Business to Business Exploring the all-new health care system. 23
South Sound Selling How many people are talking about your service? 23
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INSIDE October 28, 2013 | Volume 29 No. 22
NEWS
BABY BOOM
energy,” said Herb Simon, member of Simon Johnson, LLC, which owns the Commerce and Key Tower buildings, at 950 Pacific Ave. and 1119 Pacific Ave., respectively. “The fact that a major, major tenant and
See OFFICE SPACE, page 3
See HERITAGE, page 4
FOCUS
PROGRESS
Store manager Stephanie Johnson of Tacoma’s Best Loved Baby adjusts the straps on a Diono car seat. The store’s staff expressed excitement over the local car seat company’s newly announced partnership with Little Tikes.
Puyallup’s Diono pulls off big deal with Little Tikes By Holly Smith Peterson hpeterson@BusinessExaminer.com
Grassi’s finds home, heritage in University Place 14
INDEX
fers 100-plus items in 54 countries, and has offices in seven different countries, so the Little Tikes partnership is icing on the cake for a very successful yet under-the-radar local business.
See DIONO, page 6
State Farm ups demand, rental rates downtown By Katie Scaff kscaff@BusinessExaminer.com The future seems to be bright for Tacoma and State Farm is the guiding light. The insurance company’s move is paving a path for others to bring their business downtown.
Since State Farm announced its plans mid-April, rental rates have increased, several new tenants have signed leases for office space downtown and existing tenants have started renewing their contracts earlier. “What I am sensing is a sense of
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People on the Move.........................18 Featured List....................................19 Scene & Heard.................................20 For The Record.................................21
Parents using booster seats, strollers and travel gear for their children will have some bright new options from industry leader Diono through 2020. Best of all, you’ll be
purchasing local. That’s because Diono, a Puyallup-based company, just partnered with international toy and child accessories titan Little Tikes in a seven-year international license agreement to create more than 50 new products. Already, Diono of-
By Arnie Aurellano arniea@BusinessExaminer.com
Olympia’s Heritage Financial Corporation, along with Washington Banking Company of Oak harbor, announced today that the two companies will enter a strategic merger. The move will result in one of the largest bank mergers between two Washington banks, with a transaction valued at approximately $265.1 million. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2014. The news comes on the same day that Heritage — parent company to Heritage Bank — announced its third quarter results, with a net income of $3.3 million for the months of July through September. That’s an increase from both the $2.9 million net income from the same quarter last year, and the $2.7 million net income of 2013’s Q2. In commenting about the quarter, Heritage President and CEO Brian L. Vance mentioned another trio of recent acquisitions for the company. “We are beginning to see the tangible results from our acquisitions of Northwest Commercial Bank and Valley Bank and the merger of our Central Valley Bank subsidiary into Heritage Bank,” said Vance. “Our capital ratios continue to be very strong and
Grocery worker union strike averted with last minute deal 4
Quest Inspar designs robots to give second life to South Sound drinking water pipes 10
Heritage announces merger with WBCO
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14 01 | Puyallup’s Diono pulls off big Little
10 | Quest Inspar designs robots to give
Tikes deal
second life to drinking water pipes
01 | Heritage announces WBCO merger
12 | Washington ports staying wary with
01 | State Farm ups demand, rental
upgraded security tech
rates in downtown Tacoma
14 | Grassi’s finds home, heritage in
04 | Intel to sell DuPont facility
University Place
04 | New Outlet Collection in
14 | US Open Countdown: Chamber’s
Auburn unveiled
Bay set to host City’s best, biggest event
04 | Grocery strike averted with
15 | University Place development
last minute deal
chugging along
04 | No more ‘Oh boy!’: Brand
16 | University Place leads the charge on
overhaul at Oberto
challenging bogus ‘utility tax’
05 | Insurance industry braces for
23 | Business to Business: Exploring the
change
all-new healthcare system
07 | New SBA Women’s Business Center
23 | How many people are talking about
sparks entrepreneurial interest
your service? by Jeffrey Gitomer
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 3
OFFICE SPACE continued from page 1 a prestigious tenant is coming to Tacoma has created a sense of interest in the downtown corridor. Energy just brings other interest.” In the last several months, three new tenants have taken spaces in the 2,000to 3,000-square-foot range in the Commerce building. Opus Bank moved into a 3,500-square-foot space over the summer. Simon has seen interest in the Key Tower building as well, but nothing has been formalized. Those who are already there, though, have expressed interest to stay, and some have renewed early. Ricardo Noguera, director of community and economic development for the City of Tacoma, said he could see anyone who does business with an insurance company taking these or other available office space downtown. “What we are expecting is that more businesses involved in Noguera the financial and real estate and insurance arena will be drawn to downtown Tacoma. Those are the types of companies we want to continue attracting here,” he said. “The buzz on the street with developers and investors, especially those who historically have shied away from Tacoma, (is) ‘Now is the time to invest in downtown Tacoma, and State Farm represents a game changer.’” Brad Hilliard, public affairs specialist for State Farm, couldn’t say what influence his company’s move could have on downtown, however. “That’s just one of those things that we’re not in a position to speculate on,” he said, noting employees were very excited to be in the area. Several hundred employees started training on Sept. 30. The company will be operational downtown sometime in December. For Simon, however, uncovering the real reason for the real estate activity in Tacoma isn’t as important. “Whether they’re related to State Farm is immaterial. It’s the energy it brings,” he said. “We’re pretty enthusiastic that this will bring other tenants that sense the energy downtown.” Like Simon, Bill Frame, senior vice president and managing partner at Kidder Mathews, can’t say if State Farm is the main driving factor, but there definitely appears to be some correlation. “As far as commercial tenants, they may not come here directly because of the insurance company,” Frame said, “but they may land here because of the energy that’s going on with the insurance company.” Frame added that the office space market filling up and becoming healthier, and State Farm couldn’t have come to town at a better time. “We were seeing this big tidal wave come at us basically in the beginning of ‘13 or halfway through ‘13, that we’re going to get all this vacancy in the marketplace,” Frame said, speaking of the vacancy left by DaVita and Russell Investments. “So, that was started to become worrisome. But, the timing was great for the insurance company, because just when people really started to get nervous there was this talk of State
PHOTO BY HOLLY SMITH PETERSON
The new State Farm headquarters, in the former Russell Investments building in Tacoma, is where hundreds of workers are currently undergoing training through December, when business officially opens.
Farm coming into the marketplace, and sure enough they did.” The health of the office space sector downtown is “as good as it’s been since Russell and DaVita were strong growing tenants downtown,” Frame said. “It’s the best it’s been in 5 or 6 years.” State Farm’s absorption of nearly 300,000 square feet of space in the Class A market space downtown, while improving the market’s strength, has decreased the incentives and increased rental rates for new and existing tenants.
“
What we are expecting is that more businesses involved in the financial and real estate and insurance arena will be drawn to downtown Tacoma. — Ricardo Noguera, director of community and economic development, City of Tacoma
”
For example, 18 months ago, a five-year renewal lease at the Wells Fargo Plaza could run $25 or $26 per square foot for full-service, there might have been a $25 tenant improvement allowance, but there would be five months of free rent. Now though, it’s $27 per square foot, the improvement allowance dropped to $10, or in some cases less, and there’s just three months of free rent. The increase, though, isn’t significant enough to drive anyone out of the city, Frame said. “It’s not a huge or dramatic change or shift, but you can see by the occupancy of the big insurance company taking down the space that it’s helped stabilize and
slightly increase the rental rates and decrease the incentives, mainly being free rent and tenant improvement allowance,” Frame said. “There was a lot of incentive for the tenants that were in the building to renew, and in some cases renew early, and then new tenants coming into the market, there’s fewer options.” Frame has worked on several renewals in recent months that are one or two years away. Traditionally, these renewals would occur between four and nine months in advance. “The reason they’re doing it is because they can see what’s going on in the marketplace, that the rents are going up,” Frame said. “They’re going early to the landlord and saying, ‘we’ll renew now for next year.’ And, the thought is, they’re trying to take advantage of the current market rental rates today as best they can.” Rates for Class A leases that begin in the first, second and third quarters of 2014 are approaching $28 per square foot for fullservice space. State Farm has helped boost the occupancy rate for this market, which includes the Wells Fargo, Commerce and Key Tower buildings. Those spaces are approaching a five percent vacancy rate. The rate is more than double, at 12 to 15 percent, for Class B and C markets, but it’s coming down, too, as office hunters are forced to look outside the A market, Frame said. “A few years ago, it was at 18 percent,” he said. “It’s going to take a little bit longer for the B and C markets to get healthy. The B and C units will become more of a reality for some these tenants that can’t find the right space in the Class A buildings because they’ve been leased or because tenants that are already in there have expanded into their spaces that were adjacent.” The increase in office occupancy brought both directly and indirectly by State Farm will also have an effect on other sectors downtown, said both Frame and Simon. Beyond the activity in his buildings, Simon said he sees the potential for new restaurants and retail opening downtown.
“You’ve got a lot of people coming back into downtown,” Frame said. “It’s going to effect the parking, so those people or the city that owns those lots — where it’s been a little tough because all those tenants were gone in DeVita and Russell — now those parking garages are actually starting to make sense again financially. The small retailer or deli or even Starbucks — there used to be a line out the door from Starbucks when Russell was here every morning — now it’s not — but that will come back, because you’re going to have that many people on the streets. Then those people bring people downtown, because there are folks doing business with the insurance company. Even now, before they’ve even moved in, there’s construction going on for tenant improvement, so you’re bringing contractors downtown and they’re using the parking. So, it just feeds off itself.” Comparatively, Tacoma is doing much better than other cities with a similar population, said Noguera. Cities in states like California, Florida and New York are far behind Tacoma in terms of economic success. For downtown Tacoma’s office space market as a whole, the vacancy rate will drop from 13.1 percent to 8.3 percent as State Farm’s lease commences, bringing it below that of downtown Seattle and Bellevue, according to Kidder Mathews’ third quarter real estate market review. In the third quarter of the year, rental rates, showing the positive effect of State Farm’s decision to locate downtown, increased by 94 center per square foot of full-service space to an average of $20.66 per square foot full-service. “We’re taking small steps,” Noguera said. “The market is improving. Folks are realizing the opportunity that we have here, like State Farm coming and taking the entire Russell building and taking a portion of the Columbia Bank building. I say it’s all about the timing being right and folks wanting to invest in this community. It’s like the clouds shifted and they realized all these opportunities in downtown Tacoma.”
4 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | October 28, 2013
SouthSoundTimeLine Oct
14 Oct 15 Oct 16 Oct 17 Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 20 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25
FIRST REPORTED ON DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFS, OCT. 14
Intel to sell DuPont facility; workers to move By Arnie Aurellano arniea@BusinessExaminer.com Semiconductor chip giant Intel has informed the workers at its DuPont facility of its plans to sell the property and enter a leaseback agree-
Quarter notes: 3Q at a glance
ment for part of the space. The company told local employees of its intentions today. The decision to sell the space is not part of a larger real estate strategy by Intel; rather, according to
See INTEL, Page 6
81.2%
Olympia-based Washington Business Bank saw what President and CEO Jon M. Jones called a “record” quarter, with an 81.2 percent jump in net income over last year and a profit of $285,816, an all-time high for the company and a 27.8 percent jump over 2012.
19%
TrueBlue reported $451 million revenue in Q3, up 19 percent compared to the same period in 2012. Net income for the quarter was $19.0 million (or $0.47 per diluted share), a 33 percent net income increase from $14.3 million in Q3 of 2012.
increase in net income over 2012 Q3
FIRST REPORTED ON DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFS, OCT. 14
New Outlet Collection in Auburn unveiled By Katie Scaff kscaff@BusinessExaminer.com Auburn’s Super Mall is officially a thing of the past. The mall celebrated its grand unveiling as The Outlet Collection Seat-
tle on October 17, after a year of renovation and rebranding. The event itself was somewhat reminiscent of Black Friday — only much more
See OUTLET, Page 9
increase in revenue over 2012 Q3
FIRST REPORTED ON DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFS, OCT. 22
Grocery strike averted with last minute deal By Arnie Aurellano arniea@BusinessExaminer.com With just two hours left on the clock before a strike declaration, negotiators for grocery store union workers and four major grocery
chains struck a preliminary deal on a new contract Oct. 21. The agreement was made at 5 p.m., according to the website of United Food
16%
increase in core earnings per share over 2012 Q3
See DEAL, Page 8
No more ‘Oh Boy!’: Oberto’s HERITAGE All Natural line gets facelift continued from page 1
By Arnie Aurellano arniea@BusinessExaminer.com
Kent-based Oberto Brands, which makes pepperoni, jerky and other meat snacks, has unveiled marketing and packaging updates to its popular Oh Boy! Oberto All Natural Jerky line — a move the company called the largest brand overhaul in its 95-year history. At the forefront of the rebrand is a new logo, with familiar longtime slogan “Oh Boy!” removed from the packaging. In keeping with the line’s marketing toward active consumers, a new mantra — “Eat Excellent. Be Excellent.” — is now prominently featured. “The branding and packaging shift on our core jerky line is a significant step for Oberto,” said Greg Yahn, vice president of marketing for Oberto. “The change began
Buoyed by robust commercial plane deliveries and a record backlog, Boeing announced a 16 percent increase in core earnings per share over last year’s Q3, as well as a higher forecast for full-year profits, jumping to between $6.50 and $6.65 a share.
