Nov 12, 2026

Hensel Phelps

Dizhazy

Wilkin

Heilman

Burr

Hensel Phelps' Pacific Northwest Region is expanding, welcoming 27 new employees over the past year with additional hires anticipated. To support its growing workforce, the company has promoted four team members to leadership roles spanning project management, field operations, estimating and project development.

Charleston Burr has been promoted to project manager. Burr brings experience on federal, aviation and education projects with a combined value exceeding $1.6 billion. His most recent work includes the federally funded, USACE USDA/ARS-WSU Plant Bioscience Research Building at Washington State University, where he oversaw scheduling and worked with suppliers to keep construction on track.

Jon Heilman has been promoted to project superintendent. With more than seven years at Hensel Phelps, Heilman has experience in transportation, aviation and healthcare facilities for a variety of delivery methods such as design-build, progressive design-build and CM at risk. For the newly completed Alaska Airlines North Main Terminal Redevelopment project (also known as SEA Gateway), he oversaw on-site self-performed work and trade partners, with responsibility for safety and quality control. Currently, his preconstruction planning experience with the Port of Seattle's S Concourse Evolution project complement his field leadership.

Michael Wilkin has been promoted to senior estimator. Wilkin has 11 years of industry experience and has worked on projects with a combined value exceeding $4.2 billion. His background spans aviation, correctional facilities, data centers, transportation, healthcare and higher education. Currently, Wilkin is supporting Alaska Airlines' Q Gates Conversion project through conceptual estimating and evaluation of design alternatives. He is also responsible for developing schedules for enabling and permanent work, in addition to tracking those costs, and coordinates cost and schedule updates with the project team.

Amanda Dizhazy is stepping into the role of proposal manager in Hensel Phelps' Project Development team. Ditzhazy establishes win strategies, creates pursuit execution plans and manages the development of proposal responses. She also brings experience in communications, event management, editing, media and public relations and marketing collateral development. Beyond her work at Hensel Phelps, Ditzhazy is involved with WTS Puget Sound and served on the planning committee for its 2026 gala, which drew more than 800 transportation professionals, sponsors and community members.

Parametrix

Kelsey

Kimberly Kelsey has been selected as the greater Washington regional water division manager at Parametrix. Kelsey has 30 years of engineering and water and wastewater consulting experience.

In this new role, Kelsey will lead a team of 75 water professionals providing wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, flood control, electrical, and instrumentation and control services. Clients include cities, counties, water districts, and other public agencies throughout the Northwest.

Kelsey joined Parametrix in 2024 as part of the firm's advisory services practice. Most recently, she led the program management organization at Parametrix.

LMN Architects

Booth

Amrhein

LMN promoted AP Amrhein to director of urban design and hired Fiona Booth as director of interior design. The firm says these appointments reflect an ongoing commitment to a culture of exploration, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across all scales and sectors. LMN describes Amrhein and Booth as team members who embody LMN's core belief in design excellence, connecting people to place, and creating an inclusive and equitable built environment.

Amrhein brings 15 years of dedicated experience to city infrastructure, planning, and design. As a planner, designer, and facilitator, Amrhein has shaped places to be both transformative and inclusive. Her project work includes contributions to the Seattle Convention Center Campus Master Plan, the city of Seattle's Ballard and U-District Subarea Plans, and the SR-520 Montlake Lid and Land Bridge. Within LMN, Amrhein has led the strategic development of the firm's urban systems lab, which works to bridge the gaps between design, systems thinking, and community engagement. She has served as vice chair and urban planning commissioner on the Seattle Design Commission, and as a member of the Seattle Public Art Advisory Committee.

Booth is a licensed architect and interior designer with nearly two decades of experience crafting integrated projects. Her work intends to blur the boundary between architecture and interior design, and to prioritize human connection and experience. Her project experience spans higher education facilities and workplace design for technology developers and biomedical research institutions, including Washington State University, Microsoft and the Novartis Institutes.

Nov 10, 2026

CAPAA

Chao

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Jenifer Chao as executive director of the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.

The commission works to improve access to government, education, business and other services for Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents across Washington. Established by the Legislature in 1974, the agency is guided by a 12-member commission appointed by the governor.

