Clallam County Economic Development Corporation 2016 report by Peninsula Daily News & Sequim Gazette

JANUARY 2016

CLALLAM COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Profiles In Excellence:

GREAT COMPANIES OF CLALLAM COUNTY

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PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE — AN INTRODUCTION by JENNIFER LINDE, AMY MCDONALD and BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation

“I know how to lift some men up, calm down others, until they are one heartbeat, together, a team.” — Legendary football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who during his 25-year tenure as the University of Alabama’s head football coach amassed six national championships and 13 conference championships. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has been chartered to be the “economic engine” of Clallam County. Through its members — many of whom are celebrated in this special report — the EDC aims to pull together all the businesses who grow, harvest, manufacture, create, sell and provide services to customers on the North Olympic Peninsula and throughout the world. In doing so, EDC members are increasing jobs, hiring local people, building the wage base and delivering taxes that allow area cities and the county to provide our infrastructure. The members of the EDC aim to work in concert with public officials and with the Port of Port Angeles to

make Clallam County the most vibrant and exhilarating place to live and work in the Pacific Northwest. Members strive every day to help move area citizens toward that “one heartbeat,” which is the essence of any winning organization. The EDC was given birth as a nonprofit corporation in 1985 by the state Department of Commerce to perform the assignment cited above. Using many tools available through the state departments of commerce and revenue, the EDC is able to provide a host of valuable tax incentives, alternative lending sources, and a wide array of business services and advice. It also serves as a catalyst in bringing together customers with providers of goods and services. Importantly, with its members, the EDC is also the primary recruiter of new businesses to Clallam County. What follows in this special report is a series of business stories titled “Profiles in Excellence.” The companies and institutions described represent only a fraction of the great companies that make up our community. More such stories will follow in future supplements in the local newspapers of Sound Publishing. The companies you will learn about have a passion for excellence and demonstrate a common theme:

“There are only two ways to create and sustain superior performance over the long haul. First, take exceptional care of your customers via superior service and superior quality. Second, constantly innovate. That’s it. There are no alternatives in achieving longterm superior performance, or sustaining strategic competitive advantage.” — Tom Peters and Nancy Austin, authors of “A Passion For Excellence: The Leadership Difference.”

PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE INDEX Meet the EDC team — Page 4 Warm welcomes and fond farewells — Page 6 A bit more about the Clallam County EDC — Page 7 Hermann Brothers Logging & Construction — Page 8 Hurricane Ridge Veterinary Hospital — Page 9 Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe — Page 12 Kokopelli Grill — Page 14 Olympic Medical Center — Page 15 Sherwood Assisted Living — Page 16 Swain’s General Store — Page 17 Wilder Auto — Page 18

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Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

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2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman — Randy Johnson, president of Green Crow

CLALLAM COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Vice chairman — Doug Sellon, executive director of Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Economic Development Authority Secretary/treasurer — Ryan Malane, vice president of marketing for Black Ball Ferry Line

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Charlie Brandt — director of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Don Butler — president of High Energy Metals John Calhoun — commissioner of Port of Port Angeles Orville Campbell — EDC member representing the City of Port Angeles Brad Collins — Port Angeles City Council member Linda Dillard — Clallam Bay/Sekiu Chamber of Commerce EDC representative Hugh Haffner — vice president-director of Clallam County Public Utility District Larry Hueth — president and chief executive officer of First Federal Eric Lewis — chief executive officer of Olympic Medical Center

Bill Greenwood executive director

Jennifer Linde

director of operations and finance

Amy McDonald

Luke Robins — president of Peninsula College

director of business development

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Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

EDC WARM WELCOMES AND FOND FAREWELLS Warm welcomes to:

l JOE ADAMS, chief executive officer of 1st Security Bank of Mountlake Terrace, which the evening of Jan. 22 is acquiring Bank of America branches in Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Angeles and Port Hadlock. l MICHELE AND NATE ADKISSON, branch manager and senior loan officer of Evergreen Home Loans, which has opened branches in Sequim and Port Angeles. Evergreen is headquartered in Bellevue.

l GLENN MULLETTE, manager for American Fiber & Finishing of Sequim, the county’s newest Boeing and aerospace supplier.

l GARY NEAL, new superintendent of schools for the Sequim School District. l MARK OZIAS, newly-elected county commissioner for District 1.

l TIMOTHY SIEBER, executive vice president of SeaPort Airlines which intends to commence daily connecting flights from William R. Fairchild International l CONNIE BEAUVAIS of Joyce, newly elected commissioner for the Port of Port Angeles from District 3. Airport in Port Angeles to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on March 1. l TIM COURNYER, new chief executive officer of l ROBERT UTZ, general manager of the Red Lion Forks Community Hospital. Hotel in Port Angeles. l CHARLIE BUSH, new Sequim city manager l TERRY WARD, new publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. l TYLER CROW as new president and chief executive officer of Green Crow commencing March 1. l MARY ELLEN WINBORN, director of Clallam County Department of Community Development. l KAREN GOSCHEN, interim executive director of the Port of Port Angeles after serving as deputy director since 2014. l COLLEEN MCALEER, new commission president of the Port of Port Angeles, and new president of the Seattle-based Washington Business Alliance. l JIM MCCONNELL, chief financial officer for Armstrong Marine Inc.