in 2012 when we overhauled our jerky recipe to be all natural. “Now, the new packaging and positioning further solidifies Oberto’s brand evolution: Oberto offers great tasting, protein snacks for active consumers who want to feel good about what they put into their bodies, so they can perform at their best. “For a long time, mass market jerky was largely seen as an unsophisticated junk food, but not anymore,” Yahn added. “We’ve elevated jerky and made it new and relevant for active consumers who want to get the most out of what they eat and are specifically looking for snacks to charge them up for their day.” The new logo and packaging will apply only to Oberto’s All Natural Jerky line; other Oberto products will continue to use the “Oh Boy! Oberto” name and logo.
we feel that we are in a good position to grow organically and to continue to be able to take advantage of acquisition opportunities that we believe still exists.” Washington Banking Company is the sixth merger or acquisition for Heritage in the last four years. The acquisitions of Northwest Commercial and Valley Bank were finalized in January and July of this year, respectively, and Heritage merged with Yakima-based subsidiary Central Valley Bank this past June. Heritage acquired Cowlitz Commercial Bank, previously based in Longview, and Pierce Commercial Bank, headquartered in Tacoma, in July and November of 2010, respectively. As for Washington Banking, most of its branches will adopt the Heritage Bank name, save six Whidbey Island branches that will continue to operate under the Whidbey Island Bank name. The combined company will have 73 locations across Washington and Oregon. “We are very excited about this partnership between two of Western Washington’s strongest community banks and we believe the combined company is better positioned for continued growth and success within our respective markets,” said Jack Wagner,
president and CEO of Washington Banking. “The contiguous branch footprints along the I-5 corridor and complementary business models make this combination a natural fit.” Vance Upon completion of the deal, Washington Banking shareholders will own roughly 46 percent of the new company, while Heritage shareholders will own approximately 54 percent. Wagner Vance will serve as CEO of the combined company, which, based on financial results as of Sept. 30, will have approximately $3.3 billion in total assets, $2.9 billion in total deposits and $2.3 billion in total loans. Wagner will serve as special advisor to the company; Vance, along with three executives apiece from Heritage and Washington Banking will serve as the leadership team. The board of directors will be made up of eight directors from Heritage and seven from Washington Banking, with current Washington Banking chair Tom Pickering to serve as chair. The corporate headquarters of the combined company will be in Olympia.
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 5
Insurance industry braces for change South Sound companies speak out on the new Washington Health Benefit Exchange By Holly Smith Peterson hpeterson@BusinessExaminer.com The national overhaul of health insurance in the U.S. is having a massive impact on more than just the individuals who are now reconsidering options and the businesses that must now ensure they have employee plans in place. Caught in the crossfire between the government’s benefits requirements and the economic balance of affordability versus profitability, the insurance industry as a whole is also undergoing a massive business model vetting as more American workers and business owners sign up for the system. In Washington state, the Health Benefit Exchange — a.k.a. Washington Healthplanfinder — includes 46 choices that are available throughout most of the state’s 39 counties. At press time, roughly 30,000 Washington residents have checked out the website and enrolled in the Exchange, and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler expects thousands more to follow before the cut-off date next March. “It was a difficult process,” Kreidler said of choosing specific insurance plans for the system. “But Kreidler I’m very pleased that consumers will have such a robust market to choose from, and that, most importantly, these plans will provide meaningful coverage.” Many of the insurance companies offering coverage within the Exchange are familiar: Group Health Cooperative, Premera, Regence Blue Shield, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, for example. Several, including Group Health, Lifewise, and Premera, were also approved for individual plans outside of the Exchange. All plans include the government-mandated “10 essential health benefits” (e.g., prescription medication coverage and maternity benefits), as well as caps on annual copays and deductibles ($6,350 for individuals; $12,700 for families). However, with the opening of the state Exchange, and the steady stream of enrollees switching out of their former insurance plans based on better cost-benefit ratios, the insurance industry here has been thrown into flux mode. “The new health care law completely transformed the individual and small group markets for coverage,” said Melanie Coon, senior communications manager for Premera. “The law has positive aspects, like expanding access to coverage, but it does very little to address the issue of rising medical costs, which is the
Insurance dates, rates & deadlines January 1: Coverage begins for those who enroll in the Exchange this fall. March 31: Last day to enroll in the Exchange April 15: Fines begin for Americans without insurance; the higher $95 or 1 percent of income. January 1, 2015: Individual fine rises to the higher of $325 or 2 percent of income. January 1, 2016: Individual fine rises to the higher of $695 or 2.5 percent of income; roughly $2,095 for families. most important issue in health care today.” While the system is indeed in transformation mode, she added, it’s too soon to predict just how it will impact the insurance and health care industries as a whole. In addition, the future is still vague as far as how the Exchange will affect Premera’s traditional customer base. “These are new and different products from those available today in the individual market, and the new plans include many new benefits,” she said. “As a whole, they have the potential to increase the cost of health coverage.” Not only might insurance costs skyrocket, though, but the scope of the job functions for those working in the industry is already increasing as well. While, previously, health care insurance brokers could base a client’s plan just on his or her health needs, the new system also adds an income component. Specifically, brokers must now ferret out their clients’ financial information to see if they qualify for insurance subsidies or Medicaid before delving into other plan options. To muddy things further, if the former is the case, some brokers simply refer clients over to a “navigator” (adviser) in the Exchange, while others can still advise and sell outside of the Exchange from their company’s own products and services. “It has made my job a lot more complicated,” said Jan Smith, an agent for GHB in Olympia. “However, it’s also more job security, since my clients need me now more than ever.” Due to the murky floodplains within the virtually unnavigable seas of health care these days, Smith said she’s even picked up new clients. Many of these, she added, used to buy individual insurance plans, but now need help to understand the system. Smith herself works
See INSURANCE, page 8
DOING BUSINESS WITH CCIM $2,000,000 Gary Hunter, CCIM
represented the seller of a 19-unit multifamily property in Everett, Washington
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6 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | October 28, 2013
Upcoming products from DIONO Diono and Little Tikes Little Tikes® Cozy Coupe® Accessories and Gear (SRP $9 - $49)
The Little Tikes red and yellow Cozy Coupe® toy car is an American classic that now has its own dedicated line of juvenile products including booster seats, car organizers and roller car shades. Using the car’s iconic design and colors, parents and children alike can experience the Cozy Coupe® in an entirely new way.
Little Tikes® Booster Seats (SRP $19 - $59)
The Little Tikes’ backless and high back booster seats are made with the same unparalleled safety testing and innovative product designs as the award-winning Diono car seats. The seats are lightweight and easy to move between cars and include easy-to-use belt path guides to ensure proper installation. The line’s seat covers are machine-washable and available in multiple colors. Ages 4+; 30+ lbs
Little Tikes® Strollers (SRP $49 - $79)
Combining the comfort and convenience of a traditional stroller, the new Little Tikes Lightweight Stroller and Travel Stroller include a three or fivepoint harness that grows with your child. Extra-tall comfort grip handles deliver a smooth ride for your baby and cup holders and storage features allow for easy travel experiences for parents. Designed for children up to 50lbs for years of comfortable strolling. Available in four different colors.
Little Tikes® Car and Travel Accessories (SRP $4 - $19)
Parents will enjoy time on the road like never before with a variety of accessory products from Little Tikes. From car and on-the-go accessories like a travel bottle warmer or sit and play bouncer, the line includes 17 new products designed to make life as a parent easier and more exciting.
continued from page 1
“We’ve been pursuing this for some time — actually, quite some time,” said Diono president Brad Keller. “Now, this deal allows us to sell through international retailers we previously hadn’t been able to reach, and also to start product launches twice a year to coordinate with the (timing of the) reviews.” Keller, who is thrilled to be partnering with “an iconic and trusted toymaker like Little Tikes,” anticipates that the deal will accelerate what is already a steady upward curve for his company. Already, Diono’s Radian and Monterey car seats have been noted by experts as some of the industry’s safest, and have won multiple awards for design and comfort. The new Diono/Little Tikes line will begin to appear in larger U.S. chains, like Walmart and Babies R Us, in January, and have the same innovation and safety measures as Diono has always been committed to providing, Keller said. As for smaller, local children’s shops carrying Diono products, Keller said that owners might not know about the deal with Little Tikes yet. However, of the dozens that either carry or special-order items from the company, many are indeed not only aware of it, but jazzed as well. “I’m very excited for Diono, as a local company,” said Heather Larson, owner of Best Loved Baby in Tacoma, where a Diono car seat is currently central to their display room. “That’s big. And as a business that places a high priority on green practices and child safety, we have enjoyed carrying their products.” The other half of the partnership, Little Tikes, is also excited at the opportunity, and the market expansion possibilities it involves. Little Tikes president and CEO Isaac Larian explained the deal is the ultimate marriage of fun and “play value” from his company with the “well-being and comfort” for which Diono is known. “Anyone familiar with the car seat and travel accessory category knows the unrivaled commitment Diono has in developing quality products that provide families safety, comfort and convenience,” Larian said. The deal between the two businesses is hardly Diono’s first international success. Founded in 1999, the company actually started due to a 20/20 news story on child automobile passenger safety. The report
INTEL continued from page 4
PHOTO COURTESY OF DIONO
This mirror is part of the line of car and travel accessory products from Diono and Little Tikes, which also includes a kick mat, changing pad and on-seat organizer.
Intel spokesman Jonathan Williams, the DuPont facility was identified specifically by the company as one that could be rightsized. “It’s more unique to this site based on the fact that it has capacity for about 3,000 employees,” Williams said, “but has about 690 employees today.” The planned leaseback would be for enough space to keep its 310-person server development and validation department in the building; about 350 others, the company said, would be relocated to other sites, and 32 would be laid off. Those to be laid off will be informed today and will be offered “redeployment,” according to Williams; that option gives
exposed the lack of child secureness in car seats because most were too difficult to install safely and buckle properly. That led to the invention of the Diono Might-Tite , which debuted at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association show the same year. The prototype took home the “Show Off” Product Innovation Award, along with a slew of pre-orders. Three years later, the Mighty-Tite received Mother & Baby magazine’s “Most Innovative Product” award, and the company had earned enough business to open a wholesale operation in Staffordshire, England. In doing so, Diono kicked off sales to a whole new niche of independent and chain retailers throughout the U.K. and Europe, including Tesco, the world’s third-largest children’s toy and safety product retailer. Also in 2002, the company added to its line with the Super Mat, which protects upholstery from permanent indentations caused by child safety seats, and can be contoured to any vehicle. “That product led to two, then three, then eight, and now offices all over the world,” Keller said. Indeed, Diono now also has operations in Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Shanghai, although the world headquarters is still based in Puyallup. Products that came with the upward trajectory of distribution include the Radian Car Seat, the first steel-reinforced folding car seat designed to make travel and storage convenient; and the Monterey booster seat, the first height- and width-adjustable child booster seat that accommodates children as they grow up to a maximum of 63 inches tall or 120 pounds. More awards, of course, came with the innovations as well. In 2008, the Monterey booster seat won Mother & Baby’s Award for “Best Junior Car Seat,” and from 2008 through last year Diono has been on Inc. Magazine’s “500 Fastest Growing Private Companies list. Diono was also on Inc.’s 2012 list of “Top Consumer Products & Services,” as well as on the “Top Companies” list for the Seattle Metro Area. As for the future, Keller said that the sky is the limit. “It’s transformational, because it opens up new markets for us,” he said. “Before, we were only in regional chains and locally owned stores. Now we’ll be in Target and Walmart, which is the world’s number-one retailer. Now, that’s the big prize.”
an employee a choice of taking an immediate separation or spending the next two months looking for another job either internally or externally. Those transferred will likely be moved to a facility in Hillsboro, Ore., Williams said. Layoffs will begin Friday, Nov. 1. Transfers will start Jan. 1, with the deadline for accepting the relocation package set for Jan. 2. Those who will be relocated are to be notified this week. Williams added that the company does not have a concrete timetable for selling the building. “The timeline on how quickly (the property) sells is really anybody’s guess,” he said. “We’ve experienced with this in the past, going back a decade or so with sites in Colorado and Utah, where it took about two to three years for the property to sell. We don’t anticipate it to sell very, very quickly.”
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 7
New SBA Women’s Business Center sparks entrepreneurial interest Thurston County EDC partners to provide professional onsite, online resources By Holly Smith Peterson hpeterson@BusinessExaminer.com
provide services to an important and underserved segment of entrepreneurs,” he said. Specifically, the program will include face-to-face and online connections for Cade professional women, who will provide networking, training, counseling and encouragement to others who are start-
ing or developing new businesses. Ultimately, Cade is targeting the program to be a South Sound catalyst for in-depth, outcome-oriented business services to women entrepreneurs, many of whom are either socially and economically disadvantaged. Just the networking part is key, emphasized Neumeister. “Our AWOB members are from a wide range of businesses, among the many things they value highly are personal relationships,” she said.
