The Sea Boss Retires
From the Ocean Pavilion to Seattle’s Waterfront makeover, Seattle Aquarium CEO Bob Davidson leaves a legacy that will last for generations
When Bob Davidson visited the Seattle Aquarium 22 years ago as newly appointed CEO, he brought his three college and high school age sons along to tour the facility…
New Overlook Walk Draws Crowds
Downtown visits are up significantly
Foot traffic along Seattle’s Central waterfront is spiking since the new Overlook Walk opened earlier this month. From Oct. 4 to 11 — the first week Overlook Walk was open — nearly 50,000 people visited, a 142% increase over 2019 levels. The Walk connects Pike Place Market and downtown Seattle to Puget Sound and the…
Whitman Nabs State’s Top University/College Ranking
UW places second in WalletHub study
In a battle fought in the classroom and not on a field or court, a new study ranks Whitman College No. 1 in the state. Personal finance website WalletHub compared more than 800 higher-ed institutions across the U.S. in more than 30 categories (including post-graduate salaries) for its College & University Rankings (2025). Whitman, in…
Statshot: The Silver Economy
Washington state fares better than most when it comes to older adults
Washington state is considered among the best places in the country for older residents due to its natural beauty and thriving economy, though it does have a relatively high cost of living. Seniors are significant players in the state’s economy. Here’s an economic snapshot: 38.5 Median age in U.S. 37.7 Median age in Washington state…
‘Transformative’ Overlook Walk Opens Along Seattle’s Waterfront
The elevated walk is another sign that the massive renovation is almost complete
Seattle’s multi-billion-dollar waterfront renovation was always about connecting Pike Place Market and downtown Seattle to Puget Sound and the new 20-acre Waterfront Park. With the Oct. 4 opening of the elevated Overlook Walk, that dream has been realized…
The Numbers Point to a Downtown Seattle Recovery
The city’s core is slowly inching its way back
Visit Seattle says downtown Seattle hotels sold 403,000 rooms in August, the second-highest monthly total since March 2020. More than 3 million unique visitors came downtown — that’s 96% of August 2019 numbers, and a 6% increase year over year…
PCC to Reopen Downtown Seattle Store
Smaller-format store will feature prepared foods and a deli
The Seattle-based co-op grocer will return to its former location at Fourth Avenue and Union Street in the second half of next year. The new store will be smaller, occupying only a portion of its former space. The grocer says it is “contractually obligated” to its long-term lease obligation. The former store was open for two years before PCC shuttered it last January.
Starbucks CEO Vows to Reduce Wait Times, Reestablish ‘Community’ Focus
Brian Niccol writes an open letter in just his second day on the job
It’s only his second day on the job, but new Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol isn’t wasting any time as he seeks to revitalize the Seattle coffee giant. “We aren’t always delivering,” Niccol said in an open letter on the Starbucks website. “It can feel transactional, menus can feel overwhelming, product is inconsistent, the wait too…
A Medical Journey
Jody Elsom has spent a career designing health care facilities. She never expected to become a patient in one of them.
Jody Elsom never imagined she’d wind up a patient in a health care center she had designed. But there she was at the recently opened True Family Women’s Cancer Center on the Swedish Hospital First Hill campus shortly after an unexpected diagnosis for breast cancer. “It wasn’t what I expected, but it was actually an…
Lori Hill: The Seattleite
The commercial real estate veteran is upbeat about the future of Seattle
Lori Hill has seemingly worked at just about every job in commercial real estate. Last September, she pivoted to the leasing side at Clise Properties, where she serves as executive vice president. Her resume includes stops at Unico Properties as senior vice president of investment management, and as managing director of capital markets at JLL….
Jon Jones: The Mindful CEO
Jon Jones isn’t your ordinary boss, and Brighton Jones isn’t your ordinary company
Jon Jones is a business executive by trade and a guiding light by nature. The culture at the wealth management firm he co-founded with Charles Brighton 25 years ago, Brighton Jones, is a mix of spiritual, practical and, when appropriate, lighthearted. Acronyms such as “MESI” and “RLP” spill from his tongue like a free-flowing river….
