Name: Matthew Sweezea
Company Name: Primerica Advisors Title: Investment Adviser Years at Company: 16 What are three things you use at work every day? My iPhone, notepad, and a good pen. What was your first job? My first real job was working cherry harvest for a local orchardist in my area at 14, both picking and transporting cherries. I also raised animals, beef, and swine for the local livestock shows from the time I was 8. It taught me at an early age the importance of responsibility, execution, and being self-sufficient. Where is your hometown? Zillah, Washington - small agriculture community in Central Washington. Home of the Teapot Dome, one stop light, 17 world class wineries, and a Church of God-Zilla (renamed CWC a few years back). How do you spend your free time? Traveling with my wife and two awesome kids, golfing with friends, and volunteering time and resources with great local organizations. What are three words that best describe you? Loyal, Committed, Driven What did you want to become as a kid? A fighter pilot. The first airshow I can remember going to at maybe 5 or 6 years old. I was able to meet a Navy Pilot who was a family friend. I thought he was the coolest person on the planet as he even let me sit in the cockpit. Where is your favorite place to travel? I don’t know if I’ve been there yet. I love the North Shore of Oahu, where I had the opportunity to free dive/snorkel 2 ½ miles off the coast with Galapagos Sharks and whales. How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? My wife and I have called the Tri home since 2006. We’ve lived in Kennewick, West Richland, and Richland. What is your favorite movie? Just one? I’ll give you my top 3 - Top Gun, Gladiator, and Happy Gilmore. I love a good underdog movie. How do you define success? Early in my professional career I came across a book called “Success isn’t an accident” and it really helped shape some of the core conversations I have with my team, clients, and myself. At the end of the day, success to me is living each day to my full potential and helping my clients and those around me do the same. What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? The business world is constantly evolving and as a small business owner, it’s almost impossible to stay on top of all the issues as we focus on building our businesses. The Tri-City Regional Chamber is a significant influencer in the State of Washington in continuing to champion opportunities for businesses small and large to thrive in the state and regional economy. I am excited about the programs and opportunities we have and continue to develop and enhance from MyTri2030, to economic gardening, the Small Business Incentive Program, legislative round table, and even the opportunity for start up companies to come together for weekly and monthly networking. It’s a powerful place to be connected to.
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Name: Jim Arneson
Company Name: Community First Bank Title: President, COO Years at Company: 2 1/2 What inspired you to pursue a career in this field? I began my career as a CPA and after a number of years auditing primarily banks, I began to feel like I wasn’t making a real difference – I wasn’t creating or building anything or leaving anything behind of any lasting value. When I had an opportunity to go to work for one of my bank clients, I jumped at it, and never looked back. What are three things you use at work every day? Phone, computer, teamwork What was your first job? I started as the gas boy at Metz Marina, pumping gas and doing whatever no one else wanted to do. How do you spend your free time? Doing things with my family, and I love the outdoors, so whatever I can do outside – fishing, hunting, hiking, shooting, exploring What are three words that best describe you? Fair, honest, diplomatic What did you want to become as kid? I thought it would be pretty cool to be someone like Davy Crockett. Would you prefer to travel back in time or into the future? Definitely the future! How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? About 22 years, altogether Where is your hometown? Richland Do you have any special talents? Sadly, no. One piece of advice you’d give a young person that wants to get into your field? Educate yourself – learn all you can about a wide variety of topics. What was the first concert you attended? I don’t remember the first one, but probably something like 2nd Chapter of Acts. What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? I’m thrilled that the Chamber is not just a networking organization, but is working hard and making a tangible difference in the economic prosperity of our region through a variety of specific initiatives and programs. Name: Logan LaPierre Company Name: Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce Title: Program Manager Years at Company: 1 year, 3 months What was your first job? I was recruited by some fellow Boy Scouts to work outside Harvard, Idaho at a summer camp called Camp Grizzly. I primarily worked on the shotgun range but helped oversee the entire shooting sports program, including archery and the rifle/black powder ranges. The days were long (about 12-15 hours of work), but it was worth it! Where is your hometown? Kennewick, WA How do you spend your free time? I hike with friends, have recently taken skiing back up, and travel whenever possible! What are three words that best describe you? Caffeine-dependent, positive, observant Do you have any special talents? Not really, although I’ve been known to high-kick once or twice, which people seem to enjoy at the Chamber. Where is your favorite place to travel?
