The Chamber, TRIDEC and Visit Tri-Cities hosted a ribbon cutting and artwork unveiling for the AECOM Atrium at the Tri-Cities Business & Visitor Center. Stop by at 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd in Kennewick to view new Atrium Art.

Name: Dave Haller       
Company Name: Basin Pacific Insurance & Benefits
Title: Benefits Manager
Years at Company: 7
 
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field? 
I understand the importance of employee benefits to an individual and their family and I understand the challenge employers face providing those benefits. I love the challenge of helping employers tackle this challenge and provide their employees with valuable benefits.
 
What are three things you use at work every day? 
Communication skills, patience and creativity
 
What was your first job? 
I was a Baseball Coach for the Parks & Recreation Department in Great Falls, MT. I loved working with the kids and teaching them the sport. My love for teaching sports eventually led to teaching skiing full-time for 11 years.
 
How do you spend your free time? 
I love spending time outdoors. I still ski, I like to hike (I’ve summited Mt. Rainier) and I spend a good deal of time “hacking” my way around the golf course.
 
What are three words that best describe you? 
Friendly, compassionate and creative.
 
What did you want to become as kid?   
I wanted to be a Ski Instructor in Vail, CO. After I achieved that, I needed to figure out what I should do for my next career. 
 
Would you prefer to travel back in time or into the future? 
The future, because I’m curious about it.
 
How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? 
I moved here in the summer of 2012.
 
Where is your hometown? 
I was born in Bozeman, MT and went to college there, but I grew up in Great Falls, MT
 
One piece of advice you’d give a young person that wants to get into your field? 
It’s important to be Flexible, Knowledgeable and Creative because things are always changing
 
What was the first concert you attended? 
The Carpenters (with my Parents) Chicago (with my friends)
 
What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? 
I’m excited about the Chamber’s vision of the greater good for the entire region and bringing everyone together for mutual success.

Congratulations to Sullivan Sullutions on their ribbon cutting! Visit them at 1359 Columbia Park Trail in Richland.

The Regional Chamber had the pleasure of hosting superintendents from the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school districts at our May Membership Luncheon on May 22.

Name: Dave Lajeunesse
Company Name: Carbitex, Inc
Title: Vice President – Engineering and Operations
Years at Company: 2.5

What inspired you to pursue a career in this field? 
​I have always been interested in how things work and how they are made, so engineering was a natural fit. I started my career in the automotive industry, which sparked my interest in making products. 

What are three things you use at work every day? 
Computer, personal communications (old fashioned, talking to people), my mind (most days).

What was your first job? 
I delivered the morning newspaper when I was 11 years old; I actually used a bike with a shoulder bag and had to get up at 5:00 to get finished before school.  

How do you spend your free time? 
Since my wife Loree and I are new to the Pacific Northwest, we like to go explore when the weather is nice. New towns, hiking, mountains; lots of great places to experience. Lots of dog walking with two large dogs. We also have a boat and like to spend time on the river. In between, we have three grown kids spread out across the country to we like to visit them 

What are three words that best describe you?
Hardworking, honest, and trustworthy.

What did you want to become as kid? 
Seems like too long ago to remember, but most likely a professional baseball player (this is serious).

Would you prefer to travel back in time or into the future? 
Into the future

How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? 
My wife and I have lived in the Tri-Cities for about 2 ½ years. We are originally from Ohio, but have also lived in Detroit, Tokyo and Los Angeles before moving here.

Where is your hometown? 
Cleveland, Ohio, home to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, many losing sports teams, and lots of great people.

Do you have any special talents?
Common sense…

One piece of advice you’d give a young person that wants to get into your field?   
Learn to solve problems creatively and think outside of the box.   

What was the first concert you attended?
Rush during the 70’s

What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? 
It's exciting to see a group of people focused on making the community better.

Congratulations to D-Bat Columbia Basin on their ribbon cutting! Visit them at 6416 W. Hood Pl., Ste. A150 in Kennewick.

Name: Brian Moreno
Company Name: McDonald’s of Othello
Title: Owner
Years at Company: 9

What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Being a second generation restaurateur, joining the hospitality industry was an easy decision having grown up in the business.

What are three things you use at work every day?
Slack (mobile app), my Surface laptop and a pen. Pens are like gold in restaurants and you’re somehow always losing yours.

What was your first job?
The Tri-City Americans was my first job outside of the restaurant. I loved my time there, the people and the connections, it’s an immensely positive chapter in my life.

How do you spend your free time? There is no free time. I just finished my master’s program, I serve on several boards including as chair of the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs. Somewhere in there is time for local hockey and being with my family and our many dogs a la Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue.

What did you want to become as kid?
A marine biologist

Would you prefer to travel back in time or into the future?
I’ll go with future. It would be interesting to see the effects of our decisions today at a later time.

How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? 
Roughly 14 years.

Where is your hometown?
Born in Denver but raised in Othello.

Do you have any special talents?
I’ve been told I ask great questions, we’ll go with that.

One piece of advice you’d give a young person that wants to get into your field?
Don’t be like me and avoid others who tell you to do what they did. We all have very unique conditions ranging from the genetic lottery to who our parents were, where we were born and so on. Do what’s best for you, learn from others but be sure you’re solving for your problems and not someone else’s.

What was the first concert you attended?
Weezer. My sister brought me to their show at WSU during her undergrad and it was amazing.

What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber?
​That they’re solving for community problems and not getting stuck in the weeds. We need to take that broader perspective and recruit the skills, resources, and experiences of others to provide innovative solutions back to our community.

Congratulations to the City of Kennewick and Toyota of Tri-Cities on the groundbreaking ceremony for the $1 million rebuild of the Playground of Dreams in Columbia Park.