Join the Young Professionals for a fun holiday event on Thursday, December 1st ! We'll be joined by a panel of experts to discuss resources and solutions for small businesses emerging from the pandemic. This event is graciously co-sponsored by AssuredPartners.
This event is open to all ages from 18 to 65+ and will be at the Lampson Building in Kennewick, WA. Address will be provided to registrants prior to the event. Tickets are free for YP and WPC members; food and drinks are included. Register below!
Learn more about our co-sponsor HERE.
Meet our panelists:
Lori Mattson is President and CEO of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce. Lori joined the Tri-City Regional Chamber in 2004 and has held the position of President and CEO since October of 2008.
Under Lori’s leadership, the Tri-City Regional Chamber has grown to hold the distinction as the 5th largest in the state of Washington. During her tenure, Lori has focused on creating innovative offerings that provide a high return on investment for members. Over the past 10 years, the Regional Chamber has launched numerous high-impact programs and events which include, the Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference, Ask the Experts, Meet the Buyer, Small Business Incentive Program, Good Health is Good Business, Economic Gardening and the Tri-Cities Diversity Summit.
A passionate community leader and collaborator, Lori is working to bring the Tri-City region together to identify big opportunities for growth and approach the future in a unified way through an extraordinary visioning project; myTRI 2030.
Dave Mastin is the Vice President of Government Affairs at AWB. He is the association’s chief lobbyist and directs its legislative and regulatory programs.
A former legislator, Dave represented the 16th District, first as a Democrat and then as a Republican. He served in several leadership roles, including House Majority Leader. He is from Walla Walla and was most recently the executive director of government relations at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and on the state superintendent’s executive leadership team. Dave received his bachelor’s at Whitman College and his juris doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law. He and his family live in the Olympia area.
WPC's Small Business Center Director Mark Harmsworth was elected in 2014 to the Washington State House of Representatives where he served two terms. His focus was on transportation and technology, including serving as the ranking member on the House Transportation Committee. Prior to the legislature, Mark served two terms on the Mill Creek City Council and was elected Mayor Pro-Tem in his last year.
He recently finished serving as a Director on the Everett Community College Foundation Board and currently serves as a Director on the Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County. Mark works in the technology industry and is an owner of a small business after completing a long career at Microsoft and Amazon.
Martin Valadez is currently Interim Executive Director of the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and has been involved with the organization for over 10 years. He is also Regional Director of Heritage University's Tri-Cities campus and serves on a number of boards including Gesa Credit Union, Mid-Columbia Libraries, TRIDEC, and the Washinton State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. Martin previously held positions at Columbia Basin College and Tri-Cities Community Health.