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​Good news! The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that after a comprehensive self-review, the United States Chamber of Commerce has awarded us with 4-Star Accreditation. This prestigious honor puts us among the top 3 percent of chambers nationwide.

Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the only program of its kind that defines excellence in chamber planning and recognizes chambers for outstanding  contributions toward positive change in their communities. The purpose of the U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation  Program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across America.

This past year, the staff of the Regional Chamber spent countless hours completing the Accreditation process. Our task: Demonstrate competency in nine core areas ranging from finance to facilities. The result of our hard work is evidenced by this impressive rating. With approximately 7,000 chambers in the United States, Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a significant honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by Accredited state and local chambers of commerce. We are the only Accredited chamber in Washington.

We are very proud of the value we provide to your business. This 4-Star Accreditation affirms our sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on our community.

Congratulations to Smile-A-Mile Painting on their beautiful new building! Visit them at 8804 W. Victoria Ave. in Kennewick.

Thanks to all who attended our June 2019 luncheon featuring our State of Washington Retail Program. 

Congratulations to U.S. World Class Taekwondo on their new location! Visit them at 5025 N. Rd. 68, Ste. E in Pasco!

Name: Grover Hettel
Company Name: Energy Northwest
Title: Chief Nuclear Officer/VP Nuclear Generation
Years at Company: 7 years

What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I chose the field of engineering and nuclear power because the town where I grew up had a nuclear plant and the nuclear plant had the best paying jobs in the area. Also, one of my older sisters thought that I should be an engineer (because she was dating one at the time).

What are three things you use at work every day?
My leadership skills, my knowledge/experience, and computers (desktop, tablet, and smart phone).

What was your first job?
My first job was working around the home place. We raised our own food for the most part. We had about 10 acres of gardening (truck patch), a milk cow, other cattle for beef, and pigs. My first job away from home, at 15 years of age, was working at an ice plant bagging ice at 5 am and again at 4 pm every day during the summer for around 10 hours per day. Also in the afternoon during the week during school year. The best part about getting my first job was that I didn’t have to help milk the cow every morning before school and again after school. My first full time job during college was working sanitation at a pickle plant to pay for my education. My first job after college was at River Bend Nuclear Station in St. Francisville, Louisiana while it was under construction.

How do you spend your free time?
My wife and I, of 38 years, spend as much time with our three children and six grandchildren as possible. My two sons and five grandchildren live in Phoenix, Arizona and my daughter and one grandchild lives in Athens, Georgia.  My grandchildren are ages 1 year to 9 years. Other than that we enjoy traveling, riding my Harley-Davidson touring bike, and my soon-to-arrive Corvette ZR1.

What are three words that best describe you?
Trusting, genuine, friendly (a people person).
 
What did you want to become as kid?
As most kids, I wanted to be a professional football player. Living in Arkansas, I grew up watching the Dallas Cowboys (hope nobody in the Tri-Cities area will hold it against me).

Would you prefer to travel back in time or into the future?
Back in time. I would like to talk with some of the people in the biblical times such as Moses, Daniel, and the Apostle Paul, to name a few.  Also, even more recent history, I would like to talk with some of our founding fathers and see what they would think of some of our current political views.

How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities?
I have lived in the Tri-Cities for little over seven years (March 2012). Prior to that I lived four years in Phoenix.  Since graduating from college in May 1982, I have lived in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Arizona, and now in Washington. I did not travel much prior to graduating from college. I did not travel outside of Arkansas until I was about 15 years old.

Where is your hometown?
Russellville, Arkansas

Do you have any special talents?
I do not think I have any special talents. I enjoy learning and that is why I like the nuclear industry so much. We stress continuous learning. I guess I would say I am more of a jack of all trades – master of none.

One piece of advice you’d give a young person that wants to get into your field?
Stay after you dreams! Be persistent, don’t give up! When I get to speak to the students at the Columbia Basin College Nuclear Technology graduation, I share with them my story about when I graduated from college at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas in hopes of getting a job at the nuclear plant in our town, which I did not. It wasn’t until 8 years later after working at nuclear plants in Louisiana, Texas and Florida that I got a job back in Arkansas at the nuclear plant in my home town. So stay after you dream; stay persistent and don’t ever give up!

What was the first concert you attended?
Billy Joel, Little Rock, Arkansas.

What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber?
MyTri 2030 “Shaping the Future of our Region – I believe that with the 6 areas of focus (Agriculture, Education, Energy, Inclusion, Life and Prosperity) we have a great opportunity to make a big impact for the Tri-City area.

Congratulations to Invest Northwest Financial on their new location. Visit them at 552 N. Colorado St., Ste. 103 in Kennewick!

Thanks to Petersen Hastings for hosting us for a very successful Business After Hours event!

Name: Lori Mattson
Company Name: Tri-City Regional Chamber
Title: President/CEO
Years at Company: 14
 
What are three things you use at work every day?
Diplomacy, sense of humor, and sticky notes.
 
What was your first job?
When I turned 14, I got my first real paying job at the Stockyard Café in Lewiston. I worked there on Saturdays during the livestock auctions. I’m allergic to most animals and it didn’t smell very good, so I quickly moved on.
 
How do you spend your free time?
We play a lot of golf during the weekends, and I walk with Huck (our labradoodle) almost every day. I really enjoy being out in the sunshine!
 
What are three words that best describe you?
Ambitious, curious and resourceful.
 
What did you want to become as kid? 
I wanted to be like Mary Tyler Moore - work in a newsroom and live in her cool little apartment.
 
How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? 
It’s hard to believe that I’ve lived here for 24 years.
 
Where is your hometown?
I grew up in Lewiston, Idaho. My mom and one of my sisters still live there.
 
What is your favorite holiday? 
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love having our kids and family around, it’s before all the stress of Christmas and it’s the only time of year that I like to cook. 
 
If you could pick one superpower what would it be?
I might pick superhuman strength. I could drive the ball really far and open jars a lot easier.
 
What was the first concert you attended?
Olivia Newton-John at the Lewis Clark State College gymnasium. I was probably 10 or 11 years old and went with my cousin.
 
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? 
Rise early, work hard and be nice!
 
What excites you the most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? 
I’m most excited about MyTRI 2030 and how the activities and initiatives that come from this project will positively impact so many businesses and people over the next 10 years and beyond.

Congratulations to the City of Richland on their beautiful new City Hall building. Check it out at 625 Swift Blvd.

Congratulations to CLA on their beautiful new location in Kennewick! Visit them at 8101 W. Grandridge Blvd., Ste. 130.