Rob Smith
The Corporate Rocket
Mortenson Market Lead Cori Palmer rose through the ranks at lightning speed
Talk about a rapid rise. In 2009, Cori Palmer was a freshly minted graduate from the University of Puget Sound with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. It didn’t take her long to land a job as a business development associate at Mortenson, a Minneapolis-based construction company with a sizable Seattle presence. Five promotions later, Palmer…
Why Nordstrom is a Brand to Watch
From going private to Black Friday, Nordstrom appears poised for success
Nordstrom has faced its fair share of criticism over the years, everything from inventory issues to store closures to financial performance. And there’s no denying that department stores are in a serious squeeze. But Placer.ai — a data company that measures, among other things, foot traffic — calls the Seattle retailer one of its “10…
The Hidden Costs of Smoking
Washington smokers spend more on cigarettes than residents in most states
Cigarettes killed my father. He smoked two to three packs of cigarettes each day and died of emphysema at age 76. It’s a slow, painful way to go. I remember him buying cartons of cigarettes at a time, but as a child I never thought about the money he spent on such a vile habit….
Amazon Numbers Still Aren’t in, But Downtown is Again on the Upswing
The Downtown Seattle Association notes persistent gains in foot traffic
It’s still too early to weigh the ramifications of Amazon’s return-to-work mandate, but another report from the Downtown Seattle Association finds that more workers are returning to the city’s core on a daily basis. The organization’s Downtown Revitalization Dashboard shows a 5% increase in December compared to the same month in 2023. In fact, every…
Milken Institute Lauds Olympia for its Booming Tech Sector
The city ranks among the best in the U.S. for economic growth
You may not think of Olympia as a hub of innovative technology. You may not know that the city’s technology sector grew faster than that of any city in the United States from 2018 to 2023. You may also not be aware that the city is among the “most equal” in the country, meaning that…
Most Influential: Microsoft
Business, Equity
As Microsoft turns 50, it’s tempting to reflect on the software giant’s legacy. After all, this is a company that revolutionized personal computing, advanced productivity tools like Microsoft Office, and redefined gaming through Xbox. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith prefers to focus on what’s ahead. Think artificial intelligence that enhances productivity and creativity,…
Built on Trust
Company leaders reveal secrets to a buzzing, productive workplace. Hint: It’s more than perks.
At Pot O’ Gold Coffee Service, company leaders were pleasantly surprised when employees told them they enjoyed after-hours events with colleagues. At Fully Integrated Team HR — which has a remote workforce — employees often schedule in-person working sessions, sometimes with their children in tow. Salespeople who close a big deal ring a loud gong…
How Pierce County is Tackling Youth Homelessness
100-Day Challenge launches in February
Last year’s 2024 Homeless Point-in-Time Count found that about 500 youth and young adults in Pierce County were unhoused. Half of those were under the age of 18. Thanks to some help from the federal government, Pierce County officials hope to make that a thing of the past. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development…
Like Paris Baguette? You’re in Luck.
The French bakery is on a quest to open 1,000 locations in North America
Popular French neighborhood bakery Paris Baguette has only two locations in Washington state, in Lynnwood’s Alderwood Mall and in Tukwila. Expect many more. In December, the bakery announced the opening of its 200th location in North America as part of an ambitious plan to open 1,000 cafes across the United States. “This milestone sets the…
Seattle’s Shelf Discovery
Physical bookstores face challenges, but still provide plenty of ink-spiration
As a kid growing up in Portland, I couldn’t wait to go downtown. It had a large B. Dalton bookstore (the chain was liquidated and eventually bought by Barnes & Noble), and I would peruse every aisle, checking out as many books and magazines as time allowed. I absolutely loved bookstores, and even the book…
Editor’s Note: The Microsoft Way
The past matters. The future matters more.
Brad Smith first visited Microsoft’s Redmond campus as a young lawyer in 1990. The cab driver got lost on the way from Sea-Tac Airport. Imagine that happening today. The tech sector exploded shortly thereafter. Suddenly, everybody knew Microsoft. The region quickly became more cosmopolitan, more diverse, more affluent. It earned a global reputation, all because…
The Most Influential People
Meet 25 extraordinary individuals and one transformative company building community and advocating for equity
Seattle magazine’s annual list of Most Influential people includes those who inspire, guide and uplift others through their actions, leadership and dedication. Their far-reaching influence stems from their achievements, but equally important, their ability to foster connections across the community, advocate for positive change, and empower others to make a difference. We’re rolling out brief…
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