Fond farewells to:

l TODD BANKS, chief executive officer of Kenmore Air, who served our county as best he could despite many obstacles thrown in his path. l JOHN BREWER, recently retired as the longtime

Proudly supporting economic development in Clallam County.

publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum.

l STEVE BURKETT, recently retired as the longtime city manager for the City of Sequim. l JOHN CALHOUN, retiring after serving two terms as commissioner of the Port of Port Angeles and many years on the Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. l ORVILLE CAMPBELL, former recipient of the EDC Olympic Leader Award, retiring from the EDC board after many years of service to the community and counsel to the EDC team. l DAN DI GUILIO, retiring as the mayor of the City of Port Angeles. l KEN O’HOLLAREN, a supporter of the EDC, retiring as executive director of the Port of Port Angeles. l JIM MCENTIRE, former chairman of the Clallam County commissioners, former Port of Port Angeles commissioner, former EDC board member and recipient of the EDC’s Olympic Leader Award in 2014. l JOSEPH MOLLERUS, longtime general manager of the Red Lion Hotel. l KELLY SHEA, former superintendent of Sequim School District, departing for eastern Washington.

The Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence special section is published by the Peninsula Daily News and Sequim Gazette advertising department.

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Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

Patricia Morrison Coate, Brenda Hanrahan and Laura Lofgren, special sections editors

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

A BIT MORE ABOUT THE CLALLAM COUNTY EDC

conversant with each and every one. The inducements touched upon above are extraordinary and provide our county with serious competitive advantages when comThe Economic Development Corporation is responsible peting head-to-head, say, with King County. Of special importance is our relationship with Peninfor setting the table for business activity in Clallam sula College which is also one of our financial supportCounty. The most obvious need is to create family-wage ers. Led by Peninsula College President Luke Robins, jobs in an area whose unemployment rate is more than the college aims to be the state leader in workforce twice that of King County. training. The tailored programs made available to The team at the EDC needs to get to know every business in the area in an effort to advise and help them expanding companies in the region are a major selling point to outsiders. grow. And the team needs to aggressively recruit new State grants aimed at reducing unemployment businesses to the county who will not only employ locally but also stimulate our economy by bringing some through workforce training can often be obtained — leading to trained employees at no cost to the company or all of their employees here. and with a fully-paid program which financially benefits New job growth will better balance our business base the college. and spread out our tax burden in a meaningful way while creating ever more amenities for each citizen. EDC’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE Executing the above is a major challenge, but we are DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE getting a lot of help. Economic Development Councils (EDC) were established in Washington’s counties in the 1980s as nonprofit HOW WE OPERATE corporations that would lead and foster business growth I would like to explain how we operate, the imporon a local level. tance of our relationship with the state Department of The state Department of Commerce runs the EDC Commerce and then point out a number ways that we program, advises each county EDC, and financially supexecuted our mission in the past year. ports each EDC. We have prepared a new EDC budget through 2016 This year, Clallam County will receive about $51,000 which anticipates the hiring of one highly-qualified in support from the Department of Commerce. However, individual for a total staff of four. beyond that support, the department supplies each EDC Assuming a growing track record of success, we hope with a constant flow of information on companies that to increase our funding from private sector businesses may be looking to expand operations to suitable locato a very high level by 2018. But in the interim we are and have been heavily dependent on our major partners tions in our state. We receive a regular “hot list” of like the Port of Port Angeles, Clallam County, the cities expanding companies and any we deem logical for Clallam County receives from us a careful proposal which of Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks, Olympic Medical attempts to define what we have to offer and why such a Center, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Peninsula business is important to our community. College, Clallam County Public Utility District and the As just a sample, a proposal to a boat-builder (Project state Department of Commerce. Per our recent strategic plan, the EDC’s major empha- MX) is available on request. The proposal was prepared in collaboration with the Port of Port Angeles, Peninsula sis is on two areas — business retention and expansion College and the City of Port Angeles. and the recruitment of new businesses to the area. Merely responding to opportunities on the “hot list” For the first, we try to provide advice and assistance to any business in our county. We can help to compose a with proposals like the above is daunting, but it is just a small part of the job. first-class business plan and we have two experienced volunteers who can provide business savvy along a wide PROJECTS AND ACTIVITY: A SUMMARY spectrum. We can help an expanding business to naviBUSINESS RETENTION — In the past year our gate through unnecessary bureaucratic road blocks that team has visited with the leaders of more than 100 area are often thrown in their way. businesses seeking to understand what they do and to We can help to identify and secure many sources of financing. Additionally, there are exciting tax incentives grasp any need they have. Many are highly independent, as one would expect. But as most of our members will available to county businesses because our levels of tell you, the EDC has much to provide. unemployment are so high. These advantages are not The best evidence of our team’s activity is in our well-known and need to be carefully explained to each membership growth: well over 100 percent in 2015. business owner — and many then need help in impleCompanies have joined either because we have helped mentation, which we will try to provide. Just one example is the new “tax abatement” program them directly or because they have observed us helping introduced in the summer of 2014 by the Department of others. Private sector funding for the EDC has increased Revenue. It will allow a new or expanding manufacturer by 447 percent in the year 2015. Our members have come to count on the fact that we to save about 8.4 percent on nearly every dollar do what we say, are accountable and do our best to expended on new facilities. deliver the goods. As said, there are other such programs available to We report quarterly and annually and pull no rural counties like ours and our team needs to be by BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

