Several key personnel changes were announced across the Pacific Northwest technology sector today, including a significant promotion at T-Mobile. Daniel Drobac will assume the role of chief accounting officer at the Bellevue-based telecommunications company beginning May 1, replacing retiring executive Dara Bazzano. Drobac, who has served as vice president of accounting and controller since 2017, brings nearly eight years of experience with T-Mobile to the position. His background includes a stint as a practice fellow at the Financial Accounting Standards Board and various leadership positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
In other moves, Plug and Play’s Seattle operation has appointed new leadership, with Jack Callaghan stepping in as director and Emmanuel Chan taking on the program manager position. The Silicon Valley-based innovation group, which announced its Seattle expansion last fall, will operate two annual accelerator programs in the region. One program will be based at the University of Washington’s CoMotion facility, while the other will operate from SNBL’s building in Everett.
Mozilla.ai, the open-source AI division of Mozilla launched last year, welcomed John Dickerson as its new CEO. Dickerson, who previously co-founded and served as chief scientist at New York-based AI startup Arthur, announced that the well-funded 20-person team plans to expand in the coming months.
The Technology Alliance is seeing changes as Nick Nelson departs his role as program manager for entrepreneurial climate initiatives after more than two years. Nelson indicated he will remain in the corporate venture capital sector in his next position.
In agency news, former Amazon communications veteran Kelly Cheeseman has launched Cuore Collective alongside colleague Pia Arthur. Cheeseman’s extensive experience includes over a decade in
communications at Amazon and a previous role leading media relations at Walmart, followed by a year as VP and chief of staff at Flexport.
Carbon Direct, the Seattle-based consulting and investment firm focused on carbon footprint reduction, has named Rory Jacobson as head of policy. Jacobson joins from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, where he directed the Carbon Dioxide Removal program.
Notable departures were announced at Wizards of the Coast, with two veteran “Dungeons & Dragons” creators stepping down. Creative Director Chris Perkins is retiring after nearly three decades with the Renton-based company, while Jeremy Crawford, who directed the D&D design team, is leaving after more than 18 years. Both executives played crucial roles in developing the new revised Fifth Edition and core rulebooks for the popular tabletop game.
These transitions reflect the dynamic nature of the Pacific
Northwest’s technology sector, with companies continuing to evolve their leadership teams and adapt to changing market conditions. The appointments and departures span various industries, from
telecommunications and artificial intelligence to gaming and environmental technology, highlighting the region’s diverse tech ecosystem.
The movements also underscore the ongoing evolution of the Seattle area’s technology landscape, with established companies making strategic leadership changes while new ventures like Plug and Play establish their presence in the region. These personnel changes demonstrate the continued growth and transformation of the Pacific Northwest’s technology sector, as organizations position themselves for future opportunities and challenges in the rapidly evolving tech industry.