Member News

S&P Global Ratings affirmed its ‘A+’ rating with a stable outlook on Benton PUD’s electric revenue bonds.  Benton PUD also maintains its Aa3 rating with Moody’s Investor Services, and recent upgrade to AA- rating from Fitch Ratings.
 
S&P Global Ratings attributed the A+ rating to Benton PUD's strong competitive rates, favorable power supply, solid financial metrics, and strong risk profile which is the result of robust fixed-charge coverage and a low debt-to-capital ratio. They noted that Benton PUD’s rates were less than 90% of the Washington state average.  The stable outlook reflects S&P Global Ratings expectation that Benton PUD will maintain financial metrics in the future.
 
The S&P Global Ratings report on Benton PUD can be viewed on the Benton PUD website at BentonPUD.org.  

Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care has announced the addition of a new nurse practitioner, John Rogers, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, who will provide palliative care consultations to patients and their families in many settings including in the hospital, in the home, in a life care setting, and in the physician’s office.
 
What is palliative care? 
Palliative care offers pain and symptom management, emotional support, and spiritual support for those who face chronic, debilitating, or life-threatening illness. Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your care team to improve your quality of life during and after treatment for your specific medical concern. Palliative care can be provided in tandem with life-prolonging therapies. 
 
“Heartlinks has always been committed to holistic care, and palliative care is an important addition for our patients who have chronic illnesses because it empowers the individual to make choices about his or her treatment and to live life to the fullest as the patient defines it,” said Debra Roe-Johnson, RN, CHPN, Clinical Director for Heartlinks.
 
About John Rogers
John graduated with his Registered Nursing Degree in 1999 and then worked for nearly seven years at a hospital in the Tri-Cities, taking care of critically ill patients. Looking to advance his profession, John proceeded to complete his Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2002.  From there he proceeded to complete his Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) in Family Practice Medicine and became Nationally Board Certified in 2004. Since that time, John has earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). 
 
He has worked providing family practice medicine treating patients from birth to geriatrics ever since. When asked, John says that he holds an “a deep passion for the treatment of geriatric patients, enabling them to age in place at the setting of their desire”. John has lived here locally for over thirty years.
 
Patients who think palliative care would be helpful should discuss this with their primary care doctor. Patients remain under the care of their own physicians. Palliative care professionals can recommend ways to manage physical symptoms, discuss “next steps” and offer access to other professionals to address emotional and spiritual symptoms that can be a part of chronic and often life-limiting illnesses.

On Saturday, July 20th, Bookwalter Winery will host the Tri-Cities Cancer Center’s 25th Anniversary Celebration! Tickets are on sale through the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation office by calling (509) 737-3413.

The anniversary celebration will be a fun-filled night with wine, dinner, entertainment and live music by Fastlane, an Eagles cover band. There will be a fireworks display at dusk. Regular and VIP tickets are available respectively for $50/$100. VIP tickets will allow entry into the barrel room and main winery in Bookwalter, an additional free drink, appetizers, and access to your own bar and food line.

All funds raised stay local and provide valuable non-reimbursed cancer programs and services for patients, their families, and the community.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation continues to benefit from the generosity of corporations and individuals in our region whose desire to invest in world class cancer care has changed the availability and quality of services. These generous investments have allowed the Center to provide no-cost services like Nurse Navigation, supporting patients through their cancer journey, reducing emergency room visits through nurse consultation and providing practical support for side-effect management.

These investments have funded our community education, which focuses on a variety of topics all aimed at the prevention and early detection of cancer, which gives community members the tools to reduce their risk of cancer and to become more alert in detecting cancer early, when treatment options are plentiful and outcomes are significantly improved. Community investments allowed us to provide over 1000 free screenings a year to our region, further emphasizing the lifesaving importance of early detection.
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Community investment in our Foundation is the most critical element to ensuring that world-class cancer care will ALWAYS be available in our region.

For two decades Michelle Clary and her team have operated in wealth management in the Tri-Cities, first as an affiliate practice of Fortune 500 company Thrivent Financial and as of 2018, the CEO and founder of Piton Wealth. It isn’t difficult to see how Clary and her team have consistently ranked in the upper 1% of Thrivent practices in client satisfaction. Taking an active role in the local community and bringing people together for a good cause seems to be second nature for a company that revolves so heavily around encouraging clients to thrive both personally and professionally.