punches. The reports are available to anyone on our website — www.clallam.org. On that same site can be found the logo of every business member. A click on each member’s logo will take you to each business’ website. This feature has proved to be an excellent way to market Clallam County. BUSINESS RECRUITMENT — While the EDC team has approached a long list of companies that are interested in locating here, and has hosted numerous corporate visits to the county, we have invested our most major effort in overcoming what outside companies see as key “barriers to entry.” These are the need for direct flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) and schools that are not falling apart. The lack of regular direct connecting flights from William R. Fairchild International Airport to SeaTac, a major necessity for our local economy in a business world gone global, has been a major negative. When Kenmore Air departed, the EDC team — with encouragement from both the Port of Port Angeles and the City of Port Angeles — went on to make direct contact with Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines to “sell them” on commencing service to Fairchild. A number of EDC members (along with the city and the port) participated as a welcoming committee for the first visit here by Alaska Airlines’ management team which was arranged and hosted by the EDC. The recruitment process proceeded to take many a turn through 2015. But through an introduction to the port by Alaska Airlines (whose 76-seat planes were determined to be too large for our market), a smaller airline, SeaPort Airlines of Portland, has agreed to start direct flights to SeaTac on March 1. Our next challenge as a community is to fill those flights, to make the service profitable for SeaPort Airlines, and to encourage the creation of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) team at the airport so that direct connections to both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines can be fast and easy. The deteriorating infrastructure of area schools has proven to be our most serious recruiting issue. We do not know of one EDC member who would vote against the recent bond issues that were defeated in Port Angeles and Sequim in 2015. The EDC is firmly behind the Citizens for Sequim Schools and hopes for a positive upcoming vote, and has been urging the citizens of Port Angeles to follow Sequim’s lead. Every minute counts. The costs of construction have already risen and bond rates are likely to rise as well. As Eric Lewis, chief executive officer of Olympic Medical Center, has pointed out: We can’t recruit good doctors if we can’t provide first-rate schools. And the EDC can’t recruit first-rate private sector employers to Clallam County for the same reason. As W.C. Handy said: “Life is something like this trumpet. If you don’t put anything in it, you don’t get anything out. And that’s the truth.” William Christopher “W.C.” Handy was an American blues composer and musician.

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

GETTING AN EARLY START — HERMANN BROTHERS in Port Gamble. A few years later, the manager of Crown Zellerbach Corporation agreed to buy most of the wood chips the They aren’t in jail yet but Bill and Fred Hermann brothers could produce if they found a way, working started Herman Brothers Logging & Construction, Inc. with the U.S. Forest Service, to harvest 3,000 acres without a permit. of “suppressed growth wood” that had defeated Clallam County records indicate that the company other foresters. was founded in 1968. But 10 years earlier, around the Working with Caterpillar Inc., Weyerhaeuser and ages of 10 and 12, these lads — who grew up on a large Lincoln Electric, Bill and Fred designed and built a chicken farm — fell in love with the woods. machine that could deliver successfully to Crown ZellerThey cut, sold, and delivered firewood to families bach’s specs for a reliable source of hog fuel. It was the around Port Angeles reliably for several years. The truck first “biomass harvest” in the Northwest. driver was their father or a friendly neighbor. Since reputation is a product of performance, that of Fred and Bill made money. When they made enough, Hermann Brothers became solid gold. They went on to they bought their first tractor. become one of the North Olympic Peninsula’s premier A few years later, armed with driver’s licenses, they contract chipping companies and — through its newer bought a bigger tractor and a truck. subsidiary, Evergreen Fibre (now run by Bill’s son Mike As teenagers, they began cutting 16-foot logs for Hermann) — sells a variety of hardwood chips to paper Eklund Lumber, a local mill that was located where Les mills throughout the region. Schwab in Port Angeles stands today. The Hermann boys The company’s operations are located in the Eclipse were reliable suppliers. They made more money. Industrial Park off U.S. Highway 101 just west of Following two years in the U.S. Navy aboard destroyer Port Angeles. escorts in the Pacific, and seeing Vietnam in the war With about 120 employees, nearly all of whom have years, they returned to “officially” found Hermann come to the company by word of mouth, the brothers Brothers in 1968. continue to innovate. Almost immediately they landed an important Their newest chipper, purchased recently from contract to supply logs to Pope & Talbot Inc.’s operation Carthage Equipment in New York, has taken the quality by BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

photo courtesy of Hermann Brothers Logging & Construction

An aerial view of Hermann Brothers Logging & Construction located off U.S. Highway 101 just west of Port Angeles.

of chips supplied to Port Townsend Paper Company to 92.5 percent acceptable from an industry standard of 80 percent. As a result, Port Townsend’s Paper Company’s productivity has soared. “I like when people work here long enough and then get to retire,” Bill said. “Treat people right. Respect the people that work for you, the people you work for — and be responsible.”

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Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

HURRICANE RIDGE VETERINARY HOSPITAL by BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

Picture an 18-year-old woman from Tacoma fresh out of high school and not at all sure what she wants to do in her life. For no particular reason, she volunteers at Tacoma Cat Hospital. Inspired by a doctor named Craig Smith, she initially decides to seek a complex science degree at the University of Puget Sound. Soon, however, this young woman recognizes the right place for what she wants to do is in the programs offered by Washington State University. Off she goes and gets, first, a bachelor of science degree in microbiology and then enters a four-year program at the school where she earns a doctorate in veterinary medicine. This final degree involves performing plenty of complex surgeries on animals starting with the brain on down. Does she love what she does? Is she driven to deliver excellent results? A long list of patients (or their owners) in Sequim would shout “yes” to the rooftops. The young doctor’s name is Toni Jensen. Following graduation, she returned to Tacoma to bring her skills to the Columbia Veterinary Hospital. Jensen might still be there today were it not for a fine young man from Port Angeles and Port Angeles