Chao brings more than 25 years of experience in public policy and community advocacy. Most recently, she worked with the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Advocating Together for Health (APICAT). She previously served in several leadership roles with the city of Seattle, including director of the Department of Neighborhoods, and began her public service career with Asian Counseling & Referral Service and Neighborhood House.

Ferguson said Chao's advocacy background and commitment to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities will strengthen the commission's work. Chao succeeds interim Executive Director Nam Nguyen, who has led the agency since 2024 following the departure of former Executive Director Toshiko Grace Hasegawa.

Bellevue College

As Bellevue College celebrates its 60th anniversary, the institution is inviting prospective students and their families to explore educational opportunities during Discovery Day on Nov. 14. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Student Success Center on the college's main campus in Bellevue.

Founded in 1966, Bellevue College has grown into one of Washington's largest higher education institutions, serving more than 600,000 students over its history and awarding more than 80,000 degrees and certificates. Today, more than 20,000 students enroll annually in programs ranging from transfer degrees and workforce training to bachelor's degree programs.

Discovery Day will give attendees the chance to learn about academic offerings, meet faculty and staff, explore student support services and tour the college's 100-acre campus. College President David May said the event is designed for anyone considering their next educational or career step, regardless of where they are in the decision-making process.

Bellevue College was recently included in Newsweek's 2026 rankings of America's Best Colleges for Women and was named a 2026 Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream for its performance in enrollment, completion and equity outcomes.

Nov 06, 2026

City of Bellevue

Whipple

Hesselgesser

The city of Bellevue has named Jake Hesselgesser as its new development services director following a competitive hiring process. Hesselgesser, who has worked for the city for more than a decade in a variety of leadership roles, will oversee a department responsible for permitting, inspections, land use and development review, code enforcement, and small business consulting.

City Manager Diane Carlson said Hesselgesser has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service, collaboration and innovation. He previously served as Bellevue's building supervisor and business services director before taking on the role of acting department director.

Hesselgesser brings more than 25 years of local government and construction-related experience to the position and holds multiple professional certifications through the International Code Council. Before joining Bellevue, he worked as a senior inspector and plans examiner for Brown & Associates Certified Inspection Service and as a designer for civil engineering firm Willdan.

The city also announced that Nick Whipple will become deputy director later this month. Whipple has 14 years of planning and development experience, including 12 years with Bellevue in roles ranging from planner to assistant director. City officials said the leadership team's combined expertise in development services, planning, permitting and policy will help support Bellevue's continued growth and improve service delivery.

Cascadia Capital

Cascadia Capital, an independent investment bank focused on middle-market companies, has appointed Rhett Thurman as chief financial officer. Thurman brings more than 40 years of financial services experience and will lead the firm's finance, strategic planning and operations functions.

In his new role, Thurman will work with Cascadia's senior leadership team to advance strategic priorities and strengthen the firm's organizational infrastructure as it continues to grow. The firm said his background includes helping investment banking and financial services companies scale operations, expand capabilities and execute long-term initiatives.

Thurman spent 16 years at healthcare-focused investment bank Cain Brothers, where he served as managing director, chief financial officer, chief administrative officer and a member of the board of directors. During his tenure, the firm grew into one of Wall Street's largest middle-market healthcare M&A advisory firms and was acquired by KeyBanc Capital Markets in 2017.

Most recently, Thurman served as chief financial officer of Angle Health, an AI-native health insurance company. Cascadia said his experience in financial management, corporate development and strategic planning will help support the firm's continued growth and client-service objectives.

Nov 05, 2026

Rainier Partners

Seattle-based private equity firm Rainier Partners has invested in Apex Insurance Services, a Texas managing general agency platform that specializes in the non-standard auto insurance market, the companies announced.

Apex, headquartered in Richardson, Texas, operates five insurance brands and distributes products through more than 1,000 independent agent contracts covering roughly 2,500 retail locations across the state. The company said it has built one of Texas' largest non-standard auto insurance distribution networks since its founding in 2014.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Apex CEO Bryan Ward said the partnership will support the company's next phase of growth, including continued expansion in Texas, potential entry into new states, strategic acquisitions and exploration of related insurance products.

Rainier Partners manages more than $400 million in assets and focuses on lower middle-market businesses in sectors including financial services. Apex said Sherman & Company served as its sell-side advisor on the transaction.