Mar 13, 2026

PCC Community Markets

PCC Community Markets has been named Best Organic Retailer at the third annual “An Organic Night Out with Sprouts and Friends,” an awards event celebrating innovation and leadership in the organic industry. The awards were presented during the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, where more than 600 attendees gathered to recognize organizations advancing the $76 billion organic sector.

The event honors standout brands, companies, retailers, and researchers who are helping expand the reach and understanding of certified organic products and the USDA Organic seal.

PCC received the Best Organic Retailer award for its creative and effective in-store and digital communication that educates and motivates shoppers to choose organic. Judges highlighted PCC's leadership in connecting consumers with the environmental, health and community benefits of organic food.

“We're honored to be recognized by our peers in the organic industry,” said Susan Livingston, PCC's vice president of marketing + purpose. “For more than 70 years, PCC has been committed to advancing organic agriculture, supporting farmers and educating our community about the power of organic food. This award belongs to our staff, partners, and member-owners who work every day to build a more sustainable and resilient food system.”

Founded in Seattle in 1953, PCC Community Markets is a certified organic retailer and the largest food co-op in the United States with more than 122,000 active member-owners.

Mar 12, 2026

Washington State Supreme Court

Angelis

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced that Theo Angelis will replace retiring Justice Barbara Madsen on the Washington State Supreme Court.

Angelis is an accomplished attorney with 25 years of legal experience. He currently focuses on appellate work, intellectual property litigation, and general litigation as a partner at K&L Gates. Angelis also engages in extensive pro bono work, for which he has received numerous awards, including the American Civil Liberties Union's Humanitarian Award for his work on behalf of unrepresented minors in immigration proceedings. Angelis worked with a broad team of lawyers to challenge the federal government's practice of requiring children to represent themselves in immigration proceedings if they couldn't afford counsel.

Angelis is a past president of the Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington (MELAW), and will be the first Justice of Middle Eastern descent on the state Supreme Court. He has degrees from Claremont McKenna College, the London School of Economics, Oxford University, and Yale Law School. He clerked on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Next Health

Next Health, a comprehensive brand of health optimization and longevity centers, announced the upcoming opening of its newest location in Bellevue at 10425 N.E. Eighth St.

“Bellevue deserves a place they can trust with their health optimization journey, and we've been meticulously building a best-in-class local team that understands both the science and the human side of care,” said area developers Zahra and Nick Salisbury.

Founded a decade ago by surgeon and entrepreneur Darshan Shah, Next Health was created to streamline patient access to health optimization and advanced longevity services with the goal of extending the human healthspan. Shah developed the proprietary concept of Medicine 4.0, an integrated model that combines preventative, lifestyle, functional and longevity medicine. Medicine 4.0 protocols and the services offered at Next Health are supported by Next Health's Scientific Advisory Council.

Next Health in Bellevue is the brand's first location in Washington state, and the second location opening for Zahra and Nick Salisbury, who opened Next Health in Montecito, California, in 2025. As part of their multi-unit development plans, they will lead a third opening this summer in Vancouver, B.C., the brand's first location in Canada.

Mar 11, 2026

Puget Sound Partnership

Roberts

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Mindy Roberts as the new executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership.

Roberts brings decades of experience in clean water, habitat protection, and environmental policy. She previously served for 10 years as Puget Sound program director at Washington Conservation Action, an environmental nonprofit, where she worked to advance environmental policies at the state, federal and local levels; strengthen clean water regulations; and protect and restore healthy habitat for salmon, orcas and people.

Before joining Washington Conservation Action, Roberts served 16 years as an environmental engineer at the state Department of Ecology. She helped develop the original Marine Water Quality Vital Sign adopted by the Partnership and led Ecology's Salish Sea modeling efforts to understand how sewage and toxic pollution impact people and natural resources. She also served as affiliate faculty at the University of Washington Tacoma from 2008 to 2023, where she developed and taught an undergraduate field course on stream ecology.

She earned three engineering degrees, including a bachelor's from the University of California, Berkeley, master's from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Ph.D. from the University of Washington.

Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency that leads the region's collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. The Partnership works with hundreds of tribal, federal, state and local partners on actions that advance recovery based on science.

Mar 10, 2026

Novelty Hill-Januik Winery

Smith

The Novelty Hill-Januik Winery has added Tanner Smith as the new executive chef at its Woodinville Winery.

Classically trained in French cuisine, deeply immersed in Latin-style cooking from a young age, and with an affinity for foods from throughout the world, Smith's approach is grounded in technique, guided by exceptional ingredients, and driven by the heart.

The winery's philosophy is creating food that is elevated in quality while remaining welcoming and accessible. Smith brings this perspective to the Tasting Room, Wine Club, and private events.

Most recently, Smith served as executive chef for the restaurant group behind Brimmer & Heeltap and its sister projects.

Bellevue College

Bellevue College has been designated a 2026 Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility.

“This designation as a Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream belongs to Bellevue College's entire community,” said Bellevue College President David May. “Our vision is rooted in transforming lives and strengthening our region through education. Together, we are building systems that not only help students enroll, but persist, graduate, and contribute meaningfully to the Eastside region and beyond. We are building a future-focused, vibrant community as a result.”

ATD created the Leader College of Distinction designation in 2018 to recognize institutions that have demonstrated sustained excellence in advancing student success outcomes over time. Leader Colleges of Distinction must demonstrate sustained and expanding success in early momentum metrics, such as course success rates and student retention, as well as in milestone momentum outcomes, such as rates of completion; a strong culture of data-informed continuous improvement; and evidence that effective practices are institutionalized.

Mar 06, 2026

Western Specialty Contractors

Western Specialty Contractors has been sold to employees through an ESOP. ButcherJoseph & Co. served as the exclusive financial advisor on the transaction, Founded in 1915, Western is a century-old company with a national footprint and a reputation for technical excellence across restoration and specialty construction. The ESOP ensures long-term continuity, preserves the company's independence, and aligns ownership with the employees who have driven Western's growth for more than 100 years.

ButcherJoseph & Co. Director Rick Hennessey noted that Western is “a textbook example of a company whose culture and values align naturally with employee ownership.”

Western CEO Ben Bishop Jr. said the move “recognizes the contributions of our employees in a meaningful way while positioning the company for long-term stability and growth.”

The transaction provides Western with a tax-advantaged structure that supports continued investment in operations, leadership development, and strategic growth initiatives.

Cairncross & Hempelmann

Cairncross & Hempelmann announced that Duncan Greene has joined the firm's Land Use & Zoning Group, further strengthening its capabilities in land use, zoning, and development matters across the Puget Sound region.

Duncan brings over 20 years of experience advising property owners, developers and businesses on complex land use and permitting issues, including project entitlements, regulatory compliance, and navigating local approval processes. His practice focuses on helping clients move projects efficiently from planning through approval, with strategic guidance grounded in a deep understanding of Washington's regulatory framework.

“With more than two decades of experience advising clients on complex land use, environmental and regulatory issues, Duncan is an exciting new addition to our land use team,” said Randall Olsen, Cairncross & Hempelmann partner and Land Use & Zoning Practice group leader. “He expands our capabilities and shares our commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients.”