Hardwood named Ruairi Cussen. They were determined to be married, but Cussen insisted that they live in Clallam County. So in August 2012, Jensen opened a small veterinary hospital — Hurricane Ridge Veterinary Hospital at 530 W. Fir St. in Sequim. Some pet owners complained about her prices, but they were quickly won over. “I have to make money for the hospital to survive,” Jensen said. “I think people understand that.” Here’s what some of those people say: “Toni Jensen … is my hero. She saved my dog’s life. She is knowledgeable and loves the animals. My dogs love her too.” — Vicki McCormack “Dr. J., Allyson [McLaughlin] and Laura [Shaw] are the best … caring, compassionate and knowledgeable.” — Coleen Imbarrato “We call her ‘Toni Jensen, the miracle doctor.’ I asked if my husband and I could make appointments for us but she is too busy saving dogs.” — Nina Bilodeau Jensen has survived and in the summer made plans to open a larger hospital at Seventh Avenue and Hendrickson Road, where she will nearly triple her team, including adding another doctor with credentials similar to hers. The new structure will be the first brand new build-

photo courtesy of Toni Jensen

Toni Jensen, veterinarian and founder of Hurricane Ridge Veterinary Hospital, and her dog Lucy pose for a photo.

ing for a new business opened in Sequim in more than seven years. Getting approval through the city’s planners has not been easy, but the project moves forward. Jensen and Cussen married 3½ years ago. They’ve been too busy for a honeymoon, but maybe by summer.

Supporting the Clallam County EDC

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS/SEQUIM GAZETTE

CLALLAM COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE — JANUARY 2016

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“Reputation is a Product of Performance.” The Board of Directors of the Clallam County Economic Development Corporation salutes the following companies, institutions, and individuals who consistently serve our community. Every day they create new jobs and make their best effort to develop our economy and improve the quality of our lives.

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Forks Community Hospital

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Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

bom

Forks Community Hospital

Baker, Overby & Moore, Inc., P.S.

AVENUE

PORT ANG OF

S ELE

CITY

OLYMPIC NATURAL RESOURCES CENTER

Your Peninsula. Your Newspaper.

The “Original” Since 1957

PORT ANGELES, WA U.S.A.

JOHN BEITZEL PAUL LAMOUREUX

BRANDO BLORE JIM MCENTIRE

JOHN BREWER ORVILLE CAMPBELL LINDA DILLARD GEORGE EASTMAN JIM MORAN JOHN M. RALSTON CONSULTING JIM REYNOLDS MEL RUDIN

ROD FLECK SEQUIM ADVISORS

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation

905 West 9th, Suite 222-223 * P.O. Box 1085 * Port Angeles, WA 98362 * PH: 360.457.7793 WEB: www.clallam.org 10

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

A LOYAL FRIEND — JAMESTOWN S’KLALLAM TRIBE by BETTY OPPENHEIMER, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe publications specialist and BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

It should come as no surprise that the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe supports the Clallam County Economic Development Corporation, since both organizations believe in fostering a diverse business climate in our region. The tribe’s vision is to become fully self-reliant, and not dependent on federal resources to serve the tribal community. Significant progress toward achieving this goal has been made, under the leadership of Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Chairman and Chief Executive Officer W. Ron Allen, who has served as chairman since 1977. When the S’Klallam people entered into the Point No Point Treaty with the United States in 1855, they resisted removal to the reservation at Skokomish. In order to remain on their usual and accustomed lands, in 1874, 17 S’Klallam families from in and around Dungeness pooled their funds to purchase 210-acres of land, which became Jamestown. Citizens of the tribe supported themselves by gardening, farming, fishing and working in the pulp mills in the surrounding area. Establishing Jamestown clearly demonstrated not

only their entrepreneurial spirit, but their willingness to be a part of the community of settlers that was growing around them. A collaborative spirit and desire to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships continue to be hallmarks of all of the tribe. Tribal citizens received services from the federal government until 1953 when the government ceased recognizing them as Indians. In the 1970s, Public Law 93-638 first allowed tribes to take over and manage programs and services that had been controlled by the federal government for years. But without federal recognition, the Jamestown S’Klallam could not participate. As soon as the U.S. government established a federal recognition process, the Jamestown S’Klallam petitioned the government in 1976, and received official federal recognition on Feb. 10, 1981. The tribe is a self-governing nation. But because the tribe does not have a tax-base like other governments, only through profitable economic development can it produce sufficient revenue base for the programs and services that it provides to tribal citizens. In 2014, business activities provided 37 percent of the tribe’s total budget. “We have always pursed our business ventures only after conducting our due-diligence assessment, and have never been averse to taking risks,” Allen said. “We firmly

photo courtesy of Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council, from left, Lisa Barrell, secretary; Kurt Grinnell, member; W. Ron Allen, chairman and chief executive officer; Theresa R. Lehman, treasurer; and Liz Mueller, vice chairwoman.

believe a successful tribal business foundation not only serves the tribe for future generations, but serves the local community as well, in creating employment and thereby enhancing the tax-base for the local governments.” >> JAMESTOWN S’KLALLAM TRIBE continued on Page 13

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<< JAMESTOWN S’KLALLAM TRIBE continued from Page 12

