Everett’s Waterfront Place: A Case Study in Creating Successful Public-Private Partnerships
Join us at the WMBA IP Lunch and Learn, Thursday May 14, 2026!
Time:
11:30 am | Networking
12:00 pm | Lunch Served
12:15 pm | Panel Presentation Begins
1:30 pm | Presentation Concludes
Registration:
WMBA Member IN PERSON | $55
Non Member IN PERSON | $65
WMBA Member VIRTUAL ONLY | $55
Non Member VIRTUAL ONLY | $65
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Gold Sponsor | $500
Location:
Perkins Coie Conference Center; 48th Floor
1301 2nd Ave Suite 4200
Seattle, WA 98101
Registration will close Thursday, May 7th, at 9:00am. As of Nov. 1st, 2024, WMBA Programs will be cashless events. Event, drink and raffle tickets must be purchased with a credit card.
REGISTER TODAY
Presentation highlights and key takeaways:
What does it take to transform a brownfield waterfront site into a thriving mixed-use destination? This panel will take a closer look at the collaborative partnership between the Port of Everett, City of Everett and the private sector to deliver Waterfront Place — a $1 billion mixed-use waterfront redevelopment underway across 100 acres along Everett’s shoreline. Panelists will dive into their role in turning the Waterfront Place vision into reality, highlighting how strategic planning, coordinated public investment, and private developer involvement are transforming the waterfront into a vibrant destination with new housing, hospitality, retail, dining, and public spaces, while supporting long-term economic growth.
Meet the Speakers
Catherine Soper 
Catherine Soper is a member of the Port of Everett’s executive leadership team, bringing 15+ years of experience in public sector economic development, community placemaking, and strategic communications. As Chief of Business Development & Tourism, she leads the Port’s real estate division as well as external affairs, marketing and communications, business development and special projects across a diverse portfolio that includes one of Washington’s largest international seaports, the West Coast’s largest public marina, and a growing mix of commercial, industrial and recreational real estate. Her work focuses on aligning the Port’s mission with community and stakeholder needs, advancing waterfront redevelopment, business growth, and tourism expansion across Snohomish County. Catherine plays a key role in the revitalization of Everett’s waterfront, including Waterfront Place, a $1 billion mixed-use redevelopment, contributing to strategic planning, placemaking, and facilitating public-private partnerships that expand economic opportunity and enhance quality of life. A certified Maritime Port Executive, she is also passionate about creating career pathways for our youth to build up our future maritime workforce in Snohomish County, the community where she lives and serves the community.
Dan Eernissee
Dan Eernissee directs the City of Everett’s economic development strategy by advancing its business friendly reputation, creating value through placemaking, and leveraging Everett’s premier workforce. Dan is a creative problem-solver, drawing on 16 years of municipal leadership plus exceptional private-sector experience developing over 1,800 homes, the Snohomish Station retail center, and the south half of the award-winning Mill Creek Town Center.
John Shaw
As Partner and Director of Multi-Family Acquisitions, John oversees all of SeaLevel Properties strategic placement of acquisition dollars. John’s other primary responsibilities include the financial analysis of new multi-family opportunities, negotiating purchase and sale agreements, structuring joint venture agreements, managing due diligence activities, creating property specific re/development strategies, and overseeing asset management, as well as the design/entitlement process for SeaLevel Properties. John joined SeaLevel Properties after successfully starting and managing his own real estate advisory/investment company. Prior to this John worked for a prominent mixed use multi-family developer in Seattle, where he managed all acquisitions, asset management, and dispositions. In all, John has managed the successful completion of over $595M in multi-family real estate transactions totaling more that 3,300 units in Washington State over the past 13 years.
CALL FOR SPONSORS
Support the Voice of Washington’s Mortgage Industry – Become a WMBA Sponsor!
Join us in advancing the mission of the Washington Mortgage Bankers Association — the leading voice of the mortgage industry in Washington State. WMBA is dedicated to educating, connecting, and inspiring our members, clients, and partners to positively impact the communities we serve.
By sponsoring our monthly programs, you help make these impactful events possible while gaining valuable visibility and engagement opportunities.
- Gold Sponsor – $500
- Gold Sponsor will receive 1 Comped Registration and logo on all marketing and website for this event.
Be a part of something bigger — support WMBA and help shape the future of our industry and communities.
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