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ContentsNovember/December 2011

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com2

4 From the Chair Your Chamber, Your Advocate By Tim Schauer, GVCC Board Chair

5 From the CEO Fourth Quarter Reflections By Kelly Parker, GVCC President & CEO 6 PAC Launches Innovation & Job Creation Subcommittee7 WSU Vancouver Unveils the New Engineering & Computer Science Building8 Member Spotlight: Water & Air Works

13 Member Services: • Ribbon Cuttings • Member News • New Members • Renewing Members

1101 Broadway, Suite 100Vancouver, WA 98660

360-694-2588yourchamber@vancouverusa.com

www.vancouverusa.com

ChamberNews (USPS 008786) is published bi-monthly by the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, 1101 Broadway, Suite 100,

Vancouver, WA 98660. Tel. 360-694-2588, Fax 360-693-8279. ChamberNews annual subscription is $25. Periodicals postage

paid at Vancouver, WA.

Postmaster: Send all address changes to ChamberNews, 1101 Broadway, Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98660

This publication is dedicated to providing Chamber business news, educating the reader, and providing critical commentary.

Volume 39 • Number 6 • November/December 2011

10-11Chamber Ambassador Holiday Luncheon

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Tim Schauer MacKay & Sposito, Inc.

Chair, Board of DirectorsPublic Affairs Committee Chair

Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com4

The Chamber is engaged in a serious conversation in our community about our priorities. What do we support? What do we value? What are we willing to sacrifice? Answers to these fundamental community questions

mandate a direct response to the most recent $2 billion shortfall in the state budget and the upcoming legislative sessions.

Every year, your Chamber works with our partners at CREDC and ICC to develop a joint legislative agenda. In it, we address the critical issues in Southwest Washington that we think are most important for the legislature to consider. We advocate for investment in our communi-ty through infrastructure projects to improve our roads and our schools. We advocate for policy changes that cultivate a pro-business climate, strengthen our state’s competitive advantage, bolster our access to education (K-16), and direct tax changes that help us retain jobs, grow jobs and develop our local economy.

This year, the challenges are daunting. The consequences of budget cuts will devastate services and programs. This fall, your Chamber organized a series of meetings to facilitate the critical conversations between our community leaders and legislators. Now, more than ever, we must be active in our agenda to achieve our objectives. Here’s some of what we’re hearing:• Protectourlocaleducationalinstitutionsfromfurthercutsandsafeguardaccessforstudents.• Providebusinessesrelieffromuncertainandexpensivepermittingprocesses.• ParedownthecostlylayersofstateagenciesandreducetheauthorityandreachofagenciessuchastheDepartmentofEcology.• PreservelowcostenergyinSouthwestWashingtonbyreformingpartsoftherenewableenergylawthatexclude hydroelectric power as an eligible renewable resource.

The meetings have been productive and will help us construct a legislative agenda that we will use in our advocacy at the state legislature. Your Chamber has been active in advocacy since its inception in 1890. Our mission is to provide positive business leadership that supports economic vitality for our member businesses, their employees and our com-munity. It is imperative that elected officials hear our perspective as business leaders and consider our priorities as they evaluate changes to programs that will either help or hinder our efforts to grow jobs.

As your chairman, I believe strongly in the Chamber’s mission to amplify the business community’s voice in Olympia and to make sure our priorities are considered and ad-dressed. We share common values. We want healthy communities and we want a vibrant future. Businesses have great expertise when it comes to managing in hard times and balancing budgets. It is our responsibility to provide elected officials with that business insight, and to be at the table as negotiations and decisions are made.

You’ll see our legislative agenda as it is re-viewed by the Public Affairs Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. I invite you all to join us for the community con-versation with our elected officials January 5 at the Vancouver Hilton at the Legislative Outlook Breakfast. n

Your Chamber, Your Advocate

From the Chair

MAKE SURE YOUR INFO IS UP-TO-DATE FOR OUR 2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY!

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PROFILESTEP 1: Go to the GVCC homepageSTEP 2: Hover over the Member Services tab and select Member-Only AccessSTEP 3: Login to your member account Don’t know your username and password? Call GVCC at 360-694-2588 or yourchamber@vancouverusa.comSTEP 4: Select Update Your Contact Information and fill out all appropriate fields. STEP 5: Click Save Change Requests If you receive an error message, please correct the necessary fields and save your changes again. DONE! Once your profile has been submitted, we will approve the event within 1 week, at which point the changes will be reflected in the database and Online Membership Directory.

For more information on posting an event to the GVCC Community Calendar, please call us at 360-694-2588 or email us at yourchamber@vancouverusa.com

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To subscribe to The Columbian call 360-694-2312.

020811SPEC6462Here’s how you sign up to get your

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2. Fill in your name, company, zip code and email address.

3. Click the box next to Business Today. (or any of our 3 e-newsletters)

4. Click ‘subscribe’ button.

5. Your e-newsletter will arrive at your inbox the next business day.

Most of us are busy navigating through the fourth quarter. Is it a less bumpy ride than one year ago?