During the past 30 years, the tribe has become one of Clallam County’s largest employers, opening businesses in many different sectors including tourism, entertainment, building trades, technology, construction and health care. Partnerships have enabled the small tribe to have a big impact on not only tribal citizens, but the entire local community — to everyone’s benefit. Since the tribal economy is so closely integrated into the regional economy, the tribe utilizes every opportunity for cooperation and partnerships with local and regional, public and private planning groups to further its goals and objectives, as well as those of the region. One of those partnerships has been with the Clallam County Economic Development Corporation, with which it shares a belief in the power of economic development as a means to self-sufficiency — for individuals and families as well as entire communities. The tribe has been a member of the EDC in good standing since 1997. Doug Sellon, the executive director of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Economic Development Authority, has served as the tribe’s representative to the EDC board for more than 10 years, bringing the tribal perspective and vision to that body. He currently serves as the vice chair of the board. Over the years, the tribe has contributed to the EDC’s

coffers; most recently stepping up with a three-year commitment of $7,500 per year to help with the EDC’s reorganization effort and new initiatives. The tribe firmly believes in the promising economic future and opportunity for the North Olympic Peninsula. It believes that only through collaborative efforts can a common vision develop a diversity of business and employment opportunities building a strong, vibrant economy. The following are business enterprises that are directly managed under the auspices of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Government: n Northwest Native Expressions Art Gallery n Jamestown Fireworks n Jamestown Family Health Clinic n Jamestown Family Dental Clinic n The Tribe’s 7 Cedars Resort and Casino manages: n 7 Cedars Casino n Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course n The Longhouse Market and Deli and Chevron Fueling Station The Jamestown S’Klallam Economic Development Authority oversees these divisions of JKT Development, Inc.: n Jamestown Excavating n Jamestown Information Technologies n Jamestown Networks n Carlsborg Self Storage n Mobilisa Enterprise Wireless

Sail away to

The City wants to thank our local businesses and employers for their substantial investments in 2015. Over $58 million in permits were issued in 2015 representing substantial growth to our local tax base. This year over 35 new businesses chose to locate in Port Angeles, a positive trend that has continued from 2014.

We’re out of service until February 29th, but plan now for Spring! Enjoy some retail therapy with the best exchange rate in over a decade! H O T E L + F E R RY PA C K A G E S

”

— VINCE LOMBARDI was a football player, coach and executive. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight and five total National Football League championships in seven years, in addition to winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and 1967 NFL seasons.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOCAL INVESTMENT

VICTORIA From

“

Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do things right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

Port Angeles takes pride in being a business friendly community. We are here to serve our existing businesses and partner with other economic development entities to foster the growth and expansion of our business community. The Port Angeles Community and Economic Development Department is here to assist with your permitting, infrastructure, and façade improvement needs.

USD/Per Person Dbl. Occ.

If you have interest in business expansion or a new business ask us about our:

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

Façade Improvement Program Sign Improvement Program Neighborhood Investment & Community Enhancement Program Conservation Audits Contact us by emailing nwest@cityofpa.us or calling 417-4750

The City wants to remind everyone to Choose Local for all your goods and services.

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

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Book online at CohoFerry.com or call 1 (877) 386-2202.

• • • •

MAKING YOUR OWN LUCK — KOKOPELLI GRILL by BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

It was 2009 and Candy and Michael McQuay had decided to move from Texas back to Michael’s original roots in the Pacific Northwest. With degrees from South Seattle Community College and Washington State, Michael was a classically-trained chef whose apprenticeship had been at Seattle’s Westin Hotel. He and Candy were looking for a restaurant — to run. After some searching they found themselves one day on Front Street in Port Angeles in front of a building with the sign: Kokopelli Grill. Kokopelli had failed as a restaurant and had been closed for more than two and a half years. Michael’s well-trained sense for real estate told him this was the right place. On Dec. 2, 2009, he and Candy leased the space. And despite all the rules he knew about the bad luck that follows a failed location in the restaurant business, he kept the name. Following a long and careful renovation with the front of the house in Candy’s care, the couple opened in 2010 and set about building a reputation. Which they did. They built a reputation for excellent service, superb Southwest cuisine and local fresh seafood, steaks and

produce, with a cozy bar and a solid wine list. The populace slowly woke up to the fact that Kokopelli was a pretty fine spot, and revenues have never increased less than 20 percent per year. By the end of 2015, revenues had increased 150 percent since 2010. Along the way, the McQuays developed a reputation as people who are passionate and who work their hearts out to deliver the goods. They also employ and care for a loyal staff of 32. “We believe in treating everyone from vendors to customers to employees with the utmost respect and dignity. That always comes before profit,” Michael said. Prior to moving to Port Angeles, Michael had founded Principle Equity Investments in Houston with his brother Randy. Until the recent recession, Principle Equity Investments acquired, managed, developed, and renovated more than $400 million in commercial properties throughout the U.S. and employed 150 people. The company has scaled back of necessity but remains successful and is run full-time by Randy. That long experience in development causes Michael and Candy to cast an experienced eye upon the commercial prospects of the Port Angeles waterfront. In October of 2015, a new bar and lounge was opened with beautiful views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the skyline.

Green Crow is a privately-owned company focusing on the timberland and wood products industries. We provide timberland investment management services to both institutional and individual investors. Our operations are in the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast. Our headquarters are in Port Angeles, Washington.

PORT ANGELES OFFICE: 505 E. 8th St., Suite A Port Angeles, WA 98362 Office (360)457-4481

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

FORKS OFFICE: PO Box 269, 1071 S. Forks Ave. Forks, WA 98331 Office (360)374-2275

www.bomcpa.com BRUCE J. BEDINGER • JENNIFER K. ZACCARDO

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In 2016, the McQuays will open Coyote’s Southern BBQ Pub just downstairs from the new bar. Barbecue is one of Michael’s passions and he believes it will offer a unique experience. Are the McQuays lucky? “We work damn hard,” Michael said.

