Washington Business Winter 2018 | Washington Business | Page 14

from the chair
An Exciting Year Behind Us, More Great
Things Ahead
Wendy Sancewich
As I write this, I’ve already handed the gavel to Michael
Senske, CEO of Spokane-based Pearson Packaging
Systems, to serve as AWB’s next board chair. I can hardly
believe my year as chair is complete.
We accomplished some big things over the past year, not
the least of which was finalizing AWB’s years-long rebrand-
ing effort.
It has truly been an amazing experience to see AWB
through this time of transition and, in my view, a renais-
sance of sorts. We’re not “remaking” the brand, but rather
moving to the next steps and working to make the brand
relevant to a changing workforce and the next generation
of business leaders.
In this next phase, under the strong leadership of Michael
and the AWB team, I know the association will be even more
focused on ensuring the brand promise — to be a catalyst
to find common ground on policies that create economic
opportunity across Washington state.
14 association of washington business
One such challenge ahead is finding ways to expand eco-
nomic growth to every small town, city and community in
all of Washington’s 39 counties.
This magazine’s theme is “rural job creation,” and it truly
is the core of AWB’s efforts. That’s because as urban centers,
like those in the central Puget Sound region, are realizing
incredible job creation and lower unemployment rates, most
of our rural communities and the families that live in them
are still looking for an economic recovery to reach them.
It’s a big hurdle and there is no one magic bullet to rem-
edy infrastructure needs — roads, broadband, water systems
and more — that attract investment and job creation. And,
there is no shortage of need within state agencies to address
regulatory delays and other red tape that discourage eco-
nomic development.
As you’ll see in the cover story, Washington state is not
alone in this economic disparity. But, we can be a leader in
finding solutions, something AWB is already stepping up
to do with the statewide Rural Jobs Summit held on Oct.
23-24 in Moses Lake. AWB’s first-ever manufacturing bus
tour included dozens of stops in rural Washington, as well.
I was able to ride along for part of the tour, seeing some
companies for the first time.
And, our work cannot stop at our state’s borders. The
political landscape on the other side of the nation has a
ripple affect here. Our state’s economic success lies in
addressing federal policies as well. That’s why AWB is grow-
ing its efforts at the federal level, something we heard about
at this year’s Policy Summit. Michael will help AWB con-
tinue and grow that work over the next year, overseeing the
first-ever Federal Affairs Summit Aug. 14, 2018 in Tacoma.
Finally, over the past year, I have been proud to see AWB
— alongside business leaders, owners and employees — tell
the positive story of private enterprise. We have a great
story to tell. This year — these last few years — will leave
a legacy for the next generation of AWB members. Change
is difficult and it takes thoughtful leadership, a clear vision
and a willingness to be open to new ways of addressing
age-old issues.
My hat is off to every AWB member, the association’s staff
and to Michael. While I will miss being your board chair, I
am confident the association is in highly capable hands.
I can’t wait to see where the next year takes us.