SODO BIA
Advocating for a safe, clean, connected and engaged SODO
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) provides a mechanism for property owners and business to collectively obtain the improvements they want to see in their district. The SODO BIA was created under the auspices of the City of Seattle in 2014. The mission of the SODO BIA is to advocate for a safe, clean, connected and engaged SODO, for the benefit of property owners, businesses, tenants, employees and patrons of the SODO district.
The SODO BIA is guided by the Ratepayer’s Advisory Board which is comprised of members representative of the varying types and sizes of business and properties throughout the neighborhood. This includes SODO business tenants, property managers, business leaders, MIC members and a Port of Seattle representative.
Over the course of the last year, we have worked to improve our critical awareness around equity and explore how – within our organizational mission – we should act to best affirm and support those most impacted by the disproportionate impacts of systemic racism.
Staff

Erin Goodman, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A Seattle native, Erin came to the SODO BIA from the U District Partnership where she administered the U District BIA and produced the annual U District StreetFair. With a Master’s in Public Administration, Erin is committed to being an ardent advocate for SODO businesses and assisting them in developing a vibrant business district in SODO that is Safe, Clean and Moving.
✉︎ Contact Erin | she/her/hers

Lauren Lundberg, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
An East Coast Transplant, Lauren serves as the Deputy Director of the SODO BIA. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Before joining the SODO BIA, she’s worked with several Seattle based non-profits in program and campaign fundraising, advocacy, and outreach. She is eager to work with the diverse community and support businesses in creating a Clean and Safe SODO.
✉︎ Contact Lauren | she/her/hers

Janelle Ligrani, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Moving throughout the country during childhood, Janelle has always called Seattle her hometown. She holds a Bachelors degree in Communications from The University of Tampa with a heavy focus on Graphic Design. Prior to working with the SODO BIA, she gained valuable marketing experience in the Manufacturing industry, Healthcare industry, and Real Estate industry. Janelle enjoys optimizing the BIA’s marketing efforts to benefit the SODO community through improving online resources, managing the newsletter, producing videos, managing social media, hosting events and advocacy programs to name a few.
✉︎ Contact Janelle | she/her/hers

Tyler Sawers, OFFICE MANAGER
A native to the greater Seattle area, Tyler joined the SODO BIA team in October of 2020. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Seattle Pacific University. Between graduating and joining SODO BIA, he worked in sales, customer service, and then office management with a local construction company. Tyler is excited to be joining SODO BIA as the Office Manager to support in the process of a positive change in the SODO community.
✉︎ Contact Tyler | he/him/his

Becky Gilley, REACH SODO Outreach Care Coordinator
Becky works for REACH and is contracted specifically to perform outreach in the SODO district with folks who are sleeping in tents, cars, and RVs. A local Seattleite, Becky stayed here during college, receiving her BA and Master’s in Social Work from University of Washington and has been working and volunteering in the Seattle social service world since 2010 (with a 2 year stint in Ukraine with the Peace Corps). Becky is a firm believer and practitioner of Harm Reduction and Motivational Interviewing and enjoys building trusting relationships with clients to help them reach their self-identified goals and improve quality of life for everyone.
she/her/hers
Board of Directors

Todd Biesold
President
Chief Financial Officer, Merlino Foods

William Lavaris
Vice President
Chief Financial Officer, Buffalo Industries LLC

Chad Zinda
Secretary
Founder & Broker, Metropolist

Robin Howard
Treasurer
Manager, Alcohol Compliance, Starbucks Coffee Company

Daniel Byrne
Manager, Dakota Street LLC

Kenneth Clark
Director Facilities, American Life Inc.

Alex Cooley
Co-Founder, Solstice

SALLY DEL FIERRO
Director, Community Engagement,
Port of Seattle

Effie Gleason
Vice President Marketing, Gull Industries, Inc.

Mark Miller
President & CEO, MacMillan-Piper

Lisa Nitze
Vice President Marketing Investments, Community Partnerships, Nitze-Stagen

Jen Osborn
Owner, Paratex Pest Prevention

Tavia Rhodes
Director of Philanthropy & Communications, Evergreen Treatment Services

Juan Rodriguez
Director, Ballpark Operations, Seattle Mariners

Garth Schlemlein
Founding Member, Schlemlein Fick & Franklin
2022 WORK PLAN
The mission of the SODO BIA is to advocate for a safe, clean, connected and engaged SODO, for the benefit of property owners, businesses, tenants, employees and patrons of the SODO district.
Feel free to look through our 2022 workplan below to see how we plan to reach these goals this upcoming year:
Committees
The SODO Business Improvement Area is more than just one person or organization, it is a collaboration of businesses, property owners and the City of Seattle working together to create lasting change in the our shared district, SODO. Effectively addressing the issues of the district requires the participation of ratepayers to create a shared vision of the district. Interested in getting involved? Consider participating in one of our program area Committees.
For more information on these committees and other ways to get involved please fill out our online form, by calling us at, 206-294-3285, or by emailing Info@SODOSeattle.org