Kelso Longview Chamber Business Connection

Volume 4, No. 7

Business Kelso Longview

Consider hiring an intern this summer

By Dani Trimble Work Based Learning Manager Lower Columbia College Have you ever wished you could evaluate an employee before you commit to hiring? Through my relationships with local business and non-profit agencies, I recognize how difficult it can be to find entry level employees with relevant skills who are an asset into the company culture.

Given the current economy and the abundance of applicants, hiring processes can be overwhelming and time consuming. Perhaps you are not able to hire, but your business could use some extra help?

Hosting a student intern can provide you with wonderful benefits without the risks of commitment, and in most cases, students may be able to work as volunteers without compensation.

The Cooperative Education program at Lower Columbia College allows students to gain valuable work experience in their field of study while earning college credits. Whether the internship is paid or unpaid, this program can assist you to recruit potential employees and provides a framework for student experience. As protection for students and employers, if students are working as an unpaid intern, the college covers their L&I and liability insurance.

Lower Columbia College offers education in a wide variety of fields such as accounting, business, computer science, engineering, manufacturing, and welding, in addition to several healthcare and clerical fields. Internships are generally completed towards the end of a student’s college program after they have completed a sufficient amount of coursework giving them the skills to benefit an employer.

Although it can take time to train and supervise a student intern, employers report a high return on their investment and

Please see Interns, page 18

July 2012

Connection Chamber of Commerce

Calendar Wednesday, July 4 All Day Marketplace and Food Concessions, Lake Sacajawea All Day Information and Craft Booths, Lake Sacajawea All Day Longview Fire Fighters Hole-in-One Golf, Lake Sacajawea 8 a.m.

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Lions Club 8 a.m.

Parade Line Up, 14th and Broadway 9 a.m.

Timber Carnival Prelims, Louisiana and Kessler 10 a.m. Parade, 14th and Broadway Noon Kids Festival, Lake Sacajawea to 6 p.m.

Noon Lions Kids Races, RA Long School Noon Live Entertainment, Martin’s Dock to 10 p.m.

1 p.m. Timber Carnival Competition, Louisiana and Kessler 10 p.m. Fireworks – Sound track broadcast on Magic 94.5 FM and 97.9 FM « Monday, July 9 – EGT Grand Opening, 150 East Mill Rd., Longview. Shuttles will be providing transportation from parking zones to waterfront event site. Shuttles start at 9:30 a.m. « Thursday, July 12 – PARTY at the PARK. Special pricing for all Chamber members at the ballpark. Watch the Cowlitz Black Bears take on the Walla Walla Sweets at 6:30. Party Deck ticket $21 (savings of $5), includes all you can eat, $1 beers and a party atmosphere on the Party Deck. Also available $2 off any other general admission or Grandstand seating. « Tuesday, July 17 – Business After Hours, Cowlitz County Humane Society, 909 Columbia Blvd., Longview $10 in advance, $15 at door. « Wednesday, July 18 – Ribbon cuttings: Taylor Insurance, 11 a.m., new location, 1104 14th Ave. (14th and Florida Professional Building), Suite B; Evergreen Home Loans, noon, 1340 Vandercook, both Longview.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Community organizations support children’s program with playground The Drug Abuse Prevention Center’s Pregnant/Parenting Women’s Program provides residential treatment services for 16 high risk substance abusing women and their children (birth to 5 years of age). The program addresses those issues specific to women in relation to chemical dependency. Parenting their children is a part of the curriculum.

While mothers meet in individual and group sessions, their children are cared for onsite by loving staff members with childcare experience. Children participate in play therapy, craft and art projects, and lessons in self esteem building and healthy habits. They delight in taking pleasant walks with daycare staff in the area and around the facility. Our indoor play area allows ample freedom to romp and stomp, secure in the knowledge their moms are just a few steps away. We need a quality therapeutic outdoor play area for these children.

Therapeutically, outside play is essential for children and their growing bodies.

Our goals are to: (1) Enhance social development by allowing them to interact freely with peers and develop rules for play. (2) Enhance cognitive development by giving

them an environment where they can role play and problem solve.

(3) Enhance their physical development giving them much needed exercise and fresh air (critical since over 14% of children ages 2-5 are overweight). Overall, outside play equipment is essential for a child’s mind, body and soul.

developing a full continuum of treatment services for substance abusing pregnant and parenting women. To date, 212 babies have been born to mothers in our treatment programs. Of these, 196 babies were born drug free.

ground has become a reality.