CONNIE
When the Thurston County Economic Development Council announced this month that it had been awarded the official designation as an official Women’s Business Center by the Small Business Administration, women entrepreneurs throughout the region were cheering. “Our organization has seen a tremendous uptick, so I am sure the need is out there,” said Alliance of Women Owned Businesses vice president and marketing chair Jill Neumeister. The new program Neumeister will partner with the Thurston EDC’s Business Resource Center to provide entrepreneurial and small business counseling to women business owners throughout the region. For more than two decades, the BRC has provided services to both male and female entrepreneurs to increase their success at creating and retaining jobs and increasing company revenues. While services have targeted women, minorities and entrepreneurs in rural communities, the chance to host a target-
ed Women’s Business Center is a unique and valuable opportunity. Said Neumeister, “Having access locally to in-person professional and business development resources, geared towards entrepreneurs, is a positive step towards providing women with the support they will utilize to grow their business.” The EDC’s executive director Michael Cade agreed. “Through this program, we can continue our mission to help new and existing businesses expand and grow, and
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8 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | October 28, 2013
DEAL and Commercial Workers Local 367, which represents roughly 4,000 grocery workers in Pierce County. The union, along with Teamsters 38 in Snohomish County and UFCW 21 in Seattle, was threatening a strike against Safeway, Fred Meyer, Albertsons and QFC over, among other issues, cuts to health care benefits. Details of the tentative agreement will not be made public pending ratification, according to a release from Scott Powers of Allied Employers, which was in charge of negotiations for the four grocery chains. A statement on the UFCW Local 367 website confirmed the tentative deal has been unanimously recommended by the union bargaining team. Past that, spokesperson Kat Overman of UFCW Local 367 said the union is declining to talk further about the agreement until after its members has voted. Language is being finalized for such a vote, Overman said, although the vote itself has not been planned. The times and locations of those vote meetings will be announced after they are scheduled, per the statement on UFCW 367’s site. Announcement of the tentative pact signaled an end to a days-long negotiation session, one that began last Wednesday. Had a strike not been averted, it would have been the first lo-
cal grocery strike since 1989. Indeed, there were times when the outlook seemed grim. Strike rumors had percolated publicly for two months, and earlier in October, Local 367 released a statement on its website announcing that strike captains have been named and teams were preparing to get mobilized. The union’s statement also noted that negotiations were ongoing, but the word on the street wasn’t quite as rosy. “They just put up the signs, the ‘scab signs.’ So it doesn’t look good,” said a Pierce County Fred Meyer clerk who wished not to be named. “These companies really need to come to their senses and come up with a proposal that (their employees) can live with,” said UFCW spokesman Tom Geiger on Oct. 6. Antes were raised when UFCW Local 367 members in Mason and Thurston counties voted to join their Pierce County counterparts in authorizing a strike on Oct. 15, and again when Geiger announced that 72-hour strike notice was given on the evening of Oct. 18, after union members rejected then-current proposals and voted to approve a strike. Negotiations, however, continued through the weekend until the Monday evening announcement of a resolution. “We are pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative settlement agreement with the unions that continues to preserve good wages, secure pensions and access to quality, affordable health care for our employees,” Powers said.
ferings from multiple carriers. “There will still be a lot of variation in plan types and options, but allowing (people) to do a side-by-side comparison should increase competition, which is always to the benefit of the consumer,” he said. “(This will) heighten consumer awareness, and may over time shift consumer preferences and plan design; however, that’s still probably a few years down the road.” From an impact standpoint, Lovrak said that Countrywide is currently wellpositioned to help customers understand health care reform and transition their current healthcare plans to new ACA places. Like most health care insurance brokers throughout the South Sound, he said that his company has been proactive in training for the new system, and in build-
ing customer resources. The broadest overhaul for insurance companies offering health care now, though, he said, will be in the business realm. New niche industries to help companies skirt through the system without penalties may crop up out of this as well. “I think the biggest changes will be in administering group plans, and the new requirement that will be added to them as employers,” he said. “There is a lot more complexity in the group space than in the individual space, so I would not be surprised if some small consulting businesses popped up specifically to help medium to large business owners with ensuring that their health care plans are in compliance. The new fines for not following the guidelines properly, and there are a lot of them, will make lots of companies very nervous.”
continued from page 4
PHOTOS COURTESY OF UFCW LOCAL 367
Grocery union members set up a countdown clock to a strike in Seattle’s Westlake Park, with the countdown reaching two hours before a last minute deal was struck on Monday evening. The clock attracted large crowds and television cameras over the weekend (top photo). The countdown’s digits were then replaced by a message of gratitude from union employees (above photo).
INSURANCE continued from page 5 with clients both in and outside of the exchange, and receives a commission for selling a plan with a qualified premium. For clients who can get Medicare help, though, she refers to a navigator. “While it is a little more complicated to help someone who is applying for subsidies, I feel that they still need the advice of a qualified, licensed agent to help them pick the best plan for their circumstances,” she explained. “So, as long as they continue to pay me, I will continue to sell the product. But I can’t work for free, so if someone qualifies for Medicaid, I will direct them to navigators, who are trained to
help those of little means to (get through) the system.” Smith also pointed out that the largest rift she sees right now is that between physician networks and insurance carriers. “Due to the Exchange, some physician networks are no longer contracting with some insurance carriers, and that is going to be the biggest hurdle to overcome,” she explained. “Doctors want to get paid, yet insurance companies want to keep their premiums low, so there is a constant struggle going on to keep doctors under contract in certain networks.” At Countrywide Financial, Tacoma agency manager Eric Lovrak agreed that for the health insurance sector, the Exchange will play a big role in how consumers compare health plans, since it should make it easier for customers to explore of-
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 9
OUTLET continued from page 4 tame — but it left a big impression on shoppers. “It’s clean and bright and airy,” Kari Hill of Covington said of the new mall. Another guest, Donna Mavin, said, “It’s 100 percent better.” Upgrades to the tune of $35 million dollar made a big difference. New flooring, lighting, entrances, family restrooms and furniture have been added. There is also a new soft play area for kids, a new food court and an interior concourse connector. Several new retailers have also found a home within The Outlet Collection, including Coach Factory Outlet, Nike Factory Store, J. Crew Factory, Brooks Brothers Factory and H&M, and Michael Kors is on its way. Michael P. Glimcher, chairman and CEO of Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust which owns the property, turned out for the grand unveiling event and to check out the remodel. “It’s very uncommon in our industry that a property can reposition itself and we feel like we have more than exceeded our expectations,” he said Thursday. “We’ve created a five-star fashion mall environment with beautiful lighting and beautiful flooring, great seating areas, five-star hotel restrooms — we think all good malls should have great restrooms because people are going to spend a while here — new restaurants.” He and the shoppers agreed: the mall
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Larisa Fedas, one of more than a thousand shoppers who turned out for the grand unveiling of The Outlet Collection Oct. 17, snaggs freebies with her children outside of the mall’s new children’s play area.
has changed, for the better. “I think we were very much the local mall that had some outlet stores, so I think we were occasionally borrowing customers from other malls, but not regularly like we’d like to. I think the idea was, it was a nice mall, it served its market, but it really didn’t stand for anything,” Glimcher said of the Super Mall. “When you’re not
all outlet, and you’re not all full price, and you haven’t renovated in a while, you kind of get stuck in the mud. We had something that was okay and it wasn’t hurting us, but, was it taking our company to the next level? No.” “We believe that you either move forward or you move backward, and we felt like standing still was the equivalent of
moving backward. And perhaps the fact that we had stood still, we had moved backward a little bit, so we said we’re going to play offense. Don’t think because it worked yesterday it’s going to work tomorrow. It’s not. When you think your business is really good or you’re satisfied, that’s just the time to reinvent and get better and put money back in the business.”
WA Ports All international entry points have maintained heightened scrutiny since 9/11. 12
TECHNOLOGY 10 | Business Examiner | October 28, 2013
PHOTO COURTESY OF QUEST INSPAR
Prior to the lining the deteriorated pipe in Puyallup, Quest Inspar employees conducted a test run on a short section of the pipe above ground for Tacoma Utilities Department.
Kent robots find new business in the pipeline Quest Inspar designs robots to give second life to drinking water pipes in the South Sound By Katie Scaff kscaff@BusinessExaminer.com When Kent Weisenberg designed and engineered his first patented robot in 1999, it didn’t need to be especially user-friendly, because he only had two employees. But in the last 10-plus years his company has grown — significantly — developing more robots and completing revolutionary projects to rehabilitate pressurized pipeline systems at chemical plants, refineries and mining operations around the globe. With more employees and more projects in the pipeline, the need has emerged for robots that are not only easier for employees to operate, but adaptable for a wide range of projects. One of Quest Inspar’s latest and most groundbreaking projects fell on the laps of its engineers about two years ago. Tacoma’s Public Utilities had a 2,156-foot section of water transmission pipe running through Puyallup that was deteriorating and in need of replacement. In 2009, Michel Peloquin, a professional engineer for water supply, who headed the project for Tacoma Water, learned about a company that was working with polyurea materials in England at a conference he attended. That company was no longer in
business, but it inspired him to see if there was a way polyurea could be used in the South Sound. His search led him in 2011 to Quest Inspar, which is based in Houston but designs and develops robots out of its facility in Kent. Up until then, Quest Inspar had been using its robotics to repair and rehabilitate industrial and chemical plant pipelines for major power generation companies, chemical companies and refineries in areas such as Louisiana, Florida, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas. Although Quest Inspar had never sent its robots into drinking water pipes, the process of applying a protective coating would be similar to projects it had previously undertaken. So, for the last few years, Quest Inspar’s engineers have been further developing a large diameter device that the company first designed and put to use in 2006. “We have been utilizing this technology for nearly 12 years to rehabilitate much more complex industrial and chemical plant pipelines,” said Weisenberg, Quest Inspar’s founder and chief technology officer. “It was time to bring it to benefit the critical challenges municipal water departments and our communities face with the need to fix aging pipe systems with limited
financial resources. “What we dedicated our time to was making the robot more user-friendly, more repeatable, if you will.” The robot and the umbilical line attached to it are controlled by an operator who monitors the application process from a computer above ground. Like with the company’s other robots, the umbilical, which looks like a long vacuum hose, feeds the robot the liner it sprays as it moves through the interior of a pipe. Moving at about 11 inches a minute, the new Quest Inspar device lined the deteriorating local pipe in March, eliminating the need to dig up and replace the pipe that was installed in the Puyallup community in 1936. This was the world’s first in-place robotic lining of a large diameter drinking water pipeline with structural polyurea. The project, while successful in its own accord, has opened a new area of business for the company, creating new options for utilities to repair in-place aging pipe systems. The robot can line pipes with diameters greater than 42 inches and is the first of its kind that can line a pipe in a single passthrough. Existing technology on the market requires multiple run-throughs to apply a coat as thick as its 0.375-inch liner,
PHOTO COURTESY OF QUEST INSPAR
In March, moving less than a foot per minute, one of Quest Inspar’s robots lined a 2,156-foot section of water transmission pipe running through Puyallup, eliminating the need to dig up and replace the pipe. The revolutionary project was the first of its type for the Kent-based company, which had yet to use its robotics in drinking water pipes.
Weisenberg said. “They all spray polyurea, and that’s a two-component chemical that cures in about four seconds,” Weisenberg said. “It makes a pipe inside the pipe. There are some real advantages to that. We’re using the pipe as a mold. No matter the geometry
See ROBOTS, page 13
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 11
12 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | October 28, 2013
WA ports staying wary with upgraded security tech Access, authorization top of priority list By Holly Smith Peterson hpeterson@BusinessExaminer.com For the past dozen years, since the September 11, 2001 air attack on New York City’s World Trade Center towers that affected so many lives, all international entry points in the U.S. have maintained heightened scrutiny. And with terrorist technology at greater levels than ever, places like Washington state’s port sites have doubled down on their security investments as well to combat both threatening and illegal activities. “The primary changes have been in regards to access,” said Eric Johnson, executive director of the Washington Public Ports Association. “Up until that point, most marine terminals had been fairly accessible. But even in recent years, security upgrades have been made — and will be made — to the facilities.” It’s not only weapons and chemicals that authorities at the ports are targeting, though. Infestations such as gypsy moths, which recently plagued several ports, are also a concern. In addition, cargo as innocuous as bananas can set off a chemical reaction or radiation detectors. Mainly, though, Johnson said that security tech upgrades have been in three distinct areas: authorization, surveillance and cargo
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PORT OF GRAY’S HARBOR
Recent upgrades to security at the Port of Gray’s Harbor include authorization, surveillance and cargo verification.
verification. “You need ID, and have to have full authorization or be with an authorized party to access any port,” Johnson said. “And there is a much more enhanced searching of cargo, from rigorous manifest checking to extended notice of arrival times, which used to be just
48 hours.” Specific processes to vet the cargo itself run the gamut from X-ray and radiation checks to investigations of suspicious odors and tag-along species. Just last month, the U.S. Customs Border and Patrol ramped up its non-intrusive intensive examinations at
the Port of Tacoma, in order to “match the technology and equipment with the conditions and requirements at domestic ports of entry, (to) ensure (that) CBP can meet its goal to inspect 100 percent of all targeted
See PORTS, page 13
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PORTS
Port security specifics
continued from page 12 high-risk shipments.” For the Port of Tacoma, spokeswoman Tara Mattina said that security now involves an integrated, multi-agency approach that combines local, state and federal government jurisdictions as well as the private sector. Patrol officers are responsible for Portoperated facilities and Port-owned land and assets, she said, while tenant companies are responsible for security at their own Portleased terminals. “Other agencies, primarily the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are generally are responsible for cargo security,” Mattina added. “Otherwise, we coordinate operations with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and local and state law enforcement agencies as necessary.” Security requirements indeed became much more stringent after 9/11, she agreed. Since then, additional Port of Tacoma requirements include U.S. Department of Homeland Security-issued Transportation Workers Identification Credential cards for anyone entering, or TWIC-credentialed personnel to escort guests. As for cargo, all containers are scanned for radiation before leaving the terminals. All told, the Port of Tacoma has received more than $25 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and has contributed another $7.2 million of Port funds to enhance its security infrastructure. The Port also plans to continue to leverage grant
Three specific categories of security technology have been the focus of increased research, testing and deployment in recent years: non-intrusive inspection (gamma and x-ray imaging), radiation detection, and RFID container intrusion detection.