I don’t think I have just one place. My favorite trip was to Washington DC, but I also enjoy the Oregon Coast. How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? Since 1995 What are your top 3 favorite movies? These are constantly changing, but currently:
There are too many to list. I enjoy seeing the passion the Chamber team has when working so hard on behalf of the business community, and seeing the tremendous effort they put behind the myTRI 2030 project. Name: Rocco M. Luongo, PE
Company Name: Fuse, SPC (and Power Focus Engineering, PS) Title: CEO (and Chief Engineer and Executive Coach) Years at Company: 3 yrs as a volunteer / 1 as CEO What are three things you use at work every day? Empathy, Communication, Strategy What was your first job? I was a clerk at a hardware store and I loved it! Where is your hometown? Bedford, NH (Seth Myers and I went to the same high-school at the same time) How do you spend your free time? Reading, Biking, Lifting weights, and ‘Dad-ing’ What are three words that best describe you? Creative, Goal-Oriented, Kind What did you want to become as kid? An Astronaut Where is your favorite place to travel? Anywhere with my family where we can have fun outdoors. How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? 14 years What is your favorite movie? So many great ones . . . let’s go with Shaun of the Dead. How do you define success? Planning the Work and Working the Plan What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? It’s future-facing, action focused, and inclusive. Name: Khurshed Sharifov
Company Name: Charles Schwab & Co. Title: Independent Branch Leader/Financial Consultant Years at Company: 8 months (16 years in the financial services industry) What inspired you to pursue a career in this field? I love to help people. I have worked for non-profits in the past and it has had a tremendous impact on me. Helping my clients reach their goals whatever that might be is why I show up for work every day. What was your first job? For my first job, I was an interpreter working for a British Gold Mining company in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Part of my duties was to watch over how the mine workers wash the gold and collect it. I would spend three weeks on the mine and have a week off. It was truly a very interesting time in my life. How do you spend your free time? I like to read and travel. What are three words that best describe you? Kind, ambitious and open minded What did you want to become as kid? I wanted to become a pilot. One of my uncles is a commercial pilot and I always wanted to become one when I was a kid. Would you prefer to travel back in time or into the future? I would probably travel back. How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? I have been a Tri-Citizen since 2000. I enjoy living here. Where is your hometown? My home town is Kulob, located in Tajikistan. Tajikistan used to be part of the former Soviet Union located in Central Asia. Tajikistan is a small mountainous country that borders China, Afghanistan, Usbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Do you have any special talents? I guess I speak 3.5 languages, not sure if that qualifies as a talent. One piece of advice you’d give a young person that wants to get into your field? Be ready to work hard and hear a lot of NO’s. What was the first concert you attended? Bruno Mars which was just last year. It was a blast. What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? Being a past Chair and also involved in the Chamber for over 10 years, I am really excited about the MyTri initiative that the Chamber has undertaken. I believe it will impact our community in ways that we can’t even imagine today. Name: Austin Regimbal
Company Name: Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce Title: Marketing & Communication Director Years at Company: 2 What are three things you use at work every day? Photoshop, InDesign, and Word What was your first job? Staff member at the Regal Cinemas in the Columbia Center mall Where is your hometown? Richland, WA (Go Bombers!) How do you spend your free time? Usually hanging with my wife, Jenni, and our daughter, Ellie. I also have been known to play a video game or two… What are three words that best describe you? Fun, loud, and dependable What did you want to become as kid? A movie director Where is your favorite place to travel? So far, my favorite has been Austin, TX. My dream vacation is a trip to Tokyo. How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? 20 years (I moved to Spokane for ten years after college) What is the best concert you’ve been to? Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar on the Yeezus tour at the Key Arena in 2013. Kanye wore a sequined mask on stage for the whole show, climbed a mountain in the middle of the arena, and split his leather sweatpants open. It was BONKERS. How do you define success? For me, success is the ability to go home at the end of the day without second-guessing any of the decisions that I’ve made What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? I love working on this team! Lori, Elisabeth, and the rest of my co-workers are all very hardworking people focused on the future of the business community. Name: Ted Vause