In 2004, the Drug Abuse Prevention Center began

Our key community partners include: Child & Adolescent Center who provides medical homes for our children. Progress Center who provides birth to age five education and developmental testing. Parent’s Place who provides parenting services.

Developmental Disability services are available through SL Start and Associates.

Cowlitz Family Health Center provides medical, dental and WIC services to our mothers.

Mental Health services are provided by Cowlitz County Guidance Association.

Emergency Support Shelter provides domestic violence counseling services.

We could not have done this without community support from Weyerhaeuser, United Way, Junior Service League, private donations, and our community partners.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

‘No Money to Advertise...?’

By Chuck Nau

fund?

• Take a look at initiating a joint neighborhood marketing effort.

Ask Bill Marcum at The Chamber or inquire at other city agencies to see if neighborhood promotional dollars or marketing opportunities are available for the asking. This strategy may also open the door for additional and NEW local businesses to partner with, too!

In today’s struggling retail environment, uncovering available dollars to INVEST locally in advertising to support (… and grow!) your retail business, service or small business continues to be an ongoing challenge.

“No money to advertise!” Simply stated, this is an all too frequent rationalization for not digging deeper to find those necessary and needed business investment dollars in a challenging business climate.

• Challenge yourself (and your investors) to review your own remuneration schedule (e.g. your salary… and their expected return on investment). Remind yourself and others within your business that a small reduction in your (…and their) personal income this year may reap big benefits for your business and subsequently to you (…and yours) next year and down the road!

However, when business is tough to get and the retail or service provider sector continues to be challenging, you must (…to survive AND grow) investigate every source and resource to find investment dollars for your business, service or small company.

Easily said! But, where does one look to find dollars that may be utilized to invest in your business through advertising and promotion?

• Last, but not least, clarify where your business dollars are going in support of your local community. Do some services or charities or groups duplicate others … would a realignment of your dollar commitments maximize results while better allocating those funds?

Within your business and without increasing your budget or without additional cash input, advertising and marketing INVESTMENT (e.g. advertising or marketing) DOLLARS DO EXIST to invest in your business. Here are six areas to consider in your search for those elusive investment dollars...

“No money to advertise!” … may simply be a challenge offered to you by a struggling local economy to find THE money! Seize the opportunity, have some fun and invest in your business, service or small company. Good luck!

• Explore reducing overall salary expense … by reviewing your business’ hours of operation. Opening an hour later or closing an hour earlier without impacting customer service or revenue generates 20 hours (one hour/day x 20 days) of saved expense that may be converted to a $200/month advertising or marketing budget (20 hours x $10/hour in payroll expense).

© Murray & Nau, Inc. Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a Seattle area based consultant and sales and management trainer. He is a 25-year veteran of advertising, sales, media and management, who knows and understands the everyday challenges of starting up, growing, and surviving in today’s ever changing retail climate.

He has spoken to and conducted workshops for a number of local retail and chamber organizations, national publishing groups, national retailers and manufacturers, state press associations, and newspaper groups.

Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to Chuck via email: murnau@nwlink.com or at 425-603-0984.

• Bring your vendors and suppliers into the conversation … ask each and every business that you do business with if coop advertising or extra promotional dollars exist to support THEIR product placement in your business. Offer enhanced product placement in your store or in your ads for those vendors willing to contribute to the promotion of THEIR products or services.

• Review your current inventory and purchasing habits and controls. (Again) is it possible to tighten your inventory without impacting customer service or revenue, and shift those savings into an advertising or marketing dollar investment

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Ambassador Q & A

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Shannon Cahoon Fibre Federal Credit Union Community Outreach Coordinator

D’Dee Kuanoni Swanson Bark and Wood Products Human Resources Manager

How Long Have You Been An Ambassador?: I have been an Ambassador since the beginning of 2012.

What Prompted You to be an Ambassador?: I wanted to get to know more people at Chamber events. Wearing a red jacket sort of offers a convenient excuse for introducing yourself to new people. I also think it is very important that new businesses get welcomed to town, and existing businesses feel celebrated when they achieve important bench marks.

What Do You Like Most About Volunteering With the Ambassadors?: I have enjoyed getting to know the other red jackets, as well as a lot of the business community at chamber events.

Your Favorite Ambassador Story?: Hula dancing at the business expo/after hours in 2012. Not saying I would do it again, but it was fun, in a heart-going-pitter-pat sort of way.

