Aug 05, 2025

GLY Construction

Tonkin

Bellevue-based GLY Construction has named Tyler Tonkin as its new president and CEO, effective Oct. 1, the start of the company's new fiscal year. Tonkin will succeed Steve Hoffmann, who is retiring after 30 years with the company. Tonkin joined GLY in 1998 as a field engineer after graduating from Central Washington University in 1995 with a degree in construction management. He advanced to senior project manager and became a principal in 2010. In 2020, he was appointed to GLY's Executive Committee, where he has served as both executive vice president operations and a principal overseeing large, complex development projects. Throughout his career, Tonkin has specialized in healthcare and life science facility construction. His portfolio includes the award-winning Allen Institute project, a research institute in Seattle, and Overlake Medical Center's Project FutureCare in Bellevue — a multi-phased, 6-year campus renewal project successfully delivered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, he led Vulcan's three-tower West Main development project covering a half-block in downtown Bellevue. Tonkin will continue to lead select projects in his areas of expertise. He will also continue to serve on GLY's Executive Committee with executive vice president Bill DeJarlais and chief financial officer Joe Bonacci.

Deacon Construction

Barnes

Deacon Construction has promoted Mary Barnes to director of marketing in its Seattle office. Since joining Deacon in 2024 as senior marketing manager, Barnes has led the development of the marketing team and strengthened cross-departmental alignment, elevating Deacon's brand visibility regionally and nationwide. In her new role, Barnes will oversee marketing operations across all of Deacon's offices and continue to work closely with leadership and business development teams to drive strategic growth, support work acquisition initiatives, and lead the firm's client engagement program.

Aug 01, 2025

Employment Security Department

Employment Security Department recently took home two awards for its leadership in disability inclusion. Employment Security received the agency-wide Respect, Acceptance and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities award from the Disability Inclusion Network (DIN). The award recognized ESD for its commitment to its core values of access, equity and belonging. Bill Kinyon, an Employment Security Department employee who works at WorkSource Spokane, also received the Advocate of the Year award. DIN said Kinyon “builds empowering relationships and respect for people with disabilities and identifies and removes structural barriers to access.”

“We are honored to receive these awards from the Disability Inclusion Network,” said Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek. “Our mission is to contribute to healthy communities by providing people equitable access to the resources they need to improve their economic security. We don't do this work to receive awards, but being recognized in this area is extremely meaningful.”

The Disability Inclusion Network is a business resource group for members of the disabled community and allies who work for Washington state agencies, higher education institutions and more. Employment Security provides a financial safety net through unemployment benefits or paid family and medical leave. Along with state and community partners, the agency helps people find jobs and employers find workers thought WorkSource. Employment Security also provides the latest labor market information.

doxo

Seattle-based doxo, an all-in-one bill payment platform, has been recognized as a Great Place To Work for 2025. The award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at doxo. Great Place To Work is a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. “Earning a Great Place To Work certification for the third consecutive year underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where our team can thrive,” said Steve Shivers, co-founder and CEO of doxo. “When 98% of our employees say doxo is a great place to work, it validates that we're not just building innovative technology – we're building a culture that empowers people to do their best work while making a meaningful impact on how millions of Americans protect and manage their financial health.” Doxo's platform transforms the bill pay experience for consumers, billers and financial technology providers. For over 10 million consumers, doxo's all-in-one bill pay makes it simple to organize and pay any bill on any device through a secure checkout.

Jul 31, 2025

Skagit County

Janicki

Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki has announced she will retire at the end of 2025 after 11 years of serving as County Commissioner for District 3. Janicki was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in November 2014. Prior to running for county office, she worked for over 30 years as the chief financial officer for Janicki family businesses, which included oversight of several companies that encompassed forestry, land development, engineering, and composite aerospace manufacturing. Janicki was a founding member of North Star, a collaborative effort between all four city mayors, county commissioners, and service organizations in Skagit County to end homelessness and streamline effective crisis response, recovery and support services. Janicki oversaw the development of Martha's Place, the first permanent supportive housing development in Skagit County, Skagit First Steps Shelter, and the STAR Center. The STAR Center includes the currently operating North Sound Evaluation and Treatment Center, which offers 16-beds for acute inpatient mental health care. The second phase of the STAR Center includes a 48-bed crisis-stabilization center, and is expected to open in early 2026. Janicki has represented Skagit County on various boards statewide, as well serving on community boards such as the United Way of Skagit County, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, and Gonzaga University's Board of Regents. With the decision to retire before the end of her elected term, there will be a nomination process to select a replacement.

