from the chair
The Journey Continues
Mike Schwenk
Not a week goes by that I don’t think about Tom Fritz. I am
humbled to be sitting in the position that is rightfully his. After
all, this was to be Tom’s year as chair of AWB, and I want to
honor that as best we can. So let’s reflect on how we are doing
in that regard.
First, the membership and finances of AWB remain not only
rock solid, but continue to grow. The AWB Institute now has
a clean balance sheet. And Forterra is stronger than ever. We
are wrapping up the few remaining obligations from the former
pension program, and looking forward to retiring the debt we
assumed to help finance closure of that pension. Tom would
smile — operating debt-free was a principle he subscribed to.
Second, as he was chair of the Strategic Planning Committee,
he would be elated at the outcome realized by the volunteers
who helped update AWB’s Mission, Vision and Strategic
Objectives. He knew it was time. I think he would find it extra
special that a colleague from his home base of Spokane —
Michael Senske — stepped up to fill the critical leadership void
created by his tragic accident.
14 association of washington business
Third, Tom was a believer in collaboration and applauded
the creation of the Grassroots Alliance. He would be amazed,
and proud, at the 50-plus chambers of commerce from
throughout the state that have joined with AWB. Likewise, he
would applaud the diverse collaborations we have created on
climate policy and our work on workforce
development with the State Board for
Community and Technical Colleges.
Fourth, Tom learned the necessity
of engaging in Washington, D.C. Yes,
Olympia is paramount for AWB, but the
other Washington has its own profound
impacts. And so we are operating there
— with victories such as Ex-Im Bank
reauthorization already accomplished.
In February, AWB returned to D.C. to
continue to advance our strategic agenda.
Lastly, I know that AWB governance was
one of the top priorities Tom intended to
address as chair. Tom knew from his own
business, and the successful businesses of
so many of his friends and colleagues, that
if you get it right at the top, good things
follow. That’s why he was a whole-hearted
champion of the recommendations of
AWB’s Governance Transition Committee.
And it’s why he was determined to see
their recommendations implemented.
Thus, we are going to put our Nominating
Committee to work in a big way. We are going to continue to
craft the finest board of directors we can muster. Tom would
say that to deal with the breadth of issues that AWB deals with,
you will need leaders who get it — who live all those issues
every day and understand the balancing act it takes to deal
across all of them. Tom knew that with a board populated by
leaders who lead their own businesses, AWB will enjoy the kind
of guidance it needs to create solutions which reflect admirably
on our Mission and Vision.
So I hope Tom is smiling, in whatever way that manifests
itself. We are trying. We are trying to stay true to his ideals. The
ideals he held for AWB. The reason you chose him to lead. We
have every reason to be grateful that he left us that kind of a
legacy. And we should feel proud we are seeing it through.