Jan 03, 2025

Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson

Beecher

Blankenship

Good

Kusunose

Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson appointed Taro Kusunose as its new managing principal. Kusunose has been a principal with the firm since 2008 and is a member of its Corporate & Business Law, Real Estate and Trademark Registration practice groups. He takes the reins from Mario Bianchi, under whose leadership the firm enjoyed sustained growth, celebrated its 50th anniversary, and began the process of a brand refresh. Additionally, Lasher Holzapfel elevated Desiree Good, James Blankenship and Brent Beecher to principals in the firm. Good practices in family law matters, including divorce, child custody, parenting, child support and legal separation. Blankenship is chair of the firm's Employment Law group and a member of Business Litigation Practice group, where he represents and advises employers and employees in disputes involving wrongful discharge, discrimination, wage and hour claims and compliance, and workplace policies. He also represents business entities in complex litigation, professional liability, and regulatory disputes. Beecher litigates a wide array of issues, focusing on trusts and estates, business disputes, insurance coverage and insurance bad faith issues. Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson was founded over 50 years ago in Seattle.

King County Superior Court

Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Jennifer Petersen to the King County Superior Court. She will replace retiring Judge Kristin Richardson, who will retire on Feb. 1. Petersen has focused her 20-year career primarily on representing the people as a trial attorney in the criminal and civil divisions of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. While serving in the criminal division, Petersen tried approximately 80 jury trials, including domestic violence, sexual assault and homicide cases. In the civil division, her practice focused on employment litigation. In addition, Petersen has worked to mentor younger lawyers in her office. She also served as a volunteer facilitator on her office's equity action group, which reviewed the office's filing and disposition standards through the lens of equity and social justice. Petersen earned her bachelor's degree from Central Washington University and her law degree from the University of Washington School of Law.

Dec 24, 2024

Lamb Weston Holdings

Smith

Lamb Weston Holdings appointed Michael J. Smith, current chief operating officer of Lamb Weston, as president and chief executive officer and as a member of the company's board of directors, effective Jan. 3. Smith succeeds Thomas P. Werner, who is stepping down as CEO and as a member of the board. Werner will serve in an advisory role through Aug. 31 to ensure a smooth transition. Smith joined Lamb Weston in 2007, and has been chief operating officer since May 2023. Previously, Smith was Lamb Weston's senior vice president and general manager of food service, retail, marketing and innovation and senior vice president, growth and strategy. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. Lamb Weston is a supplier of frozen potato products to restaurants and retailers around the world, and is headquartered in Eagle, Idaho.

State of Washington

Gov. Jay Inslee announced the short-term appointments of two judicial candidates who were elected to their positions in the November 2024 general election: Sal Mungia, as justice to the Supreme Court, and Mason County Superior Court Commissioner Tirsa Butler as judge to the Mason County Superior Court. Mungia won his campaign to succeed retiring Justice Susan Owens, and Butler won her campaign to succeed retiring Mason County Superior Court Judge Daniel Goodell. Both Justice Owens and Judge Goodell retire effective Dec. 31. By statute the newly elected judicial officers' terms do not begin until Jan. 13. Both candidates requested this short-term appointment so they can begin their work early. These appointments will run from Jan. 1 through Jan. 12, 2025.

Dec 20, 2024

Coast to Coast Turf

AstroTurf Corp., a subsidiary of Sport Group, has acquired Coast to Coast Turf, an artificial turf installer and dealer based in Seattle. Coast to Coast Turf's operations and leadership, including Steve Webb the company's founder and president, will continue post-transaction and partner with AstroTurf to further support growth. The acquisition expands AstroTurf's presence in the Northwest, with Coast to Coast Turf now serving as the official construction arm for Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho. “With AstroTurf's resources and support, Coast to Coast Turf will maintain its exceptional service while offering an expanded portfolio of products and expertise to meet the evolving needs of customers. By combining Coast to Coast Turf's local expertise and outstanding legacy with AstroTurf's national scale and cutting-edge technology, this partnership will elevate the customer experience and strengthen our ability to deliver world-class projects”, said Webb. Sport Group, headquartered in Burgheim, Germany, designs, manufactures and installs artificial surfaces serving the global sports flooring, leisure, landscaping and industrial markets.

KIRO Newsradio

KIRO Newsradio named Frank Lenzi as its new news director. Lenzi joins KIRO from Seattle's KNWN (formerly KOMO Newsradio), where he has worked for the past 16 years, most recently serving as program director and news director. Lenzi has nearly 30 years of experience in journalism, and previously held roles as morning editor and managing editor. He led coverage of major events such as the 2009 Lakewood Police shooting, the 2014 KOMO TV helicopter crash, and the 2020 police dispersal of the Seattle CHOP Zone. Lenzi will replace outgoing news director Charlie Harger, who will take over as host of “Seattle's Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio in January. KIRO Newsradio has been a source of news and information for Seattle residents since 1927.