We’ll be surveying our members this month. We think your collective observations will be helpful in assessing 2011 from a business perspective as we project into 2012. The raw data as collected by the state of Washington is not very encouraging. Your Chamber asked Regional Economist Scott Bailey to share his findings for this year; Unemployment in our region is still high, retail sales have faltered, there are more discouraged workers and no net job growth. I could drill down through the statistics, but I think you get the picture. What the statistics don’t show, and what’s important to highlight, are the successes in our business community. Never underestimate the fierce determination of local business to succeed. Our Chamber community welcomes 25 new members. They’re listed in ChamberNews. They represent a cross section of businesses, from Kokusai and KXL News Radio, to Dragonfly Café & Espresso and Latte Da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar. Please help them feel welcome in the Chamber community and support them as they build their business. This month, we acknowledge our renewing members. DLC Architecture celebrates its first anniversary with the Chamber. Erik Runyan Jewelers celebrates 95 years as a member of GVCC. To our new and longstanding members, we thank you!

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com 5

Kelly Parker President & CEO

Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

Fourth Quarter Reflections

From the CEO

continues on page 6

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com6

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The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee

(PAC) actively tracks local issues and explores new initiatives for job creation. In fall, PAC launched the Innovation & Job Creation (IJC) subcommittee – a new working group inspired and led by GVCC member Ben Hoskins of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. The subcommittee includes a variety of Chamber members encompassing a wide assortment of industries, such as manu-facturing, printing, restaurants, engineer-ing, banking, and commercial real estate. Charged with the overarching mission of helping entrepreneurs start and/or grow their business, the IJC sat down for its first official meeting this October to dis-cuss its priorities. “This subcommittee is focused on making it easier to start or expand your business,” Ben explains to the group. “We want to look for ways to lower the burden of complying with government requirements, permits, and regulations, to encourage entrepreneurs to do business in our region.” The group quickly identified its first pri-ority: Streamlining the permitting pro-cess for businesses. For instance, if you want to open a restaurant, what is the permitting process, how long does it take, how much does it cost? Is the process a hindrance for would-be businesses and, in working with the City, how can it be improved? Having brainstormed dozens

of ideas for how the permitting process might be most effective, the group will soon outline its first project with direction from the PAC. “Part of the opportunity we see is in helping provide information or resources to businesses so they can identify what specifically they need to do to comply with government requirements,” Ben reit-erates to IJC members. The group is in agreement – accessing mentors when starting and moving forward in business would alleviate frustration and costs to many businesses. IJC expressed interest in working with local government to achieve these goals. GVCC is excited about the enthusiasm of the IJC and appreciates members who want to be engaged and involved in problem solving for the business commu-nity. The Chamber is moving forward in creating a structured resource group available to members. If you have any suggestions or other insights for IJC, please email your Chamber at yourcham-ber@vancouverusa.com. n• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

PAC Launches Innovation & Job Creation Subcommittee

Two events are coming up we want you to keep on your calendars. WSU Vancouver is hosting Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on November 15. There are great new devel-opments on the shining hill above Salmon Creek, like the new Engineering & Computer

Science building scheduled to open in spring 2012. Lucky for you, WSU Vancouver and their event sponsor, Hoffman Construction, are inviting you to preview the building first! Come join us and take a few minutes to visit with familiar friends, meet new friends, tour the building, and take part in your Chamber community. On December 2, we encourage you to help us “deck the halls” at the Chamber Ambassador Holiday Luncheon. Clark College President Bob Knight will officiate as Santa. We’ll hear from community VIPs Royce Pollard and Kim Capeloto and, most importantly, we’ll pay tribute to our honored volunteer Ambas-sadors. Due to popular demand, gift baskets are back this year. We thank our member businesses who have generously donated gift baskets for the door prize drawing. We’re still accepting baskets! If your business is interested in donating a basket, please call Teresa Lawwill at 360-567-1090 by November 28. Also this month, we bid a fond farewell to our Events Director Lori Buntin who leaves the Chamber for an exciting new position. We thank her for her creative energies these past four years and wish her the best. The Chamber is moving forward too. We’re working on your new membership directory, developing a legislative agenda focused on business interests, and creating new services and events that will help you save money and make money in 2012. Happy Holidays! n

From CEO Cont...continued from page 5

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com 7

The Columbia River Economic Development Council’s recently

released 20-year plan calls for establish-ing Clark County as a regional center of growth and innovation in the information technology sector. Washington State University Vancouver is about to make a giant leap forward in its ability to provide an educated workforce for those technol-ogy-driven jobs of the future.

In spring 2012 WSU Vancouver will open the new Engineering and Computer Science building. The $43.5 million, 56,000-square-foot, four-story building, formerly referred to as the Applied Technology Classroom building, is a teaching and research facility that will prepare students to meet the employment needs of high-demand fields in Southwest Washington. It will also be home to the institution’s undergraduate electrical engineering program.

“Establishing an electrical engineering program at WSU Vancouver has been a goal for a long time,” says Hakan Gurocak, director of the WSU Vancouver’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, which has been grow-ing steadily since it was established in 2004. “The new building is a major mile-stone in achieving that goal.”

