JIM WIANT
Bassett Construction, a nationally acclaimed architectural sheet metal contractor based in Vancouver, has promoted Jim Wiant to serve as operations manager.
In his new position, Wiant will be responsible for overseeing commercial construction related functions, including all project estimating, project management and recruiting the best employees in the industry.
Wiant has more than 35 years of commercial construction experience. Prior to this promotion, he served as Bassett Construction’s chief estimating manager. Previously, Wiant spent nearly six years working for himself as a chief estimator and project manager for various west coast construction contractors assisting them in securing commercial projects. Prior to that, Wiant spent 24 years with Performance Contracting Inc. in Tigard as an estimator, project manager and superintendent.
“Jim’s wealth of commercial construction and leadership experience will be invaluable as we head into a significant growth period for our company,” said Rodney Bassett, company President. “We are thrilled to have him embrace this new responsibility at Bassett.”
RAKESH SRIDHARAN
TigerStop LLC, a Vancouver-based manufacturer of automated positioning attachments for tools such as saws and other equipment used on construction sites, has hired Rakesh Sridharan as the company’s new CEO.
The move allows Spencer Dick, TigerStop founder and former CEO, to focus on new product innovation.
“2016 was our strongest year in our 21 year history,” said Dick. “Rakesh has come aboard at just the right time to help guide our tremendous growth, ensuring that TigerStop continues to provide exceptional products and service on all fronts. We feel very lucky that someone with Rakesh’s skills, experiences and past successes has chosen to join TigerStop.”
Sridharan comes to TigerStop from Leatherman Tool Group, where he last served as president of LED LENSER, a subsidiary of Leatherman. Prior to joining the Leatherman Tool Group, Sridharan worked for Toro Company of Bloomington, MN, a market-leading maker of lawn care equipment with 2016 revenues of $2.4 billion.
Sridharan holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s degree in manufacturing management and a master’s in business administration. He has a successful background implementing and making “Lean” part of a company’s culture.
“I am honored and privileged to join the TigerStop team and continue the mission, vision and values of Founder Spencer Dick,” said Sridharan. “I’m excited to work with TigerStop’s leaders, talented employees and dedicated partners in the U.S. and around the world to create greater value. I look forward to working on strategies to grow the company, continuing to innovate new products and better serving our customers.”
SHAWN STUROS
Coldwell Banker Seal has named Vancouver real estate broker Shawn Sturos as a Five Star Real Estate Agent for 2016.
The Five Star Real Estate Agent award program is the largest real estate agent award program in North America. Agents are measured using an objective, in-depth research methodology with significant focus on customer feedback and overall satisfaction.
“We are extremely proud that Shawn has been recognized by Five Star Professional,” said Mike Grady, CB Seal president and COO. “It points directly to our hard work to provide continuous broker education and other resources that help him provide the best possible service to her clients.”
CURTIS WELCH
Portland law firm Sussman Shank LLP has hired Curtis A. Welch, an attorney with more than 26 years of experience in construction law, civil litigation, real property law and insurance law.
Curtis was most recently a partner with Duggan Schlotfeldt & Welch PLLC in Vancouver.
He received his J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Oregon. Curtis is a member of the Oregon State Bar and Washington State Bar Association.
MEIYA LUO
Coldwell Banker Seal, a provider of real estate brokerage services in Washington and Oregon, has hired Meiya Luo as a new broker in its Vancouver East office.
In her new role, Luo will provide real estate services to home buyers and sellers.
ROB MURDOCK & BRIAN POPE
Vancouver-headquartered Nautilus, Inc. has promoted Rob Murdock to the position of senior vice president, innovation.
In his new role, Murdock is responsible for all facets of the product development process for the Bowflex, Nautilus, Schwinn and Universal brands. He will oversee the Nautilus Innovation Center team, encompassing ideation, consumer insights, product line management, engineering, industrial design, compliance, model shop and test lab, as well as the digital/user interface teams. Additionally, he will develop and evaluate new business opportunities and consumer services that capitalize on the company’s capabilities and technologies.
