KEDA's 35th brings record numbers on every level
Community leaders, in record numbers, recently attended our Kitsap Economic Development Alliance’s 35th annual meeting convened at the Kitsap Conference Center on March 30.
The event kicked off with Congressman Derek Kilmer sharing his perspective on the dynamics of both our local and national economies. As a public servant holding a deep background in economic development, Derek reminded the 200-plus attendees that Kitsap competes every day with every community everywhere for capital – both human and financial – which drives investment, spurs job creation, and strengthens our local economy and community. Congressman Kilmer thanked our community for enthusiastically supporting KEDA’s work in delivering client-based business retention, expansion, recruitment services -- noting KEDA makes a real difference in creating local economic development opportunities across Kitsap County and throughout the region.
Our annual meeting also provided an excellent forum to take measure of our Alliance’s work by reviewing the results of KEDA’s client based economic development work in 2017. In addition, our board adopted an ambitious strategic plan for 2018. Both the 2017 Annual Report, and 2018 Action Plan can be reviewed on KEDA’s website www.kitsapeda.org. These documents inform the market as to economic development opportunities throughout Kitsap, and how KEDA may assist businesses in pursuing new opportunities.
2017 was an extraordinary year both in terms of clients assisted and results achieved. Last year KEDA assisted 181 local businesses via a variety of business retention, expansion, attraction, and advisory services. Our clients grew in terms of both revenues generated and jobs created. Last year, KEDA’s PTAC program assisted scores of local businesses in securing over $170M in new government contract work. Our team of economic developers also aided dozens of clients in evaluating, developing, and investing over $400 million dollars in dozens of capital projects across Kitsap County.
The 2018 Strategic Action Plan adopted at the meeting is aimed at ambitiously building upon the record- level of client services delivered previously, while also enhancing our focus on engaging our incredibly accomplished and connected board of directors – the #1 asset on KEDA’s balance sheet. We look to make 2018 “The year of The Board”.
KEDA’s 2018 Annual Meeting saw our partner-investors elect several new private sector board members to complete our roster of 18 business leaders. Our public partners appoint several new members to fill the ranks of our 18 elected officials board seats. Our non-profit Washington State corporation is governed by this 36-member board of directors. Following the election and confirmed appointments, the newly constituted board elected a new corps of officers.
Please join me in recognizing, and thanking, the following local leaders who will be joining the KEDA board of directors this year: Larry Hurley, Partner Hearthstone CPA Group; Art Lovestedt, CEO Evoke; Chad Lyons, Owner Lyons Painting and Design; and Terry Ward, Publisher Sound Publishing. New public-sector board members for 2018 include Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler and Olympic College President Marty Cavalluzzi. And, I also want to thank outgoing board members: Charlotte Garrido, Kitsap County Commissioner; Patty Lent, former mayor of Bremerton; Judy Mentor Eagleson, President, Mentor Company; David Nelson, editor of the Kitsap Sun; Lynn Ferrari, Watson Furniture; Michael Scott, former member of the Bainbridge island City Council; and David Mitchell, former president of Olympic College.
For nearly 17 years, I was a member of an executive leadership team with HR responsibilities at one of the leading architectural firms in the region, Rice Fergus Miller. I’ve now recently assumed ownership of and responsibility to the clients and employees of West Sound Workforce. I have developed a keen interest in the dynamics of economic and community development work. In particular, I have a passion for the most essential component of economic development – human capital development. It is an honor, and continued opportunity to serve my community, to be elected Board Chair of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. I look forward to serving with all KEDA board members, and with my fellow KEDA Officers: Vice Chair Nathan Evans, Principal Software Architect Microsoft Silverdale; Treasurer Greg George, Board Chair Port Madison Enterprises; and Secretary John Powers, Executive Director of KEDA. These officers, joined by Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe, and Mayors Becky Erickson, Rob Putaansuu and Greg Wheeler, make up KEDA’s executive committee.
As his tenure as chair of KEDA’s Board of Directors ends, I want to personally thank Ben Anderson, CEO of Art Anderson Associates, for his outstanding leadership of our Alliance over the past two years. Ben, like so many of our partner-investors, knows first-hand the challenges faced, and opportunities gained, each day by businesses across a broad spectrum and throughout Kitsap - and served by the valuable services rendered by KEDA.
Finally, I want to congratulate two outstanding community leaders, with a deep legacy of service to KEDA and the community: Patty Lent, former Mayor of Bremerton and Kitsap County Commissioner; and Elliot Gregg, CEO of the Kitsap Credit Union. These two longstanding, highly accomplished leaders have contributed mightily to Kitsap’s economic gains and overall community advancement – and for that reason were bestowed Economic Development Lifetime Achievement Awards by their KEDA colleagues on March 30th. Thank You Patty and Elliott – you’re the best of the Best!
As KEDA moves forward into its 36th year of service to our community, and I begin my work as chair of KEDA’s Board, I invite you to reach out to our Alliance – to join our Alliance. If you have not been engaged in the critical work of our Alliance, or you’re thinking your business might benefit from an array of our business development advisory services (free of charge and confidential), then I encourage you to contact KEDA (www.kitsapeda.org, or 360-377-9499 ) and be part of the economic future you want for your organization, your employees, your customers and our community.
Here’s to Kitsap’s future – working together to insure it's bright!
By: Monica Blackwood
Source: Kitsap Sun