Apr 29, 2025

Skagit County

Weller

Skagit County Commissioners named Michael See as the new public works director and Tom Weller as county engineer. See most recently served as the acting director of public works, with three previous years of experience as the assistant director, and Weller was the acting county engineer and engineering division manager for Public Works. See has been the assistant director for Public Works since 2022, and has worked at Skagit County for over 20 years. He started his career with the county as the park ranger/manager for Howard Miller Steelhead Park under the Parks and Recreation Department. Weller then transitioned over to the Public Works Department, moving through several positions in the natural resources division, managing watershed, stormwater, and water resource issues, before ultimately becoming the natural resources division manager in 2018. He has also worked extensively in the community as an emergency medical technician, firefighter, and park law enforcement. See graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management. Weller joined Skagit County Public Works in July of 2022 as the engineering division manager and assistant county engineer. With extensive experience in civil engineering and infrastructure development, Weller will play an essential role in overseeing transportation planning, road construction, and public works projects that enhance the county's infrastructure. He brings nearly 30 years of experience to the position, including more than 26 years in private consultant practice with firms throughout Puget Sound and Western Montana. He will also ensure compliance with regulatory standards, efficient project execution, and strategic planning for future development. Weller graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

Protect AI

Protect AI, a provider of enterprise AI security solutions, is collaborating with digital modernation company Leidos to strengthen security for AI systems used by U.S. government agencies. The collaboration combines Leidos' expertise in secure digital transformation with Protect AI's platform to enhance end-to-end protection against AI threats. By integrating Protect AI's platform into Leidos' secure digital transformation initiatives, the firms aim to provide federal agencies with critical capabilities to manage AI risks — from model selection and development to deployment and ongoing monitoring. Leidos and Protect AI aim to deliver full lifecycle security capabilities across the entire AI supply chain for national security, defense, intelligence, healthcare, and civil agencies that align with government standards and enable secure AI innovation at scale. The Protect AI platform provides a comprehensive suite of AI security tools designed to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities in machine learning models and generative AI workflows. Founded by AI leaders from Amazon and Oracle, Protect AI is headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Berlin and Bangalore. Leidos is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 48,000 global employees,

Apr 25, 2025

City of SeaTac

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announced that the city of SeaTac received GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget — excelling as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication tool. The award reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To receive the budget award, the city had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective and high-quality budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. There are over 1,700 participants in the Budget Awards Program. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

Whatcom Community College

The Whatcom Community College (WCC) Medical Assisting program has received continuing accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The CAAHEP decision was based upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board. WCC's review found no areas of non-compliance and the program was commended for multiple strengths which included: having exemplary administrators, faculty and staff who support students at multiple levels; recognition that the program is responsive to student needs and provides updated equipment and supplies; and that the college provides student resources such as quiet study areas, tutoring and testing support. Dean of Healthcare Professions and STEM Elizabeth Johnson said, “It always is validating to have an external accrediting body confirm what we here at Whatcom already know. That our exceptionally talented and dedicated faculty are the cornerstone of our institution. Our medical assisting faculty are 100% dedicated to their students, no matter circumstance. To have the program commended for faculty excellence at such an elite level truly is an honor and one that is well deserved.”

Tractor Supply

Rural lifestyle retailer Tractor Supply recently broke ground on its new distribution center in Nampa, Idaho. The 865,000-square-foot facility will be the 11th distribution center in the Tractor Supply network and represents an initial investment of nearly $225 million in the Canyon County area. Tractor Supply is bringing more than 500 full-time jobs to the region with the opening of its new distribution center. At the groundbreaking event, Tractor Supply announced donations of $10,000 each to the Ridgevue FFA and Canyon County 4-H chapters, organizations that play a vital role in youth development and agricultural education. Tractor Supply evaluated cities for potential distribution center sites in five states before selecting Nampa. The distribution center will eventually serve more than 200 Tractor Supply stores located throughout the Pacific Northwest, including nearby stores in Middleton, Kuna and Emmett, Idaho, and will be built to LEED certification standards. The Nampa distribution center will be located at 9640 Ustick Road and has an anticipated completion date in late 2026 or early 2027. Tractor Supply currently operates 12 stores in Idaho and 2,296 stores in total across 49 states, as well as 10 distribution centers.

Apr 24, 2025

DWFritz Automation

Barcey

DWFritz Automation, a global provider of precision metrology, inspection, and assembly automation solutions, named Brent Barcey as its vice president and general manager, advanced manufacturing solutions. Barcey will develop and execute DWFritz Automation's go-to-market strategy for build-to-print solutions for manufacturing customers. Barcey brings over 25 years of leadership experience in robotics, logistics, fulfillment, business development, automation and material handling. He is a seasoned executive with experience developing strategic partnerships, as well as automation and robotics solutions tailored for complex material handling and manufacturing challenges. Prior to joining DWFritz Automation, Barcey served as senior vice president of corporate development at Osaro. Prior to his time at Osaro, he held the vice president of sales & business development position at Plus One Robotics, where he helped the automated material handling solutions provider expand its presence throughout the European Union. He also served as FANUC America's executive director of global sales. Barcey currently serves as co-chair of MHI's The Robotics Group where, through collaboration and shared expertise, he works with other industry leaders to shape the future of automation and advanced manufacturing. Established in 1973, DWFritz Automation is based in Wilsonville, Oregon.

Identity Digital

Identity Digital announced a partnership with the National Forest Foundation to plant 25,000 trees in the U.S. by the end of 2025. This partnership will aid essential reforestation efforts on National Forest lands, ensuring resources are allocated to the most pressing restoration needs to sustain these vital ecosystems. As part of this collaboration, the Identity Digital team will have the opportunity to volunteer alongside the National Forest Foundation and U.S. Forest Service staff on a project within the White River National Forest in Colorado. In addition to partnering with the National Forest Foundation, Identity Digital is working with multiple organizations around the world to plant trees — improving biodiversity, offsetting carbon emissions, restoring landscapes, rebuilding habitat for wildlife, and empowering communities to take tangible action towards ecological balance. By the end of 2025, Identity Digital will have planted 35,000 trees worldwide. Identity Digital's efforts also expand across Australia, India and Africa. Identity Digital supports over 28 million domains on its registry services platform. Headquartered in Bellevue, Identity Digital is a global company with approximately 250 employees.

Apr 22, 2025

Milliman

Seattle-based Milliman, a actuarial, consulting and benefits administration firm, received multiple recognitions by PLANSPONSOR as part of its annual awards for excellence. Milliman was named a 2025 PLANSPONSOR Best in Class defined contribution (DC) recordkeeper, ranking first overall in the $50M—$200M plan asset size category. The firm excelled in participant services, sponsor services and support, and plan administration, earning 11 Best in Class awards. Since 2017, Milliman has achieved 206 PLANSPONSOR Best in Class awards. In addition, Milliman principal and DC consultant John Donohue received the 2025 PLANSPONSOR Service Star Award, one of only eight individuals selected from 427 nominations for exemplary service as nominated by plan sponsor clients. Further, Milliman client Boys & Girls Clubs of America was named as a finalist for the Plan Sponsor of the Year award, which recognizes retirement plan sponsors that show a commitment to their participants’ financial health and retirement success. The Milliman-administered Boys & Girls Clubs of America Master Retirement Plan provides individual clubs with cost savings and services typically only available to larger employers. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe.