We’re proud to present the 2026 Tri-City People of Influence in our speciality publication inserted into the March edition.

These honorees represent the ideas, energy and leadership that helped shape the Tri-Cities over the past year. They include executives, creative problem-solvers and dedicated community advocates from a variety of industries. They are leaders whose impact extends well beyond their day-to-day roles.

So how were they selected? We invited nominations from the community and supplemented these with recommendations from our editorial team. From there, we focused on individuals who demonstrated meaningful achievement, leadership and influence in the past year.

The result is a distinguished group.

While space doesn’t allow us to share every word of praise submitted on their behalf, we wanted to highlight several standouts.

Two of this year’s honorees were recently recognized on a statewide level, Michelle Whitney and Kyle LaPierre.

Whitney, superintendent of the Pasco School District, was named the state’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators, an award that recognizes exemplary leadership among Washington’s superintendents and honors those who demonstrate outstanding service, vision, and commitment to public education.

LaPierre, a second-generation builder and president of LaPierre Enterprises, was inducted into the Building Industry Association of Washington’s Hall of Fame for his dedication to the homebuilding industry and commitment to his community.

Whether building strong schools or strong structures, their work reflects the kind of lasting impact that defines our People of Influence.

Tri-City Union Gospel Mission’s top executive, Andrew Porter, received numerous nominations for his work to support the community’s homeless population and fundraising efforts to build a new women’s shelter. “He has inspired us with his vision for the new women’s shelter in Kennewick, bringing it to within a fraction of the financial goal this year, and has maintained a personal influence over (his) team by leading with a servant’s heart.”

Rudy (Rodolfo) Mendoza Mendoza, commercial banking officer at STCU, was lauded as being someone “who does not seek the limelight but does his community work with commitment but without fanfare,” according to his nominator. He serves on the boards of Tri-Cities Community Health, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia and Inspire Development Centers.

TRIDEC CEO/President Karl Dye was hailed for being “a consistent voice for the economic development of our community. He is often the first person from Tri-Cities that developers speak to, and he advocates so well for us. The proof is in the numerous major projects that have come to the region over the last few years. He is a proven leader of the wonderful team at TRIDEC.”

Erin Hockaday, surveillance and investigation director for the Benton-Franklin Health District, has “shaped how this region responds to outbreaks, environmental threats, organized illegal operations and emergencies – making her a quiet but powerful Person of Influence in the Tri-Cities,” according to her nomination.

Doug Wadsworth, president and CEO of Tri-CU Credit Union, was recognized for his efforts to establish a nonprofit to champion small credit unions nationwide and push for regulatory relief. “He likes to say that Tri-CU is ‘small but mighty.’ He is one man in that small credit union, but he has also been mighty,” according to his nomination.

We celebrated this year’s 24 honorees and their accomplishments at an in-person event on March 12. Check out the photo gallery from the event here.

Please join us in congratulating them for their tireless energy and dedication to making the Tri-Cities a better place to live, work and thrive. Together, they’re helping move the Tri-Cities forward in meaningful ways.

All profiles in our special edition were created using information submitted by the honorees and edited for space and clarity.