1
Gamma-ray and X-ray Imaging: Non-intrusive inspection technology provides the capability to image the contents of containers without having to perform the time-consuming process of devanning a container and physically inspecting its contents.
2
Ultra high-speed gas chromatography is a powerful analytical method for analysis of odors, fragrances and chemical vapors produced by explosives, chemical and biological weapons, contraband and hazardous industrial materials. A portable chemical profiling system incorporating an ultra high-speed chromatography column, a solidstate sensor, a gate-array microprocessor and an integrated vapor reconcentrator is used.
funding to meet future regulatory requirements as needed. “It’s important for us to keep up with technological advances, and to continue to train with other local partners and conduct regional exercises,” Mattina said. “We are committed to protecting the safety of our people, facilities and supporting programs.” Further south, at the Port of Olympia, security tech innovations have also been coming along in recent years. Marine terminal acting director Jim Knight said that among the most recent additions have been the installation of new security cameras and marine terminal yard lights. Improvements have also been made in cargo loading and unloading, where strategically placed lights and cameras there allow administration to better monitor vessel ac-
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tivity. There are pockets of potential improvement in port protection throughout the region, however. “We could definitely focus on emergency communication systems between emergency service providers and the Ports,” Knight said. Other ports in the South Sound, though, don’t have as many security concerns as the big coastal trade spots, simply because of their size. “We don’t have the level of security that some of Washington state’s major ports do, because we’re not involved in the trade function as much,” said Port of Chehalis operations manager Rick Rouse. However, they’re still enhancing security tech in Chehalis.
3
Radiation Detection: VeriTainer, a container cranemounted radiation detection and identification system, employs passive scanning technology and identification algorithms to detect and identify gamma and neutron sources in a shipping container as they are loaded or discharged from the ship.
“Yes, we have made some improvements in recent years,” Rouse said. “And of course, we have cameras and equipment like that. But there’s no check-in, no searches. We’re just not as big, so it’s pretty much an open campus.” On the coast at the Port of Grays Harbor, which operates a Pacific Ocean shipping facility as well as an airport at SATSOP industrial park, contract administrator and facility security officer Mike Johnson said that security tech upgrades have been ongoing, particularly since 2007, when the site received government funding for just that purpose. “Since then, we have implemented security upgrades, and we plan to continue to increase our level of security,” Johnson said. “As for specifics; well, that’s classified. Let’s just say, ‘We’ve got it covered.’”
ROBOTS
One of Quest Inspar’s robots might also be headed to Qatar, where its liner is being tested for potential application to a 45continued from page 10 mile pipeline subjected to abnormally high of the pipe, it always aligns and it’s a tight fit abrasive wear. to the pipe wall.” The company is in discussion with Quest Inspar’s other three robots can power plants in New Mexico, Nevada and line pipes from four inches to 20 inches, 24 California, chemical plants in Texas and inches to 42 inches, and from six inches to Ohio, and water utilities in California and 24 inches. The latter is designed for long Colorado for projects to fit within schedstraight runs of pipe, while the other two uled shutdowns over the next two years, are more flexamong other ible and able to government and accommodate private industry multiple bends facilities. in pipes, like the Tacoma Wanew robot. ter is tapping “We’re still Quest Inspar working on them. again as well, for There are cusa project involv— Kent Weisenberg, Founder and tomers and cliing 2,200 feet of Chief Technology Officer, Quest Inspar water transmisents out there that have differsion line next ent configuraNovember. tions of pipe or Weisenberg need a certain will speak about thing,” Weisenberg said. “They’re funda- his company’s success rehabilitating wamental base units and then they have cer- ter transmission pipelines at the Undertain functionalities that are included in all ground Construction Technology Internathe patents. But, what we’re able to do is tional Conference & Exhibition in January kind of mix and match for different pipe in Houston and will be co-presenting with configurations — different diameters, what Peloquin the case study of this world’s first kind of material they need in there. We’re application at the National American Water constantly changing them for the client’s Works Association Conference in Boston in pipe system.” April 2014. Adapting a robot from conceptualization To accommodate the growth, the comto implementation for a new project can pany plans to hire more employees in the take anywhere from a week to six months. next two years. Scott Wise, vice president of The new robot will be put to work again marketing and sales, said he hopes to have next month, lining large diameter circulat- about 40 employees by the end of 2014 and ing water pipelines in Texas for Xcel Energy. between 50 and 75 at the end of 2015.
“ ”
We have been utilizing this technology for nearly 12 years.
Bogus ‘utility tax’ University Place organizations, businesses challenge Proposition 1, which would fund neighborhood road repairs. 16
PROGRESS
UNIVERSITY PLACE
14 | Business Examiner | October 28, 2013
Grassi’s finds home and heritage in UP Restaurant, boutique to open after the first of the year at site of former Affairs Café & Bakery By Katie Scaff kscaff@BusinessExaminer.com Bringing the company closer to home. That’s the idea behind Grassi’s move to University Place next year. After leaving the University of Washington-Tacoma corridor and consolidating part of his business at his shop on Center Street in Tacoma, Ken Grassi, owner Grassi’s Flowers & Gifts, has announced plans to open storefronts for his restaurant and boutique at 2811 Bridgeport Way in University Place next year. The move will have him working where he is already living and serving as mayor, and, when the restaurant and boutique open after the first of the year, they’ll better reflect Grassi’s Italian heritage. Renovations are under way at the future site of the restaurant, which will occupy the building formerly home to Affairs Café & Bakery, and at two adjoining office spaces, where the dividing wall has been torn down to make room for the fashion shop. Both spaces are getting interior and exterior updates. Inside the restaurant, Grassi is painting and installing new hardware, flooring, windows and doors. The greenhouse-like windows on the south side of the storefront will be replaced with flat windows and the latticework will be removed. What used to be the truffle case at the entrance of Affairs will be a wine bar. “It’s going to have a whole fresh new look. Northwest natural real warm colors,” explained Grassi. “We’re going to go back to our roots, Italian.”
PHOTO BY HEATHER PERRY
Ken Grassi, owner Grassi’s Flowers & Gifts and mayor of University Place, shows off the future site of his restaurant and boutique at 2811 Bridgeport Way in University Place. He’s remodeling the former Affairs Café & Bakery for his restaurant and tearing down the wall separating two office spaces in the building to make room for his boutique.
He’s adding a stone to the arch in the middle of the dining room and French doors that will open from the café to outdoor seating on the patio. He’s also planning to bring outdoor seating to a courtyard behind his restaurant. “My vision is to add outdoor dining in that courtyard giving it a villa-type feeling with lighting,” Grassi said. “We envision it
like Little Italy.” Part of this revival of heritage is an expansion of their menu. “Downtown, we were limited because we had a real small kitchen,” Grassi said, noting his new space, including the dining room, kitchen and banquet room, is more than 4,000 square feet. “We have a big kitchen. We’ll bring back some customer favorites,
but we’ll also be doing quite a bit of Italian. We just didn’t have the kitchen to do it, so now we can.” In the UW corridor, his kitchen and dining areas were about 1,000 square feet combined; he could seat 50. The new larger space can accommodate between 50 and 60
See GRASSI’S, page 17
US OPEN COUNTDOWN: Chambers Bay set to host City’s best, biggest event By Holly Smith Peterson kscaff@BusinessExaminer.com The ultimate test of golf will happen right here in the South Sound in just 20
months, when University Place’s Chambers Bay Golf Course hosts the U.S. Open Championship June 18 to 21, 2015. “There’s still a lot of work, a lot of definition about how we’ll do it,” said UP City
Councilman and U.S. Open Task Force member Javier Figueroa. “Anything inside the ropes belongs to the U.S. Golf Association. They call the shots. But outside the gate, we’re making a blueprint of how
BUSINESS EXAMINER MEDIA GROUP ARCHIVE PHOTO
Chamber’s Bay, which will host the U.S. Open in 18 months, is a par 72, 18-hole course is the top-rated golf course in the Pacific Northwest.
we want to put it together.” Still under consideration is how to “dress up the city,” so to speak. That includes banner design, signage, the welcome package for guests, pavilion locations, and business briefings on cohesive themes for the event. “How do we prepare local businesses for this, and other local groups that want to do something having to do with the USGA?” asked Figueroa. The target is a draft plan by the end of this year, for which City Council plans on passing a resolution. By February or March, Figueroa said, themes, signage, business approach and other key angles will have been worked out. By next June, the University Place team wants to have the marketing strategy in place and ready to fire. “The second the 2014 U.S. Open is over with, we will be in the spotlight,” Figueroa said. “So our goal is to have our plan in place by then, because once that’s done,
See US OPEN, page 17
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 15
PHOTOS BY HOLLY SMITH PETERSON
LEFT: The new University Place library. RIGHT: The Frog n Kiwi Café, residing in the central Civic Center building.
University Place development chugging along Creation of a ‘downtown’ landscape, revitalizing derelict areas right on target By Holly Smith Peterson hpeterson@BusinessExaminer.com Eight square miles might not seem like much compared to big cities, but it’s all University Place has had to work with since it was declared a city in 1995. However, over the last 18 years, it’s packed a wallop into its attraction factor in terms of commercial development. And, a residential surge has naturally followed. “The development of Town Center in our downtown, as that unfolds, it’s a continuing story,” said city manager Steve Sugg. “And it’s a very positive story that’s bringing to reality the vision of the City Council. It’s now coming to fruition.” What’s on those eight acres now is a far cry from the landscape that prior to the 19th century was the homegrounds for Nisqually, Steilacoom, Squaxin, Puyallup, and Muckleshoot tribes. By the mid-1800s, though, the coastal land was tapped for lumber, as a railroad center, and a gravel mining hub. Now there’s inland independent small business aplenty, as well as the Chambers Bay golf course stretching along the waters of the Narrows channel in the former industrial area. That Chambers Bay will host the U.S. Open golf tournament in just 20 months has also been a spark for development, said Assistant City Manager Mariza Craig. “We had our first private developer put in $52 million in public investment in our roads, the Civic Building, and infrastructure,” she said. “Now we have a beautiful mixed-use, pedestrian friendly commercial downtown area that matches the City’s vision.” That particular project is the anchor of the new “downtown” area, where several blocks include the new University Place library, police and government offices, and the $15 million mixed-use Clearview building. That alone has 100 units of above-market residential space, as well as more than 12,000 feet of commercial area. “Now that’s done, we’re ready to start on the three-level garage on the south side, as well as the new Latitude 47,” Craig said. The latter is a $30 million additional 150 residential units residential, underset by 20,000 square feel of commercial space.
“Just between one developer, that’s $45 development include the 27th Street cormillion in private development,” pointed ridor, one of the city’s oldest commercial out Craig. arterials, where there’s always been a deAnd, at the end of this week, the City will sire to revitalize. Currently the city is addannounce a key anchor tenant. ing subtle touches like fresh road crossings, Others already surrounding the site tree plantings and distinctive district siginclude the 5,400-square-foot Apple- nage, a la the Tacoma neighborhood busibee’s, which has broken ground and will ness districts. be open by the end of this year; and the Residential endeavors, too, are on the 6,500-square-foot Green Firs building, to move, with a 7-acre, 5,600-square-foot, which the beloved mixed use senior area Starbucks rehousing developcently relocated, ment in the works thanks to a City by a SHAG develconcession for oper. a drive-through “That’s very exwindow due to the citing, because it economy of the will kick off revitimes. talization for that Then there’s the distressed area,” Ale House, which Craig said. is soon reopening Jeff Kraft, a after its fire; Grasvice president of — Steve Sugg, city manager, UP si’s, which is movKidder Mathews’ ing into the Affairs brokerage division building from its who’s working on former Pacific Avethe core downtown nue site in downtown Tacoma; and the $1.3 project, said that the city’s development million O’Brien Dentistry building, which progress has been solid. However, the curalone brought nine jobs to University Place. rent goal is to secure an anchor tenant that “We have more than 1,300 businesses, will be a draw to the city. half of them unique,” Craig explained. “It’s “We have a wish list to draw from, and such a testament when we see commercial in a perfect world would like to get a big developers and businesses reinvesting back anchor tenant that caters to the high-end into the community. That’s a very good sign market of University Place but who would for other businesses.” also bring in tourism and residential trafOther areas in University Place seeing fic everywhere from Seattle, Tacoma and
“ ”
The development of Town Center ... it’s a continuing story. And it’s a very positive story that’s bringing to reality the vision of the City Council.
RENDERING COURTESY OF KIDDER MATHEWS
The $15 million Clearview Mixed-Use project at University Place has 100 units of above-market residential space and more than 12,000 feet of commercial real estate.
