washington business
“He is incredibly aware of the
effectiveness of coalition. That’s
been one of Don’s real strengths
and it’s become one of AWB’s real
strengths.”
— Richard Davis, president, Washington Research
Council
the state’s business-labor relationship. The organization was known originally as the Citizen’s Alliance and
one of its main functions was to challenge the Industrial Workers of the World, known as the “Wobblies.”
The labor union had formed a year later and was especially active during the 1910s and ‘20s.
The new business association, made up primarily
of timber and manufacturing companies, changed its
name five times in the first 16 years, but by the mid1950s it entered into a period of relative stability.
C. David Gordon, who led AWB from 1955-79 — with
a two-year break from 1964-66 — was the longest-serving AWB leader prior to Brunell.
During Gordon’s tenure, the group confronted many
of the same issues that face business leaders today,
including unemployment insurance, taxes and the
state’s overall business climate.
It wasn’t especially broad-based yet, but AWI was
influential. And it was financially sound. By the time
Brunell took over as interim president in July 1988,
things had changed.
The organization was nearing its 85th anniversary
with fewer than 3,000 members, and money was so
tight that board members took out a five-year loan to
finance the purchase of a new office phone system.
Brunell must have known what he was getting himself into. He joined AWB’s board of directors years
earlier when he was with Crown Zellerbach, and in
1986 he joined the AWB staff as its first vice president
of government affairs.
That made Brunell the chief lobbyist for the state’s
oldest and largest business group, a position of power
and responsibility despite the association’s precarious
financial condition.
He used it wisely. Richard Davis, who arrived in
Washington state in January 1986 to head up the
Washington Research Council, said it was apparent to
him that business leaders were frustrated and looking
for an advocate in the state Legislature. Brunell filled
that role.
“When I went to AWB programs, Don was the person
who could tell people what was going on,” Davis said.
don brunell at a glance
• Age: 67
• Hometown: Walkerville, Mont.
• Education: University of Montana, bachelor of
arts, 1968
• Military service: Washington Army National
Guard, retired as major in 1993
• Experience: Worked as a newspaper reporter for The Montana Standard in Butte, and The Missoulian before going to work as a legislative
aide for U.S. Rep. Dick Shoup, R-Mont., in 1973. Later served as
manager of communications for the Inland Forest Resource Council
in Missoula, Mont., developing grassroots lobbying efforts for the
group on federal timber supply and land use issues, and public affairs
manager for Crown Zellerbach Corp. in Olympia from 1978-86. Joined
AWB staff in 1986; became interim president in July, 1988; named
president in January 1989.
• Family: Wife, Jeri; children Jennifer, Carey, Erin, Donald, Daniel
and Colleen; 14 grandchildren
honoring past accomplishment
• During Brunell’s tenure, AWB instituted several award programs to
recognize business leaders, lobbyists and elected officials who work
to improve t