Do You Volunteer With Any Other Organizations?: Currently, I am active on the Castle Rock and Woodland Chambers of Commerce. I was recently elected to the board of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce. I am on the planning committee for the Woodland Hot Summer Nights Concert Series, the Castle Rock Festival of Lights, and the Castle Rock I Topped The Rock Challenge. I am on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest Ambassador Council. I am the Cowlitz County Ambassador Board Chair, and I am a Big Sister. My position as Community Outreach Coordinator at Fibre FCU also keeps me involved with many other community events – I can usually be found hosting our booth throughout the year, from Castle Rock to Woodland.

Family: Husband/ Miki Kuanoni: Two adult children: My son Trevor is married to his wife Emily and they have my 8-week-old grandson; My daughter Monika is a student at LCC How Long Have You been An Ambassador?: 4 years What Prompted you to be an ambassador?: Invited by other Ambassadors and encouraged by employer.

What do you like most about volunteering with the ambassadors?: Being a welcoming face to new businesses in our community.

Do You Volunteer with Any Other Organizations?: Board of Directors and Executive Board member for the United Way of Cowlitz County. Kelso Rotary.

What Are You Most Proud Of?: My family, the company and people I work for, those I volunteer with and our community. This community is so caring, giving and supportive. I feel lucky that I have been in a position to witness this on multiple occasions.

What Do You Like To Do For Fun?: For fun I like to spend time with family and friends, enjoy a good book and attempt to beat my husband at a game of bowling or golf.

What Are You Most Proud Of?: My position at Fibre Federal CU. I earned my degrees in Business Administration and Management Operations, with a heavy emphasis on Marketing, from WSU-Vancouver, and I know that is a big reason why I got this job. I love where I work, and what I do, and I know there are a lot of advancement opportunities in front of me here at FFCU.

Join the Ambassadors Today!

Call 360-423-8400

What Do You Like to do For Fun?: In all of my spare time, haha, I enjoy spending time with my Paint horse, Kane – affectionately known as Spud. I plan to start competing in breakaway roping at local rodeos, as well as the Extreme Cowboy Race at regional events. My husband and I also enjoy going camping with the horses, and our Great Dane, during the summer at Kalama Horse Camp.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Strong partnerships and loyal relationships bode well for future

By Ted Sprague President - Cowlitz Economic Development Council

and our dedication to making folks aware of opportunities at Mount Saint Helens, you are invited to Friends of the Forest Day. Join us, the National Forest Foundation, the Mount Saint Helens National Monument, and the Mount Saint Helens Institute on July 7 & 8 for a volunteer stewardship and community engagement weekend.

On June 8th the Cowlitz Economic Development Council (CEDC) held a membership meeting featuring three large capital investment projects going through three different phases of development in Cowlitz County. Over 180 private and public sector leaders attended to hear from representatives of the Kalama Energy Center, Bennu Glass and EGT. Combined these projects could account for over $650 million in capital investment and nearly 200 new jobs.

Saturday’s volunteer events will include trail work, interpretive training and much needed sprucing up of the Monument facilities. Sunday’s fun activities will include guided hikes and kayaking. This weekend will help accomplish important work on the ground and provide opportunities to enjoy the Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument. You are welcome to arrive Friday night and camp out or sleep in the newly renovated Coldwater Science and Learning Center (bring a sleeping bag and pad) and stay through Sunday’s activities. Saturday night will include a concert at the amphitheater (our first of a series called – Music on the Mountain) and volunteer star gazers with scopes for nighttime viewing! For more information please contact Alice – dietz@cowlitzedc.com.

Each speaker brought a different perspective; not only for their individual project, but for where they are in the process.

Kalama Energy Center is continuing through the permitting phase, Bennu Glass is on the precipice of start-up (July 4th!) and EGT has been operating for a few months. When I discuss these projects with colleagues around the country they are quite surprised to hear a county of our size is able to attract such large projects. I am thankful we have such strong partners, like the Chamber of Commerce, in economic development to make these projects a reality. It is a testament to the leaders of all Cowlitz County communities and our private sector partners that these companies chose Cowlitz County.

Finally, please Save the Date for our upcoming BizNet, July 19th, 6 p.m. at La Cabaña in Longview.

As part of our ongoing relationship with the Forest Service

For more information or to get in touch with staff, please go to our website – www.cowlitzedc.com.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team Bill Marcum, President/CEO Amy Hallock, Bookkeeper Brooke Fisher, Project Manager Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way • Longview, WA 98632 • 360-423-8400 To advertise, call 360-749-2632 or email: nedpiper@comcast.net Ad Deadline: 15th of each month.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

President’s Message

New team, new website, kick off July

By Bill Marcum President and CEO

In August we will again have our MEGA MIXER with a few changes. This year the event will be sponsored by Twin City Bank, Longview Radiology, Bowlby Chiropractic Clinic and Futcher-Henry CPA Group and will be held in the adjacent parking lot of all four businesses.

