washington business
The business community, led by Brunell, supported the plan, and Hale worked
closely with Brunell on that issue and many others in the years that followed.
“He was very strategic,” Hale said. “Don had a good sense of when to push and
when not to. He could figure out how to get things done.”
Kirk Nelson, president and CEO of AAA Washington, got to know Brunell in the
late 1990s. Nelson, who was with U.S. West at the time, joined the AWB board and
ultimately served as chair from 2006-07.
“I spent a lot of time with Don and I was impressed with his integrity, his strong
moral compass and his calm, focused demeanor,” Nelson said.
“Don is just a real gentleman and one of the people you feel it’s a privilege to
know and have in your life,” he said.
Brad Carlson, president and general manager of Evergreen Memorial Gardens in
Vancouver, is another one of the small business leaders whom Brunell encouraged
to become active in AWB.
They met when Brunell came to speak to a group of Vancouver executives who
met regularly to network.
As he got to know Brunell, Carlson said he was impressed by his commitment to
his family and his ability to look ahead and anticipate unintended consequences.
Receive Recognition
For Your Company’s
Better Workplace Programs
Each year, companies across
Washington state take extra
steps to create workplaces that
are family-friendly, promote
safety and enable employees to
be their best.
The AWB Better Workplace
Awards showcase these
companies and programs that
result in higher employee morale and well being, increased
productivity and reduced turnover.
If your company (or one that
you know) offers programs
such as those listed below, we
encourage you to submit a
nomination.
“He could put A, B, C and D together to get F,” Carlson said. “I can’t get past
A and B.”
Brunell’s impressive memory has also served him well over the years.
“He never met someone he didn’t remember their name and how he first met
them,” Carlson said. “That amazed me about the guy. His memory is unbelievable.”
As Brunell prepares to retire at the end of the year, his friends and colleagues
say he’s leaving AWB in a position of strength.
If anything, the state is more liberal and the challenges facing business have
increased over the last three decades, Rants said. But AWB is stronger and better
prepared to advocate for business.
Stanley agreed. “I think people can draw inspiration from Don Brunell, his
record and how he leaves the organization,” she said. “I know I draw upon what
I’ve learned from Don almost daily in how to deal with people Sponsoredget
Awards and how to By:
things done.”
“He’s been the stabilizing force for AWB,” Carlson said. “Which means he’s been
the stabilizing force for business in Washington state.”
n Workplace Safety
n Job Training/Advancement
n Innovative Benefits/
Compensation
Submission deadline is December 2.
For more information visit:
www.awb.org
or contact Karlee at
[email protected]
fall 2013 35