The Engineering and Computer Science building will offer students and faculty

multiple computer science and engineer-ing laboratories, including radio frequen-cy and power-systems labs, and a class-100 clean room to fabricate and test micro/nano scale devices.

The new state-of-the-art laboratories will support the electrical engineering pro-gram and enable advanced high-tech research. Outside of actual manufacturing plants in the private sector, there are no facilities like the new clean room suites available in Southwest Washington.

The community has stepped up to support the Engineering and Computer Science building and the School of Engineering and Computer Science. The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust recently made a $250,000 gift to support the development of a renewable energy option track and help equip the new lab-oratories. The gift will also update the existing robotics, microelectronics and thermo/fluids laboratories to provide students access to the latest technologies. In a similar show of support, the Clark County High Technology and Community Council pledged $25,000 to underwrite an electrical engineering computer lab in the new building.

“These generous gifts will allow WSU

Vancouver to outfit the new engineering and computer science labs with equip-ment our state budget cannot afford,” said Jennifer Miltenberger, director of development and alumni relations. “This is a tremendous asset to our region and private donations like the Murdock gift and the High Tech Council pledge have helped grow a really good program into an outstanding one.”

Thanks, in part, to community support and the support of Southwest Washington’s legislative delegation, the Engineering and Computer Science building was the only new building in the WSU system that was funded by the State Legislature for the 2009-2011 biennium. The project broke ground in fall 2009.

The community is welcome to tour the new building, visit with business and community leaders, meet WSU Vancouver faculty and students, and enjoy catered hors d’oeuvres and bever-ages at the Chamber’s Business After Hours event from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Engineering and Computer Science building. The cost is $10 for Chamber members $30 for non-members. Register at www.vancouverusa.com or call 360-694-2588. n

WSU Vancouver Unveils the New Engineering andComputer Science Building

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November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com8

After several years traveling across Washington, Oregon and Nevada as a

medical supplier, Byron Jacobus started bringing along packs of soda; the quality of drinking water varied so much from place to place, that soda became Byron’s preferred source of hydration. It was primarily this experience that inspired Byron to start researching water quality solutions. In 1988, after four years of education and research, Byron founded Water & Air Works with the ambitious goal of providing each and every customer with the highest quality of drink-ing water possible, no matter their water source or needs. The organization’s well-stocked store clearly aligns with Byron’s founding mission. Water & Air Works has hundreds of products in store, ranging from home filtration systems and purifiers, to acid neutralizers and pres-sure tanks. The company even has an in-house lab, enabling its technicians to analyze the unique chemistry of each customer’s water to recommend individualized solutions. Today, Water & Air Works has become known as the Vancouver-Portland metropoli-tan area’s one-stop shop for all things water, offering installation and service for water treatment equipment, filtration and purifica-tion systems, bottled water delivery, and even air purification. The company’s good reputation among its commercial and indi-vidual clients has even prompted its techni-cians to travel as far south as Seaside and as far north as Longview!

Water & Air Works individual-sized bottled water has traveled even further! It was roughly ten years ago when Byron designed the smaller bottles’ Freedom label (on right), featuring the Lady Liberty, the Liberty Bell, an American eagle and the Pledge of Allegiance. Since then, the company’s Freedom label bottled water has been distributed world-wide, traveling to as far off places as Afghanistan and Iraq, where it hydrated our troops, and even to hurricane victims in New Orleans and Haiti. When asked why Byron chose the Freedom label, he succinctly replies, “I’m one of the most patriotic people you will ever talk to.” For Byron, patriotism starts at home, right here in Clark County. That’s why even though Byron claims to be retired (his son, Aron, now serves as general manager), his schedule suggests otherwise. The volun-teer GVCC Ambassador remains actively involved in the family business and in the local community. In addition to servingas a “Red Coat” for the Chamber, Byron is a board member of the Hazel Dell Salmon Creek Business Association, part of the Community Military Appreciation Community (CMAC), and a volunteer for Read Across America’s annual “Green Eggs & Ham” event. “I started off with a gallon jug of water, a water filter, and a good idea,” Byron recalls. “Good service and hard work took care of the rest.”

Water & Air Works’ twenty-three years of local business success sure supports that claim. Whether you own a home or commer-cial business, Water & Air Works has the solution for your water needs, and the quali-ty service to match. n

Water & Air Works, The Water Store3110 NE Minnehaha, Ste. BVancouver, Washington 98663360-696-9287www.waterandairworks.com

“I started off with a gallon jug of water, a water filter,

and a good idea”~Water & Air Works’ founder, Byron Jacobus

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Spotlight• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Member

Water & Air Works’ founder, Byron Jacobus

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com 9Vancouver Chamber Newsletter ~ 1/2 Page-4C-7.5x5 ~ November/December 2011 ~ Posey

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Nearly 200 people gathered at Big Al’s for No Business After Hours on October 25th! GVCC

thanks the Kirkwood family and the Big Al’s staff for all of their hard work, their ingenuity, and their continued

investment in the Chamber community.

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Ambassadors get their picture taken at the Chamber’s 2010 holiday event!

