Jacobs Associates has announced the promotion of Peter Raleigh to associate. Raleigh, who has more than 17 years of experience in tunnel engineering and with tunnel boring machines, joined the firm in 2006. He is currently working on the Light Rail University Link and North Link projects and is project manager and lead inspector on the Ballard Siphon Replacement Project, for which Jacobs Associates is providing construction management services.

Portland-based Yost Grube Hall Architecture (YGH) announced that two employees have earned additional accreditations. Rachael Pasternak, LEED AP, IIDA, has recently obtained her National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certificate. Pasternak joined YGH in 2005 and holds a Bachelor of Interior Architecture degree from the University of Oregon. Her past YGH projects include tenant improvements for Consolidated Metco, Inc., interior design for Portland State University’s Academic and Student Recreation Center, and lobby renovation for the Casey Eye Institute at Oregon Health and Science University. Pasternak is currently working on tenant improvements for Portland State University’s Bike Hub and the Humanities and Student Services Building at Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash. Phillip Lopez , RA, LEED AP, has recently obtained his license to practice architecture in the State of Oregon. Lopez joined YGH in 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon and has been an assistant project designer for several YGH projects including Clackamas Community College’s Center for Health Education, the San Luis II Land Port of Entry for General Services Administration (GSA) Region 9 in Yuma, Ariz, and multiple projects under YGH’s U.S. Department of State ID/IQ contract. Lopez was named the AIA Portland Chapter Intern of the Year in 2008.

DLR Group has added four new professionals to their staff. Informational technologies professional Brian Timian has joined DLR as the network administrator. He has worked in the IT field for seven years, with previous experience at biotech company Zymogenetics. Intern architect Amy Brown is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design in 2006. She earned her LEED certification in 2006. Intern Architect Laura Bartunek graduated in 2007 from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Architecture. She is currently working to earn her Master’s Degree in Architecture from Harvard. Intern Architect Chelsey Olsen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts and English from Macalester College and a Master’s in Architecture from Iowa State University. She recently interned in Shanghai, China.

Les Sargeant, United Systems Mechanical, LLC, has been elected as the 2009-2010 chairman of the board of directors of Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington.

Joining Sargeant as officers are:; Erin VerHoeven, Corstone Contractors, LLC, chair elect; Jeremy Stendera, APEX, vice chair of government & labor affairs; Larry Newton, Lovsted-Worthington, LLC. vice chair of membership; Ryan Haggard, Haggard Electrical Contractors, vice chair of development and education; Diane Keithly, Keithly Electric Co., secretary/treasurer; and Grant Larsen, Express Construction Co., Inc., immediate past chair. The directors for 2009-2010 are: Amanda Grindle, Saybr Contractors, Inc.; Jeff Harding, Premier Builders; Steve Klimek, Redhawk Construction Co., Inc.; Dawn Lanz, McMullen Electric, Inc.; Brian Mead, Balancing Service Co.; Greg Nolten, Dochnahl Construction, Inc., Brian Pahlow, Nuprecon, LP; Karl Pauly, Graham Contracting, Ltd.; and Pam Stewart, Synergy Construction, Inc.

Skanska announced the promotion of four project managers within the company’s Seattle office.

Greg Holmes has been promoted to senior project manager. Holmes’ four-year Skanska background includes work on several significant projects with The Boeing Company, one of Skanska’s long-time clients. Currently, he is managing the Boeing Third MG Building in Everett, Wash.

Robert Nixon has been promoted to senior project manager. Nixon has more the 12 years of experience in the construction field and joined Skanska in 2003. Since then he has managed some of the company’s most notable projects, including the Casino Snoqualmie that was completed in November 2008.

James Shaiman has been promoted to project manager. During his four years with Skanska, Shaiman has contributed to a number of high-profile projects, including the Stadium High School historic renovation in Tacoma, Wash. He is currently managing the completion of The Bravern in Bellevue, Wash.

Dan Huber has been promoted to project manager. During his four years with Skanska, Huber played an instrumental role on several significant projects, including the The Bravern mixed use project in Bellevue. He is currently working on the Meadowdale Middle School Replacement project in Lynnwood, Wash.