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WEDA Leadership

About WEDA

Our Leadership

WEDA is managed by economic development professionals from around the state who represent a diverse group of organizations.

The Executive Committee’s objective is to turn WEDA’s mission and goals into realities in partnership with the Executive Director, who manages the day-to-day operations of the organization. Executive Committee meetings are held via video conference on the third Thursday of each month.

Our Board of Directors is comprised of 20 members from public and private organizations from across Washington. Board nominations are sought prior to each Summer Conference and an election is conducted at the annual meeting during the Summer Conference. Board members serve for terms of three years.

Executive Committee of the Board of Directors

The Executive Committee provides strategic guidance to the Executive Director and makes major decisions between the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee takes the mission and goals of WEDA and works to make them realities in partnership with the Executive Director.

chair

Gina Stark

Chief Executive Officer

Stark Impact Consulting

Gina spent 16 years working for Washington state government.  Prior to starting her career at the State Legislature she spent a summer working at TVW under the tutelage of former Congressman Denny Heck who helped prepare her for her many years of public service.   In the House of Representative, she started as and an Executive Assistant under James L. McIntire then worked on policy issue such as housing, infrastructure, health care, capital and operating budgets. She then served as the Director of External Affairs at the Washington State Treasurer’s Office for 8 years.  She worked on banking relations, banking policies, financial education and empowerment.  As a representative of the Treasurer, she served on the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.   Gina currently, works at the Port of Bellingham as an Economic Development Project Manager.  The economic development division is the Regional Economic Partner for all of Whatcom County and serves as the designated ADO for the Department of Commerce.  Gina works with the technology, recreation, clean energy, opportunity zones, broadband, supporting BIPOC businesses and workforce housing.   She is also the Project Manager for the Whatcom Country Rural Broadband Project whose goal is to provide affordable, quality broadband access to all of Whatcom County.  She is Board Chair for Habitat for Humanity Whatcom County, Steering Committee Chair of the Whatcom Housing Alliance, serves on the advisory committee for Technology Alliance Whatcom STEM, and the planning committee for the Racial Equity Commission.   Gina has a B.A in Political Science from Western Washington University and a Master’s Degree in public policy from the Evans School of Public Policy at the University of Washington.

CONTACT

INCOMING BOARD CHAIR &
LEGISLATIVE CHAIR

Michael Cade

Executive Director

Thurston EDC

Michael began his tenure with the Thurston County Economic Development Council (EDC) as Executive Director in January 2004. Prior to joining the EDC, Michael was the Vice President for the Snohomish County Economic Development Council from 1992 – 2003. His career in economic and community development began in 1987. His 30-year career has primarily been focused on the recruitment of investment into the community, and the retention of companies; and the development of community based economic development plans and the strategic implementation. He has worked on numerous community-based community development task forces emphasizing the creation of quality communities. He is a graduate of Western Washington University with a degree in Geography and English Literature.

He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, Thurston Regional Planning Council, Morningside, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA).

CONTACT

Vice chair

Stephen McFadden

Deputy Assistant Director, Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness

Port of Pasco

Stephen in his role as, Port of Pasco’s Director of Economic Development & Marketing, is responsible for the recruitment and retention of business and industry to the Port of Pasco’s various development areas including the new Reimann Industrial Center and the Tri-Cities Airport Business Center.

CONTACT

Treasurer

Brant Mayo

Executive Director

Grant County EDC

Brant was hired as the Executive Director of the Grant County Economic Development Council in 2017. For the previous 11 years, he was the Executive Director for the Boy’s & Girl’s Clubs of the Columbia Basin. He has been extremely involved in community service, including being a member of the Moses Lake High School and Big Bend Booster Clubs, Boys & Girls Basketball Coach at Moses Lake High School, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington State Alliance, Board of Directors of Chamber of Moses Lake, member of the Rotary Club of Moses Lake, and member of Samaritan Hospital’s Mission Integration Committee. Brant’s family moved to Moses Lake in 1975. He graduated from both Moses Lake High School and Big Bend Community College. Brant married Penny Talcott also from Moses Lake in 1997, with whom he has two teenage daughters who are very involved in their school, athletics, and 4-H. 

CONTACT

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Betty Baublits

Director

Pierce County Economic Development

Before taking the helm at the Pierce County Economic Development Department in 2018, Betty was CEO of the Bellevue and Renton Chambers of Commerce, Economic Director for the City of Renton, and Assistant Director for the Kent Chamber of Commerce.

