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.

Wil is the Chief Financial Officer 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, Wil is very concerned with mobility, both professionally as a heavy importer, and personally as a West Seattle resident

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.

Robin joined Starbucks in 2016 as the company’s manager of Alcohol Compliance. She has over 19 years of experience in operational compliance and regulatory affairs in the retail sector, and currently serves as President-Elect of the National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals. Robin holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan, and is excited to help make SODO a clean, safe and accessible district for all.

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 the 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.

Darby’s practice focuses on land use, real property, mediation and general counsel services. Darby is an accomplished litigator, mediator, and transactional lawyer, with over 17 years of experience at the City of Seattle, including 13 years in the Seattle City Attorney’s Office and Department of Construction and Inspections. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law.

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.

Megan is a co-owner of ThirdLeaf NW, a local fresh fruit and healthy snack delivery service for offices. For the past 10 years, she has been focused on growing this start-up into a thriving business.  ThirdLeaf now provides wellness solutions to more than 400 offices in Washington and Oregon. As a SODO based business owner, Megan is dedicated to improving the daily lives of everyone who spends time in our area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Spanish from Washington State University.

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.

As the Director of Marketing, Community & Investor Relations at Nitze-Stagen, Lisa is responsible for branding, community engagement and partnership development. She has 30 years of experience leading organizations and initiatives seeking to develop and implement strategies for positive social change. Having started and led four nonprofits, Lisa was most recently CEO of Seattle Social Venture Partners working with nearly 600 philanthropists to invest in social change in the Puget Sound region. Lisa holds a BA degree from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford.

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.

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.