In ‘Around The Table,’ we highlight member news and share information on industry trends. This week, we shine the spotlight on Alaska Airlines, Comcast, Microsoft, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories.
Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden Discusses Company Plans in Exclusive Interview
In an interview with the Puget Sound Business Journal, Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden used boxing gloves and a frayed old carpet to discuss the company’s approach to intense competition and challenges. The boxing gloves were a gift from Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer after Alaska ordered 11 regional jets from the company. “They think they’re a company that punches above their weight, and they think Alaska is a company that punches above its weight,” Tilden said. The small square of frayed carpet was cut from company headquarters when old worn-out carpet was finally replaced. Tilden keeps it as a keepsake as a reminder to himself and to staff that low overhead matters. Read the wide-ranging interview here.
Comcast’s Amy Lynch is GeekWire’s Geek of the Week
Amy Lynch, regional vice president of Comcast Washington and Washington Roundtable board member, was featured as GeekWire’s “Geek of the Week” this week. The regular column profiles the characters of the Pacific Northwest tech, science, games, innovation, and more. After a series of questions about her field, her inspiration, and daily routines, Lynch was asked what her favorite cause was. “STEM and women and girls,” she said. “It’s important that girls are encouraged at an early age to pursue things like science, technology, engineering and math. No field of study should be off-limits.” Read the full profile here.
Microsoft to Acquire GitHub for $7.5 Billion
Microsoft Corp. on Monday announced it has reached an agreement to acquire GitHub, the world’s leading software development platform where more than 28 million developers learn, share and collaborate to create the future. Together, the two companies will empower developers to achieve more at every stage of the development lifecycle, accelerate enterprise use of GitHub, and bring Microsoft’s developer tools and services to new audiences. “Microsoft is a developer-first company, and by joining forces with GitHub we strengthen our commitment to developer freedom, openness and innovation,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “We recognize the community responsibility we take on with this agreement and will do our best work to empower every developer to build, innovate and solve the world’s most pressing challenges.” Learn more here.
PNNL, University of Alaska Fairbanks Form Collaborative Agreement
The University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have signed a five-year collaborative agreement to advance research on hydropower generation, marine renewable energy and underwater technology development. PNNL and UAF’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power will form research teams, pursue joint funding requests and establish joint graduate student research and faculty appointment programs. “PNNL is proud to partner with the University of Alaska Fairbanks to address energy resiliency and national security challenges unique to our region, and to build upon existing collaborations in marine, environmental and energy research,” said PNNL director Steven Ashby. Read more here.