In 2017, Michelle and her husband Andy opened their home to singer-songwriter James Lanman who was on a living room concert tour across the US and Canada, where he performed for a mix of their clients and friends. The following year, Michelle had the idea to leverage the draw of live music, food from local eatery, Porter’s Real BBQ, and their expansive network by turning it into a fundraiser. Teaming up with Lanman to sell tickets to his performance at their home, Piton Wealth then matches all ticket sales from the concert to raise money for the Tri-County Habitat for Humanity branch, where Andy also serves on the board. They also have a tradition of a side contest where guests bring their A-game side dishes and judges select the top 3 winners.
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Now in its third year, what has affectionately become known as “Kennewoodstock” between Lanman and Clary, has become quite the event. Seeing over a hundred attendees this past weekend and with over $5,000 raised through a combination of ticket sales and additional donations for Habitat for Humanity on behalf of Piton Wealth and guests in attendance, the event has consistently raised more money each year. From complete strangers to great friends, working together has been synergistic for both Lanman and Clary who make their livings building communities through their work, her with her practice and him with his music. “The longstanding partnership of Piton Wealth and Habitat for Humanity is celebrated annually with the inspiring message and incredible musical talent of James Lanman. There is nothing better than enjoying meaningful relationships, eating great food, witnessing generous hearts, and supporting an amazing charitable organization--- all in the intimacy of a backyard setting while James moves and impacts the audience of all ages with his captivating personality, inspiring story and magical voice,” says Clary.

Hayden Homes was once again honored with first place in the Headquartered Outside Washington category for Seattle Business Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For”. This is the second year in a row the Company has been recognized with first place. Companies made the list based on the scores of confidential surveys that asked employees to report on 10 categories: corporate culture, executive leadership, responsibility and decision-making, benefits, workplace environment, communication, training and education, hiring and retention, performance standards and rewards and recognition. The highest scores earned by companies across all 10 categories determined who made the list.  

“We are so incredibly fortunate to have a team of talented people that are passionate about what they do and the homeowners we serve,” said Steve Klingman, President of Hayden Homes. “It’s our team members that allow us to continue to receive such honors. We are committed to creating a workplace that is driven by our purpose – where our team members are supported and go home fulfilled by the work we do.”

Seattle Business Magazine sent anonymous workplace surveys to employees throughout Washington state as part of the selection process. Based on thousands of confidential surveys completed by employees, the honorees encompass companies across the state of Washington in four categories – small firms, midsize firms, large firms and firms headquartered outside Washington State.

“A common theme across all these successful companies is transparent, communicative leadership and responsiveness to employee concerns,” said Seattle Business magazine Editor in Chief Rob Smith. “A positive company culture drives innovation and profit, boosts productivity, reduces turnover and creates employee enthusiasm.”

Horn Rapids RV Service & Sales has opened in North Richland just off of Highway 240 in the Horn Rapids Business Center at 2451 Henderson Loop.

Family owned and operated, the Dealership will specialize in RV service and repair while selling new and pre-owned RV’s. The Service end will feature ongoing maintenance and customization under the leadership of owner Jim Godfrey with 25 years of experience in the Tri Cities RV industry. His family, who has lived in the area for 30 years, will also be involved in the day to day operations.

New lines include:

• Travel Lite-light weight, innovative manufacturing with bold modern designs 
• TAXA Cricket and Mantis- created as “mobile human habitats” designed by Garrett Finney who worked on the International Space Station and consulted on lunar habitats for NASA for 10 years.
• NeXus RV- known in the industry for exclusive manufacturing philosophies which utilize high strength low alloy 20-gauge steel framing for serious RV’s.

The Godfreys looked hard at the needs of Tri Cities RV enthusiasts when deciding where to service their customers. “We are excited to open in North Richland to serve RV families. We value the opportunity to create long-term relationships with our dedication to making sure we exceed expectations every step of the way” affirms Jim.

General hours of operation are 8:30am-5:30pm Monday-Saturday.
Grand opening hours are:  

• Friday July 12 830am – 5:30pm with ribbon cutting ceremony @ 11:30am
• Saturday July 13 8:30am – 5:30pm
• Sunday July 14 10am – 4pm

Junior Achievement of Washington has announced that Tamra Meyer has been named as the new Regional Director for Junior Achievement in the Southeastern Washington Region (SEWA). Meyer formerly served in the role of Statewide Programs Director for Junior Achievement of Washington. As Regional Director of Junior Achievement’s SEWA office, Meyer will manage the region’s development efforts and program implementation designed to bring work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy programs, currently reaching 11,465 students in Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties. 

“We are so excited about Tamra’s appointment. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to Junior Achievement,” stated Amy Basche, Chief Operations Officer, Mission Support Alliance and Chair of the Junior Achievement of Washington SEWA Regional Board of Directors. 

Ms. Meyer begins her new tenure in the organization with goals to increase student access to Junior Achievement programs in addition to growing the community’s involvement in the organization’s fall event, SEWA’s Hearts are Wild Gala.

“I am proud and honored to lead Junior Achievement in Southeastern Washington,” commented Meyer. “This region has been a great champion ​of JA and I will work hard to ensure students continue to experience JA’s high-quality programs so they can gain the skills that will prepare them for a successful future.”