Helion

Helion, a Washington-based fusion energy company, has begun work on the site of its first fusion power plant, Orion, marking a major step in bringing fusion electricity to the grid. Located in Chelan County, the site was chosen for its ready access to transmission and legacy of energy innovation. In 2023, Helion announced a power purchase agreement that will provide energy from the plant to Microsoft by 2028, with Constellation Energy serving as power marketer. Helion began building in Malaga, Chelan County, on land it is leasing from the Chelan County Public Utilities District. This followed a mitigated determination of non-significance through Washington's SEPA environmental review process. Since 2023, Helion has been actively engaging with local and state stakeholders – including government agencies, tribal nations and the general public — in preparation for a siting and permitting decision. Helion will continue to work through the remaining steps in the permitting process to construct and operate a commercial fusion power plant on the site.

Jul 30, 2025

Avalanche Energy

Avalanche Energy, a fusion energy startup developing modular compact fusion machines, was awarded $10 million through the state Department of Commerce Green Jobs Grant Program for the development of its FusionWERX test facility in Richland. The facility is a first-of-its-kind commercial-scale testing facility for advanced fusion technologies that will leverage a broad scope radioactive materials license, advanced tritium management capabilities, and the company's breakthrough 300,000 Volt (300kV) fusion device.

“This announcement marks small-scale fusion's evolution from a laboratory curiosity into a neutron source that creates real-world value,” said Robin Langtry, CEO of Avalanche Energy.

The grant, which provides funds for projects that promote the growth of clean energy, will directly support approximately 12 skilled positions and fund the purchase of first-generation neutron-handling equipment for the facility. It is located in a facility owned by the Port of Benton, the former location of Kurion's modular detritiation prototype facility, which was previously licensed for tritium operations.

Avalanche says its breakthrough — operating its desk-sized magneto-electrostatic fusion machine at 300kV for hours with minimal power loss — makes it the most compact, highest-known-voltage fusion device ever built.

Jul 29, 2025

Lasher

Nine attorneys at Seattle-based law firm Lasher were recognized in the 2025 Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) Guide.

Family/Matrimonial/High Net Worth: Linda Kelley Ebberson (Band 1); Lisa Ann Sharpe (Band 1); Jamie Polito Johnston (Band 2); Hillary Collyer (Band 2); and James Stensel (Band 2).

Private Wealth Law: George Holzapfel (Band 3); Darin Jensen (Band 3); and Andrew Goodrich (Band 3).

Private Wealth Disputes: Quentin Wildsmith (Band 2).

In addition, three practice areas have been recognized by the Guide — the Estate Planning, Probate and Private Wealth Services team has been recognized in Band 2 in the “Private Wealth Law;” the Trust & Estates Litigation practice has been recognized in Band 1 in “Private Wealth Disputes;” and the Family Law practice group has been included in Band 1 under “Family / Matrimonial” in Washington in this year's global guide. Chambers HNW guide covers global private wealth management work and features in-depth editorial about leading lawyers and law firms providing wealth preservation and estate planning. Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson was founded over 50 years ago. Areas of practice include business and tax law, divorce and family law, general civil litigation and creditors' rights and bankruptcy, employment law, estate planning, probate, private wealth services and related litigation, and real estate law.

City of Tacoma

As part of its ongoing work to address disparities for historically underutilized businesses owned by minority, women and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, the city of Tacoma's Equity in Contracting Program is partnering with the state Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) to host an OMWBE Certification 201 workshop on Aug. 18, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The workshop will be conducted in a hybrid format, with in-person and virtual options to attend. Participants will have an opportunity to start or complete their OMWBE application to become a certified business. Event details: http://makeittacoma.com/events.