Executive Director, Downtown Pasco Development AuthorityNumber of employees you oversee: 6 – four full and 2 part time.Gustavo Gutierrez-GomezPlease describe the Downtown Pasco Development Authority and the Main Street program:The Downtown Pasco Development Authority (DPDA) is a nonprofit that runs with Main Street tax credit money, which means someone buys...

Managing principal, A-1 Hospitality GroupNumber of employees you oversee: We have over 300 employees across our portfolio of nine hotels.Taran PatelBrief background of your business: A-1 Hospitality is a hotel development and management company headquartered in Kennewick. The company was founded my parents Vijay and Mita Patel in 1997, three...

President, Benton Franklin Recovery CoalitionMichele GerberNumber of employees you oversee: 100+Brief background of recovery coalition: The coalition formed in June 2018, in response to the lack of detoxification services and inpatient treatment services for people suffering from Substance Use Disorder (addiction) in the Tri-City region. Our mission is to partner...

Owner, The Cicotte Law Firm, PLLCGeorge CicotteNumber of employees you oversee: 35Brief background of your business: My firm was established in the Tri-Cities in 2002. For seven years before that, I practiced with international firms in Washington, D.C., and in Denver, Colorado.How did you land your current role?Before becoming an...

Health Officer, Benton-Franklin Health DistrictDr. Amy PersonNumber of employees you oversee: The Benton-Franklin Health District employs almost 95 individuals, although with the Covid-19 response, there are additional temporary staff assisting with contact tracing and data management. I engage with all staff, but my role is not supervisory.Brief background of your...

CEO, Energy NorthwestBrad SawatzkeNumber of employees you oversee: 1,000+Brief background of your business: Energy Northwest is a joint operating agency of Washington state, comprised of 27 public power member utilities from across the state, serving more than 1.5 million customers. Energy Northwest owns and operates a diverse mix of 100%...

Executive manager, Audi/BMW of Tri-CitiesChristopher MartinezNumber of employees you oversee: 59Brief background of your business:Sales, parts and service of new and pre-owned Audis and BMWs as well as selling of any other brand pre-owned as well.How did you land your current role? How long have you been in it?My family...

Thomas Henick-KlingWSU Viticulture & Enology ProgramDirector, WSU Viticulture & Enology ProgramNumber of employees you oversee: 11 faculty, 4 staffBrief background ofyour organization:The WSU Viticulture & Enology (V&E) Program provides educational opportunities for those interested in grape growing and winemaking.We offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as online certificate...

Owner/presidentJC Agriculture, In Season Produce, Premier Seed, 509 Custom Application, Desert River FarmsJames AlfordNumber of employees you oversee: 40Brief background of your businessMultiple agricultural-based businesses providing seed and custom chemicals services along with an operational row crop farm and a direct-to-consumer produce stand.How did you land your current role? How...

Brian McDermottColumbia IndustriesPresident & chief executive officerNumber of employees you oversee: We have about 200 team members at CI.Tell us about your organization and its commercial ventures:Columbia Industries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company that operates solely for the benefit of our community (the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas). We work with...