Olympia to Gig Harbor, Bremerton and Silverdale,” he said. Whatever happens, though, University Place seems to have no problem attracting key tenants. Mark Grau, owner of Frog & Kiwi Cafe in the central Civic Center building, explained that the UP demographics let his site access the entire range of his customer base. “There was also a great need to have a small, family and local coffee shop with quality products outside the typically chains,” he said. He chose University Place, and the downtown Civic Center site for his cafe because it was “a clean slate,” meaning the future of the Town Center could be shaped with the help of Frog n Kiwi Café. “Being the first retail establishment there, we knew we would help guide the growth and set the standard,” he said. “There were no issues of an area trying to re-invent itself, as there are with many strip-malls out there, and we wanted a distinctive environment. Besides, with the combination of the library, the apartments, the police station, and eventually the City Hall, we knew this would become the hub of the community.” Grau’s take on the advantages of owning a business in University Place are many, including the opportunity to build a business community above normal standards. “In today’s economy, people are careful with their income, and community support is amazing,” he said, “Our locals want and do support the small business. “It’s extremely challenging running a small business anywhere, but having people who live nearby frequent our business helps ease some stress.” As for the big picture for University Place, Sugg said that, despite the economic challenges, the city is finally seeing an uptick in development. And that’s great, particularly given the U.S. Open deadline of June 2015. “Although it’s taken a number of years, with the recession and economic downturn, we’re now experiencing clear progress,” he said. “And there are even more public and private projects in the planning stages, which shows that we’re doing a lot here in the community.”
16 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | October 28, 2013
UP leads the charge on challenging bogus ‘utility tax’ By Holly Smith Peterson hpeterson@BusinessExaminer.com The City of Tacoma wants neighborhood road repairs, which has been a longcontested issue among residents and businesses. However, the way officials are fishing for funding is through Proposition 1, a 2 percent rate hike on Tacoma Public Utility customers, including businesses. “That 2 percent will amount to thousands of dollars for a lot of businesses, some of whom don’t realize it,” said Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce business and political manager Gary Brackett. “They’re upset because they’ll have to
pay a tax and not get any benefit.” That’s because TPU’s coverage includes the full-scale 8 acres of University Place, plus many other neighborhoods across Pierce County and the South Sound. Roughly one-third of TPU’s residential and commercial customers in Lakewood would see the additional charges, should Prop 1 pass. Most affected will be largescale businesses whose day-to-day operations include high electric use, such as hospitals, shopping malls and large buildings. That’s why University Place City Council was the first to pass a resolution against Proposition 1 earlier this year. Lakewood City Council followed suit. And other cities may very well follow.
The problem stems from the fact that the hopscotch pattern of TPU customers hardly gels with the road upgrade map. That means that, while businesses small and large may have to pay the tax, they may not see improvements on their main streets. “If you look at the project map, commuting areas and deliveries, it’s the residential areas that are getting the bulk of the work,” Brackett said. “As for pot holes and traffic light synchronization, you can synchronize a whole lot of lights for $10 million.” Another factor is that, although the tax addition is just 2 percent, that’s a 33 percent increase over what it was previously — so businesses who use power as 60 to 75 percent of their overall cost will see a major
Taking a bite out of the run-around. Unlike the national banks, our loan process isn’t complicated. Our loan officers live here, just like you. Take comfort in the fact that they know the region, know your business, and don’t need approval from New York, or Los Angeles, or wherever approvals come from. Call us now to get started.
hit to their bottom line. On the other side of the story, though, is Ryan Mello, Tacoma City Council member and chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, as well as chairman of the Pierce Conservation District. “Businesses have a lot of suppliers, and better roads mean more customers,” he pointed out. “We’re also adding revenue and construction jobs; good-wage jobs with benefits. So businesses should think about that, if they want their customer bases to grow, they would invest in Tacoma streets. They’re not going to fix themselves.” Another issue for Mello is that power in Tacoma has been cheap. TPU’s residential customers generally pay 32 percent less; industrial customers have bills 74 percent below the average. Hiking the rate 2 percent brings the rates more in line with other regional suppliers like Puget Sound Energy. Still, 7,500 businesses and 70,000 residences outside of Tacoma throw money into the city via the existing 6 percent utility earnings tax on TPU service. Cable TV, city rail and water use, and other utilities are also taxed, to the tune of $56 millionplus just last year, meaning more than 20 percent of city revenue comes from utility taxes. One vocal customer has been Northwest Door president Jeff Hohman, for whom a 2 percent utility rate increase would mean an added annual $2,500. And, Tacoma-Pierce County REALTORS government affairs director Catherine Rudolph said that her agency has taken a “No” position. “We think it’s not a good idea for businesses … because it could have a lot more impact than at first blush,” she said. The agency is certainly in favor of road improvement, she emphasized, but the process needs to be very carefully thought out. “There’s no connection between utilities and roads,” Rudolph said. “We’re still looking for a plan.” Ultimately, though, Mello said that this issue isn’t about taxes and regulations. It’s about transportation and infrastructure. “Those are the backbone of our economy,” he said. “We’re investing in infrastructure because businesses keep calling on their local government to make solutions in that area. It’s the number-one concern of the people.”
Who’s against Prop 1? ORGANIZATIONS Aerospace Machinists Union #751; Economic Development Board for the Tacoma-Pierce County; Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce; Tacoma Pierce County Association of Realtors
Find out more at columbiabank.com or 877.272.3678. And visit columbiabank.com/forbes to see why Forbes* ranked Columbia Bank #1 among Washington-based banks on its list of the 2013 Best Banks in America. Member FDIC. You’ll notice the difference. *© 2012, Forbes Media LLC. Used with permission.
BUSINESSES Auto Warehousing Company; Bradken (Atlas Foundary); Feed Commodities; Manke Lumber Company; Milgard Manufacturing; Murray Pacific Corporation; Rainier Connect; Rainier Veneer; Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.; Simpson; Stellar Industries; TOTE – Totem Ocean Trailer Express
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 17
GRASSI’S continued from page 14 guests in the dining room and another 50 in the banquet room. The new boutique, which set up in temporary space in the same complex on Sept. 29, will be about 1,500 square feet. “Basically that whole space has been gutted,” Grassi said of the boutique’s future home. “The office-type ceiling tiles are being removed, all new walls and windows, LED track lighting system, flooring. It was gutted to the studs. All of that will be brand new.” The new space will lend a new look for the boutique as well. “In the building we were in downtown, we were kind of Old World. Because this is all going to be new, we’re going to be doing a more contemporary look. We’re still in the final phase of choosing colors and flooring, but it’s going to be a more contemporarytype look,” Grassi said. The shop will also have more products. The exact opening date is still unclear, but it will be after the first of the year. It all depends on the construction schedule, Grassi said, which is likely to wrap up in December. He’s planning the move for sometime in January. Beyond University Place, Grassi had con-
US OPEN continued from page 14 everyone will be asking what we’re going to do.” Some background on University Place proves that this isn’t the first time the city has been in the limelight with regards to golf. In fact, after being chosen as the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open sites, the par-72, walking-only Chambers Bay course — which stretches from 5,100 to 7,585 yards on fescue turf from tee to green — is not only the scene for the country’s two oldest golf championships, but also the sole Pacific Northwest course to host the latter competition. That the site was chosen as Golf Magazine’s Best New Course, as well as one of the publication’s top U.S. and World courses, only added to the international accolades. Golf Digest, too, chose Chambers Bay as America’s Best New Public Course in 2008, while both Golf Digest and Golfweek Magazine tapped the UP
PHOTO BY HEATHER PERRY
Grassi, standing in his restaurant’s future dining room, explains his plans to bring his new eatery closer to his Italian roots. With a bigger kitchen, he’ll be adding some Italian food to his menu and he has plans to create a courtyard reminiscent of Little Italy behind the restaurant.
sidered locating in the Proctor District. “Because we live in UP and I work in UP, it made sense. In Proctor, we just couldn’t find a space that would work,” Grassi said, noting he’s also excited about other developments happening in the area. “The U.S. Open is going to be amazing
in that in brings the nation’s eyes on University Place. There will be hopefully increased business in University Place, but most people come by bus or by train to the event and they will leave to go back to their hotel,” Grassi said. “Our decision was really based more on what University Place has
done over the years. The town center is now really started to develop. “This whole area is just ripe and ready and hungry for new restaurants and retail. We think University Place is just going to bust with retail activity in the next few years.”
site as the best public course in the state. Now, to prepare for hosting the 2015 event, Figueroa said that some of his committee and City Council members have been deep in research, as well as traveled to other U.S. Open locales. “We’ve sent people in order to observe and understand, so that we can have more understanding of the U.S. Open and what it involves,” he said. “We need to know the best ways to control what we can, and how to plan for it, and budget for it, and implement it.” What the city can’t control, though, is the weather. However, if June 2015 is anything like this year, Figueroa said he has no worries. “It’s like being asked to go to a big event like the Oscars, and we’re going to be sitting in the very front row with the nominees,” he explained. “So we need to figure out how to present ourselves, because what we will get by default is a huge amount of exposure for University Place at no cost, and a huge amount of traffic coming in and seeing what we’re all about.”
PHOTO BY HOLLY SMITH PETERSON
The Business Examiner Media Group recently hosted its Executive Golf League at Chamber’s Bay, where (from left) Henry Williams, John Rossman and Bill Pickles networked while golfing.
BUSINESS EXAMINER MEDIA GROUP ARCHIVE PHOTO
Chamber’s Bay is considered one of the most challenging courses in the U.S. The 2015 U.S. Open should draw thousands of golf fans from around the nation.
18 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | October 28, 2013
PeopleontheMove Additions n The OlympiaLacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau has announced the hiring of Jennifer Leach as their new Special Projects & Events Manager. Previously, she served as an intern for Leach the VCB, June-September and was the key VCB Coordinator for Tumwater Oktoberfest. Leach is a graduate of Washington State University with honors, majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. n Olympia Master Builders recently hired Adam Frank as director of government affairs after longtime OMB employee Angela White changed positions to become the director of membership and communications. Frank, a graduFrank ate of Brigham Young University’s Reuben Clark Law School, was most recently with The Garden City Group, Inc., in Seattle prior to joining the Olympia Master Builders. White, a graduate of Central Washington University with a degree in public relations and a minor in
advertising, has been at OMB for five years. Prior to OMB, she worked for the Community Transportation Association of America for several years. n Andrea PoulsenTodd, CPA, recently White joined the Tumwater CPA firm of Armour Vickerman, PLLC. She has experience in both public and private accounting. She is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants. n Cabinets by Trivonna in Lacey has announced the hiring of Arianna Soldano-Phillips, who joins the staff as administrative assistant and is likely to train to become a designer. n Group Health’s Tacoma Medical Center recently welcomed cardiologist Timothy Larson, MD, FACC. Before joining Group Health, DrLarson had been with Franciscan Health Systems in Tacoma since June 2011 and prior to that was in private practice with Cardiac Health Specialists, PS, since August 2009. n SCJ Alliance in Olympia has announced the addition of five new team members to the firm. The new employees
are: Casey Cochrane, project development and community relations; Lisa Palazzi, CPSS, PWS, certified professional soil scientist and certified professional wetland scientist; Maryam Lynch-Tate, senior marketing coordinator; Dan Ireland, PE, project manager; and Joshua Sjoding, IT specialist. Cochrane has 25 years of experience in government and community relations; he spent the last 10 years representing Puget Sound Energy and prior to that was with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. Palazzi brings more than 20 year’s expertise in soil science, soil hydrology and wetland science. Lynch-Tate brings over 19 years of experience in marketing communications, proposal management, presentation development and meeting/ special events planning. Ireland spent over ten years at WA State Department of Transportation, preceded by a position in the Storm and Surface Water Dept. at Thurston County. Sjoding, with more than 20 years’ experience, hails most recently from the WA State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Accolades and Elections n Kristofer T. Johnson will be the new president for the Association of Washington Business. He is stepping up from vice president of operations for the group. He will succeed Don Brunell, who will retire from the 8,100 member
statewide chamber of commerce after 28 years as its leader. Johnson will work with Brunell through the end of 2013 and assume his new role on Jan. 1, 2014. n Lori Hatfield, an office assistant at Mason General Hospital Ankle & Foot, was recently honored as Employee of the Month for September by her peers. She has been with MGH Ankle & Foot for eight years. Also, Craig Chase, a 21-year employee in Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics’ maintenance department, was honored as Employee of the Month for August. It is the third time he has been honored.
Hatfield
Chase
Have you made a new addition to your team? Maybe you’ve promoted a member of your existing staff, or someone within your company has recently earned an award or certification. Send a message to news@BusinessExaminer.com to let us know, and we’ll feature your hires, promotions and other personnel news in our People on the Move section.