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com 11Am

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he Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors repre-sent the community and the surrounding area while providing a positive image for the Chamber and the companies they represent.

Ambassadors are a very important part of the day-to-day operations of GVCC. Volunteer Ambassadors serve as the Chamber’s liaisons to the region’s business community, contributing to the public relations arm of the organization. They work for business and community interests throughout Clark County. The “Red Coats,” affectionately nicknamed for their uniform red blazers, have served as the welcoming committee on behalf of GVCC for more than 25 years. Ambassadors provide mentorship to new members and assist in a variety of events and activities while juggling busy profession-al careers. GVCC recognizes and appreciates the hard work and dedica-tion these volunteers bring to the organization. Chamber Ambassadors are an integral part of your Chamber. GVCC thanks its Ambassadors for their significant contribution, time commit-ment, and continued service. Please join your Chamber in honoring the Red Coats at the Chamber Ambassador Holiday Luncheon on December 2nd at The Heathman Lodge.

Decking the Halls Like Nobody’s Business is the theme for this year’s

Chamber Ambassador Holiday Luncheon, scheduled for Friday,

December 2 at The Heathman Lodge. For many years, the Chamber’s

holiday event has been a breakfast, honoring our Ambassadors and

marking the end of a GVCC nonprofit giving campaign. This year, in an

effort to keep events fresh, new and relevant to our members, your

Chamber is introducing an event with the same holiday cheer and sense of community, but with an

added business focus. nMarlene Fraser, Ambassador ChairColumbia BankRed since: 2004 nBarb Holbrook, Ambassador Vice ChairPritchard OrthodonticsRed since: 2003 nJill CampbellThe Arc of Southwest WashingtonRed since: 2011 nPaul DickerDick Hannah DealershipsRed since: 2011 nDave DumasKeller Williams RealtyRed since: 2003 nLaura ForsythHighgate Senior LivingRed since: 2009 nWally HornbergerColdwell Banker CommercialRed since: 1985 nByron JacobusWater & Air Works Red since: 1991 nKay Kirwan-MartinCMD ServicesRed since: 2010

nSteve LawrenceCoffee NewsRed since: 2011

nDoug MartinSouthwest Office Supply & InteriorRed since: 2005 nKristeen MillettSportclips Haircut for Men & BoysRed since: 2011 nCJ MonroePrudential Northwest Properties Red since: 2003 nPaul MonroePrudential Northwest PropertiesRed since: 2004 nTom PhillipsRed since: 2005 nLucy ReckersEverest College - Vancouver Red since: 2011 nLeroy SantiagoGlobal SecurityRed since: 2009 nEric SawyerBarrett Business Services, Inc.Red since: 2010 nBonnie SmelserMary KayRed since: 2005 nKris ThomasBiggs Insurance ServicesRed since: 2010 nDaniel WestNorth by WestRed since: 1995

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com12

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November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com 13

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Ribbon Cuttings

Aaron’s 11803 SE Mill Plain Blvd.

Vancouver, WA 98683

Latte Da Coffee House & Wine Bar

205E39thSt.•Vancouver,WA98660

ManorCare Health Service 2811 NE 139th St.

Vancouver, WA 98686

Cascade Title Company 404 E 15th St.

Vancouver, WA 98663

Dream Big Community Center

500 W 8th St., Ste 260 Vancouver, WA 98660

New Day Community Dental Clinic

1201 SE Tech Center Dr., Ste 150 Vancouver, WA 98683

Jacobus Carstar 6710 NE St Johns Rd. Vancouver, WA 98661

Mackin’s Body 10803 NE Hwy 99

Vancouver, WA 98686

Vancouver Granite Works, Inc.6007 E 18th St.

Vancouver, WA 98661

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com14

Members on the Move

nThe M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has named Jennifer Larson-Cody as the new Technology & Information Systems Manager. Jennifer came to the trust in 1998 and has held several posi-

tions on the financial/investment team, where she utilized solid leadership, man-agement, and technology skills. In her current role she will be responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency

of the trust’s IT system and strategic use of technology. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon. A native of Vancouver, she is an active contributor to the community and serves on the boards of Vancouver Rotary Foundation and Clark County Emergency Services Agency. Recently she was award-ed the Rotary district 5100 “Innovation Generator” award for her website and social media efforts.

nVancouver computer support company On Line Support has acquired Portland-based Mt. Hood Computer Services, Inc., a privately-owned technology firm that provides IT services. In its acquisition, compa-

ny president Tom Rich joined On Line Support staff as Technology Consultant. Rich has worked in the computer industry since 1978 and is a Microsoft Certified Technician and Microsoft Small Business Specialist. “We are delighted to expand our business by acquiring Mt. Hood Computer Services,” says Eric Olmsted, owner of On Line Support. “Tom Rich is a highly expe-rienced technology consultant and will be an excellent addition to our staff.”

