Pacific Northwest Tech Moves: Microsoft 'Agent Mode' Architect Departed for AI Startup, SV Angel Adds Jay Carney

A fresh series of leadership transitions across the Pacific Northwest and broader tech ecosystem highlights active movement in artificial intelligence development, venture capital, and corporate governance. According to reporting by GeekWire (https://www.geekwire.com/2026/tech-moves-ascend-promotes-nate-bek-microsoft-word-agent-mode-architect-exits-taf-names-new-exec/), key appointments range from pre-seed venture promotions to startup board expansions.

Brandon Paddock, formerly a principal software architect in Microsoft's Office organization, has left the company to establish an independent AI software venture. Paddock served as the technical lead for "Agent Mode" in Word, which rolled out last fall before becoming Word's default Copilot experience early this year. His final day at Microsoft was Sept. 11. Paddock previously worked at Microsoft from 2005 to 2013 on Windows 7 and Windows 8 search features, later serving as CTO of Zealyst before returning to Microsoft in 2016.

Seattle-based venture capital firm Ascend promoted Nate Bek to principal. Bek joined Ascend as an associate in January 2024 and previously served as senior associate and head of research. Ascend founding general partner Kirby Winfield noted that Bek helped source deals including Neuramill and Endurance Energy, citing his market research and regional network. Bek was previously a startups and venture capital reporter at GeekWire.

In venture policy and industry coordination, SV Angel appointed Jay Carney as general partner and head of public policy and communications. Carney, who served as White House press secretary from 2011 to 2014 and later led corporate affairs at Amazon and policy at Airbnb, will oversee Project Blueprint, an initiative aimed at connecting tech founders with lawmakers on AI policy. At Salesforce, former Sophos communications lead Christopher Budd joined as director of security industry engagement to link internal research with the broader security sector.

Several emerging software and defense companies also completed board and C-suite additions. Digital identity startup NewCore added former Microsoft identity president Joy Chik to its board following the company's June emergence from stealth with $66 million in funding. Sales software platform VanillaSoft appointed former LILT chief product and technology officer Werner Koepf as CTO. In defense tech, Vancouver-based Juno Industries expanded its leadership by hiring Dylan Neid as head of engineering, Tania Belisle-Leclerc as head of strategy, and Bryan Riddell as head of growth, while naming Claude Rochette and Alnesh Mohan to its board ahead of a planned reverse merger on the TSX Venture Exchange with Trail Blazer Capital Corp.

Other executive changes include Zillow Group naming Rikki Tremblay vice president and principal accounting officer as Jennifer Rock prepares to retire; connected TV ad platform MNTN adding former T-Mobile executive Mike Katz to its board; senior care service A Place for Mom hiring Jason Conley as CTO; the Gates Foundation bringing back Luis Montero to guide AI communications strategy; and STEM non-profit Technology Access Foundation appointing Donya Loyd Kemp as director of TransformED.