Washington Business Winter 2020 | Washington Business | Page 8

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Paulette Beadling Joins AWB Events Team
Paulette Beadling joined the AWB events team as an
events coordinator. Beadling is from Pittsburgh, and has a
Bachelor of Science and master’s degree in human resource
management from La Roche College. She later worked as an
assistant director at the Center for Student Development
there. She moved to Washington in 2012 and was part of the
Leadership Thurston County class of 2018. Prior to joining
the AWB team in October, just in time for the Manufacturing
Week bus tour, she was the events manager at Olympia’s
Hands On Children’s Museum.
Tommy Gantz Joins Government Affairs Team
Tommy Gantz joined AWB in December and serves as the
government affairs director for tax and fiscal policy. Gantz
comes to AWB from the private sector, most recently as a
supply chain strategy analyst for Boeing Global Services
in Renton, where she evaluated markets and trends while
communicating strategy and evaluating performance
metrics.
Strong Membership Retention, Growth Earns
National Recognition
AWB took home the top prize in member retention from the Association of
State Chamber Professionals, and honorable mention for greatest growth in new
members. Membership Director Sean Heiner received the award at the Council
of State Chambers annual meeting in September, a conference hosted by the
Council of State Chambers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Association of
State Chamber Professionals. “It’s a reflection of how we care for our members
and it’s a reflection of an entire team effort,” AWB President Kris Johnson said.
Outstanding Washington Employers Honored at AWB’s
Evening of Excellence
More than 220 entrepreneurs, advocates and business leaders celebrated the
achievements of Washington’s private sector at the fourth-annual Evening of
Excellence, presented by Banner Bank, on Nov. 20. Employers were recognized for
their work to improve the economy and quality of life in Washington by creating
new companies, a thriving work environment and environmental improvements,
among other categories.
“This is our chance to say thank you to the extraordinary Washington employers
that support our communities,” AWB President Kris Johnson said. “Washington
is fortunate to have so many outstanding private employers that call the Pacific
Northwest home. At AWB we’re honored to recognize their accomplishments,
appreciate their hard work and advocate for the right conditions so all employers
can thrive.”
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association of washington business
Chandler Headlines Chamber Banquet, Named
to the Ag Hall of Fame
AWB’s Gary Chandler was recognized in October for his legacy
of leadership to the agricultural and small business community
by being named to the Moses Lake Chamber Agriculture Hall of
Fame. “This recognition is well-deserved and frankly overdue.
I can’t think of a person who is more passionate for rural
Washington, for small businesses and entrepreneurs and for
agriculture than Gary,” AWB President Kris Johnson said.
Chandler, AWB’s vice president, government affairs, has been
active in farming since his family arrived in Moses Lake in
the 1950s. He even drove his tractor to and from high school.
Chandler was the keynote speaker at the Moses Lake Chamber of
Commerce annual meeting and dinner, where he was presented
with the award. “Seeing those other names on the list, I’m
not worthy,” a tearful Chandler said at the beginning of his
acceptance speech, according to the Columbia Basin Herald.
“But thank you for the award.”
Policy Summit Brings Together Employers to
Unify, Strengthen and Lead
The state’s premiere
public policy event
wrapped up September
19 at the beautiful Sunca-
dia Resort in Cle Elum.
Attendees were treated
to an exceptional lineup
of speakers and activities
featuring expert panels,
former Gov. Gary Locke,
insights from Winder-
mere’s chief economist,
lunch keynote speaker
GoldieBlox Founder and CEO Debbie Sterling, and two former
White House chiefs of staff.
There was also plenty of time for AWB members and other
business leaders to make the kind of connections that lead to new
relationships in business, civic engagement and political progress.
The Thursday board meeting saw the swearing in of more than
20 new AWB board members. Tri-Cities attorney Fran Forgette
took over from Tim Schauer as chair of the AWB Board -- but
Schauer isn’t going too far. He was voted in as chair-elect of the
AWB Institute Board at a meeting earlier that week.