from the chair
Rebound and Recovery , Going Forward Together
Brian Forth
One page , 500 words , my first column as your Association of Washington Business board chair . I am grateful for being trusted with this role and feel a great sense of responsibility to represent AWB ’ s nearly 7,000 members into 2021 .
My thoughts for the next year are best summarized by the philosopher Seneca , “ The best ideas are common property .”
In addition to being a frequent quoter of dead philosophers , I am also a father , rock climber , runner , fly fisherman and small business owner . I founded SiteCrafting 22 years ago . What began as a web development firm has grown into a fullservice digital agency proudly headquartered in Tacoma .
Our work is powered by 35 developers , marketers , designers , project managers and strategists who are experts in providing unique and innovative solutions for clients of all sizes and industries . It ’ s not that much different from the work of AWB , which seeks to find solutions to the common problems facing employers of all sizes and industries .
It ’ s been an honor for SiteCrafting to work with the AWB team on multiple projects which have included building the Rebound and Recovery microsite as employers were just beginning to emerge from the pandemic shutdown , as well as reimagining AWB ’ s web presence and collaborating to bring the AWB Institute website to life . I ’ m excited to see where Washington in the Making goes ( more on that in this issue ’ s cover story on page 18 and an interview with AWB Institute Chair Mike Schwenk on page 16 ).
SiteCrafting first became a member of the AWB because we wanted to provide quality health care to our employees . My involvement evolved as I learned about the impact of the AWB ’ s initiatives , advocacy in Olympia and Washington , D . C ., and other resources . I am grateful for the opportunities to serve in a variety of roles over the past six years . Highlights include being a member of the branding and marketing committee that led the first major brand update in three decades , plus serving on the board , executive committee , and working on the vision and strategic planning for 2020 and 2024 .
One of the things I most appreciate about our organization is the spectrum of perspectives of our members . As we move forward into a new year , I am confident we will continue to work together and create space for commonality . Seneca reminds us that the best ideas are shared and don ’ t belong to one side . I am grateful to be part of an organization that welcomes diversity of thought and shares a vision for our business community .
As employers in this state , we have the responsibility to seek out the truth and solicit ideas regardless of source , to seek solutions and not credit or recognition . May we continue to welcome these ideas as we look forward to the coming year .
8 association of washington business