washington business editorial staff
Kris Johnson , Publisher Jason Hagey , Executive Editor Andrew Lenderman , Communications Specialist
Brian Mittge , Communications Specialist / Photo Editor
Brian Temple , Creative Director
Lori Maricle , Marketing and Communications Project Manager
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Brian Forth , Chairman SiteCrafting , Tacoma
Paula Linnen , Vice Chair Battelle , Richland
Laura Lawton , Secretary / Treasurer Lawton Printing Services , Spokane
Fran Forgette , Immediate Past Chair Rettig , Forgette , Iller , Bowers , Kennewick
awb leadership team
Kris Johnson , President Gary Chandler , VP , Government Affairs Jason Hagey , VP , Communications Greg Welch , Director of Finance Sean Heiner , Director of Membership
Carly Michael , Director of Member Relations & Events
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washingtonbusinessmag . com
What ’ s Ahead
Taking Stock
Jason Hagey , Executive Editor
Around the time of the pandemic anniversary , a question was going around social media : Where were you when you realized Covid-19 would change your everyday life ?
I recall standing in a park-and-ride lot and saying an awkward goodbye to my fellow vanpool riders , not sure if we would see each other in a few weeks ( two weeks to flatten the curve ) — or much longer .
Now more than a year into the pandemic , we haven ’ t been back together and likely never will be . Well over half of the riders say their jobs have permanently converted to work-from-home . Even when this is all over , they aren ’ t coming back to the office .
In this edition ’ s cover story ( page 26 ), contributor Richard Davis examines how the world of business has changed because of the pandemic , including which of those changes might be permanent and which are temporary . How and when will workers return to the office ? What will happen to cities ? And are we on the verge of a new roaring twenties ?
As we begin to rebuild the economy , rural areas are facing new opportunities . Staff writer Andrew Lenderman recounts AWB ’ s Rural Vitality Summit ( page 35 ), which brought together more than two dozen policymakers and experts to discuss such issues as broadband internet , telemedicine , and child care . AWB was promoting rural economic development before the arrival of the pandemic , and the rural economy will remain a focus as we emerge from it .
Manufacturing will also be critical to Washington ’ s recovery . AWB recently commissioned a study of the sector , which represents 9 % of the state ’ s nonfarm workforce and accounts for more than 11 % of gross state product . Richard Davis shares details of the report , drafted by economist Spencer Cohen , beginning on page 38 .
Speaking of manufacturing , staff writer Brian Mittge came across a great story in Walla Walla last fall when we were broadcasting the Manufacturing Week Live program from the campus of Walla Walla Community College . The story ( page 32 ) highlights the John Deere Technology program at the college as it marks its 25th anniversary .
Despite the challenges of the last year , we had cause to celebrate . Staff writers Lori Maricle and Andrew Lenderman put a spotlight on all the AWB awardwinning employers from 2020 ( page 16 ). The winners of our newly rebranded Washington Excellence Awards are just a few of the employers that inspired us throughout the last year .
As we begin to emerge from the pandemic , it seems unlikely there will be a “ parking lot ” moment that clearly marks the end of this era , as there was for the start . It will be a gradual process . But it ’ s happening already , and employers will play an important role in shaping the new normal .
Thanks for reading . spring 2021 5