Washington Business Spring 2021 | Page 5

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
awb officers
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
PO Box 658 , Olympia , WA 98507-0658 T 360.943.1600 F 360.943.5811 www . awb . org
Letters are welcomed , but must be signed to be considered for publication . Please include contact information for verification .
Reproduction of articles appearing in Washington Business magazine is authorized for personal use only , with credit given to Washington Business magazine and / or the Association of Washington Business .
Articles written by outside authors do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AWB , its officers , staff or members .
Products and services advertised in Washington Business magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AWB , and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of AWB , its officers , staff or members .
Washington Business magazine is the official quarterly publication of the Association of Washington Business . The annual subscription rate is $ 24.00 , and individual copies may be purchased for $ 3.95 . For subscription requests and magazine purchases , please contact the Association of Washington Business , P . O . Box 658 , Olympia , WA 98507 .
washington business is designed by : Daniels-Brown Communications T 360.705.3058 www . danielsbrown . com
advertising inquiries may be directed to : Celeste at Daniels-Brown Communications celeste @ danielsbrown . com
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