Baker, Overby & Moore, Inc., P.S. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

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727 East 8th St. • (360) 452-3325 Port Angeles, WA 98362 www.greencrow.com

photo courtesy of Kokopelli Grill

Kokopelli Grill owners Michael and Candy McQuay, fourth and fifth from left, cut a ribbon held by the Port Angeles Ambassador committee of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

NAVIGATING PERILOUS SEAS — OLYMPIC MEDICAL CENTER Arthur Andersen, he went on to be vice president and controller at Stevens Hospital in Edmonds before Olympic Medical Center grow its capabilities and joining OMC as chief services. (OMC) is one of a handful financial officer in 1998. It continues to improve of Sole Community HospiWhile working in a revenues, while improving health care environment tals in Washington. processes, managing Rural Sole Community that is unpredictable, Hospitals are vulnerable to expenses and providing highly regulated, and often government policy changes excellent health care. controversial, Lewis has In 2016, OMC’s projected been praised by his and cuts in government operating budget is nearly employees, his peers and reimbursement. $166 million. These hospitals are not his board for demonstratOlympic Medical Center ing excellent vision and under the same protections aims to secure 2.9 percent leadership. as Critical Access Hospimargin — which is necestals, even while patient He has championed the mix and rural challenges sary to purchase needed value of maintaining are quite similar. capital equipment, mainlocally owned and operated Despite these very real tain facilities and pay prin- health care in a rural setobstacles, Olympic Medical cipal on debt. ting while dealing with its Port Angeles Center’s devotion to OMC has been led by potential vulnerabilities. Division remaining a locally owned Chief Executive Officer “Each year Eric, his and operated safety net Eric Lewis since December team and a task force of hospital has never been 2006. With a bachelor’s publicly elected board more solid than it is today. degree from the University members, take a long, hard OMC continues to invest of Washington and a CPA look at our operating enviin local health care and gained while working at ronment to determine by BOBBY BEEMAN, Olympic Medical Center spokeswoman and BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

Port Angeles Division

Description:

Production:

Interfor’s Port Angeles Division produces Hemlock and Douglas-Fir studs, with the majority of volume consumed in the United States.

The mill has annual production capacity of 165 million board feet based on a two-shift structure.

Buying Local:

diverse lines of lumber products to customers in over 30 markets around the world. Interfor In 2014, the mill purchased $3.8 million in localhas supplies and services. SC, AR) and employs over 3,100 people.

Building Value in the Community:

diverse lines of lumber products to customers in over 30 markets around the world. Interfor has GA, SC, AR) and employs over 3,100 people.

PORT ANGELES DIVISION | 243701 HIGHWAY 101 WEST, PORT ANGELES, WA 98363 | GENERAL MANAGER: STEVE KROLL | TEL: (360) 457-6266

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Financial Generators:

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

Local Seafood

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Interfor contributes to a healthy economy and environment by supporting a number of local initiatives: • Sponsor The Festival of Trees with proceeds going Currently the mill employs 147 workers (staff and towards the Olympic Medical Center. crew), on a two shift structure (80 hours/week). • Supporting local fairs. The payroll is $9.1 million (including benefits). • Donating Lumber for Captain Joseph House — a Interfor is a growth-oriented lumber company with operations in Canada States. retreat for military families and who the haveUnited lost a loved Revenue and Other in action. The Company has annual production capacity of one 3.2 billion board feet and offers one of the most

Employment:

Chips are sold to area pulp mills. Logs that do not 19 mills across North America (BC, WA, OR, fit the mill are sold to area processors.

Fresh

Investment and Taxes:

The mill paid $257,300 in property taxes in 2014.

Kokopelli Grill

Interfor acquired the mill in 2004. The mill has been is a growth-oriented lumber company withLogs operations in Canada and the United States. atInterfor this location since 1998. are sourced from the surrounding public and private timberlands. The Company has annual production capacity of 3.2 billion board feet and offers one of the most $1.4 million has been invested in the mill over the 19 mills across North America (BC, WA, OR, GA, last three years, mainly for maintenance capital.