The Mega Mixer will feature a western theme, so dust off your boots and your cowboy hat and come kick up your heels to Clay Chambers & The Last Ride band. There will be a western barbecue, beverages, dance lessons and lots of fun for everyone. Cost is $20 in advance and $30 at the bucking shoot.

Wow, has it really been five months? I was looking at the calendar and this week marks five months back in the Kelso/ Longview area and with the Chamber of Commerce. We have gone through some major changes in staffing as most of you know. Brooke Fisher is now on board as our new Project Manager (see story on page 11) and Amy Hallock just started as our bookkeeper.

Brooke will have many items to focus on but most of her responsibility will be to manage and oversee our events and sell our monthly newsletter, website and the other printed materials we produce for our membership. Amy will be responsible for keeping our accounting records up to date, accurate and pay the chamber’s monthly bills, along with producing our monthly financial reports for the Board of Directors.

Have a fun filled fourth of July.

By the time you are reading this our new website should be up and running. We have had some issues with the credit card application and authorize.net. We wanted to make sure it was functioning properly and secure before we launched the new site. Please take a look and our new website and give us your feedback. While we will still be doing some tweaking, and adding additional information throughout July, I think you will agree it is a huge improvement.

In July we have two fun events you can take advantage of…

On July 12th the Chamber is hosting a Party at the Park. The Cowlitz Black Bears take on the Walla Walla Sweets at Story Field on the LCC campus. All chamber members and their employees are invited to a fun evening at the ballpark. The Chamber has reserved the Party Deck for the evening. The Black Bears are discounting the cost of the Party Deck ticket by $5 for the night, making it $21. The Party Deck ticket includes all the food and soda you can eat and drink and $1 beers. The way I figure it, I am saving money with a $21 ticket. The Black Bears are also offering Chamber members and their families $2 off any general admission or grandstand ticket. So, come on out to the ballpark, have some fun and support the Cowlitz Black Bears.

Our next event for July is the Businesses After Hours, July 19th, at the Humane Society of Cowlitz County. The BAH is from 5 to 7 p.m. and will include finger food, beverages and plenty of pet friendly animals to tear at your heartstrings. Cost to attend is $10 in advance, $15 at the door, non-members $20.

And remember, you can now go to www. kelsolongviewchamber.org and book your reservations.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Friday Night Summer Fun with Downtown LIVE!

By Janice Forbes President, Longview Downtown Partnership Owner, Highlander Cycling Imports

For more information log on to www.longviewdowntowners.org. To get involved, please contact Downtown LIVE Event Coordinator

Train rides for the kids, cupcake decorating, glamour shots, live music and pedicab rides are just a few of the exciting activities lined up for this year’s 4th annual Downtown LIVE Friday Nights!

Anna Goff at DIYpartysupplies@hotmail.com or 360-423-3747.

The calendar of events launched last Friday with the first race of the Downtown Longview Twilight Criterium four week series. And even though the rain came, the atmosphere was festive at the Start/ Finish line in front of The Brit’s with live music by Johnny Dark providing a lively sound track for the four races of the evening. The series continues June 29, July 6 and ends July 13, and will be held each week at The Brit’s at 1427 Commerce Ave.

Janice can be contacted via email at janice@ highlander-cycling.com or at 360-353-3790.

And there are many more events scheduled for Downtown LIVE – a series of 12 Friday Nights of planned fun on Commerce Avenue, beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m.

Downtown LIVE is hosted and sponsored by local businesses working to re-energize and revitalize Downtown Longview.

Calendar of Events (In addition to the activities listed above) with DJ Kevin Lee announcing, and live music sprinkled throughout).

June 29

Cardboard Boat Regatta

July 6

Downtown LIVE Plus

July 13

Action Entertainment presents Minute to Win It!

July 20

DJ Kevin Lee and special event TBA

July 27

Angry Birds Game

August 3

Kid’s Play Night Downtown

August 10

Pug Parade and the Urban Adventure

August 17

Motorcycle Rally

August 24

Downtown Dash for Cash Bicycle Races with live music by Raeann Phillips

August 31

Columbia Theater Strolling Murder Mystery

8

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Kelso

Longview

What’s Up at the Wye?