Company Name: Invest Northwest Financial Title: Financial Planner Years at Company: 20 What are three things you use at work every day? Strategy, compassion, humor What was your first job? My first real job was as a shop boy in a print shop. How do you spend your free time? Boating, camping, travel, working on projects, and spending time with family and friends. What are three words that best describe you? Knowledgeable, driven, fun. What did you want to become as kid? I wanted to be a graphic artist. How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? Almost 40 years. Sure has gone by quickly! Where is your hometown? I was born in Santa Monica, and my soul is still on the beach. I call the beaches in Ventura/Oxnard CA home still. What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love having friends and family around. It’s the holiday that allows you to enjoy without the pressure. If you could pick one superpower what would it be? I would love to time travel. Not sure if that is considered a super power, but that would be my choice. What was the first concert you attended? Probably the Doobie Brothers in Santa Barbara. I am old enough to have enjoyed all the 70’s bands that played around LA. I guess that’s one plus for age. Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Love your neighbor as yourself. What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? I love that the Tri-Cites area is becoming so vibrant, and that the Chamber is helping to create the city in to a place that people love to come to and stay. Board Member Spotlight
Name: Cynthia Vaughn Company Name: Magnolia Music Studio Title: Founder/Director Years at Company: 5 years in WA (Founded in Fort Collins CO in 2008) What are three things you use at work every day? Imagination, social media, Apple tech gadgets What was your first job? McDonalds! I won a trophy for fastest french fries before it was automated. Where is your hometown? Commerce City, Colorado How do you spend your free time? Going to live local concerts and theater and restaurants. There is so much to do in Tri-Cities! What are three words that best describe you? Kind, creative, energetic What did you want to become as kid? A teacher Where is your favorite place to travel? My homestate of Colorado, Seattle or Portland to visit our kids, or anywhere in Europe. I love to travel! How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? Almost five years. I left my music faculty job at Colorado State University (“Go, Rams!”) to join my husband, who works for a Hanford contractor. What is your favorite movie? Funny Girl How do you define success? Making a difference in your community and the world. What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? I’m excited to see arts and culture included in myTRI 2030 as part of Thrive. At the top of my wish list is a performing arts center to bring top touring entertainment to Tri-Cities and to provide a “home” for our local symphony, ballet, theater companies, and Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. Name: Karen Blasdel
Company Name: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Title: Director, Community Affairs Years at Company: 30 What are three things you use at work every day? Laptop, Skype, diplomacy What was your first job? Working in my fathers’ fields on a Walla Walla Sweet Onion Farm Where is your hometown? Walla Walla, WA How do you spend your free time? I spend my free time with Family, RVing with friends, shopping, and reading books. What are three words that best describe you? Resourceful, Orchestrator, Supportive, What did you want to become as kid? Not an onion farmer - I wanted to become an accountant Where is your favorite place to travel? Anywhere I haven’t been, I love to travel. My husband and I like to cruise. How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? 40 years How do you define success? Doing your very best at whatever you are doing. Challenging yourself beyond your comfort level and always completing the project. Ensuring those that you are working with have a positive experience. What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? The Tri-City Regional Chamber always pushes the boundaries to be creative and innovative. Taking a leadership role on regional issues elevates the value of the Chamber. Name: Elisabeth Holt Company Name: Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce Title: Vice President Years at Company: 5 ½ this time, 7 total What are three things you use at work every day? Phone, computer, post-it notes What was your first job? Hubby’s Pizza (well, not really. I worked at Granny’s Buffet for 3 weeks before that but I don’t count that) Where is your hometown? Right here in Kennewick How do you spend your free time? Watching some kind of kids activity or sitting on my back patio visiting with friends and family. What are three words that best describe you? Friendly, loyal, hard-working What did you want to become as kid? A dolphin trainer – who wouldn’t want to?! Where is your favorite place to travel? I’m not too picky. Love to see new places! How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? Almost all of my life (not gonna say how long that is 😊). We moved to Wenatchee for about five years but other than that, right here in Kennewick. What is your favorite movie? Toss up between The Greatest Showman and The Cutting Edge Favorite Quote? “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and—snap!—the job’s a game!” – Mary Poppins What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber?
There are so many people with so many great ideas. I admire the people who I get to work with and excited to hear what is going on and how we can be involved. |
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