what we need in order to continue providing quality health care in our community,” said Tom Oblak, 2015 board president of Olympic Medical Center. “Eric’s performance as CEO has allowed us to successfully maneuver through some major changes — including the Affordable Care Act — while maintaining safe, quality care for our photo courtesy of Olympic Medical Center patients. He remains Eric Lewis, Olympic Medical Center’s chief executive officer, focused on retaining and stands in front of the main hospital in Port Angeles. growing the health care workforce, prioritizing local led to positive outcomes. Running a hospital like employment during tough It is clear to many that a finely-tuned machine economic times.” requires a sharp eye on the the survival and success of OMC employs more than financial picture. OMC has fallen on the 1,200 people throughout shoulders of the hospital’s Advocating at the fedClallam County. extraordinary CEO. eral and state levels for The center’s strategic In his spare time, Lewis adequate reimbursement vision has allowed for nim- for services, as well as studies and invests in the ble and fast action. appropriate legislation and stock and money markets. Contractual affiliations And he appears to be a regulations for rural with health care partners health care has been a top patient investor. — like Swedish Medical One can see evidence strategy for OMC. Center of Seattle and the from his decision in 1998 Investing in multiple Jamestown S’Klallam visits to Washington, D.C., to acquire parcels in Port Family Health Clinic — and Olympia each year has Angeles located near the Delicious Grilled Sockeye Salmon ~ Fresh Fire Grilled Halibut have provided more depth proven successful in build- current OMC facility. Fresh Halibut Stuffed with Dungeness Crab ~ Weathervane Scallops beyond what rural hospiThe parcels were ing strong relationships Wild American Prawns ~ Signature Smoked Salmon Chowder Jumbooffer. tals typically acquired, as they became with legislators and has available, at fair market Pistachio Crusted Neah Bay King Salmon ~ Fire Grilled Steaks one piece at a time for New Orleans Style Grilled Oysters ~ Chorizo Clams and Mussels approximately 16 years. That acquired real estate will now be the site for a find us on new state-of-art medical facebook. Allergy Sensitive Dining office building which will Local Craft Beer’s ~ Full Bar ~ Extensive Wine List ~ Wine Shop Local Craft Beers ~ Full Bar ~ Extensive Wine List ~ Wine Shop cost $14.2 million. 203 East Front St. Port Angeles (corner of Front and Lincoln) He is also in the process Handcrafted Northwest Cuisine ~ Kids Menu Available using ~ www.kokopelli-grill.com (360) 457-6040 of adding significant camthe ﬁnest local ingredients all Monday — Thursday 11 am—9 pm pus additions in Sequim Check out our Full Friday & Saturday 11 am—10 pm along with new equipment. withService a Southwest ﬂair! newly opened Sunday 2 pm—8 pm “Eric Lewis is one of Catering Water View Recommended those great CEOs that Fresh Local Seafood, Fire Grilled Reservations Lounge! knows how to keep track of Steaks, Pasta, Homemade Desserts, the numbers, but also Extensive Wine List with Retail Wine Shop, knows the importance of supporting people in his Family Friendly, Affordable Fine Dining, organization,” said state Banquet Room, Full Bar, Full Service Catering Rep. Steve Tharinger, (D-Sequim). “He has a vision for OMC’s role in OPEN EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH & DINNER the future health and wellSUNDAY DINNER ONLY being of the community 203 E. Front St., Port Angeles (corner of Front & Lincoln) that is not just focused on (360)457-6040 kokopelli-grill.com the bottom line.”

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

EXECUTING A VISION — SHERWOOD ASSISTED LIVING by BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

By 1972, Dr. Robert Littlejohn was a highly-respected physician in the country town of Sequim. He had a vision of building both a retirement community and a staged system of assisted living facilities that would carry a family straight into their final years with care and comfort. Starting with an 80-acre farm that existed a few blocks from downtown Sequim, Robert and his son Bill began to slowly create a setting of well-tended and expansive green lawns, trees and shrubbery that is an image of America’s finest college campuses. Today, Littlejohn’s vision exists in three distinct entities: The Fifth Avenue, the Lodge at Sherwood Village and Sherwood Assisted Living. The Fifth Avenue is an independent retirement community for people who want an active lifestyle without the responsibilities of home and yard maintenance. The Lodge at Sherwood Village offers upscale, vacation-style living with all the comforts of home. Sherwood Assisted Living offers a high-level of care, providing 24-hour nursing staff for those who are in need of help for the daily tasks of living. It is easy to see a couple buying a home at The Fifth Avenue and later on moving to the next level of The Lodge at Sherwood Village as the years take their

inevitable toll. All were carefully stitched together during the past 43 years by Esther and Bill Littlejohn. Remarkably for its residents — Sherwood Assisted Living is the only locally owned and operated assisted living community on the North Olympic Peninsula. If you take a walk with Bill around his “campus” the personal touch is easy to see. He works side-by-side with his “working managers;” driving a tractor, mowing the lawns, doing anything necessary to keep the 80-acre patch of ground clean and beautiful. If you drop in with him at the Lodge at Sherwood Village, you will see smiles and wisecracks from the residents fly his way as he passes with a greeting and a shy smile. Bill’s not the boss. He’s their friend and neighbor. Relics from the Littlejohn family past hang on the walls. The food in the dining room looks great. On a clear day the view across the expanse of green to the mountains is staggering. This is a very comfortable spot. Many of Bill’s employees have been on the job for a very long time. He doesn’t lose people. He keeps them. What do those employees say? “Bill has a reputation in our community for being generous in a way that goes well beyond the monetary. He is generous in spirit. He wants you to know that you are at home,” said Cindy McClain, administrative assistant of Littlejohn Companies.

photo courtesy of Littlejohn Companies

Bill and Esther Littlejohn established three locally owned and operated retirement communities in Sequim.

Quality Health Care – Locally Owned and Operated Established in 1951, Olympic Medical Center (Clallam County Public Hospital District No. 2) has always been a beacon of hope and economic vitality for the Clallam County community. OMC is operated locally with the oversight of a seven-member, publicly-elected board of commissioners. As such, we remain committed to the vision of delivering world-class care right here at home. We take pride in the investments we’ve made to allow us to offer our community the health care services it needs and deserves. We’ve grown so much and we’ve come so far, but health care is rapidly changing and we can never stop thinking about our future.

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

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Olympic Medical Center (360) 417-7000 www.OlympicMedical.org