No other branch of health care embraces volunteers as passionately as hospice does. Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care relies on volunteer support to help fulfill the mission of providing quality care to patients and their families. “The volunteer’s role is to be present, and each volunteer will get way more than what they give.” said Shelby Moore, executive director at Heartlinks. 
 
Volunteers can be used in nearly all aspects of the hospice program. As a vital part of the Heartlinks’ team, volunteers come from all walks of life and have a variety of skills, talents, and abilities. Opportunities to serve are diverse: visit patients and families to provide companionship, socialization and comfort; help with legacy work; run errands; make phone calls; help with clerical work; pet therapy. 
 
Heartlinks asks volunteers to sign up for at least one hour a week with a one-year commitment. The hours are flexible, and the coordinator will match patient needs with volunteer availability. No experience is necessary, and training is provided. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Right now, there are patients that requested a volunteer, but there are not enough trained volunteers available to fill growing requests. “The need for volunteers throughout our service area is great,” said Moore.
 
A group of courageous volunteers founded Heartlinks in 1978. The mission of Heartlinks is to enrich the quality of life for individuals and their families in need of comprehensive end-of-life care. This year alone, Heartlinks has had the privilege of serving 250 or 25% more patients and their families than in previous years. “In hospice, we get one chance to try and do everything the very best we can with each, and every person entrusted to our care”, said Moore.
 
For more details, please call Shelby at 509-837-1676, or learn more about how you can get involved by visiting: http://heartlinkshospice.org/volunteers/.

Local leaders banded together to support the four hydroelectric dams on Eastern Washington’s Lower Snake River and the role they play in maintaining reliable and affordable power to Washington State and the region.

Benton PUD and Franklin PUD Board of Commissioners, Benton REA Board of Trustees, and the Richland City Council unanimously approved resolutions firmly stating that the removal of the Lower Snake River Dams would negatively impact our region’s ability to provide reliable, clean, and affordable power to its customers.

“Removing the Lower Snake River Dams is bad for the state of Washington, our local economy and the region’s overall quality of life.  These dams mean carbon-free energy at an affordable cost and greater reliability for all utility customers,” stated Roger Wright, Franklin PUD Commission President.   “To Eastern Washington and the Columbia River Gorge, the impacts are even greater.  They impact the lives of thousands of families through irrigation, navigable waterways and outdoor recreation.”

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) identified the Lower Snake River Dams as a low-cost resource, critical to supporting reliable power by maintaining a constant balance of generation and load.  According to BPA, Ice Harbor Dam is critical to the local area because it provides support during high-demand periods. If Ice Harbor Dam was breached, either costly new generation or significant transmission reinforcements would be needed to meet Tri Cities power loads, especially during the high-demand periods of the summer.

Some anti-dam groups use emotional scare tactics to try to connect cyclic decreases in salmon populations to the operation of the dams. Studies carried out by several groups including National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and the Environmental Protection Agency show that predation, ocean conditions, pollution and other factors have greater, far-reaching effects on salmon over their lifespan than the relatively brief period they spend around hydroelectric dams. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the dams according to federal requirements developed over decades of extensive scientific research, and fish runs have significantly improved. More than 96% of young salmon make it past each of the Snake River dams on their down-river passage.

“Since 1978, electric ratepayers have spent $17 billion dollars on infrastructure and other fish restoration projects,” said Jeff Hall, Benton PUD Commission President. “Those projects have made a real difference, and are evidence that dams and salmon can coexist.”  

“The City of Richland supports the Federal Columbia River Power System, recognizing its role in environmental stewardship and economic vitality. We oppose removal of the Lower Snake River Dams,” reiterates Bob Thompson, Mayor of the City of Richland.

Some resolutions highlighted the irony that comes from the Washington State Legislature passing a bill calling for a 100% emissions free power system, while at the same time the Governor appropriated $750,000 to study breaching parts of the hydrosystem that make wind and solar possible.  The region has made huge strides toward a 100% clean energy, with hydropower the backbone of the system that helps our economy and firms renewable energy.  “Benton REA members can write their congressmen and women, tell their neighbors and attend RiverFest to help educate themselves,” stated Mike Freepons, Benton REA Board of Trustees President. 

Presenter Tim Reed will be presenting a workshop on Maximize your General Business Expenses from A to Z sponsored by GESA Credit Union.   

This is an Overview of General Business Expenses with Tim Reed and CPA Bruce Jorgenson plus an audience Q&A session for specific questions about your business.   

The workshop will be from 11:45 am to 1:45 pm Wednesday July 10th at the Bechtel Board Room, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Ste A in Kennewick, WA.   

​This seminar is the latest in a series of workshops provided to the business community by SCORE, Mid-Columbia Tri-Cities Chapter.