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Media Contact:
Sharon Couts
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
425.499.1723

Master Builders Association Hires Kathleen Sims, Former Weyerhaeuser Executive, as its New Executive Director

Bellevue, Wash—March 1, 2018—The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) announced the selection of Kathleen (Kat) Sims as its new executive director. Sims is the first woman to lead the association in its 109-year history. As the former vice president of environmental affairs, sustainability, and corporate responsibility of Weyerhaeuser Company, she is an influential leader accustomed to the building industry. She begins her new role Monday, March 5.

“Kat’s depth and breadth of experience as an executive, real estate attorney, and coalition builder will be a tremendous asset for our association,” said Erich Armbruster, the association’s board president. “She will be an excellent representative for Master Builders Association as we expand our influence with regional leaders in addressing the growth and critical housing issues facing our region. I could not be more pleased that such an exceptional leader is taking the helm.”

Sims is a seasoned attorney specializing in real estate law, with more than 10 years of in-house business management expertise. Prior to her most recent position at Weyerhaeuser, Sims worked as vice president of government affairs at Plum Creek Timber Company Inc., which merged with Weyerhaeuser in 2016. She also served as senior director of sustainability and senior director, real estate law at Plum Creek. Early in her career, Sims was a partner at Alston, Courtnage & Bassetti LLP and an associate attorney at Foster, Pepper & Shefelman LLP (now Foster Pepper), where she provided strategic legal advice to developers, landowners, and lenders.

“Developing adequate housing is vital to the health of our region and the Master Builders Association needs to be at the table as discussions are made that impact housing availability,” said Sims. “I’m looking forward to forging new partnerships and locking arms with the association’s leadership, members, and staff to help solve critical issues affecting our communities.”

“Having an opportunity to engage an experienced leader with Kathleen’s credentials is a terrific outcome for our association,” said Mike Walsh, MBAKS 2017 board president and head of the executive search committee.  “Kat has sound judgement and common sense and will be an effective voice for Master Builders Association.”

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties has grown to become the largest residential homebuilders association in the United States. With nearly 3,000 member companies, the association is dedicated to membership value, housing advocacy, community service, and financial stewardship throughout the Puget Sound region.

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The region's top remodeling professionals gathered to recognize exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, and design across dozens of project categories, from powder rooms to major whole-home transformations.

Each year, the Master Builder Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) Remodeling Excellence Awards (REX) shine a well-deserved spotlight on the companies and craftspeople raising the bar for what's possible in residential remodeling. This year's competition drew an outstanding field of entries, with local firms demonstrating remarkable range — blending technical expertise with inspired design sensibility across every corner of the home.

At Victory Hall, attendees enjoyed a pre-function cocktail hour featuring four fully furnished living rooms where guests could sit and mingle, complete with previous REX trophies on display and photo albums showcasing all the entrants. During dinner and intermission, attendees enjoyed a live musical performance from recording artist Annie J — a first for the REX Awards Gala.

From historically appropriate restorations to cutting-edge universal design solutions, the 2026 winners reflect the breadth and depth of talent working in our region today. Several firms earned multiple recognitions, a testament to their consistency and commitment to quality. And one project rose above the rest to claim the night's highest honor.

Bathrooms

Specialty & Innovation

Additions & ADUs

Kitchens

Outdoor & Conversions

Basement

Major Remodels

Shannon Affholter is the executive director of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, the largest and oldest local homebuilders association in the nation. Previously, he was the vice president of business and economic development for Economic Alliance Snohomish County. While there, he advanced strategic growth plans, advocated on behalf of business and fostered economic development in the region. He also was elected to serve two terms on the Everett City Council.

Prior to his tenure at Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Affholter was a business development executive at the regional accounting firm of Moss Adams and an account executive with Merck. He holds an MBA from Western Washington University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University. In The Money Hour segment today, Shannon talks about how the demand for housing has significantly outpaced residential housing supply.