Fiscal Facts & Budget Briefs

By Mayor David Futcher

By Mayor Dennis Weber

By far, the most frequent question I get is, what’s going on at Exit 36? We’ve all seen the construction over the past few years of the Highway 432 interchange, and we’ve seen the addition of a nice street into the property just south of the interchange, which we call the Segale property. And you heard from your brother-in-law’s neighbor who works for the PUD (so he’s got to know) that everything from Costco to Olive Garden is opening up this fall.

City Council and staff work hard to grapple with the financial challenges confronting us during this prolonged recession.

Our general fund revenues are expected to increase less than 1% this year, not enough to keep up with inflation. The county has reported a 7% drop in assessed value for property in Longview, now pegged at $2.7 billion. By law, we can only collect 1% over last year’s property taxes. Sales tax revenue has also fallen some 16% since it peaked in 2007. Only B & O Taxes are up – a modest 2% per year since 2009 mostly due to increases in utility rates.

Those rumors have been floating around for years, and may someday prove true, but to my knowledge, there are no deals in place for any of the Segale property.

The state has officially set our 2012 population at only 36,910. That is merely 6.5% over our 2000 US Census (an annual rate of about ½%). Consequently, our state-shared revenues based on per capita are not growing with inflation, either.

Throughout the years, the council has been very supportive of the developer’s efforts for the property. Council members and staff have been meeting with the folks from Segale for more than five years, and assured them that we are here to help them in any way we can. The council waived requirements to install curbs, gutters and sidewalks on the property in order to allow them to proceed sooner with the development. But outside of being easy to work with, state law gives us little in our toolbox.

The city has responded by cutting employees and hours worked, exploring innovative ways to address health care costs, delaying some maintenance, avoiding filling vacant positions where possible, reducing administration by reassigning duties, and supporting more economic development.

We expect to end the year with a 12% ending fund balance.

At the end of the day, we’re waiting for an $88 billion dollar corporation to make a deal with a wealthy Seattle-area landowner. It’s a helpless feeling when you know how important the development is to the city. But until both parties can agree that the deal is a benefit to them, there’s not much we can do.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Business Toolbox

Planning for Holiday Sales in July? You Bet!

By Jerry D. Petrick

• Have 100 percent of inventory listed (30 days prior) • Have sold/dispositioned half seasonal inventory (15 days prior.

NOTE: If suppliers are relying on international shipping, check-in 150 days in advance to get confirmation that they will have the stock you plan to be selling.

For some industries it is already deep into the planning and buying cycles for seasonal inventory; for others, now is prime time to think carefully about how you will manage your resources for the upcoming retail sales season.

Follow these suggestions as you contemplate the readiness of your own business: Prep work • Create the list of vendors to be used • Check status of or apply for customer status with vendors • Contact each to inquire about seasonal purchases, get order and shipping schedule • Get a list of price points, FOBs, volume discounts, off invoice allowances, rebates, prompt payment discounts and dating programs • When the vendor says they don’t offer those, insist that they do and demand the information

Ensuring that there is a cycle of targeted planning and activity taking place throughout the year will help you take advantage of these seasonal peaks. There are a number of key steps to implement to maximize the opportunities for your business.

Keep everything up-to-date: Remove and refresh all sale items and promotional content from websites once sales are over – nothing more frustrating to prospective customers than out-of-date web promotions.

Prepare orders • Put above vendor info on an excel worksheet for scheduling and order development • Contact the sales department for each vendor and ask for order recommendations, velocity reports and promotion schedules • Create an order calendar for each vendor using info from sales • Go back to the excel worksheet and run the numbers for each vendor, with landed costs • Determine EOQs (economic order quantities) for each vendor/merchandise category • Develop a pro forma order for each vendor and send to the sales rep for confirmation of availability and current pricing • Use the order confirmations to set up an order and receiving schedule and receiving report for each shipment

Review last year’s figures, examine what worked well and identify causes for peak in sales activity. This will help you understand what seasonal peaks in the year ahead to take advantage of based on last year’s success.

Keep stocked up for those critical times: Analyze items in the inventory that sold better than others for specific events or times of the year and ensure there is enough stock in place in the upcoming year to meet this demand again.

Break this down in to quarterly plans: Having quarterly plans reduces the possibility of retailers overestimating on the amount of stock needed for a quarter, as well as ensuring popular items are available at the right time.

Planning ahead of this time is key to ensure that sales opportunities are maximized and that the bestselling inventory from the year is ready and available.