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 19
AdvertisingMarketing&PRFirms ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS
2
3
4
(253) 566-1675 | (253) 566-1709 Woodstockmediagroup.com info@onholdconcepts.com
WND 16 1987
5 6 7
(253) 588-5340 | (253) 588-5348 WND SouthSoundMag.com 16 info@premiermedia.net 2001 (206) 790-1999 | (206) 686-4174 WND iLocalOnline.com 12 jason@ilocalonline.com 2009 (360) 490-0616 | (360) 427-6872 WND McCartyAndAssociates.com 11 Mccarty@mccartyandassociates.com 1986
Top exec(s) Kimberly Brandner, Dir of Marketing & Client Services; Paul Brandner, VP/Dir of Ops Jim Brebner, Pres
Crisis communications, research, focus groups, internal communications
Kathleen Deakins, Pres; Shari Campbell, VP
On hold advertising & music, in-building music and messaging, DishNetwork television for businesses, digital signage
Chuck Woodstock, Founder/Pres
Print, LIVE, digital, social media
Josh Dunn, Owner, Publisher
Online marketing, internet advertising, $120 copywriting, marketing consulting, SEO, Website dev Strategic marketing, crises public relations, advertising, consulting, editing, proofreading, marketing minutes, marketing plans, logos, brochures Creative services, graphic design, Web design, $140 interactive media/digital video
Jason Morgan, Owner
Publishing
Ken Marsh, Pres
a a a a a a a a a Internet / Intranet
SEO, directory listings, online advertising, PPC $120
Jason Morgan, Owner
a a a a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Radio, Transit, TV a a a a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Radio, Transit, TV a a a a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, TV
Advertising, promotional items, graphic design firm as well as awards and engraving
Brenda Williams, Principal; Mike Williams, Principal
Advertising, public relations, marketing, graphic and web design
Joyce Willms, Pres
Business collateral & business promotional design, online events management, HIPAA compliant patient record management systems, ecommerce options Printing, promotional products, graphic design, $60 pack & ship, self publishing books and manuals, logo design, logo products
Bobbie Bailey, Pres/Owner
Advertising, marketing, public relations, design $135
Kathleen Martin, Pres & Owner
Internet brand management and marketing consulting services (technical, web, SEO, mobile applications)
Monte Grubb, Principal and Founder
Multi channel specialties a a a a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Phone/Text, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Radio, Transit, TV a a a a a a a Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products a a a a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Radio, Transit, TV a a a Billboard, Phone/Text, Printed Materials / Collateral, Radio, Transit, TV a a
a a a a a a Email, Events, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral
a a a a a a a a a Internet / Intranet a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Radio, Transit, TV a a a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Phone/Text, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Radio, Transit, TV a a a a a a Events, Internet / Intranet, Printed Materials / Collateral a a a a a a
(253) 284-2140 | (253) 284-2142 RustyGeorge.com rusty@rustygeorge.com
$2M 11 1997
West Coast Publishing 8016 Durango St SW Ste B-7 Lakewood, WA 98499 10 Research Giant 32125 Bruckners Way Black Diamond, WA 98010 11 Williams Group Marketing & Design 3643 Pacific Ave Olympia, WA 98501 12 Washington Media Services, Inc. 407 West Bay Dr Olympia, WA 98502
(253) 503-7308 | (253) 984-7928 WAmilitary.com info@wamilitary.com (206) 790-1999 | (206) 686-4174 ResearchGiant.com jason@researchgiant.com (360) 352-3031 | (360) 352-3251 WMSGroup.com mike@wmsgroup.com
WND 10 1988 WND 10 2011 WND 9 1993
(360) 754-4543 | (360) 943-7086 WAMedia.com joyce@wamedia.com
WND 8 1988
13 Marketing Puget Sound 2312 N 30th St Ste 101 Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 503-1227 $550,000 Marketingpugetsound.com 8 webdev@marketingpugetsound.com 2009
14 DPI Print 5775 Soundview Dr Ste E102 Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 853-3622 | (253) 853-3688 DPIPrint.net info@dpiprint.net
$2M 7 2003
a a a a
15 The Martin Firm 4115 Bridgeport Way W Ste A University Place, WA 98466
(253) 565-2040 | (253) 565-0974 MartinFirm.com KFMartin@MartinFirm.com
WND 6 1988
a a a a a
16 iVersatile LLC 6310 91st ST E Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 232-5583 | (253) 848-5376 Iversatile.com monte@iversatile.com
$250,000 6 2008
a a a a
17 Smith/Walker Design 19625 62nd Ave S Ste C-109 Kent, WA 98032 18 Schramm Marketing 1509 Peach Park Ln NW Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 872-2111 | (253) 872-2140 SmithWalkerDesign.com jeff@smithwalkerdesign.com (253) 318-5847 SchrammMarketing.com stephanie@schrammmarketing.com
WND 5 1984 WND 5 2011
a a
19 Highstreet Advertising 4227 S Meridian Ste C-670 Puyallup, WA 98373 20 A.C.T. Video Productions Inc 5009 Pacific Hwy E Ste 10 Fife, WA 98424 21 Pardiman Productions 809 Legion Way SE Ste 309 Olympia, WA 98501 22 Dande Company 5423 S Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 845-0230 | (253) 845-0752 HighStAd.com info@highstreetad.com (253) 926-2440 | (253) 926-1130 ActVP.com info@actvp.com (360) 259-6672 PardimanProductions.com info@pardimanproductions.com (253) 474-3434 | (253) 475-3306 DandeCo.com info@dandeco.com
WND 4 1981 WND 4 1989 WND 3 2003 $200,000 2 1963
a a
23 Daniels-Brown Communications Inc PO Box 4454 Olympia, WA 98501 24 Hay Meadows SEO 14007 108th Ave CT E Puyallup, WA 98374 25 Another Way Marketing 855 Trosper Road Ste 108-240 Tumwater, WA 98512 26 Creative Ad Services 4022 61st St Ct NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335 27 Augustus Barnett 1 PO Box 197 Fox Island, WA 98333 28 Pouncy Designs 18811 Mountainview Dr E Bonney Lake, WA 98391 29 ZenDezignz PO Box 111656 Tacoma, WA 98411 30 YOU ROCK! 10408 Bujacich Rd NW Gig Harbor, WA 98332 31 Go To Graphics Gal 2 3128 42nd St NE Tacoma, WA 98422
(360) 705-3058 DanielsBrown.com info@danielsbrown.com
WND 2 1997
(253) 693-5084 | (253) 693-5084 HayMeadows.com webmaster@haymeadows.com (360) 888-8062 | (360) 754-6557 AnotherWayMarketing.com info@anotherwaymarketing.com (253) 853-4403 | (253) 853-4313 CreativeAdServices.net jackie@creativeadservices.net (253) 549-2396 AugustusBarnett.com charlieb@augustusbarnett.com (253) 987-7396 | (253) 987-7396 PouncyDesigns.com info@pouncydesigns.com (253) 241-3676 | (866) 581-1918 ZenDezignz.com Maura@ZenDezignz.com (253) 318-7503 YouRockCommunications.com info@YouRockCommunications.com (253) 952-6212 GoToGraphicsGal.com kporter@gotographicsgal.com
$175,000 2 2002 WND 2 2010 WND 1 1980 WND 1 1981 WND 1 2003 WND 1 2004 WND 1 2005 WND 1 2009
32 Passio Creative 3 700 Court A Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 318-9836 Passiocreative.com info@passiocreative.com
WND 1 2013
8
9
Logos
Woodstock Media Group / On-Hold Concepts 7121 27th St W University Place, WA 98466 Premier Media Group 2112 N 30th St Tacoma, WA 98403 iLocal Inc 32125 Bruckners Way Black Diamond, WA 98010 McCarty & Associates Inc - A Marketing Firm 221 W Railroad Ave Ste 6 Shelton, WA 98584 Rusty George Creative 732 Broadway Ste 302 Tacoma, WA 98402
Print Design
WND 16 1970
Web Design
(253) 627-9128 | (253) 627-6548 JayRay.com kdeakins@jayray.com
Graphic Design
$2M 17 1989
Copy Writing
(253) 473-0765 | (253) 475-3012 SirSpeedy0905.com jimb@sirspeedy0905.com
Branding
Sir Speedy Printing & Marketing Services 7450 South Tacoma Way Ste B1 Tacoma, WA 98409 JayRay 535 E Dock St Ste 205 Tacoma, WA 98402
Avg hourly Additional services rate Digital communications (Email, Web, SEO & SEM), social media, green marketing, dealer/ distributor channel marketing, ad response program development 4-color process printing, integrated direct $95 marketing/mail, promotional marketing items, signs, posters & banners, website design
PR
Revenue # Emps Year Est $5M 19 1988
Marketing
Phone | Fax Web site Email (253) 661-7333 | (253) 661-7336 Brandner.com info@brandner.com
Company Name Rank Address 1 Brandner Communications Inc 32026 32nd Ave S Federal Way, WA 98001
Advertising
Ranked by total number of employees. Figures as of October 2013.
a a
a a a a a
a a
a a a
a a a a Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Phone/Text, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Radio, Transit, TV a a a a Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Phone/Text, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, TV a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Transit a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Radio, Transit, TV a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Radio, Transit, TV a Internet / Intranet, TV
$85
Full commercial photography studio in-house Marketing consulting, media buying, social media management
$150
Video & media production
a a a a a a Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Print Promotional, marketing and event video Adv, Radio, TV production
a Email, Internet / Intranet, Phone/Text
a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Events, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Radio, TV a a a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Events, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Radio, Transit, TV a a a Email, Internet / Intranet a a
a
Jeffrey Smith, Co-Creative Dir, ; Robin Walker, CoCreative Dir, Stephanie Schramm, Owner
Connie Dempsey, Pres; Tom Tinker, VP
$55
Corey Lopardi, Owner
Internet video and social media marketing services
$160
Advertising coordinating Package design, name generation, new products
Michaele Arneson, Owner
Stephen Daniels-Brown, Pres/CEO; Celeste DanielsBrown, Vice Pres Dan Guay, Owner, SEO Agnes Furst, Partner; Betsy Pozzanghera, Partner Jackie Cooper-Clement, Owner
$150
Web design, copy writing, content development, information design
a a a a Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Customized imagery and illustrations $75 Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products a a a a a Direct Mail, Email, Internet / Intranet, Brand development, brand management, social Phone/Text, Print Adv, Radio, TV media administration, social strategy, audience engagement. a a a a a a a a a Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Graphic/web design Intranet, Phone/Text, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Brand name dev, brand dev, tagline dev, logo $100 Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed design, brand collateral, Website design Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Transit a a
Pat Schmidt, Pres/Owner
$100
a a Direct Mail, Events, Print Adv, Printed Personalized retail products, custom gifts, $60 Materials / Collateral, Promo Products awards, sublimation on in-house gift items, interior and exterior metal, laminate, cast signs and molded letters a a a a a a a a a Billboard, Direct Mail, Email, Events, Internet / Intranet, Print Adv, Printed Materials / Collateral, Promo Products, Radio, Transit, TV a a a a a a a a a Internet / Intranet $75 a a a a
Rusty George, Principal; Kitura George, Operations Mgr
Jeff Hochstrasser, Principal
a a a a a a
a a
Virginia McCarty, Founder and CEO
Augustus Barnett, Pres & Creative Director Kim Pouncy Maura Desimone Patrick Williams Kathy Porter
Heather Stajgr, Owner & Creative Principal
Ranked by number of employees, then year opened. (1) Augustus Barnett Advertising & Design (2) formally Rose Creative Studio (3) formally Hemisphere Design & Marketing
Information is based on data provided by a representative of each company or respective Web site. PCBE Inc. dba Business Examiner makes every attempt to publish accurate and factual information on its lists, however, accuracy can not be guaranteed. It is not the intent of this list to endorse the participants, companies, or individuals or to imply a specific level of quality in the companies listed. Please send any updates, additions, corrections, or deletions to subscribe@businessexaminer.com.
20 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | October 28, 2013
SceneandHeard Scene & Heard is a feature in the Business Examiner that strives to promote business and community events as well as community awards around the South Sound. Photos submitted for this section are used on a space-available basis. Be sure submitted photos include caption information that describes the event and lists the names of the people in the photos. Photo credits are also appreciated. Submit items to the Business Examiner, 1702-B Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98402, Fax: (253) 404-0892, or by e-mail (preferred) to: news@BusinessExaminer.com. Highlight the local connection if it is not obvious. For additional information, call (253) 404-0891.
1. Guests at the grand unveiling of The Outlet Collection Seattle, formerly the Auburn Super Mall, included John Partridge of the Auburn City Council and Michael P. Glimcher, chairman and CEO of Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust, which owns the property. 2. Stephanie Scott, Procurement Technical Assistance Center specialist, moderated the Thurston County Chamber showcase, which focused on government contracting. 3. CEO and founder of ImprovEdge LLC Karen Hough, center, gave attendess at the annual Key4Women Forum a lesson in negotiating during her presentation at Hotel Murano in Tacoma on Oct. 15. 4. Mike Coffey, Account Executive at MacDonald Miller, lines up his next shot during the last week of the 2013 Business Examiner Executive Golf League.
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www.McGavickConferenceCenter.com | 253-589-5783
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 21
FortheRecord Bankruptcy Filings Listings are selected from files at Clerk of U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western Washington District, Tacoma. Commercial and business bankruptcy filings from the local area are reported here. Chapter 7 is business liquidation. Chapter 11 is for reorganization. Chapter 13 is an individual debt repayment plan.