nMacKay & Sposito, Inc. (M&S) has announced ten hires to its Land Surveying Department. Joining the M&S Survey team are Darren Weigart, PLS, Gary Houser, Jim Tejcka, Brenda Franco, Ben Dubin, LSIT, Scott Gillette, Will Russell, Luke Foss, Alex Swenson, Matt Paulsen, and long-time M&S employee Erin Dunbar, LSIT, who transferred internally to assist this expanding team. The new Land Surveying team now includes 38

full-time staff members, 15 of which have their Professional Land Surveyor licenses and 5 with their Land Surveyor-in-Training licenses, covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, California, Utah, Montana and Wyoming. Based out of the M&S headquarters in Vancouver, the new staff will be representing M&S in the office and out in the field, working on exciting projects across the region.

nColumbia Credit Union announced the hiring of Doug Chambers as Vice President Branch Services. Chambers is charged with leading the strategic development and management of the

credit union’s 12 retail branches to drive maximum productivity, sales, service and growth. Chambers holds a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and most recently served as Regional Manager/Performance Coach for an Idaho credit union. Active in the community, Chambers previously served as a volunteer for Paint the Town and Relay for Life, and is looking

Member News forward to volunteering in similar roles locally. Chambers resides in Clark County with his family.

nThe Columbia River Economic Development Council has named Lisa Nisenfeld as the fourth President of the organiza-tion. Nisenfeld was approved for appointment to the position by a unani-mous vote of the Board of

Directors following a four month national search. According to CREDC Board Chair Eric Fuller, Nisenfeld was recommended by the search committee because of her strengths in building consensus and collab-oration among disparate stakeholders and her vision and her passion for the position. When asked what her first order of busi-ness will be as President of the CREDC Nisenfeld said, “Working with our part-ners to create the implementation plan of the recently completed and accepted Clark County Economic Development Plan. The community’s agreement of the plan was just the first step. Now we need take advantage of the willingness everyone has shown to work toward a common goal and to put the plan into action.” Prior to working at CREDC, Nisenfield

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Jennifer Larson-Cody

Tom Rich

Doug Chambers

Lisa Nisenfeld

continues on page 15

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served as Executive Director for the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC). Nisenfeld fills the position that opened up in May 2011 when former president, Bart Phillips, resigned after eleven years.

nAffordable Community Environments (ACE) has appointed new leadership to its Board of Directors. Kevin Wingate-Pearse of Coldwell Banker has been named the non-profit’s new Board Chair. Wingate-Pearse replaces

MacKay & Sposito’s Bryan Cole, who resigned in September 2011 after serving on ACE’s Board for five consecutive years. Eric Christensen, Executive Director of The Quarry Senior Living, was appointed to Wingate-Pearse’s former position of Vice Chair. Julie Arenz of IQ Credit Union was appointed as Secretary. Doug McLain of Currie & McLain will continue to serve as Treasurer. In the last two years, the wait-ing list for ACE’s affordable rental housing grew from 450 households to 1,250 households, a nearly threefold increase. Currently, ACE owns and manages 195 rental housing units for low and moderate income households.

nThe Board of Directors of Vancouver’s School of Piano Technology for the Blind, also known as the Piano Hospital, has named Jeff Lann as new Executive Director. Prior to joining the Piano Hospital, Lann served as the Executive Director at the Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind in Sandy, Oregon, where he was highly regarded as a passionate, inspiring and dedicated director, as well as a savvy business leader. Prior to joining Oral Hull he served as director of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center in Portland. Lann has a strong background in fundrais-ing and more than 30 years of experience leading nonprofits. Kim Capeloto, School of Piano Technology Board of Directors President and Executive Vice President at Riverview Community Bank, says “Lann’s enthusiasm, energy and experi-ence will serve students and their families well.”

nThe Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) has been selected to receive an $8,000 grant from the Nike Employee Grant Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. “This grant

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November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com 15

Member News Cont...continued from page 14

will help to provide life-changing sports opportunities to individuals who are blind and visually impaired in the Clark County and the Portland Metro Area,” says NWABA Executive Director, Billy Henry. “Funding from this grant will enable us to drastically increase the number of indi-viduals with visual impairments served in the area.”

nThe Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) wel-comes Steve Lawrence to its team of volunteer Ambassadors. Lawrence is the founder and owner of Coffee News of Vancouver, a weekly pub-

lication featuring local businesses. In addi-tion to his involvement with the Chamber, Lawrence is involved in several business networking groups and serves as vice president for a referral group. Lawrence enjoys being with people, whether at a family barbecue or just meeting new peo-ple around the city.

nThe Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) has appointed Marlene Fraser as Chair of the Chamber’s Ambassadors, and Barb Holbrook as Vice Chair. Marlene is a Customer Service Representative at Columbia Bank, where she has worked for two years. She is also a mem-ber of the BNI networking group and regularly attends WIN (Women In Networking) events. Marlene joined the Red

Coats in 2004. Marlene has been married Ron for 46 years. They have two daugh-ters and six grandchildren. When not working, Marlene and Ron enjoy fishing, camping, gardening and being with family. Since 2000, Barb has served as the Office Manager for Pritchard Orthodontics. She joined the Chamber’s volunteer Ambassadors in 2003. Barb is an active supporter of organizations that assist women and children in need, including the YWCA, Shared Hope International, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, and Options 360. Barb and her husband Dave enjoy vacationing and spending time with their family which

includes six wonderful grandchildren. In their new capacities, Marlene and Barb will serve as the communication link between the Chamber and its Ambassadors.

