Tag Archives: economic development

Poulsbo Chamber names new director

Dan Barry

The Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce announced Dan Barry as its new director of operations.

Barry will oversee board governance, marketing, membership, event planning and staff management, according to a news release.

He replaces Marc Abshire, who departed for the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce in January.

Barry worked as a sales manager at another chamber, and held management positions in the banking, mortgage, and travel industries.

“The Greater Poulsbo Chamber has become the catalyst for business prosperity, connections, and opportunities in our business community,” board president Ingemar Anderson said in the release.

“Dan’s unique skillset will insure the Chamber is successful in executing our recently developed 10-year strategic plan.”

Barry was named Volunteer of the Year in 2015 by the Poulsbo Rotary Club and was a 20 Under 40 award recipient of the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal.

He lives in Keyport with his wife and 4-year-old daughter.

 

Poulsbo Chamber director takes Port Angeles post

MAbshire
Marc Abshire

The Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce is under interim leadership following the resignation of former director Marc Abshire.

Abshire stepped down to take a job as executive director of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber, according to a story in the Peninsula Daily News. He was hired in Poulsbo in October 2014.

Poulsbo Chamber board treasurer Dan Barry will serve as interim director, according to a news release.

“Poulsbo is experiencing historic growth and dynamic new economic opportunities and the board is excited to work together to renew, strengthen and build partnerships in 2016,” Poulsbo Chamber President Ingmar Anderson said in the release. 

The chamber’s annual gala and awards ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 16 at the Clearwater Casino event center.

Zabinksi bids farewell to port commission

RogerZabinski_13372284_ver1.0_640_480
Roger Zabinski

Port of Bremerton Commissioner Roger Zabinski was on business in Japan last week and missed the final commission meeting of the year.

The District 1 commissioner, who chose not to run for reelection this year, still took a moment to reflect on his time with the port in a statement read by CEO Jim Rothlin:

“I want to thank all the port staff, commissioners and the public for the opportunity that I’ve had to serve the public as a port commissioner these past six years. I’ve really enjoyed this time and found the experience very rewarding…

“I think the port is doing a good job serving the public, maintaining public amenities and trying to further develop the industrial park and the airport. I think the port commission and staff are focused and committed to the port’s mission of economic development and I encourage you all to keep at it…”

Zabinski was elected to the commission in 2009. He decided not to seek another term because of work demands.

Former port CEO Cary Bozeman will replace Zabinski on the commission, after winning election in November. 

Bozeman joins Larry Stokes and Axel Strakeljahn on the three-member board. 

The next Port of Bremerton commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 12 at Bremerton National Airport. 

Kitsap ranked 10th in per capita income growth

personal.incomePer capita income grew faster in Kitsap last year than in most Washington counties.

Kitsap posted the 10th largest increase in per capita personal income from 2013 to 2014 among the state’s 39 counties, according to a recent report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Per capita by county, click to enlarge
Per capita income by county, click to enlarge

Per capita income grew 5.3 percent in Kitsap during that period, besting the state average of 4.5 percent. The county’s per capita income level reached $46,573 in 2014.

Kitsap ranked fourth for per capita income, behind King County ($68,877), San Juan County ($59,831) and Island County ($46,608).

Personal income is the total amount earned by residents from wages and other income sources, before taxes. Per capita income is calculated by dividing personal income by population.

The growth in per capita income for 2014 came on the heels of a statewide slowdown in 2013. Per capita income in 0.6 percent in Kitsap between 2012 and 2013, and 0.3 percent in Washington.

Below is a sortable chart of 2014 per capita personal income levels and growth rates by county:

Bainbridge Downtown Association names executive director

jerri.laneThe Bainbridge Island Downtown Association has named Jerri Lane to replace Andie Mackin as executive director.

Mackin took a job at the Downtown Seattle Association this spring.

Lane was most recently vice president of marketing at Visit Seattle. She also worked in marketing at Sheraton Seattle Hotel and The Westin Seattle.

“I am very pleased to welcome Jerri to the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association team,” BIDA board President Tim O’Brien said in a news release. “Her extensive background in destination and hospitality marketing made her an ideal candidate for the position.”

The full news release is posted below. Continue reading →