Cheryl Lynn Achi fdba Little Steps Daycare 5112 W. Tapps Dr. E, Bonney Lake Secured Debts: $291,000 Priority Debts: $4,396 Unsecured Debts: $78,000 Assets: $230,025 Chapter 7 Case #13-46344 10/8/2013 Joshua Zeke Logan fdba Logan Trucking 502 E. Magnolia St., Centralia Secured Debts: $91,920 Priority Debts: $0 Unsecured Debts: $83,416 Assets: $102,029 Chapter 7 Case #13-46356 10/8/2013 Daniel Wayne Lindell dba Mayfield RV Park PO Box 16, Silver Creek Estimated Liabilities $100,001-$500,000 Estimated Assets $500,001-$1 million Chapter 13 Case #13-46384 10/10/2013 Lori Ellen O’Connell dba OHOP Valley Artistry fdba Creative Inspirations by LEO 8127 Ohop Valley Rd. E, Eatonville Secured Debts: $98,000 Priority Debts: $71,072 Unsecured Debts: $33,300 Assets: $68,960 Chapter 7 Case #13-46394 10/10/2013 Venture Financial Group Inc. 4405 7th Ave. SE, Ste. 204, Lacey Estimated Liabilities $10,000,001-$100 million Estimated Assets $1,000,001-$10 million Chapter 7 Case #13-46392 10/10/2013 William W. Branom fdba Branom Construction 923 N Grant Ave., Tacoma Secured Debts: $225,000 Priority Debts: $0 Unsecured Debts: $36,992 Assets: $227,657 Chapter 13 Case #13-46391 10/10/2013 Rolf Hoter fdba Rolf Hoter Trucking PO Box 2062, Orting Secured Debts: $0 Priority Debts: $0 Unsecured Debts: $70,807 Assets: $6,870 Chapter 7 Case #13-46476 10/15/2013 Portland Village Inc. dba rental property at 1434 E. 30th St., Tacoma PO Box 94744, Seattle Secured Debts: $86,000 Priority Debts: $1,902 Unsecured Debts: $4,400 Assets: $125,100 Chapter 11 Case #13-46533 10/17/2013
Lawsuit Filings These cases involving local businesses have been filed in Superior Courts. Plaintiff is listed first. Readers are cautioned that claims in actions have not been proven; they are alleged to be causes for action and truth will be determined at trial. Information is from public record, as maintained by Clerk of Superior Court.
Thurston County
LLRIG Two LLC, Lost Lake Resort LLC, Brent McCausland, David Block vs RV Resort Management LLC, Lost Lake Investment Group LLC, Lee Wilson, John S. Mills In April 2012, plaintiffs Block and McCausland hired defendant Mills as an attorney to represent them regarding purchase from Sterling Bank of two promissory notes secured by real property, paying $500,000 for the notes and deeds of trust. Upon his advice, purchase was made through Lost Lake Investment Group LLC, for which this entity provided no consideration. All of the funds came from individual plaintiffs. Subsequently, the assets were to be transferred to LLRIG Two LLC, but now defendant RV Resort claims to be the owner as an assignee of Lost Lake Investment Group, claiming the assignment was ineffective to transfer the note and deed to LLRIG. Lawsuit seeks court finding that plaintiff is owner of note and deed, so defendant RV Resort may note foreclose. Further alleges that legal work prepared by defendant Mills related to the transaction was below the standard of care for attorneys, causing plaintiffs to suffer general and special damages. 9/25/2013 Star Rentals Inc. vs Pacific Stone & Tile LLC Collection filing seeks $1,710.61 past due balance on account, plus interest, costs and fees. 10/2/2013
Pierce County
Boulton Insulation Co. Inc. vs Lowrance Construction & Remodeling LLC Collection filing seeks $5,959.34 past due on account, plus interest, costs and fees. 9/23/2013 Tacoma-Pierce County Small Business Incubator dba William M. Factory Small Business Incubator vs F&L Bldg Maintenance LLC, Frank V. Sosebee Complaint seeks $3,489.05 damages for unpaid rent, late fees and interest for desk space rented from plaintiff. Individual defendant personally guaranteed. 9/25/2013 Broadcast Music Inc. vs Purdy Flotation Inc. dba
Flotation Device Pub & Grill Lawsuit seeks $1,386.33 claimed due under written agreement covering performance rights for music at establishment. Default judgment signed. 10/2/2013 Fire Protection Service Corp. dba Mountain Alarm vs Autumnwood Apartments LLC Collection filing seeks $30,721.80 plus interest due under agreement for use of alarm system monitoring, use of AES radios, an annual sprinkler testing fee and annual fire alarm testing. Defendant is alleged to have breached by not paying $2,514.74 for repairs and other services caused by broken water pipe in June 2012. 10/2/2013 SimplexGrinnell LP vs Custom Controls Corp. dba Custom Electric & Controls, MultiCare Health System Breach of contract claim seeks $16,892 claimed due under June 2012 contract, plus additional damages due to extended services requested during execution of the original contract. 10/2/2013 Parker Paint Mfg. Co. Inc. vs Maria & John Doe Leon dba JL Painting Collection action filed seeking $1,203.28 past due on account, plus $511.05 collection charge, $306.10 accrued interest, other costs and attorney fees. 10/4/2013 Cascade Premium Properties LLC vs Julie Wright, Perfect Health Technologies Inc. Complaint stems from commercial lease for office space at 12815 Canyon Rd. E, Puyallup, from Dec. 2011 until vacated in Aug. 2012, one year prior to term. Seeks $2,630.63 in unpaid monthly rents and CAM charges, plus damages for missing desks and interior partition walls allegedly taken at vacation of space. Also seeks rents through term of lease or until new occupant takes the space, interest, costs and fees. 10/4/2013 Holroyd Company Inc. vs MDZ Construction LLC, Michael J. Zblewski Complaint for monies due seeks $3,902.39 for building materials and/or supplies received, plus interest, fees and costs. Also asks court to enforce personal guaranty. 10/4/2013 Sherwin Williams Co. vs Juan Antonion Martinez dba JM Construction Collection lawsuit seeks $2,353.60 past due on account, plus interest, costs and fees. 10/7/2013 Passco Lincoln Plaza H LLC, et al vs G&L White Inc. dba Quizno’s, Gay and Lance White, Harminder and Satnam Kaur Breach of lease lawsuit stems from commercial space at 2505 South 38th St., Tacoma, Ste. A-104, that was executed in Dec. 2003 by defendant G&L and later amended. In March 2008, lease was assigned to defendants Kaur, to whom notice of default was issued in Oct. 2012 for unpaid base rent and associated charges of $31,260.96 along with notice to pay or vacate. Although defendants did move out, the unpaid balance remains and this lawsuit seeks to collect under individual personal guarantees signed by defendants. Stipulated judgment and default is entered to court file. 10/8/2013 Union Bank NA vs Madrona South LLC, BRC Family LLC, Merritt Riley Plaintiff has assumed the assets of failed Frontier Bank, including an Aug. 2004 loan for $8.4 million to Red Hawk LLC and guaranteed by William J. Riley and Walter V. Thompson, joint owners of Red Hawk, with their spouses. In Oct. 2010, plaintiff began nonjudicial foreclosure on real properties securing the loan after defaults were not cured. This lawsuit alleges that Riley beginning in Jan. 2011 transferred his interests in several other real property and entities to defendant Madrona allegedly to protect them from plaintiff ’s claims under deficiency judgment for the original loan. Plaintiff obtained $9,662,141.51 judgment against guarantors in May 2013, but Riley provided claims that he had transferred the significant majority of his assets to his daughter, defendant Merritt Riley. This action alleges violations of Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act and asks that court appoint a receiver to take possession of and preserve the assets. 10/8/2013 Cascadia International LLC vs G & J Towing and Storage LLC dba Action Towing & Storage LLC Lawsuit filed to collect $6,958.92 due on account, plus interest, reasonable attorney fees, court costs and costs of collection. 10/8/2013 Sound Banking Co. vs Kenneth D. Pearson, Robert E. Diamond, Rain City Contractors Inc. Lawsuit to collect $89,910.16 on loan in default since June 2012 plus $37,358.80 in accrued interest. Also seeks costs and fees, and asks court to enforce personal guarantees. 10/9/2013 Valley Cash & Carry Inc. dba Valley Supply Co. vs Advanced Build NW Inc. Complaint for monies owed seeks $4,750 past due balance on account, plus interest, costs and fees. 10/14/2013 Michelson Commercial Realty & Development LLC vs Advanced Asphalt & Seal Coating, Lief Etchieson, Michael Moiles In May 2013, out of state plaintiff hired Asphalt Patch Systems Inc. to perform asphalt repair services for three different projects at one of its properties and was invoiced total of $19,074.81 for the work. Due to plaintiff ’s mistake, however, three checks to pay the invoices were incorrectly made out to defendant Advanced Asphalt, which deposited them into its bank. Upon discovering its mistake, plaintiff immediately attempted to call defendant Etchieson, the owner of Advanced, but defendant Moiles answered the call indicating that he was the new owner of Advanced Asphalt. He denied having the funds from plaintiff. To date, defendants continue to wrongfully withhold the funds from Michelson, which seeks to have them returned by this lawsuit. 10/15/2013 NW Laborers-Employers Health & Security Trust, et al vs Roland L&L Enterprises LLC Complaint to collect unknown amount due under collective bargaining agreement for union labor utilized by defendant con-
tractor. 10/15/2013 Pettit Oil Co. vs Doug Rogers Trucking Inc., Douglas P. Rogers Confession of judgment entered to court setting principal due of $47,658.21 plus $24,043.24 interest and requesting order to award possession of 1985 Kenworth truck and log trailer held as collateral. Next day filing by plaintiff acknowledges that $32,000 partial satisfaction of judgment had been received. 10/16/2013 Anchor Bank vs Pacific Auto Wrecking Inc., Scott Haymond, Isola Financial LLC Petition to court for appointment of receiver to manage three parcels of real property on Stewart Road SE, Pacific, which are security for Aug. 2008 loan of $2.1 million by plaintiff, which matured in Aug. 2013 and is now in default. Asks for control of rents collected on all properties to protect outstanding balance owed of $2,104,709.11 including principal, interest, late charges and other costs and fees. Property is presently being operated as an industrial park with several paying tenants, including several tenants controlled by Haymond, purportedly the sole owner and shareholder of defendant Pacific Auto. Lawsuit claims that plaintiff bank has begun nonjudicial foreclosure of the deed of trust and has notified tenants to make rental payments ($12,500) directly to bank, but borrower is allegedly receiving approximately $10,000 per month in rents that are not being turned over to plaintiff. 10/16/2013 DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc. fka DaVita Inc. vs Bosnick Roofing Inc. DaVita engaged defendant in Nov. 2010 to perform certain waterproofing work in its office building at 1441 Court A, Tacoma, but airborne construction debris and contaminants created and released by Bosnick was allegedly not properly contained. Lawsuit claims that it infiltrated plaintiff ’s sensitive and expensive computer processing units causing their failure, which caused property damage and business interruption. Seeks damages to be specified at trail for breach of express and implied warranties. 10/18/2013 ABC Fulfillment Services LLC vs Dale Robbins Complaint for damages alleges that defendant, while employed in Dec. 2012 as general manager of plaintiff ABC, had access to its bank accounts and wrongfully withdrew more than $290,000 in Sept. 2013. ABC is a distribution company that imports and distributes radio control products sold by HobbyKing.com and is wholly owned by Anthony Hand, the only other authorized name on bank accounts. Also claims that Robbins falsely represented to Visa that all transactions ($555,389) on one of ABC’s accounts or credit cards beginning in June 2013 were fraudulent. File includes claims that defendant has stopped working for the company and failed to respond to numerous attempts to contact him since the bank transfers were discovered. Under claims for misappropriation of funds and wrongful conversion, along with tortious interference with contractual relations or business expectancy, lawsuit asks for judgment to recover all funds belonging to ABC and for injunction requiring defendant to stop accessing any funds in any bank account in his name or under his control, with exception of funds necessary for his immediate care and custody. 10/18/2013
Licensing Actions Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state. The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors.) Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health website www.doh. wa.gov Discipline actions announced in recent months.
David A. Camp, chiropractor, Thurston County: Chiropractic Commission charged unprofessional conduct after Camp allegedly hired a patient who was 16 yearsold to be an assistant even as he continued treating her. File claims he also gave her gifts and asked her to not tell his wife. She quit her job and stopped receiving treatment, but charges allege he employed a second patient, made inappropriate remarks and touched her inappropriately while providing at least 13 massage therapy sessions to her. He allegedly told his wife he was having a sexual affair with a third patient and eventually moved in to the same residence with that patient. Jarrold Lindale Nault, Pierce County: Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a trainee credential and placed him on probation. Nault was convicted of three felonies and five gross misdemeanors from 1996 to 2008. Tiffany Ann Santiago, NA, Thurston County: Nursing Assistant Program charged unprofessional conduct for allegedly falsifying patient records and not cooperating with an investigation. Drew Anne Hamerick, LPN, Pierce County: Nursing Assistant Program charged unprofessional conduct for 2012 convictions of four counts of tampering with a witness and one count of unlawful imprisonment.
Cheri Lynne Thomas, NA, Pierce County: Nursing Assistant Program charged unprofessional conduct. DSHS will not allow her to be employed in a job with access to vulnerable adults based on a finding that she abused a vulnerable adult. Nakoa Therese Guffey, dental assistant, Pierce County: Dental Commission charged unprofessional conduct for allegedly using patients’ identities to fraudulently get narcotic medication. In lieu of facing criminal charges, she was allowed to participate in a drug court program. Sunil K. Kakar, psychologist, Pierce County: Psychology Board entered an agreement that placed his
credential on probation for at least five years. Because of drug and alcohol impairment, his behavior was unusual at his work place and after being arrested in connection with DWI, possession of marijuana and use of drug paraphernalia, Kakar agreed to a negotiated charge of second-degree negligent driving. Colette K. Lancaster, respiratory care practitioner, Thurston County: Respiratory Care Practitioner Program charged unprofessional conduct for allegedly going outside of her scope of practice when she discontinued a patient’s oxygen without a doctor’s order. Alayna M. Charvet, NA, Lewis County: Nursing Assistant Program charged unprofessional conduct for alleged non-compliance with previous agreements and contracts.
