Washington Business Spring 2018 | Washington Business | Page 5

washington business
editorial staff
Kris Johnson, Publisher
Jason Hagey, Executive Editor
Bobbi Cussins, Communications Manager
Andrew Lenderman, Communications Specialist
Brian Mittge, Staff Writer/Photo Editor
Brian Temple, Digital Media Coordinator
What’s Ahead
awb officers
Michael Senske, Chair of the Board
Pearson Packaging Systems, Spokane
Tim Schauer, Vice Chair
MacKay Sposito, Vancouver
Jim Reed, Secretary/Treasurer
Outreach and Opportunity
Jason Hagey, Executive Editor
Banner Bank, Bellevue
Wendy Sancewich, Immediate Past Chair
RSM, Seattle
awb leadership team
Kris Johnson, President
Gary Chandler, VP, Government Affairs
Jason Hagey , VP, Communications
Greg Welch , Director of Finance
Sean Heiner , Director of Membership
Stephanie Hemphill , Director of Member
Relations & Events
PO Box 658, Olympia, WA 98507-0658
T 360.943.1600 F 360.943.5811
www.awb.org
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As we climbed aboard the big motor coach early one morning last fall, we
didn’t know exactly what to expect. AWB had never done anything quite
like this. For the next six days, the bus — one of two custom-wrapped buses,
actually — would be our home as we crisscrossed the state like rock stars on a
concert tour, logging more 2,000 miles.
Like any good road trip, the tour provided beautiful scenery, plenty of
caffeine and a few questionable meals.
Along the way, we found the real rock stars — the men and women who
go to work every day at places that make things. Military boats, ambulances,
music stands, blankets, craft beer and wine. Computer printers, work lifts,
carbon fiber and fish meal. The list goes on.
In this edition’s cover story, staff writer and photo editor Brian Mittge
captures some of the highlights from the epic journey in words and pictures.
A brigh t spot in Eastern Washington’s manufacturing sector is the birth of
a new mill that some are saying could be a game-changer. Contributing writer
Dick Davis has the story on Columbia Pulp, which is preparing to operate a
mill that converts wheat straw to pulp.
It’s a win for wheat growers, who gain a new revenue stream from
something that’s traditionally been burned as waste straw. It’s a win for
the environment, since the straw is no longer burned. And it’s a win for the
economy in Columbia County.
We’re looking forward to stopping at the mill during a future bus tour.
One of the challenges we heard throughout the bus tour was the difficulty
finding skilled, trained and educated workers. Staff writer Andy Lenderman
makes his debut in this issue with a look at apprenticeships, one of many
options that leaders are exploring to address the workforce challenge.
Finally, the passing of former Gov. John Spellman led to an insightful
interview with Pat Dunn, who worked for Spellman in the King County
executive’s office and when Spellman was governor. Dunn, a longtime friend
of AWB, shared his recollections with staff writer Bobbi Cussins.
Those are just a few of the highlights from an issue packed with
information about rural jobs development, AWB’s federal affairs advocacy, our
office remodel and much more.
Thanks for reading.
advertising inquiries may be directed to:
Jason Hagey, AWB
washingtonbusinessmag.com
spring 2018
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