Washington Business Summer 2017 | Washington Business | Page 17

washington business Longtime AWB Members Honored by Their Communities Visionary business leadership helps make communities strong, and recent civic awards ceremonies across the state recognized some of those leaders. The Spokane Citizen Hall of Fame gave the new Elson S. Floyd Community Impact Award to Rich Hadley, president emeritus of Greater Spokane Incorpo- rated. Hadley was recognized for decades of service to Spokane, particularly his leadership in the creation of the WSU Spokane medical campus. Also at the May 2 Spokane awards ceremony, Paul Redmond, longtime Avista (formerly Washington Water Power Co.) leader, was recognized in the Innovation and Leadership category. All three finalists in the Economic Development and Business category are familiar to AWB — Betsy Cowles of the Cowles Company, Tim Welsh of Garco Construction and Dave Clack. In the Tri-Cities, Steve and Shirley Simmons were named the 2017 Tri-Citians of the Year. Steve is a longtime AWB board member and, together with his wife, is a great example of how employers are working to build their communities and serve those in need. Finally, the Municipal League of King County recently honored Bob Watt, a longtime Boeing lobbyist, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, and most recently chairman of the Group Health Cooperative. Microsoft Hosts First-Ever Summit on Career-Connected Learning The first-ever Governor’s Summit on Career Connected Learning brought together leaders in business, industry, education and government in May to help more young people in Washington prepare for high-demand careers. One outcome of the event: the launch of a new Career Connect Washington Task Force, led by Microsoft President Brad Smith and Perry England, chair of the state’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board and a vice president at MacDonald Miller Facility Solutions. The event, held at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters, and telecast to 27 locations around the state, was the culmination of an 18-month study on work- based learning that arrived at several key policy goals: Printing Packaging Mailing Signage Corporate Identity Contact Jenilee Antone at 253.255.7529 or [email protected] • Recruit more business mentors; • Strengthen education and career planning that starts before high school; • Expanded acces s to apprenticeships; • Strengthen connections between educators and industry; and • Create a toolbox for educators to bring career-connected learning both inside and outside the classroom, along with improved access to rural and underserved communities. “The workplace is changing and jobs will require new skills,” said Smith. “Of the 740,000 job openings expected in Washington state in the next five years, the majority will require a post-secondary degree, certificate, or credential. Apprenticeships, mentorships, and career services can play an important role in helping today’s young people prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.” summer 2017 17