Pacific Northwest Leadership Transitions Signal New Era in Technology and Research
In a significant shift for the Pacific Northwest’s scientific community, Deborah “Deb” Gracio will assume leadership of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) next month. This appointment caps her remarkable 35-year career at the Department of Energy lab, where she currently serves as associate laboratory director for national security. Gracio brings extensive expertise in computational capabilities and big data methodologies to her new role at PNNL, which conducts cutting-edge research in clean energy, power grid technology, and environmental cleanup from its headquarters in Richland, Washington. She succeeds Steven Ashby, whose decade of leadership followed more than 40 years of service to the Department of Energy. Gracio’s appointment represents both continuity and forward momentum for this vital research institution that influences national policy on critical scientific challenges.
The technology sector in the region is also experiencing leadership changes, with MicroVision promoting Glen De Vos from chief technologist to president and CEO, effective September 30th. De Vos, who joined the Redmond-based automotive technology company just four months ago, brings 25 years of experience from automotive components companies Delphi and Aptiv. He succeeds Sumit Sharma, who led MicroVision for five years during his decade-long tenure with the company. MicroVision, which operates in Redmond, Detroit, and Hamburg, specializes in lidar sensors for automotive safety systems and autonomous vehicles—technologies that stand at the intersection of transportation innovation and public safety. The company has not yet named a replacement for the chief technology officer position vacated by De Vos’s promotion, signaling potential additional organizational changes ahead.
Healthcare technology is gaining momentum with Rajeev Singh joining the board of directors at Basalt Health, a Nashville-based startup focused on improving healthcare providers’ access to patient data. Singh, a well-established Seattle-area leader who served as CEO of Accolade for nine years and as president of Concur Technologies for two decades, brings valuable expertise to this healthcare AI venture. His relationship with Basalt Health founder Ben Hackett dates back to their time together at Accolade, and Singh has disclosed his financial investment in the startup. His perspective on AI in healthcare is particularly noteworthy: “This is exactly the kind of problem AI was meant to solve. It’s not about replacing the human touch in healthcare—it’s about amplifying it, creating the infrastructure that will scale quality care across our entire healthcare system.” This insight reflects the growing recognition that technology should enhance rather than replace human elements in healthcare delivery.
The IT sector in the Pacific Northwest is also witnessing significant leadership transitions. Zones, an Auburn-based IT company, has appointed Yehia Maaty Omar as its new CEO after his three years of service on the company’s board. Omar’s extensive background includes more than 25 years at Xerox and leadership positions at Megalos Consulting and Curvature. He succeeds Firoz Lalji, who steps down after 27 years with Zones, most spent as CEO. Lalji will continue his involvement as board chair, maintaining influence over the company’s strategic direction. Meanwhile, the startup ecosystem continues to flourish with the launch of Dotted, a new platform designed to enhance product manager efficiency. Founded by Seattle tech veterans Dunni Abiodun and Eric Neuman, the company reflects their combined experience from Microsoft, Amazon, and Axon. Neuman articulates their mission plainly: “PMs are the force multipliers for every product team. When their time is wasted, the whole team slows down. When you give them time back, you unlock speed, creativity, and results for everyone.”
Communications and consulting fields are also evolving with Roger Nyhus launching AMBO Strategy, an international consultancy based in Seattle. As founder and CEO, Nyhus aims to provide strategic counsel to leaders navigating complex decision-making environments. His background includes a year serving as U.S. ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean during the Biden administration, preceded by nearly three decades as founder and CEO of Nyhus Communications. This wealth of experience positions AMBO to offer what Nyhus describes as “candid counsel, discreet support and independent perspective” to executives facing challenging leadership decisions. The consultancy’s Seattle base further reinforces the Pacific Northwest’s role as an incubator for specialized professional services firms that operate on a global scale.
The biotechnology sector continues its dynamic evolution with Aaron Grossman joining Seattle-based Sana Biotechnology as executive vice president and chief legal officer effective October 20th. Sana, which specializes in cell and gene therapy, announced the appointment through an SEC filing as Bernard Cassidy retires from his role as executive VP and general counsel after three years with the company. Cassidy previously provided legal counsel for Juno Therapeutics, highlighting the interconnected nature of Seattle’s biotech legal community. Other notable transitions include Margaret Dawson assuming the chief marketing officer position at German software company SUSE after holding leadership roles at several Seattle-area companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Apptio, and most recently Chronosphere. Additionally, law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has appointed Erin Ehlert as managing partner of its Seattle office, bringing her experience as a King County prosecutor for over 20 years and her subsequent private practice in medical malpractice and tort law to this leadership position.