Finance • Use pro forma orders to arrange invoicing dates, dating programs and vendor credit • Discuss additional needs with lender • Place orders

In order to ensure you have stock available for shipping when it’s required, use your calendar and count back from each event to when you need to: • Identify what inventory you will need (60 days prior) • List key inventory (45 days prior)

Please see Petrick, page 18

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Meet Brooke Fisher

Mark Morris grad comes home and joins Chamber

Having grown up in Longview, and graduating from Mark Morris High School, I bring in a special interest in using my skills and background to contribute to the future business success of my home town.

In my new role as Project Manager for the Chamber, I will be providing a variety of services to membership and the community. These will include such things as planning and implementation of major Chamber events, coordination and leadership of various committees, new chamber member recruitment, and sales and marketing initiatives.

Greetings Chamber members and friends, I am pleased to introduce myself as the new Project Manager for the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce. I come to the Chamber with a Bachelors of Science degree in Tourism Management from Central Washington University, and have served in a variety of management roles in the luxury hotel industry, including Walt Disney World Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and West Paces Hotel Group. This experience involved providing services in event planning, sales and marketing, food and beverage, quality and productivity management, recruiting and special project management.

• Design/Build

• Petroleum Construction

• Municipal Construction

• Licensed in 36 States

• Commercial Construction

• Tenant Improvements

I am very much looking forward to meeting all of our existing and prospective Chamber members, and to work hard on your behalf.

Best Regards, Brooke Fisher

1081 Columbia Blvd. Longview, WA

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Fun par for course at Chamber tournament

By Dannie Oliveaux For The Chamber With bright, sunny skies and warm temperatures, about 100 men and women competed in the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament Monday, June 11, at the Longview Country Club.

The Chamber raised more than $10,000 during the one-day event. The tournament was a four-person scramble with each team member playing the best shot and each player getting three drives during the 18-hole round.

Each team had their photograph taken

by Mr. C Photography before the tournament began and a large group of men and women participated in the putting contest sponsored by Chase Bank.

The golfers also had a chance to hit the driving range before the event started.

“It was a good turnout,” tournament

chair David Taylor said. “Everybody seemed to have a great time, the food was good and the banquet was fun. It was a fun day overall.”

He said people he spoke to said they were pleased with the tournament.

“Our sponsors were pleased because they got lots of plugs,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he expects to see more people golfing at next year’s event.

Stirling Auto Group, a title sponsor, had vehicles placed in various places along the course.

“They really stepped up to the plate and had some great looking vehicles around the course,” Taylor said.

Red Canoe Credit Union had a booth stocked with snacks for golfers.

Kaye Lynn Sanders, assistant vice president of business development, and Carey Mackey, business development

representative, manned the booth for Red Canoe.

Please see Golf, page 14

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Anne O’Connor On The Mark Associates

Bianca Lemmons Cowlitz County Title Co.

Micheal Julian Kelso Theater Pub

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Clayton J. Bartness, DC Longview Chiropractic Clinic

Chet Makinster Longview City Council

Frank V. McShane, Past Chair Cascade Networks, Inc.

George Raiter Cowlitz County Commissioner

Diane Craft, Vice Chair Koelsch Senior Communities

Jerri Henry, Chair Futcher-Henry CPA Group

Joel Hanson, Chair Elect KLOG KUKN The Wave

Ginny Whiffen Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center

Michael Claxton Walstead Mertsching

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Center

Julie Rinard Community Home Health & Hospice

Sara Cave PeaceHealth

13

Neil Zick Twin City Bank

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Hitting the Links

Golf from, page 13

Oliva

“We enjoyed it and it was a great time,” Sanders said.

“We had great response from the golfers who came to our table. They were appreciative of our snacks and asked us a lot about the credit union. That is why we go. I thought it was very successful for us.”

Second Place (Score 56): Bianca Lemmons, Mike Lemmons, Terry Gabel and Scott Walstra

Gross team winners were: First Place (Score 58): Steve Jones, Tom Renaud, Gene Guttormsen and Chris Ehrlich Second Place (Score 62): Jerry Gee, Geary Martin, Andrea Klingberg and Scott Person Third Place (Score 63): Dales Lemmons, Derek Lemmons, Jarrett Skreen and Craig Bergerson Net Team winners were: First Place (Score 54): Mark Johnson, Kevin Bogner, Ron Holt and John

Third Place (Score 57): Greg Berg, Jan Dennis, Tony Strovas and Erik Gottormsen.

Closest to the Pin, Hole No. 3: Women - Jan Dennis (6'11"); Men - John Browne (2'2").

Closest to the Pin, Hole No. 7: Jeff Thorton (12'1") Closest to the Pin, Hole No. 9: James Willis (1'9") Closest to the Pin, Hole No. 16: Dave Spaulding (3'4") Longest Drive, Hole No. 17: Women - April Sage; Men - Chris Wend.