Downtown’s ‘It’ Man
Jon Scholes is leading the effort to bring downtown Seattle back. It’s working
For Jon Scholes, the state of downtown Seattle is deeply personal. As a longtime resident, he’s keenly invested in downtown’s post-pandemic recovery. As president and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, he’s inarguably the neighborhood’s most fervent advocate. He keeps close tabs on store openings, crime rates, transportation issues, and public policy decisions. And he’s…
A New Life in the Sea Suite
Kristi Schooley left a long career in hospitality to follow her passion
As a lifelong Seattleite, Kristi Schooley always loved being surrounded by water. She bought her first boat in her 20s. “After that, being on the water became a part of my life and a true passion,” says Schooley, who launched a second career as a senior captain at Argosy Cruises 20 years ago after spending…
Play’s the Thing
Kimberly Bartlett uses play therapy to help children deal with their problems
You can call it trauma therapy. Child mental health. Or even the more straightforward family or child therapy. Kimberly Bartlett prefers a more lighthearted term to tackle a serious subject: integrative play therapy. Bartlett launched Evergreen Play Therapy in Seattle two years ago to help children and families heal through play. She combines various therapeutic…
Left to Her Own Device
Monica Plath couldn't find a suitable tracker for her young kids, so she invented her own
Monica Plath wants her two young children to be safe. She feels the same way about yours. Plath created Seattle-based Littlebird Connected Care after a concerning care experience for her child. The wearable tracking device, called the Littlebird Toddler Care- Tracker, is a wristband for kids that helps parents ensure that their children are safe….
Lots of Joy, People and Pie
Lorrie Baldevia: 'If you can't change the environment, change the game & how you play'
As Lorrie Baldevia says, “It’s not who you know. It’s who remembers you.” Baldevia, a native of Guam, was recently promoted to platform president at insurance brokerage AssuredPartners, where she oversees Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. The company is closing in on $100 million in annual revenue, and the region includes about 350 employees. Baldevia,…
Deliberate, Direct, Decisive
At Davidson & Associates, culture is nurtured on a daily basis
Don’t be confused by Tony Johnson’s use of the word “deliberate” to describe the culture at his insurance company. Think thoughtful, not laid-back. And it all begins before an employee even sets foot in the door. “We are ‘deliberate’ about ensuring personalities will mesh well with our culture in the hiring process,” says Johnson, principal…
On Reflection: Telecommuting Triumph
Seattle and Washington state score high for remote work
If you’re reading this from your home office, you’re not alone. Almost one-third of employees across Washington state work from home on at least a part-time basis. A report from web hosting company Hostinger says slightly under 2 million people, or 32.7% of the state’s workforce, worked remotely at least one day out of the…
Statshot: Life Science on the Rise in Washington
Advancing scientific knowledge, improving public health
Washington state’s life science industry bucked the pandemic downturn, with impressive job growth, especially among women. The industry added $21.7 billion to the state’s GDP in 2022, and contributed $1.6 billion in local and state tax revenue. “Washington has solidified its standing as a top 10 life science hub in the country,” Life Science Washington…
Cultural Revolution
Revolution tops ‘Best Companies’ list by emphasizing teamwork and open communication
Revolution Custom/Civil Builders employees and their families very much anticipate the Issaquah-based builder’s annual company retreat to Chelan. Pizza is served on Friday night, followed by an elegant dinner the next day at a winery. Last year, one disappointed worker was unable to attend the company-paid bash. You’d never know it by looking at a…
Editor’s Note: So Common, Yet So Underappreciated
Most of us have been, are, or will be caregivers in our lifetimes
My mother’s voice was calm, even more measured than usual. “Your father’s breathing tube came off last night while he was sleeping,” she said over the phone from Portland. “I had to take him to the hospital. He’s doing fine.”
This was almost three decades ago, and I still vividly recall not being surprised that something had happened.
Sonic Gloom
The NBA delays its much-anticipated announcement of the return of the Sonics
I had never seen my friend Carter so perturbed. “This is a load of crap,” he said, reflecting the views of NBA fans across the city. “I’m starting to wonder if this is ever going to happen.” Carter — who remains an avid NBA fan, unlike many other Sonics loyalists — was reacting to an announcement this week by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who said the league would deal with expansion at some point in the season…
Habits Of Happiness
How to maintain mental health in a busy work environment
National surveys show that, in a given month, more than 77% of employees experience work-related stress, which can lead to emotional exhaustion or workplace burnout. Thankfully, mental wellness is more consistently addressed and discussed in our society at large and in our workplaces. “Employers are moving past stigmas and creating safe spaces for those with…
Pay Gap Gets Personal
The Washington State Women’s Commission unveils campaign for equal pay
It was his laugh that I remember most. I had just been offered the biggest job of my career, but the salary was not what I had expected. It was low. Shockingly low for the responsibility and public scrutiny I was about to have. So, I tried to negotiate. The president of the company laughed…