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

‘IF WE DON’T HAVE IT YOU DON’T NEED IT’ — SWAIN’S for 19 years. Finally, McDonald has the stuff she needs — for now — but stops to get some of Swain’s famous popcorn on Amy McDonald is on her way home from work, but on her way out. Logging truck operator Cliff Swain founded the store a chilly December day she stops at Swain’s General Store with his wife, Bee, in 1957 in a 7,000-square-foot buildin Port Angeles. ing located at 602 E. First St. in Port Angeles. This is not unusual. She shops at Swain’s for her As the years passed, many expansions took place. family of six all the time. After the most recent expansion in 2014, the Christmas is coming. It’s festive. Take a walk with company has a total of 38,300 square feet of space on McDonald around the store. two floors. Customers come not only from Clallam For men, women and children she checks out Nike, County, but from all over the world to shop. New Balance and Crocs. It is no secret that fair pricing is essential to success Does she find men’s and women’s clothing with great in the retail business. And soon after opening, Swain’s brands? Yes. General Store joined a buying group as the 11th store in Fishing, hunting, and camping gear in endless the Worldwide Distributors cooperative which has subsechoices? Yes. quently gone on to serve more than 100 group members. Just about anything she can imagine for her kitchen It was an historic step for a relatively small operation or bathrooms? Yes. in Port Angeles. And out of it was born Cliff’s famous Late store founder Cliff Swain loved to say: “Swain’s quote: “Prices are born here and raised elsewhere.” has everything.” Swain’s General Store has always been a family As McDonald shops for Christmas gifts at least six operation, and it continues to be owned by a number of different employees ask if they can help. She knows family members. their faces. She knows that more than 50 percent of the Today, management is in the hands of Cliff and Bee’s store’s staff of nearly 50 has worked here for between grandson Ryan Gedlund. 10 and 47 years. When he’s not out hunting with a bow and arrow, you She happens to meet store manager, Don Droz. A relative newcomer, Droz has only worked at Swain’s can find Gedlund thinking about the next new items to by BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

Sue Roaf/Peninsula Daily News

The management team at Swain’s General Store in Port Angeles includes: Don Droz, store manager, far left; Mike Mudd, merchandise manager; and Ryan Gedlund, owner.

purchase and working hand-in-glove to sell items with Droz. Gedlund and Droz remember something else Cliff said: “If you don’t buy it from Swain’s, you don’t save money and we don’t make money.”

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe A sovereign Indian Nation and Clallam County employer. Proud to collaborate with the Clallam County Economic Development Corporation.

Proud partners of Clallam County Sheriff ’s Office, Clallam County Fire District #3, Olympic Medical Center and Economic Development Corporation

Peninsula Daily News/Sequim Gazette

and

Jamestown Family Dental Clinic

Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

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EDC

Jamestown Family Health Clinic

FIRST CLASS ALL THE WAY — WILDER AUTO CENTER downtown Port Angeles, and was relocated to its showcase buildings at 95 and 97 Deer Park Road. Following the dealership’s most recent expansion, the Wilders had a chance to name a new street created durIt was 1977. Dan Wilder Sr. and his California-loving ing the project. The new address is 53 Jetta Way, named wife, Sally, moved to Port Angeles because, at the age of after Dan Sr. and Sally’s late and beloved dog Jetta. 27, he wanted a car dealership of his own. For car loving adults visiting Wilder Auto Center it is For sale was a dealership called Olympic Motors with like a trip to Disneyland. Makes and models seem to the capacity to have a fleet of 10 cars at any one time. expand to the horizon. With the dealership purchase, he became the second The 110 employees, well versed in Wilder tenets, know youngest Volkswagen/Audi dealer in the United States. how to take care of customers. If Dan Sr. or his son, Dan Was Dan Sr. confident? Yes. Because he knew that Jr., are on hand, they will take care of you themselves. by taking excellent care of his customers with firstFirst-class service involves providing transportation class service in a clean working environment, he back to home or work while your car is at Wilder Auto. would succeed. It involves the careful washing of every car serviced. In the 1920s, Alfred P. Sloan led General Motors to And it involves taking proper care of your car. pioneer the idea of having multiple divisions in auto The system seems to work and proof lies not just in production in order to create a diversity of brands and repeat customers but also in the nearly uncountable choices that would appeal to a wide array of customers. number of awards Wilder Auto has received from Dan Sr. was about to do the same with his dealership. As the 1980s went by he took on more brands, starting industry associations. The company is also a testament to strong family with Toyota in 1981. relationships. Dan Sr. and Dan Jr. work closely and see That was followed by Nissan and Jeep and later by very much eye to eye. It is a father/son relationship that Scion, Coachman, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram. most fathers strive for. A crown jewel was Honda, which Dan Sr. has said The same goes for Dan Sr.’s daughter and Dan Jr.’s has the highest repeat customer rate compared to any sister, Tami Rose, who is the dealership’s employee-andother make. customer relations manager. Wilder Auto soon grew out of its original space in by BILL GREENWOOD, Clallam County Economic Development Corporation executive director

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Peninsula College is Building a World-Class Workforce for the Olympic Peninsula.

Vivian Hansen/Peninsula Daily News

Dan Wilder Sr., left, and his son Dan Wilder Jr., pose for a photo at the recently expanded dealership located just off U.S. Highway 101 at 53 Jetta Way.

The Wilders’ generosity to causes in the community is well known. Many do not know that the child of every Wilder employee can receive two years of free tuition at Peninsula College. That’s just part of the deal; another mark of excellence.

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Clallam County Economic Development Corporation Profiles in Excellence — January 2016

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“The clinic is expanding but the customer andofpersonalized willtaken remainmy pets to many different vets Afterservice 4 years searchingmedicine forI the right have • Disease management the same. It was my goal when I opened the hospital in 2012 to provide the highest level of vet around WashingtonI am SO happy over the years, and this is far the best. customer service and compassionate care for cats and dogs. It has been the hospitals policy •by House calls was referredclient to here. Dr. will Jensen isthorough outthat if you have a sick pet and you areI an established that we see your pet the same Very and patient • Emergency services day. This will continue to be our policystanding at the newand location.” ~ Toni DVM support staffJensen, isJulie, great!! Sequim WA Ashley , Sequim WA After 4 years of searching for the right vet around Washington- I am SO happy I was referred to here. Dr. Jensen is outstanding and support staff is great!! Ashley , Sequim WA

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