To everything . . . there is a season – part 2
During September of last year I wrote about some of the changes going on around Southwest Washington. Among them were changes in local media (our own editor), changes in political representation (the announcement of then-Representative Brian Baird choosing to not seek re-election) and change at the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (Kim Capeloto’s move back into banking with Riverview Community Bank and Kelly Parker’s selection to take over as president of the chamber).
Well, change is upon us once again. This time the change is coming at two of our leading business organizations: the Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) and Identity Clark County (ICC).
Bart Phillips’ decision to move on from his post at the CREDC coincides with the decision of Ginger Metcalf at ICC, who has announced her intention to retire when the board finds someone to take over her position at the helm of that organization. Both of these leaders leave strings of accomplishment far too long to mention here, creating huge expectations for whoever succeeds them.
Certainly, change creates opportunity for those involved (those leaving and remaining) to write the next chapter bigger and bolder than the chapter they’ve just finished. For the volunteer leadership of both organizations, this is an opportunity to bring in new perspectives and energy – both of which are extremely important to Southwest Washington right now.
The recovery, underway in most sectors but certainly less robust than most would like, has left commercial and industrial properties with some of the highest vacancies of the last couple of decades and downtowns areas of cities across the region with plenty of available space. Consequently, demand will be on the new leadership at the CREDC and ICC for a plan of action to fill up those spaces and buildings sooner rather than later.
Growing business with WSU Vancouver
Transitions of a somewhat different kind are taking place at eight businesses in the region thanks to the work of the WSU Vancouver College of Business student teams in the Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program.
Companies taking advantage of these student/mentor teams included: Schooner Creek Boat Works, The Creative Network, Rusty Grape, AQx Sports, Granny LaLa, API Seminars, Pressed 4 Time and Innovative Services NW. The student projects dealt with everything from marketing strategies to business plans for new initiatives that had been “back burnered” for far too long.
The program, featured in the April 29 edition of the VBJ Putting intellectual capital to work was celebrated last night at the WSU Vancouver campus along with about 75 participants, mentors and interested individuals who got to see results of projects for two of the eight companies.
Presenting for the team on the Schooner Creek project was senior Jake Orosco and for the Rusty Grape team Kim Wilson presented the results. Two other students, Grace Stuart and Karina Marcus, were recognized for their efforts during the semester with the Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program Student Leadership Award.
Oscar Luna, community engagement specialist for the College of Business at WSU Vancouver has been hired part-time as the program’s coordinator, and will work with local businesses to match them with student teams each semester.
You can check out photos of the event on our Facebook page.
