Microvision names new president

Steve Wiley, president of Microvision Inc. for the past three years, has been reassigned to lead the company's consumer products division.

He will be replaced as president of the developer of high-resolution displays and imaging systems by Alexander Tokman, who comes to Bothell-based Microvision GE Healthcare. Tokman also was named chief operating officer.

Tokman's responsibilities include oversight of research and product development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing. Wiley will serve as president of the company's consumer division, focusing on developing displays for consumer electronics.

PopCap and Sprout plan merger

PopCap Games has reached an agreement to buy fellow Seattle computer and video game developer Sprout Games.

Among Seattle-based PopCap's downloadable titles are "Bejeweled," "Zuma" and "Bookworm." Sprout publishes "Feeding Frenzy," "Pizza Frenzy" and "Iggle Pop!"

When the deal closes, Sprout's employees will be relocated to PopCaps headquarters, where the two operations will work on new games, as well as follow-ups to previous hits. James Gwertzman, managing director of Sprout Games, will become director of business development for PopCap.

Hagel expands into Oregon and Idaho

Tacoma-based Hagel & Co., a human resources technology reseller, has purchased a list of 150 customers that use the Abra Suite HRMS software suite from Trillium Software Inc. in Portland.

Hagel said in an announcement that the Abra Suite helps mid-sized companies manage human resources and payroll, and has more than 18,000 installations in North America.

The purchase gives Hagel more than 400 Abra customers and results in Hagel expanding its practice to Oregon and Idaho. The company opened offices in Portland and Boise to support the new customer base, according to the announcement.

Cray cuts 90 jobs

Troubled supercomputer maker Cray Inc. said it is laying off 90 people, about 10 percent of its employees. The layoffs are primarily in operations, sales and marketing, and more layoffs are possible in the future.

The Seattle-based company is also requiring temporary salary reductions for all staff in the United States paid more than $50,000 annually. Pay cuts are voluntary for staff at international sites, Cray said. The pay reductions began July 1 and continue no later than Dec. 31, the company said.

The work force reductions will save about $5.5 million annually, while the salary and benefit reductions will save about $2.5 million during the 2005 second half, the company said.

eProject gains venture capital

A Seattle online software company that helps medium-sized businesses manage internal projects has gained $8 million in venture capital to bolster sales and marketing.

eProject Inc. has 47 employees and expects that number to grow to 75 by the end of the year.

EProject said the company has raised slightly more than $16 million since inception.

Appian Graphics acquired

Redmond-based Appian Graphics Corp., a maker of computer graphics cards and software for use in multiple-monitor systems, has been acquired by Colorgraphic Communications Corp., a competitor based in Atlanta. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Colorgraphic said in an announcement that the merger widens the number of products it can offer customers.

Ecuity names new top officer

Ecuity Inc., a Bellevue-based VoIP communications company, has hired Andrew Buffmire as president and chief executive officer, according to a press release.

Buffmire comes to Ecuity from Advanced Logic Systems Inc., a New Jersey company providing voice, video and data systems for homeland security to various federal and state agencies.

His experience also includes vice president of business development for UbiquiTel Inc., and as director of business development for Sprint PCS.

Got a local news story? Let us know about it. Send your local news to dan@computeruser.com.