The organization said the award was given for her efforts in leasing the Riverview Bank Building located at the intersection of Highway 99 and 78th Street in Vancouver.
The 8,000-square-foot office building was leased to Grace Ministries/Exchange Church, a nonprofit church organization, for a 60-month term valued at $504,000. The tenant has the option to purchase the building for $1.3 million within the first 36 months.
“One of the main challenges of this transaction was the neighborhood, which is plagued by economic stress with many dark shopping centers and a high crime rate. Another obstacle was that Clark County recently took away street access from the building in addition to part of the land,” said Potter. “It took a considerable amount of patience and perseverance over the course of several years, but in the end the landlord was extremely pleased with the new tenant, which is now benefitting the region through drug and alcohol recovery outreach in partnership with the city and county.”
Each year, CCIM Institute selects a single transaction for the “Transaction of the Year” award. The lease or sale must have occurred in the Portland metro area to be eligible.
MELISSA DEMSKY
Veolia Water North America – West LLC recently announced the promotion of Melissa Demsky as regional director for asset management. Demsky most recently served as the assistant project manager for Veolia’s operation, maintenance and management services contract for the city of Vancouver’s wastewater treatment plants.
In her new role, Demsky is charged with implementing best-in-class asset management systems for the company’s western region projects. She brings more than 10 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry to her new position, the company said.
Based in Chicago, Veolia Water is a provider of comprehensive water and wastewater partnership services to municipal and industrial customers.
KARLYN DEWALD & TODD GILLESPIE
Skamania Lodge announced the hiring of two new employees: Karlyn Dewald, sales and reservations division; and Todd Gillespie, director of sales and marketing.
In her new position, Dewald will focus on market strategies, new business development and strengthening the positioning within the consumer market, the lodge said.
Dewald has held various leadership positions in revenue management with Marriott International, most recently serving as director of market strategy for 12 of its properties in the Portland-metropolitan area.
Gillespie will oversee all group sales and marketing efforts including a 14-member sales staff. The sales teams are located in Portland, at the lodge and in Seattle.
Prior to joining the lodge, Gillespie led group sales efforts at several prestigious properties in West Virginia including Waterfront Place Hotel, The Greenbrier, Stonewall Resort and Glade Springs Resort.
DAVE ALFORD
Auburn-based Parametrix, an engineering, planning, and environmental sciences firm that serves the Southwest Washington market, has selected Dave Alford as the firm’s chief operating officer (COO).
In his new role, Alford will be responsible for daily operations company-wide. He brings more than 28 years of management experience to Parametrix’s executive team, including strategic planning development and operational execution, business and client expansion expertise, and solution-based leadership in complex business environments, the company said.
Alford’s previous work experience includes serving as senior vice president for the West Region of the Shaw Group, a global environmental and engineering firm.
TROY MAXCY & BRIAN PECK (not pictured)
The Board of County Commissioners appointed Brian Peck of Vancouver, a small business owner, and Troy Maxcy, a long-time United Parcel Service employee, earlier this month to serve as volunteers on the county’s Clean Water Commission.
The nine-member clean water advisory group makes recommendations to the board about services, policies and financing in regard to how the county meets federal and state requirements for water quality, including stormwater management.
Peck, a business owner for 30 years, operates a gas station in the Hazel Dell area. Maxcy has been a UPS driver since 1987 and has more than 20 years of volunteer service with youth soccer associations in the state.