The Longview Country Club catered the banquet with barbecue hamburgers with all the fixings.

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909 Columbia Blvd Tuesday, July 17 2012 5:00-700 P.M. $10.00 in Advance, $15.00 at the door, $20 Not Members Yet

We would like reservations for Business After Hours hosted by Humane Society of Cowlitz County Tuesday July 17th The cost is $10 Members advanced, $15 at the door. Not Members Yet $20 I understand if I make a reservation and am not able to attend, the fee is non-refundable.

For your convenience, we accept VISA/MasterCard.

Name:_______________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Business Name:________________________________ Number Attending: __________ Card Number:__________________________________ Exp:_______ CVS ______ Name on Card:_______________________ Address____________________________ City ______________________

Please Invoice: _________

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way, Longview, WA 98632 Fax: 423-0432 website: www.KelsoLongviewChamber.org Phone: 423-8400 www.twitter.com/klchamber www.facebook.com/kelsolongviewchamber

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Spotlight Joel Hanson - Chair Elect KLOG KUKN The Wave

Son follows father’s footsteps into Chamber

By Dannie Oliveaux For The Chamber

to network with other business people in the community.

“The outreach and networking that we see lets me get involved with different types of businesses,” Joel said. “That’s the thing I like about a lot of the organizations that we can take part and not necessarily people we do business with. It gets us involved in the community as a whole.”

Joel Hanson, along with is brothers Ken and Mark, spent time working at the radio station their father, Steve Hanson, owned while growing up in Longview. But he never thought he would return to the family business his father started in 1967.

He said every individual business counts and that working together can help improve the community.

Twenty-one years later, Joel returned to work with his father at the station. From the first day, Joel’s father stressed the importance of becoming a Chamber of Commerce member.

“The definition of community is working together,” Joel said.

Joel said by his father stressing the importance of getting involved in community groups has been a key to his company’s success over the years.

Today, Joel is a board member of the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s about relationships and building those relationships,” Joel said. “I think that is what is nice about groups like the Chamber to build those relationships.”

“My dad immediately got me involved in the Chamber,” Joel said. “He said you needed to be involved and the station has always been involved in it.”

Joel remembers he and his brothers working at the station.

Joel came back to Longview in 1989 to work at the station.

“We all had to work here,” Joel said. “Whether it be janitorial or pushing a button on the board during Blazer basketball games.”

Steve Hanson was president of both the Kelso and Longview Chambers before they merged in 1998. Like his father, Joel was involved in both chambers before they merged. He was on the board of the Kelso Chamber, and the last president before the merger.

After graduating high school, Joel went to Western Washington University to major in music. After a couple of years, he realized “it wasn’t going to fly.”

Joel said his father joined the Chamber soon after he started the station in 1967.

He then attended culinary school in Seattle to become a chef.

“I soon realized I didn’t want to work every night and on weekends,” he said. “I came back to the family business to be trained in sales and hoped I could use sales experience to work in the culinary industry. I never saw myself coming back to Longview.”

He said being part of the Chamber allows him and the station

Joel said he fell in love with working at the radio station.

“This is the job of my dreams,” he added. “I get to do so many different things. The days are always changing.”

He said he likes helping businesses with their marketing and advertising.

Today, Joel said he still plays his drum and still cooks for the family. He also competed in triathlon competitions until he injured his knee several years ago.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Longtime radio salesman signing off

By Dannie Oliveaux For The Chamber

Chamber, Lions and other groups.

For most of his career, Tom Iverson has been a mainstay in the offices at 500 Cowlitz Way.

“Get involved because it will help you personally, and help you grow professionally,” he added.

But on May 8, 2013, Tom will retire from his sales position at Washington Interstate Broadcasting, Inc. after 36 years to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren.

“I’m just retiring because I’m old and tired,” said the 65-yearold salesperson.

Washington Interstate Broadcasting, Inc. is the home of three stations – KLOG 1490 AM, KUKN 105.5 FM and The Wave 101.5 FM. Tom started at the station in 1976 at age 29 while attending broadcasting school in Tacoma. He worked as a DJ spinning records for two years from midnight to 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to midnight before settling into sales in 1978.

“I was hired by Steven Hanson and his program director because they were going to broadcast 24 hours a day,” said Tom, who graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma in 1965 and then attended broadcasting school at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood. “Our only station was KLOG 1490 AM, and I was commuting from Tacoma for the first few weeks.”

