washington business
New in
Government Affairs
New in
Member Services
AWB Legislative & Lobby Days in Olympia
New, Low Cost 401(k) Program for
AWB Members!
This year more than ever, it is critical for AWB members to make
contact with their lawmakers about the impact of the economy
on business, particularly small businesses. One of the best ways
is to join AWB on Jan. 17 for our annual legislative briefing and
reception at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia to get up to speed on
the big issues under discussion in the Legislature. Learn how these
issues will affect your company and our state’s competitiveness
and help us carry the message to elected officials at the reception.
Then join us the following morning, Jan. 18, for meetings with
your lawmakers on the Capitol Campus and help your legislators
understand how your business is affected by decisions that are
made in Olympia. To register, become a sponsor and learn more,
visit www.awblegislativeday.com.
Transitions in Government Affairs Staff
The AWB Government Affairs staff
welcomed two new team members
this fall. In October, AWB brought
Brandon Houskeeper aboard as a
new government affairs director.
Houskeeper, a former policy analyst
for the Washington Policy Center
in Seattle, will track environmental
issues, regulatory reform, land use,
climate change and small business policy issues. He replaces
Grant Nelson, who left in October to start his own government
affairs practice after 13 years with AWB.
In November, Courtney Barnes joined
the team, also as a new government
affairs director. Barnes most recently
served as a counsel for several
committees in the state House of
Representatives, including the House
Environment Committee. She will cover
environmental issues (including air and
water quality), toxics, climate change
and energy issues. Barnes replaces former AWB Government Affairs
Director Chris McCabe, who left the association to become the new
executive director of the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association.
McCabe succeeds Llewellyn Matthews, who retired this fall after
30 years of service to NWPPA.
AWB is pleased to announce a new member service, the
BenefitGuard 401(k) Plan. You don’t need to be a Fortune 500
company to have benefits like one! The plan is full-service, low
cost and can be tailored to your company’s specific needs. The
plan takes care of all the paperwork, the plan audit and IRS
filings so that your time is spent taking care of your business.
To find out how to take care of this powerful retirement
plan option, please call us toll free at 866.670.4015 or go to
www.awbbenefitguardplan.com