Christine A. Graden, LPN, Pierce County: Nursing Commission charged unprofessional conduct for allegedly taking money, personal property and identifying information from co-workers, and looking up a coworker’s health care information. She allegedly used the data to apply for consumer credit in the co-workers’ names and allegedly tried to buy goods with that credit. She pleaded guilty to five counts of second-degree identity theft and was sentenced to a year in community custody. Danielle Jo Boon, NA, Pierce County: Nursing Assistant Program charged unprofessional conduct for allegedly writing checks totaling at least $550 on a patient’s account while working at an adult family home. The checks allegedly were for her personal use and were written without the patient’s permission.
John Pham, dentist, Lewis County: Dental Commission entered an agreement with dentist and dentist with moderate sedation with parenteral agents permit holder that limits his authority to administer sedation, perform implant treatments, and perform esthetic dentistry. He must complete continuing education in dental ethics and conduct and must also pay $20,000 fine with additional $10,377 to reimburse costs. Pham didn’t comply with a 2009 agreement by sedating patients in a manner that the agreement didn’t allow. His treatment of two implant patients was below the standard of care. Lisa Anne Daily, RN, Pierce County: Nursing Commission charged unprofessional conduct for alleged non-compliance with a monitoring contract after admitting to diverting Fentanyl for her personal use and having a substance abuse problem, along with failing a drug test. Nicole Annette Kaley, trainee, Pierce County: Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a trainee credential after 2007 conviction of unlawful possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver – methamphetamine.
Vicky Lynn Shumaker, Pierce County: Counselor Program charged unprofessional conduct for allegedly asking a coworker if he was interested in buying a controlled substance. She also didn’t respond to a Dept. of Health request for a written response to the allegation. A 2013 first-degree theft conviction included the provision that Shumaker must not be employed for 10 years in working with or for vulnerable adults on a paid or volunteer basis. Paula L. Schulze, MD, Pierce County: In Aug. 2013, Medical Commission charged unprofessional conduct for alleged non-compliance with 2012 stipulation requiring continuing education and a research paper about deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. Jeremy James Veigel, NA, Lewis County: Nursing Assistant Program in Aug. 2013 ended probation.
Michael Dean Bateman, Pierce County: Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a trainee credential with five-year probation and other conditions imposed in an Oct. 2011 order. Sun Quiang, Thurston County: Unlicensed Practice Program notified of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order after he allegedly admitted to Dept. of Health investigator that he performed massage and reflexology at their businesses without have massage credential.
Hui Ying Yan, Thurston County: Unlicensed Practice Program notified of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order after she allegedly admitted to Dept. of Health investigator that he performed massage and reflexology at their businesses without have massage credential.
Cheri Lynne Thomas, MA, Pierce County: Massage Program charged unprofessional conduct for alleged abuse of a vulnerable adult as found by Dept. of Social and Health Services. She isn’t allowed to be employed caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults. The action resulted in suspension of her CNA credential for at least two years. Marlene Overlin, Thurston County: Unlicensed Practice Program notified of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order for allegedly practicing massage or massage therapy without being credentialed. Overlin represented herself as a massage practitioner who provided Swedish relaxation as well as deep tissue massage.
Talia Alexandria Kuykendall, trainee, Pierce County: Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a credential with terms and conditions. Tonya Christine Jives, trainee, Pierce County: Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a credential and placed her on probation. She was convicted of three felonies, 15 gross misdemeanors and one misdemeanor from 1998 to 2011.
Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
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AroundtheSound TUESDAY, OCT. 29
Biz Launch & Grow Business Launch & Grow, 1-4 p.m., Business Resource Center/EDC 665 Woodland Square Loop, Lacey. Come learn how to launch and grow your small business, or learn how to make your existing business more successful. This interactive group class covers all subjects regarding starting and running a business from identifying your market and customers, sales and marketing, financial management, and how to find funding. SEAP approved.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30
Executives Association Tacoma Executives Association, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma. Founded in 1917, the Tacoma Executives Association is composed of leading non-competing businesses in the Tacoma-Pierce County area, each represented by a key executive. The sole function is to increase the sale of goods and services of its members through the exchange of business information or leads.
Fife Business Network Fife Business Network, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Poodle Dog Restaurant, 1422 54th Ave. E., Fife. The group’s goal is to put the Fife business community on the Pierce and King County map. Attend if you are a business in Fife or would like to do business in Fife. The network is looking to generate quality referrals and relationships with other business owners in Fife and surrounding areas.
FRIDAY, NOV. 1
CWU Career Fair Central Washington University College of Business Career Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., CWU Des Moines Campus (co-located at Highline Community College), 2400 S 240th St., Des Moines. Participating majors include accounting, economics, finance, human resources, management, marketing, supply chain management and sport business.
SCORE Mentoring Business Mentoring with SCORE, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Bates Technical College, 1101
S. Yakima Ave Room M-123, Tacoma. The South Sound/Tacoma SCORE Chapter provides free, confidential, in person, business counseling for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. SCORE is a non-profit association, dedicated to helping existing and new small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.
Auburn Chamber Auction & Dinner Auburn Chamber of Commerce 15th Annual Holiday Auction and Dinner, 5:309 p.m., Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Way, Auburn.
THURSDAY, NOV. 7
South Sound Success Business Conference South Sound Success Business Conference presented by Thurston County Economic Development Council Business Resource Center, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., South Puget Sound Community College Hawks Prairie
Campus, 1401 Marvin Rd. NE, Suite. 201, Lacey. A one-day conference designed specifically for new business owners and people interested in starting a business to meet, network, attend educational workshops and exchange ideas with other like-minded business owners throughout the day.
THURSDAY, NOV. 7
Lakewood Chamber Luncheon Lakewood Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Great American Casino, 10117 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood.
FRIDAY, NOV. 8
Dining Out Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Dining Out, 5:30-8 p.m., Royal Thai Bistro, 2045 Mildred St. W., Tacoma. Each month, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber West Side Branch hosts this event to support area restaurants. With an attendance size of 15-20 people, this event offers the opportunity to get to know business and community members.
October 28, 2013 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | 23
BusinesstoBusiness ‘Affordable care’: Exploring the all-new system As a reporter, I am skeptical about everything, particularly when it’s something new that promises to be the miracle cure for a product or system that’s failing. I always have that passion for finding the deeper motive, which is why the new Obamacare health care plan for the nation has been particularly intriguing. So, when the Washington Benefits Exchange was launched on Oct. 1, I approached it with a critical eye. Private health care insurance through any company is quite pricey, as well as lacking in service and satisfaction, these days; therefore, I gave Exchange a go to see if it could provide this solo, full-time custody parent and her three teenage children with more health care value for less expense than the other options available. Here’s my experience so far. Oct. 1: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., intermittently My initial impression was lower than even my worst expectations. After numerous attempts to hop on the website for research on the launch day, glitches immediately shut me down, or did so after I’d invested time creating an account, basically wiping everything out and creating a frustration at waste of time and energy. Oct. 2: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., intermittently Ditto. Oct. 6: Midnight Busy on deadline week, I decided to take off Oct. 3 through 5 from pursuing health care to write articles. On Sunday evening, I tried to get on the Exchange again.
By Holly Peterson Business Examiner Media Group Associate Editor
The result? “Washington Healthplanfinder is temporarily unavailable for scheduled maintenance. We’ll be back online by 6 a.m. PST. We are steadfast in our commitment to a positive customer experience. Thank you for your patience.” My take, as an impartial judge (reporters are trained for that) of the system so far. F, as in F-A-I-L-U-R-E. I am happy to be flexible, but as the solo parent of three growing, active, athletic kids who absolutely need health coverage, it has so far been a complete waste of my time. Oct. 7: 6:09 a.m. I’ll be darned. It opened. Then, in verifying my identity, my name was mixed up with somebody else’s. I was also asked to check off my relationships between household members, except there was no one listed. Then I was asked whether anyone in the home used tobacco or was pregnant. So, although the government stated that pre-existing conditions don’t matter, those questions put up a red flag in that they’ll affect rates. Or, perhaps, it’s about targeting plans with maternity coverage or tobacco-free programs.
What followed were more checkboxes of personal information (Does anyone in the home need assisted care? Does anyone in the home need hospice care?) and potential deductions. It was a little tedious, but still smooth sailing. However, as I checked through the answer verification page, I realized I needed to switch my preferred message system to text, rather than email. When I went back to the Edit page to switch that, the system forced me to go through all of the pages all over again. And then, after filling in all of the information for each of my three children, for whom I am also applying for health care — exactly 30 minutes after I had begun the process … the system dropped the information for my youngest child. I went back to enter it, and this appeared: “The form has already been processed or no token was supplied, please try again. “The application has malfunctioned. Please contact technical support team.” Sigh. I tried to go back. I tried to start over. But still, the only thing that came up was the error page. Again, I am not impressed so far. And also a little frustrated, as an ultra-busy solo parent trying to get three kids off to school on a Monday morning does not ever have 30 minutes to waste. Oct. 7: 2:40 p.m. I decided to give the site another shot in the afternoon, at a time when most people would be at work and likely not using it. First,
it half logged on, but then gave me the endless “spinning wheel of death” for 10 minutes, so I shut it down and tried to log on again. This time, magically, all seemed to work. I re-entered the third child’s information, then went on to the next page requiring everyone’s relationship to one another to be defined. After that, the site took me through a verification of every page that I had previously filled out, then instructed me to submit my application. And then, suddenly, a screen came up saying that we were all enrolled in Washington Apple health care — at no cost per month! In the end the system appeared to work, but it was not only extremely tedious but it automatically enrolled me into a program in which my children have already been with and none of us were impressed. It did not give me choices. It did not direct me to a plan comparison page. It did not provide any cost options. And nowhere did I come across the touted “Bronze, Silver and Gold” -level plan options. Going into this, I didn’t expect perfection, of course. However, from the way the system was explained, it sure seemed like it was laid out a lot better. Now, my next job will be to go back into the thing and try to find the comparison page, and to figure out, based on whatever subsidies and other benefits we need and qualify for, the best plan for my family. Which, I suppose, places me nearly back on square one. On the other hand, today we received our Washington Apple benefits cards and member book in the mail. Go figure.
SouthSoundSelling How many people are talking about your service? Think about the most memorable service you have ever received. Ever tell anyone about it? Now think about the service you provide to your customers. How many people are talking about you? Answer: Not enough. Every time a customer calls it’s an opportunity. The only question is: how are you taking advantage of it? Don’t answer with a “thank you for the call,” telling me how important my call is while you put me on hold for the next available agent. Or to “serve me better,” ask me to select from among the following eight options. Selecting from among the following eight options is not one of MY options – and I have the money – and you want the money – and you need the money – so wise up. The last things employers should cut are sales, service, and training. The FIRST thing to cut is executive pay, then management pay, then eliminate middle management as needed. Or make them salespeople, and have them contribute to the effort. Meanwhile, customers need help, service, and answers. Your ability to help them in a
By Jeffrey Gitomer Buy Gitomer President
timely manner, and serve them memorably, determines your reputation and your fate. What actions are you willing to take? What investment are you willing to make? Do you understand it’s ALL about customer loyalty (not customer satisfaction)? Major clue: Keep in mind that no company ever CUT their way to success. Reality: You cut your way to safety. You have to SELL your way to success. How ready are you? If you want to win in this or any economy, you must be ready to win – ready with the right attitude, the right information, and the right service heart. If you break the “serve memorably” law: If a computer answers your phone, you have broken the law. If you use the word “policy,” you have broken the law. Start there. The
penalty for breaking this law is two-fold. Loss of reputation AND loss of customer. There are very few laws that have a higher penalty, and very few laws that are EASIER to fix. You don’t have to worry about monitoring your bad service. Your customers will do it for you, on Facebook and on Twitter. Your job is to fix it and continually improve it. If you follow the “serve memorably” law: Your business reputation, both online and person-to-person, will soar! You’ll become known for taking ordinary daily business actions and turning them into pleasant customer surprises. The result is not just more business – it’s more loyal customers, more referrals, greater reputation, and more profit. Think about that the next time you ask me to “select from among the following eight options.” Caution: Ordinary, even polite, service is unacceptable. It will not give you the competitive edge or the business advantage that memorable service will. At the end of any transaction, that’s when the customer STARTS talking about you. They will say one of five things about what transpired:
• Something great • Something good • Nothing • Something bad • Something real bad And whatever they say leads to the next sale – either at your place, or your competition’s place. The cool part is: you choose. AHA! My “memorable mantra”: Find something personal; do something memorable. AHA! Grow from good, to great, to memorable. Key to implementation: Start with smart, happy people. Then define what is memorable and how everyone can achieve memorability with daily interactions (Southwest Airlines does it with friendly people and humor). Meet with all senior staff to create the ideas that wow, and gain the permission to wow at the same time. Then train AND empower everyone with specific phrases and actions they can take on behalf of customers. Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of twelve best-selling books including The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling.
24 | www.BusinessExaminer.com | October 28, 2013