Making Headlines

nU.S. News – Best Lawyers magazine recently named Northwest regional law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt “Law Firm of the Year” in Timber Law. This is the first year the well-respected survey has recognized a single law firm as top in the nation among the 39 prac-tice areas identified for national rank-ing. Schwabe’s Forest Products Industry practice is one of the largest and oldest in the Pacific Northwest, rep-resenting clients across the country and internationally on a broad spectrum of issues related to forest products. Schwabe received recognition in the for-est products category based on out-standing client survey outcomes and the firm’s strong reputation among compet-ing attorneys in the same practice area.

nCongratulations to Paychex Inc.’s Cassandra Cole - winner of SW Washington Leads & Needs Quarterly Drawing held on September 21! Thanks to our sponsors -

Courtyard by Marriott at Portland Airport and Beaches Restaurant at Portland Airport- Cassandra took home a $40 dinner and parking certificate at Beaches Restaurant at Portland Airport AND a certificate for one night lodging in a king room and up to fourteen days of parking at Courtyard Marriot at Portland Airport.

nJ.D. Thomas, Certified Executive Chef at Vancouver’s Northwest Culinary Institute, was named the 2011 Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chefs de Cuisine

Society of Oregon. Thomas, 56, helped build curriculum at Northwest Culinary Institute when the culinary arts and hospitality management school opened seven years ago. Having worked in the restaurant industry since age 14,

Kevin Wingate-Pearse

Cassandra Cole

Steve Lawrence

J.D. Thomas

Marlene Fraser

Barb Holbrook

continues on page 19

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com16

Ken BragonierABC Accounting Services4949 NE St Johns Rd., Ste 14 Vancouver,WA98661•360-433-7037

Aredha AbunawwasBank of the West2921 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. Beaverton,OR97005•503-209-5630

Priscilla HulinCourtyard by Marriott PDX 11550 NE Airport Way Portland,OR97220•503-252-3200

Anay BrayDirectors Mortgage, Inc.222 NE Park Plaza Dr., Ste 112 Vancouver,WA98684•360-314-4690

Dr. Twyla BarnesEducational Service District 1122500 NE 65th Ave. Vancouver,WA98661•360-750-7500

Kevin WhiteFedEx Kinko’s 204 SE Park Plaza Dr., Ste 101 Vancouver,WA98684•360-882-3533

Richard SillimanHoffman Construction Company 805 SW Broadway, Ste 2100 Portland,OR97205•503-221-8811

Jesse Larimer DCLarimer Chiropractic & Wellness 700 SE 160th Ave., Ste 113 Vancouver,WA98684•360-334-5051

Scott FluryLatte Da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar 205 E 39th St. Vancouver,WA98660•360-448-7651

Tayler ChanLegal Shield 6619 NE 163rd Ave. Vancouver,WA98682•360-910-8144

Luba WinterNu Way Beauty 10117 SE Sunnyside Rd., Ste F518 Clackamas,OR97015•360-443-9454

Dennis SmithNorthwest Imaging Analysts9220 SW Barbur Blvd., Ste 119 302 Portland,OR97219•503-805-5102

David PalmerSchneider Electric 105 W Main St., Ste 210 BattleGround,WA98604•360-823-3040

Judy McMorineSt. Joseph Catholic School 6500 Highland Drive Vancouver,WA98661•360-696-2586

Clay Bonds Vancouver Victory 609 Main St., Ste 100Vancouver, WA 98660

Angi LouderbackWashington Federal 13411 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Ste A 1 Vancouver,WA98684•360-944-6003

Shannon SmithCascade Park Care Center 801 SE Parkcrest Ave. Vancouver,WA98683•360-260-2200

Randy Cole Dragonfly Cafe & Espresso 1300 Franklin St.Vancouver,WA98660•360-694-8002

Suzanne OakesJohn L. Scott 204 SE Park Plaza Dr., Ste 109 Vancouver,WA98684•360-944-2507

Rob BernardiKokusai Semiconductor Equipment 1211 SE Cardinal Ct., St 130 Vancouver,WA98683•360-828-3650

Welcome to the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. We thank you for your investment. You help make our Chamber one of the largest and most active business associations in the region. Please go to our online directory at www.vancouverusa.com for website, contact and business category information about these companies and

organizations. Please help us in our mission to build a strong and stable local economy – do business with Chamber members. n

New Members

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Valerie BishopKXL News Radio 6613 NE 209th St. BattleGround,WA98604•360-281-8826

Kathleen HjortLegal Shield 3716 E Evergreen Blvd. Vancouver,WA98661•503-320-9774

Seth PierceMarco Ideas Unlimited 9221 SW Barbur Blvd. Portland,OR97219•503-620-0770

Craig Pridemore 5719 NE Chateau Dr. Vancouver,WA98661•360-786-7696

Jo Lynn BarnicoatWebfor4400 NE 77th Ave., Ste 275 Vancouver,WA98662•360-247-7794

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com 17

Thank you to all of our renewing members for continuing your Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce membership! We are proud to serve our members through our mission of providing positive business leadership, growing jobs and strengthening the local economy. n

