Oct 15, 2025

CAST Architecture

Tan

Bruce

CAST Architecture recently added two new employees, Mallisyn Bruce and Tory Tan.

Bruce has a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington's College of Built Environments, focusing on sustainable systems and design.

Tan was raised in the Pacific Northwest, having made his home in Vancouver, B.C., before earning his Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. At CAST, Tan focuses on residential and community projects.

APA – The Engineered Wood Association

Cullen

Beers

The Board of Trustees at APA – The Engineered Wood Association made two changes to its board. John Beers III of Georgia-Pacific has been elected board chair, and Brian Cullen of PWT has joined the board.

With over 25 years of industry experience, Beers is president of the structural panels business at Georgia-Pacific. He began his career in sales with Grant Forest Products in 2002, joining Georgia-Pacific in 2010 when the company acquired Grant. He became president in 2023. Beers succeeds Doug Asano of Roseburg Forest Products as APA board chair. Asano will continue to serve as a trustee.

Cullen is senior vice president of operations at PWT. He began his career at Weyerhaeuser in 2002, spending more than 13 years there in plant management, process improvement and industrial engineering. After a brief stint at Amazon, Cullen returned to the wood products industry, joining Boise Cascade in 2016 as production manager for the Eastern region. In 2023, he was hired by PWT as vice president of operations before being named to his current position in April 2025. Cullen will be replacing Jim Enright, who served on the APA board for more than 15 years.

NAC Architecture

Aliano

NAC Architecture has recently brought on Gio Aliano, AIA, as principal and affordable housing practice leader. Aliano has more than 35 years of experience working with supportive housing, mixed-use community developments, educational facilities, and health and wellness centers. Aliano has contributed to the city of Los Angeles HHH Housing Challenge, advancing modular prefabricated design strategies to address the homelessness crisis.

Gibbs & Olson

Krueger

Gibbs & Olson announced earlier this month they were adding Larry Krueger, PE, to their team as a senior-level engineer. Krueger has over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, in civil engineering, project management and transportation infrastructure. Most recently, Kruger was branch manager for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, where he led a multidisciplinary team overseeing the planning, design, and execution of highway projects. Krueger holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington and is a registered Professional Engineer in Washington, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Oct 08, 2025

Otak

Kessler

Otak recently brought on Dan Kessler as its new director of architecture. With nearly three decades of design leadership, Kessler's career includes leadership roles at organizations ranging from DLR Group to Fentress Architects, as well as the founding of his own practice, Element Design Works. His portfolio includes many project types and scales, from LAX Airport to multifamily housing. In addition to his professional work, Kessler served for 11 years as an Honorarium Instructor at the University of Colorado, his alma mater.

Architects West

Jorgensen

McGilley

Architects West of Coeur d'Alene recently hired Amanda McGilley and Brennan Jorgensen.

Originally from Spokane, McGilley, joins as a billing and resource specialist, bringing more than 22 years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping and payroll for professional services firms.

Jorgensen was hired as an architectural designer. Born in north Idaho, Jorgensen, has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from the University of Idaho and has more than five years of experience in both residential and commercial design projects. Jorgensen joins the design team working on modernization projects for Lakeland School District and a new AgWest Farm Credit office.

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates

O'Brien

Zhou

Murray

Smith

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) Seattle celebrates its first year at its new office in Pioneer Square and announces the additions of the following team members: Jenn Smith, Erik Murray, Vicky Zhou, and Danny O'Brien.

Smith joins the team as administrative associate III following nearly seven years with the San Antonio unit. She previously worked as a legal assistant/case manager for a law firm in San Antonio and was active with San Antonio's Women in Architecture and SMPS San Antonio. She continues her participation with SMPS in Seattle.

Principal Murray has been named unit manager of the Seattle office. He also comes from the San Antonio office but joined WJE in 2008 as a senior associate in the Austin office. He was promoted to associate principal in 2014, unit manager in 2017, and principal in 2021. A University of Texas at Austin graduate, with degrees in architecture and architectural engineering, Murray specializes in roof systems and building enclosures, building investigation and repair, and architectural peer review.

Zhou and O'Brien joined as associates, specializing in architectural and structural engineering, respectively. Zhou holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Waterloo and held internships with Morrison Hershfield (now Stantec) and RDH Building Science. O'Brien completed graduate studies at Oregon State University, following internships with WJE Seattle and WJE Portland.