Tom loves the new computerized technology that radio stations have evolved into.

“This is fantastic. Leaps and bounds better than before,” he said. “It took a little bit of getting used to.”

Tom said he has loved working for the Hanson family. “After 36 years, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

While serving in the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, Tom has been part of the Ambassadors for about 15 years.

“The group has grown and is the largest it has ever been,” he added. “And that is in a down economy. It still boils down to ‘meet and greet.’ You have to get out and meet people. No contact, no contract.”

He said he originally joined the Chamber to make contacts and network, but after many years he sees it as a service to help pay back to the community.

During his time here, he has been a longtime member of the LongviewPioneer Lions Club and on the Go Fourth Committee. He is also an ex-president of the Rainier Chamber of Commerce, where he resides with his wife.

When Bill Marcum was named as the new Chamber director earlier this year, Tom said he was glad to see “someone come back that had some roots here.”

“The Chamber has been chugging along quite nicely and it has had its ups and downs like everything else,” Tom said.

In his spare time, Tom and his wife enjoy traveling and spending time at casinos.

“In 20 years, we have gone everywhere and done everything we wanted to do,” he said. “We’re going to stay around the house. I’m 65 and I can’t believe it. I’m going to take care of my wife and my grandsons.”

Tom said even though he’s going to retire, he doesn’t know if he will like retirement.

‘Get involved because it will help you personally, and help you grow professionally.’

Tom Iverson on joining the Chamber

Tom said he sees a lot of value in joining groups like the

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Business After Hours Interns from, page 1 continue to host students year after year.

Investing in education is always a good bet, whether it be your own or another’s. By participating in this program, not only will you be able to potentially benefit your own workforce needs, but you are helping to contribute to our local community and economy.

By providing a student with relevant work experience in their field, you are giving them a great start to a new career.

Golden Jubilee The June Business After Hours at the Goodwill of Longview drew quite a crowd of well-wishers as the second-hand store celebrated 50 years of business.

For more information or questions about Cooperative Education and how to get started, please contact: Dani Trimble Work Based Learning Manager Lower Columbia College dtrimble@lowercolumbia.edu 360-442-2332 Check out our jobs board online at www.lowercolumbia.edu/hireconnections to post available positions, applications and more!

Petrick from, page 10 Marketing • Use the receiving schedule to develop the marketing schedule • Lead times vary by category and customer base, poor neighborhoods time promotions for the first of the month, etc.

• Work with outreach channels, prepare and proof collateral • Make arrangements/ order/buy for direct mail, blow ins, web based and POP

Receiving/Stocking/Follow up • Use the receiving schedule and purchase orders to check in incoming shipments, document overages, shortages, mis-ships and damages • Use the receiving schedule to create a stocking schedule to advise stockers when and where to display the seasonal merchandise / POP • Document and liquidate or donate residual inventory, use documentation as a basis for next year’s orders

• Survey customers for insight into consumer satisfaction with the seasonal program

Development Center (SBDC).

The competition is keen.

Make sure you are prepared to take advantage of your strengths and cultivate your customers throughout the year – they and you will benefit.

part of the Washington Small

This article was compiled from various sources by Jerry Petrick, Certified Business Advisor, Longview Small Business

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Petrick, Certified Business Advisor, MBA, PMP, SPHR, is Business Development Center Network. Jerry serves Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. He provides no fee, confidential business advising by appointment. Contact him at jerry. petrick@wsbdc.org or 360442-2946.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Ribbon Cutting

Welcome Update The Chamber Ambassadors joined leaders of The Boulevard Teen Center on the Lake June 21 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Fibre Federal Credit Union was the contributor for the center’s new interior updates and amenities for the teens.

Longview Country Club 2012 Golf Membership Special • Unlimited golf for your entire family • Full clubhouse privileges including dining room, lounge, & heated swimming pool • Summer junior golf program • Weekly golf & social activities

For more information visit our website

www.LongviewCountryClub.net 41 Country Club Dr.

423-8500

*Requires initiation fee and food minimum

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NOW ONLY

$200/mo*

Kelson Longview Business Connection

July 2012

Ribbon Cutting

Bright Opening Chamber Ambassad ors celebrate the Banda’s Bouquets opening Ju ne 5. The shop, which features antiques and collectibles, is lo cated at 1310 Broadway in Longview.

Ready for Business Nick Lemiere takes during center stage June 7 cutting the Chamber ribbon w Edward ceremony for his ne ted at Jones business, loca ite C, in 2020 9th Avenue, Su Longview.

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