Renewing Members

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er Aadland Dental 2 years

AIMMco 10 years

AlphaGraphics 4 years

American Red Cross: Southwest Washington 7 years

Beaches Restaurant & Bar 17 years

Cascade Inn 12 years

Columbia Asthma & Allergy Clinic 6 years

Custom Care Valet Dry Cleaning 10 years

DLC Architecture 1 year

Dryke & Associates, Inc. 16 years

Employers Overload, Inc. 26 years

Enviromet 2 years

Erik Runyan Jewelers 95 years

Financial Connections, LLC 4 years

First Call, Inc. 3 years

Fox & Company CPAs, LLC 3 years

Fred Meyer Store: Fisher’s Landing 10 years

International Air and Hospitality Academy 32 years

Limoges Investment Management PC 18 years

Lucky Limousine 5 years

MacKay & Sposito, Inc. 24 years

Martel Wealth Advisors, Inc. 2 years

Michael J Plymale, Inc. PS 23 years

Montague Resources 4 years

Mulligan & Associates Appraisal Co. 39 years

NAI, Norris Beggs & Simpson 28 years

On Line Support, Inc. 10 years

O’Ryan Industries, Inc. 9 years

Pacific Lifestyle Homes, Inc. 15 years

Paula Johnson Consulting 11 years

Pioneer Pest Management 9 years

Port of Ridgefield 7 years

Powell Distributing Co., Inc. 39 years

Rand Jeweler 2 years

Regents Bank 6 years

Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian Center 14 years

Solid Solutions 5 years

Stewart Title of Western Washington 34 years

Stor Rite Self Storage 7 years

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra 18 years

Vehicle Buyer’s Service 8 years

Washington State University Vancouver 24 years

Wendel Family Dental Centre: Andresen 26 years

Weyerhaeuser Company 15 years

Williams Precision Machine, Inc. 3 years n

Interested in sponsoring a 2012 Business After Hours?Contact Susie Bauder at (360) 567-1081 or sbauder@vancouverusa.com

2011Business After Hours January 25 US Bank February 22 ShopLocal Business Showcase & BAH, Alaska Airlines, On Line Support & The Columbian March 22 No Business After Hours, Ft. Vancouver Regional Library Foundation April 26 Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt May24 PacificLifestyleHomes June 28 Corwin Beverage Company July 26 West Coast Bank August 30 Vancouver Business Journal September 27 ShopLocal Business Showcase & BAH October 25 No Business After Hours, Big Al’s November 15 WSU Vancouver December 13 Sponsorship Available

2011 BAH List 11.5.indd 1 11/5/11 12:47 PM

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com18

Working the lines, 24 hours a day.. .

Whether phone lines or power lines, we work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to keep your lights on. Have a service or billing

question? Call 992-3000 anytime and we can help!

www.clarkpublicutilities.com

Sr. Messenger 7.625x7.875.indd 1 11/3/11 12:08 PM

RESTAURANT BAR TAKEOUTPortland International Airport * Pre-Security * 503-335-8385

Destination:Beaches PDX

Private Meeting SpacesBreakfast * Lunch * Dinner

Take a Vacation without leaving town!

Thursday, January 5, 7-9 a.m.The Hilton Vancouver301 W. 6th Street,

Vancouver, WA 98660 Identity Clark County, the Columbia River Economic Development Council and The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce present a breakfast with Washington state elected officials in a questions and answer panel format. Legislators from the 15th, 17th, 18th and 49th legislative districts will offer their thoughts on the 2012 session and address the audience. The GVCC, ICC and CREDC will present their 2011 business priorities. This event is an important tool in advocacy on behalf of Southwest Washington businesses.

Pre-registration is required.Cost: $30Register at www.vancouverusa.com or call (360) 694-2588

Questions to legislators will be taken in email format only at questions@vancouverusa.com by December 31.

Presenting Sponsor:

Friday, December 17, 7-9 a.m. The Hilton Vancouver

301 W 6th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660

Columbia River Economic Development Council, The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

and Identity Clark County

invite you to attend a breakfast with Washington state elected officials in a question and answer panel format.

Legislators from the 15th, 17th, 18th and 49th legislative districts will offer their thoughts on the 2010 session and address the audience.

CREDC, GVCC and ICC will present their 2010 business priorities.

This event is an important tool in advocacy on your behalf.

Pre-registration is required. Cost $30 Register at www.vancouverusa.com or call (360) 694-2588.

Questions to the legislators will be taken in e-mail format only at

questions@vancouverusa.com by December 15.

Presenting Sponsor

Friday, December 17, 7-9 a.m. The Hilton Vancouver

301 W 6th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660

Columbia River Economic Development Council, The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

and Identity Clark County

invite you to attend a breakfast with Washington state elected officials in a question and answer panel format.

Legislators from the 15th, 17th, 18th and 49th legislative districts will offer their thoughts on the 2010 session and address the audience.

