajwa holds a BS of Science in Business Marketing from California State University, Northridge, and an MBA from Baylor University. Bajwa helped launch Forbes-rated operations with Caesars Palace, earning two consecutive Forbes 4-Star ratings. Snoqualmie Casino's expansion plans feature a host of new amenities and upgrades.