washington business
AWB, State Honors Vietnam Veterans March 29-30
Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day in Washington state, marking the 43rd anniversary of the official end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
In addition, by state law, the following day, March 30, was "Welcome Home Vietnam
Veterans Day," a time to give Vietnam veterans the thanks that many of them did not
receive when they came home to a polarized nation.
Beyond a simple — but much-appreciated — "thank you for your service," Seattle hosted
a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration and Spokane was the location of the
Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day celebration.
As an official partner with the Vietnam War Commemoration, AWB is helping share
the story of the ways Washington employers support veterans, including those from the
Vietnam War. We also highlight business and community leaders who served in Vietnam.
One of AWB’s most beloved friends, Tom Fritz, passed away last year after a remarkable life that included proud U.S. Marine Corps service in Vietnam, where he was part of
a search-and-rescue helicopter squadron.
After serving his country with valor, Fritz built Inland Northwest Health Services into
a national leader in innovative health care. He was active in AWB and was vice chair of
the AWB board when he died last summer in a tragic accident.
Fritz was among the Vietnam veterans honored at AWB's 2014 Policy Summit.
M3 Biotechnology Raises $10M to Pursue Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
Treatment Trials
Founded in 2011 at Washington State University, Seattle’s
M3 Biotechnology announced
in February it has raised $10
million in an oversubscribed
Series A round as it pursues
regenerative treatments for
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and
other brain diseases.
The bio-pharma firm will use
the funds for further trials to discover cutting-edge ways to treat
and help patients recover from
degenerative brain diseases such
as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
M3 CEO Leen Kawas told the Puget Sound Business Journal she was glad to see the
investors who got involved were “not merely focusing on the potential returns, although that
opportunity is huge, but also with a sense of responsibility to support the work addressing
the biggest unmet medical need that Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s represent.”
In an interview with Washington Business (Winter 2016), Kawas said that the test models
run before the upcoming phase 1 trial show the company’s treatment is “expected to reverse
the course” of Alzheimer’s.
The company’s phase 1 clinical trial is expected to begin later this year or early 2017.
SEL Named One of 15 Best
Workplaces in Manufacturing
and Production by Fortune
For the
second year
in a row,
Pullman-based Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) was recognized by Fortune magazine as one of
15 Best Workplaces in Manufacturing
and Production.
The rankings are based on survey
feedback from employees from American manufacturing and production
companies. The questionnaire consists
of 58 questions rating how frequently
employees experience the attributes
that make a workplace great.
SEL ranked high — an average 93
percent — in several areas, including management, professional
development and training, company
atmosphere, benefits and rewards.
“As a 100 percent employee-owned
company, we are empowered to put
our employees first,” SEL CEO Luis
D’Acosta, said in a press release.
“What this means for us is that we
have a highly talented and engaged
workforce focused on quality, innovation and customer service. It’s a
model that has also proven beneficial
for our company, the industries we
serve and U.S. manufacturing.”
The recognition came out slightly
ahead of news of SEL’s $23 million
expansion at its Pullman site. The
company is making space for 850
additional employees over the next
five years, amounting to $50 million
more in annual payroll.
SEL partners with customers
around the world to ensure the safe,
reliable, and economical delivery of
electric power. The company has 48
sites and 3,838 employees.
summer 2016
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