SODO BIA

Todd is the CFO of Merlino Foods, a specialty broad-line foodservice distributor based in Seattle, Washington. Born and raised in Seattle, Biesold grew up working in Merlino Foods. After earning his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in public accounting from Gonzaga University and passing the CPA examination, Todd  attended the University of Washington School of Law, earned his J.D. and passed the Washington State Bar exam. Upon graduation from Law School Biesold worked as a tax professional at KPMG Peat Marwick. In 1991 Biesold rejoined Merlino Foods on a full time basis and helped to grow the company into a major foodservice distributor in Western Washington.

TJ Lunardi joined Starbucks in May 2017 as the company’s director of Intelligence, leading a team responsible for providing an independent view of geo-political and security risks around the world. Prior to this role, TJ spent almost 18 years with the U.S. Department of State, first as a diplomat and then as a Special Agent of the Diplomatic Security Service (DS). In the latter capacity, he served in U.S. embassies in Iraq, Germany, Montenegro, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine, and oversaw the criminal investigations section of the DS Los Angeles Field Office. TJ also worked as a senior security advisor in the Executive Office of the Secretary of State and as a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Foreign Service, with honors, from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and is a member of Phi Betta Kappa. Although originally from Philadelphia, TJ has chosen Seattle his first permanent home in the United States in nearly two decades, and is committed to keeping SODO a vibrant and safe part of his adopted city.

Kima is the President of Katwall, Inc., a commercial steel studs and drywall company who has been based out of SODO since 2002. She has been working in the SODO area since 1994. She is very dedicated to SODO and is honored and excited to be part of the SODO BIA Ratepayer Advisory Board, with high expectations of change to the Safety, Cleanliness and Traffic flow in SODO.

Wil is the Controller for Buffalo Industries LLC, a wholesale distributor of cleaning and maintenance products based in Seattle, as well as Buffalo Investment Co, which oversees five commercial warehouses in SODO.  Wil earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Washington and his MBA from Seattle University.  Besides safety and security in SODO, where he’s worked for eight years, Wil is very concerned with mobility, both professionally as a heavy importer, and personally as a West Seattle resident

Alex is the co-founder of Solstice the first cannabis brand in Washington State, that built the first permitted cultivation facility, operating still to this day in the SODO. Having lived two thirds of his life in King County and a decade in Seattle, his love for our home shows in his personal and professional actions. He has helped to create the state’s largest cannabis trade association and sitting on multiple boards while working on environmental and homelessness issues. Alex has used his CWU education degree to teach legislators & regulators from the city to international level how to create and implement productive policy.

Sally has worked in Port of Seattle Public Affairs since 1999 and currently serves as the senior manager of community engagement, overseeing outreach, events, education, and community relations. She has been actively involved in SODO area activities since 2000. She has served on the board of Urban ArtWorks, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Seattle Propeller Club and has been actively engaged in south harbor community relations and projects including the NW Ports Clean Air Strategy, the Truck Parking work group, the Lower Duwamish Waterway Group, and the EPA’s Duwamish Community Involvement.

Effie is the Vice President of Marketing at Gull Industries. She is the third generation to work at Gull and is currently overseeing marketing and operations for Canvas Event Space. Gull Industries has been based out of SODO for over 35 years and value their deep roots in the community. Originally a petroleum marketing company with wholesale and retail fuel operations, Gull’s business operations now consist of a commercial real estate portfolio with several properties in the SODO neighborhood as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest. Effie also serves on the Kindering Board, Vital Voices NW and at her children’s school.

Tavia is the Director of Development at Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS), a non-profit that is working to address opioid epidemic and homelessness crisis in Western Washington. With headquarters on Airport Way in SODO, ETS combines medication-assisted treatment with street-based outreach to provide a continuum of care to over 6,000 individuals. A native Seattleite, Tavia got her bachelors in psychology and anthropology at the University of Washington and has since spent her career supporting local non-profits with operations, finance, fundraising, and development. A little-known fact is that throughout her 20’s, Tavia traveled to SODO twice a week for band practice at Sodo Pop on Occidental.

Regina has been in the commercial real estate industry for 14 years. Regina has been with Prologis, a world-wide leader in industrial real estate, since 2004. As Prologis’ portfolio in SODO has expanded, so has her desire to get involved and be a part of this fast-paced, eclectic community. She is very excited to bring her real estate knowledge and passion for service to the SODO board.

Darrell has over twenty years of commercial real estate and business brokerage experience. He currently serves as a property manager for American Life, overseeing nearly forty commercial and industrial buildings in the SODO neighborhood. He also owns Blackbird Cityscapes, a commercial services contractor company that maintains many SODO area properties and businesses.  A lifelong Seattle resident, Darrell has witnessed first-hand the challenges and changes that face SODO business and land owners and hopes to bring his experience and skills to the BIA.

Michael has been diligently and successfully representing clients in the Northwest for over two decades.  Michael’s broad range of experience includes litigation on behalf of companies and individuals in the areas of business, insurance, real estate, contracts, construction, personal injury, shareholder and LLC member disputes as well as many other areas.  In addition to his litigation and trial experience, Michael regularly handles transactional matters such as business purchase and sale agreements, real estate transactions, business entity formations, contracts, leases etc.

Chad is a founder and self-appointed Master of Ceremonies at Metropolist. He has 20 years in real estate – as both a broker and as a corporate trainer for new and seasoned agents. Chad was born and raised in the Seattle area and is a graduate of Western Washington University. Chad is passionate about the essence of Metropolist and SODO – bringing together people and events, and having amazing things materialize out of it. Where art and science intersect with life.