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.
0 Comments
Congratulations to Goodwill Industries on their new location! Check it out at 345 S. Columbia Center Blvd. in Kennewick. Thank you to everyone who came to our August Membership Luncheon featuring Congressman Dan Newhouse! Congratulations to Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) on being named our Outstanding Member of the Month for August 2019.
WRPS has been a member for nearly 11 years and is one of the Chamber's largest financial contributors and great partners in many events, programs, and volunteer positions. For the past nine years, the Chamber has partnered with WRPS to enhance the local small business community through the Small Business Incentive Program. WRPS is also the premier sponsor of the Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference since the event's inception in 2012. Congratulations to Lip•ology Med Spa on their ribbon cutting! Check them out at 8905 W. Gage Blvd., Ste. 205 in Kennewick. Name: Tony Umek
Company Name: AKU Enterprises, LLC Title: CEO since 2014. I retired in 2014, as then as Vice President, Fluor Corp. What was your first job? Newspaper delivery, age 12 – Western PA (Pittsburgh Post Gazette), was awarded Pennsylvania Outstanding Newspaper boy 2 years in a row. What are three things you use at work every day? Prayer, try to listen instead of talk (50% success rate), saying "please" and "thank you." What do you like to do in your free time? My wife Kristy and I spend time with family (especially grandchildren); exercise (CBRC members); golf; dinner & wine tasting with friends; travel. I also fly fish and bird hunt with my 100 lb. Lab – Gauge. What are three words that best describe you? Honest, focused, committed. What did you want to become as a kid? An Engineer. Growing up on a farm, I was fascinated by machinery and how things worked. Unfortunately, as a 12 year old I took apart a tractor engine but could not put out back together without my Dad’s help. Not a good day. How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? I have lived here at 3 different times, totaling over 30 years. I have also lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Idaho, and South Carolina and spent 6 months in the UK (near Sellafield). What is your hometown? A very small town - Harwick, PA (north of Pittsburgh). What is your favorite holiday? Christmas – because that is when our extended family gets together. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Regeneration (like Wolverine). I could recover from any injury or damage. As I have had several sports injury related surgeries (including recent shoulder replacement), regeneration would be nice to have. I could also help others by protecting them from certain hazards (known as taking a bullet for someone). What was your first concert? Iron Butterfly, Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA (years ago). The Civic Arena was also home to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL. It was demolished in 2012 and replaced. Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? The short and long version: SHORT: Do what it takes (ethically). LONG: To have what you do not have, you must, successfully, do what you have not done. What excites you most about the direction of the Tri-City Regional Chamber? I appreciate the fact that the staff and board are strategic. There is great pressure on businesses to produce every quarter, resulting in a three month tactical window. Taking a strategic approach, we are able to adjust to external pressures and changes and take necessary action to continue to improve. We have done that in the past several years by divesting of long term functions and focusing on our core mission, as we strive to be “catalyst, convener and champion”. myTRI 2030 is a great example of a strategic approach that will bear fruit for years, not just the next three months. Congratulations to Great American Powder Coating & Eco Blasting on their grand opening! Visit them at 1620 E. Salt Lake St., Bldg. A in Pasco. Congratulations to Mezzo Thai Fusion on their Grand Reopening! Visit them at 110 Gage Blvd., Ste. 200 in Richland. 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. Congratulations to Academy Mortgage on their new location! Visit them at 8033 W. Grandridge Blvd., Ste. A in Kennewick. |
Categories
All
Archives
November 2024
|