Murdock joined Nautilus in 2005 as director, go-to-market. Since then, he has held multiple positions in the direct market division before assuming his role of vice president, general manager direct in 2011, where he was responsible for the entire direct channel. Murdock was named an executive officer in 2012.
In addition to Murdock’s promotion, Nautilus named Brian Pope as the company’s vice president, general manager direct.
In his new role, Pope is responsible for the direct channel globally, overseeing sales and marketing, demand generation, customer acquisition, customer care and post-purchase customer experience.
Pope brings more than 25 years of deep expertise in e-commerce, consumer product marketing and retail marketing to the role, as well as a demonstrated talent for creative and analytical brand strategies.
Prior to joining Nautilus, Pope served as chief marketing officer for Samsung SmartThings, interim CMO for Planet Fitness, and held senior marketing roles at consumer lifestyle brands including Virgin Group, Popchips and Universal Studios. He has experience in developing entertainment sponsorship platforms, integrations and digital content strategies, having led the Branded Entertainment consulting practice at IMG.
Pope holds a master’s degree in business administration from Kellogg School at Northwestern and a bachelor of science in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
MONIKA SANDERS & SIERRA ECKMAN
Monika Sanders has joined Opsahl Dawson, a Vancouver-based CPA firm, as firm administrator.
Sanders has more than 20 years of experience in administration working in construction, real estate lending and, most recently, public accounting.
In her new role, she will work directly with Opsahl Dawson shareholders to serve and uphold standards of excellence in customer service and quality of work.
“Her background in administration and team spirit make her an ideal fit for our team,” said Aaron Dawson, managing partner at Opsahl Dawson. “As we focus on providing exemplary service with an eye toward the future, her guidance and supervision will be invaluable to our strategic growth.”
Additionally, Opsahl Dawson announced the promotion of Sierra Eckman to senior manager.
“Sierra’s leadership and commitment to the firm has been extraordinary and this promotion is well deserved.” said Dawson. “She is a leader in our firm and amongst her peers. She is a mentor to WSU accounting students and consistently rises above expectations in both customer service and ability to think outside the box for her clients. Sierra has been an important part of our success in becoming not only the largest accounting firm in Clark County but also the most respected.”
TONY JOHNSON & BRYCE DAVIDSON
Davidson & Associates Insurance Agency has named Tony Johnson and Bryce Davidson as shareholders of the Vancouver-based company.
“Tony Johnson and Bryce Davidson have demonstrated thorough knowledge of the insurance industry, excellent customer service and a commitment to serving our community,” said Bruce Davidson, company founder and principal. “I am delighted that they are joining me in leading and growing our agency going forward.”
Johnson leads the company’s business insurance team and has worked as a business sales agent for the company since 2009. Prior to joining the agency, he had a long career in human resources management and was owner of T.J. and Associates, Inc. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.
Davidson leads the firm’s personal insurance team and joined the agency in 2012 as a personal sales agent. He previously worked for Ernst and Young in San Francisco for eight years. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University.
DAVID WEISONG & DOUG EVANS
Evosus Business Management Software, Vancouver-based makers of an enterprise software program designed for the pool, spa and hearth industries, has hired David Weisong as VP of software development and Doug Evans as VP of product. Both hires are a direct result of the company’s strategic growth plan to offer more products and enhancements in 2017 to pool, spa and hearth business owners.
Weisong has already been instrumental in pushing the launch of EMV credit card processing, launching the company’s new Evosus Analytics program, and accelerating the development of future mobile and web-based applications. He previously worked as the director of DevOps at Virreo, a company that develops financial industry-focused, software solutions and as CTO for HomeLab, a U.S. residential energy monitoring software company.
Evans has joined Evosus in an effort to further the growth path of Evosus software applications by identifying appropriate new features, changes and even new product offerings to better support the pool, spa and hearth business owner. He previously served as senior director of product management at Accela and CTO/VP of product and engineering at Springbrook Software.
