washington business
Manufacturing Week Marks Eight Years of Highlighting the Makers of Washington
Hueer , Martin Join AWB Government Affairs Team
Two experienced public affairs professionals have joined AWB ’ s Government Affairs department .
Over six days and more than 1,300 miles in a specially decorated touring bus , AWB crossed the state , visiting two dozen-plus manufacturers and training sites in October .
It was the eighth year that AWB has traveled the state to highlight and support our state ’ s diverse manufacturing sector .
The tour highlighted how interconnected our state ’ s manufacturers are : on the first day the
tour visited the home of precision measuring tool maker TigerStop in Vancouver , and the very next tour saw TigerStop equipment at the heart of operations at Adventurer Manufacturing in Yakima .
“ I am once again reminded why we do this trip every October ,” AWB President Kris Johnson said . “ The opportunity to meet with Washington manufacturers in person , learn about the great products they produce and see their employees in action is just invaluable .”
Second-Annual State of Manufacturing Address Delivered at Lampson International
AWB President Kris Johnson joined Congressman Dan Newhouse , state Sen . Matt Boehnke and host Kate Lampson during the second-annual State of Manufacturing Address held at Lampson International in the Tri-Cities .
Several local television crews and reporters covered the event , as Johnson emphasized that Washington ’ s manufacturing sector is robust and resilient – but we can ’ t take its future success for granted .
He called on policy makers to support creating new energy production , rather than talking about decommissioning some important energy sources . Johnson also asked the Legislature to slow the growth of spending , make it easier to permit and build manufacturing facilities , develop our state ’ s important infrastructure , and invest in programs that equip the next generation of skilled workers .
If they do these things , Johnson said , good things will result for our manufacturers and the communities they sustain across Washington .
Lindsey Hueer now leads AWB ’ s policy work on workplace law issues , including employment law , labor and immigration , workers ’ compensation , UI and workplace safety . She comes to AWB from the Association of Washington Cities , where she was a government relations advocate . She has also worked as counsel to the Washington House of Representatives .
Hueer holds a J . D . from Lewis and Clark College . She began her career in private practice , representing self-insured employers in Washington workers ’ compensation cases .
Max Martin is AWB ’ s new lead on tax and fiscal policy . Martin previously worked as director of government affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington , advocating on behalf of over 350 contractors and small businesses .
Martin also ran his own business supporting lobbyists and clients , and was a legislative assistant for the firm Carney Bradley Spellman . He is a Washington State University graduate .
Tim Smith Joins AWB Membership Team
The AWB membership department welcomed Tim Smith as a membership manager in July .
Smith comes to AWB with a background in leadership , operations and business development . Before coming to AWB , he worked as director of operations for a merchandising company in Lacey and general manager of several restaurants across Western Washington .
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