Melanie Saedi is hired at Sammamish Chamber

The Sammamish Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has announced the hiring of Melanie Saedi to the position of SCC Executive Administrator. (details)

Lockheed Martin Opens New Office in Bellevue

Lockheed Martin opened the doors to a new customer support office Thursday. The 8,000- square-foot office located in Bellevue reflects Lockheed Martin's expanding presence in the Seattle metro area in support of its growing regional business base. (Read the full story)

First Mutual Announces Stock Repurchase

First Mutual Bancshares, parent company of Bellevue-based First Mutual Bank announced today that they have agreed to buy back 2.7% of their outstanding shares from Bellevue Square Managers and Kemper Freeman Jr. (complete story)

Microsoft and Pinnacle Partner on Digital Photo & Video Organization and Editing Tool

Microsoft and Pinnacle Systems Inc. today introduced Microsoft Digital Image Suite PLUS, a complete set of intuitive digital photo- and video-organization and editing tools that combines Digital Image Suite 2006 with Pinnacle Studio version 10 in a single, package. (complete story)

AT&T to Provide Managed Hosting Services to Microsoft Game Studios

AT&T announced today it has won a $9.5 million, three-year managed hosting contract from Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) to support various online experiences and the infrastructure for massively multiplayer online role-playing games. The online games include the latest for both Windows and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. (full story)

Concur Technologies Appoints Jeff Seely to Board of Directors

Redmond-based Concur Technologies recently announced the appointment of Jeff Seely to its Board of Directors. (story)

Grand Opening of Lincoln Square and the Westin Bellevue

I wasn't able to get to this morning's grand opening ceremonies for the Westin Bellevue and Lincoln Square, but took my wife and daughter to look around this afternoon. On our way out of Lincoln Square and down to the hotel, we happened to bump into Kemper Freeman Jr. and I introduced him to Elena and Jackie. Not surprisingly he said pointed out that Jackie was a future shopper (I didn't bother to tell him that both Elena and Jackie already spend many days and nights at Bellevue Square stores like Victoria's Secret and Gymboree). I congratulated him on getting the place open and he did seem like he was relieved that it was actually getting done. Along with Bellevue Square, & Bellevue Place, Lincoln Square is being marketed as part of the "Bellevue Collection" by Kemper and his Kemper Development Corporation. In an article that I read online the other day, they are supposed to be doing a $3-6 million advertising campaign over the next three years in local publications. I'd be lying if I said it doesn't hurt to know that so far none of those advertising dollars are scheduled to be spent with Eastside Business or Eastside Business Monthly, especially after what we've already done to help promote Lincoln Square and Westin Bellevue. I didn't want to rain on Kemper's day today, but do want him to realize that Eastside Business would love to be able to continue to support him and his Bellevue Collection, and we would welcome his support for Eastside Business. He might even see some of those dollars back from a "future shopper" ...

Robert Scoble blogging about Microsoft Live

On the Scobleizer blog today, Robert Scoble from Microsoft wrote about MS showing off their new http://www.live.com in San Francisco. Apparently some 50+ of the thousands of people who read Scoble's blog each day decided to comment on his post - many very negatively. The Windows Live site is still in beta and does not yet have everything figured out for all browsers other than Explorer, but I'm sure they are working away on it in Redmond as I type and you read. Give 'em a chance and they'll make it work. I have no doubt. I'm really pulling for the Microsoft machine in the battle of the bay.

Herbolds give $1.5 mil to the Hutch for Cancer Research

Former Microsoft COO Bob Herbold and his wife Pat, who has recently been named American Ambassador to Singapore, just announced a $1.5 million dollar gift to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. This donation will help to fund the Herbold Computational Biology Program at the Hutch. Please read the full story.

First Mutual Bank Hires Mizumori

First Mutual Bank has hired Victor Mizumori as the Community Business Banking Manager.

 

Mizumori, a 30-year Northwest banking industry veteran, oversees a group of four community business development officers in First Mutual’s retail markets.  Mizumori also lends a hand in product development and manages a number of contracts.  Prior to joining First Mutual, he worked at Key Bank for 29 years. He earned a BA in business from Seattle University.

 

Mizumori is a Lions Club member and has been the treasurer of the Wing Luke Asian Museum, located in Seattle’s International District, for seven years.  In addition to those groups, Mizumori volunteers with the Executive Development Institute, of which he is a graduate. He resides in Redmond.