CREDC, GVCC and ICC will present their 2010 business priorities.

This event is an important tool in advocacy on your behalf.

Pre-registration is required. Cost $30 Register at www.vancouverusa.com or call (360) 694-2588.

Questions to the legislators will be taken in e-mail format only at

questions@vancouverusa.com by December 15.

Presenting Sponsor

OURINTERESTIS PROTECTING

YOURS.

Our attorneys are the best and brightest in their practiceareas, with nearly six decades of combined legal experience.Our mission is to protect your interests and provide for yoursuccess. Just call Duggan Schlotfeldt & Welch when you andyour business are seeking exceptional legal advice.

Attorneys at Law

DugganSchlotfeldt&Welch PLLC

EXCEPTIONAL LEGAL ADVICE FOR BUSINESS AND INDIVIDUALS INWASHINGTON AND OREGON

900 Washington St.Vancouver, WA 98660360.699.1201www.dugganlaw.com

Together our focus is business litigation, construction, real estate and insurance law.

DSW 2011 Chamberads:Layout 1 8/10/11 3:09 PM Page 2

November/December 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com 19

Van

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ber OFFICERS

Chair: Tim Schauer, MacKay & Sposito, Inc. Vice Chair: Kristy Weaver, Pacific Continental Bank Secretary – Treasurer: Winston Asai, Columbia MachineImmediate Past Chair: Jeff Woodside, Nutter Corporation

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJonathan Avery, Legacy Salmon Creek Medical CenterJohn Deeder, Evergreen Public SchoolsTamara J. Fuller, NAI Norris, Beggs & SimpsonJeff Harvey, BurgervilleDave Horowitz, David A. Horowitz, CPA Elie Kassab, Prestige DevelopmentAlex McMillan, Alex McMillan Wellness & Business ConsultingWayne Nelson, Clark Public UtilitiesEric Olmsted, On Line Support, Inc. William Pritchard, Pritchard OrthodonticsRhona Sen Hoss, WSU VancouverKeith Wallace, Retired

STANDING COMMITTEES• Administrative: Tim Schauer, MacKay & Sposito, Inc. • Finance: Winston Asai, Columbia Machine• Public Affairs: Tim Schauer, MacKay & Sposito, Inc.• Membership Services: Keith Wallace, Frumenti, Lander & Wallace, CPAs • Member Mentors: Jim West, Successful Commercial Property Workshops

AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS• CommunityChoices• LeadershipClarkCounty• SouthwestWashingtonAssociationofBusinessLeaders (SWWABL)

CHAMBER STAFFKelly Parker President/CEO•360-567-1050kparker@vancouverusa.com

Darcy Altizer MembershipServicesDirector•360-567-1051daltizer@vancouverusa.com

Terra Mahmoudi CommunicationsManager•360-567-1056tmahmoudi@vancouverusa.com

Susie Bauder SpecialProjectsDirector•360-567-1093sbauder@vancouverusa.com

Teresa LawwillAdministrativeDirector•360-567-1090tlawwill@vancouverusa.com

Katch McFarlandDataManagement•360-567-1052kmcfarland@vancouverusa.com Matt HoffstetterMembership•360-567-1058mhoffstetter@vancouverusa.com Barbara WaiteDirectorofBusinessDevelopment•360-567-1071bwaite@vancouverusa.com

Graphic Production: Gary Hollingshead Imagineering-Graphics • 360-254-1825imagineering@tds.net Printing: SouthwestOfficeSupply•503-241-1921swofficesupply.com

The Greater VancouverChamber of Commerce

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Thomas’s resume includes restaurant ownership and twelve years as an instruc-tor. The Chef of the Year trophy has been annually awarded since 1960, ten years after The ACF Chefs de Cuisine Society of Oregon was founded. Only past Chef of the Year winners can vote for the award winner. Thomas said he considers winning this award as a lifetime achievement for service, skills and participation in the restaurant industry.

nThe Parks Foundation recently received a $5,000 unrestricted grant from the Kirkwood Family Foundation. Through this funding, the Parks Foundation plans on increasing efforts to raise community awareness of the needs of parks, trails, and recreation programs. The grant will also help fund the launch and facilitation a wide variety of special programs and projects like our Nature Explore Club, the Florence B. Wager Award program, and the adopt-a-park program.

Member Events

nDon’t miss The Columbian’s 2012 Economic Forecast Breakfast on January 10, featuring keynote speaker Dr. John C. Williams, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Williams will share his outlook for the region for 2012 at the annual event located at the Hilton Vancouver. After his speech, Clark County experts will share their fore-casts for local industries and job growth in breakout sessions, tackling three areas of the economy that will play key roles in getting Clark County businesses growing again. The event costs $50 per person, or $500 for tables of ten. Register at www.vancouverusa.com or call 360-694-2588. Presented by First Independent Bank. Additional sponsorship provided by The Management Group, MacKay & Sposito, Inc., Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, and Columbia River Economic Development Council.

Member News Cont...continued from page 15

ADVANCING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. Do Business With Chamber Members

1101 Broadway, Suite 100Vancouver, WA 98660

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