Her career has been dedicated to the notion that successful, supported businesses help communities thrive. That conviction didn’t waiver when COVID-19 hit. Under her leadership, the Pierce County Economic Development Department pivoted immediately to ensure that businesses most affected by the pandemic survived and thrived.

Pierce County Economic Development distributed $46.5 million in direct small business support using Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funds. The department oversees $40 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, some of which was used to launch the Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) in 2021. The program has garnered local, state and international accolades for serving entrepreneurs and business owners to help foster innovation and create wealth-building opportunities for BIPOC, veteran and women-owned businesses.

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VICE CHAIR & CONFERENCE PLANNING
COMMITTEE CHAIR

Mandy Wallner

Economic Development Manager

City of Richland

Mandy is the Economic Development Manager at the City of Richland. Growing up in the Tri-Cities she has watched the growth of our area, both in population and development. She has always had an interest in the community, networking, meeting new people, planning events, and working for local business. In her current role, she gets to put that history and experience to work to better her community, a passion of hers since she was young. She is also a proud Coug, graduating WSU with her MBA.

Those who know her know she always has a ‘side-hustle’ or two in the works from small business consulting to wedding officiating, event planning to her Tastefully Simple business and everything in between.

When she is not at work (in its many forms), she enjoys creating, visiting wineries and points of interest throughout our region with her friends and family. She also has a thriving plant collection that she has made into a hobby.

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SECRETARY

Colleen McAleer

Executive Director

Clallam EDC

Colleen has decades of experience in executive leadership roles at the county and state level. She previously led the Washington Business Alliance where they successfully championed strong business policies. Colleen serves as a Commissioner at the Port of Port Angeles, the first female Commissioner in the Port’s 97-year history. She previously served as the Port’s Director of Business Development. Colleen owned and operated a successful commercial real estate company in Clallam County supporting hundreds of businesses, large and small from 2002-2011. McAleer was a decorated combat veteran who served 10 years in the Army as a helicopter and fixed wing pilot and as a military intelligence officer.

CONTACT

Board of Directors

Director

Gary Ballew

Assistant City Manager

CONTACT

Director

Alisha Benson

CEO

  • Greater Spokane Inc
  • 801 W. Riverside, Suite 200
    Spokane, WA 99201
  • (509) 321-3608
CONTACT

Director

Lynnette Buffington

Chief of Staff

CONTACT

Director

Sarah Cho

City Center Program Manager

CONTACT

Director

Katie Condit

CEO

CONTACT

Director

Nathan Daum

Economic Development Program Manager

  • City of Shoreline
  • 17500 Midvale Ave. N., Shoreline, WA 98133
  • 509-735-1000
CONTACT

Director

Jennie Dickinson

Executive Director

CONTACT

Director

Karl Dye

President & CEO

CONTACT

Director

Mike Fong

Executive Director of Economic Development

CONTACT

Director

Dru Garson

Director of Strategic Engagement

  • Association of Washington Business
  • PO Box 658,
    Olympia, WA 98507-0658
  • 360-943-1600
CONTACT

Director

Jonathan Smith

Executive Director

  • Yakima County Development Association
  • 10 North 9th St., Yakima, WA 98901
  • 509-575-1140
CONTACT

Director

John Sternlicht

CEO

  • Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County
  • 1932 E. College Way, Suite B,
    Mount Vernon, WA 98273
  • 360-336-6114
CONTACT

Economic Development Manager

Staff

Executive
director

Suzanne
Dale Estey

Suzanne Dale Estey has over three decades of experience delivering results in economic development, intergovernmental relations, strategic communications and non-profit leadership. Suzanne is Principal of Dale Estey Partnerships, Strategy & Results, a public affairs consulting firm and among other clients, serves as the Executive Director of the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA).

Suzanne previously served as the President & CEO of the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County, the only public-private partnership focused on expanding and diversifying the economy across King County and its 39 cities. Suzanne also served as the Economic Development Director for the City of Renton; Vice President of Government and Industry Relations for Washington Mutual; State & Federal Government Relations Manager for the King County Executive; State Lobbyist for the City of Seattle; Federal Legislative Analyst for the Governor of Washington; Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at The White House and Pacific Northwest & Texas Program Director for Junior Statesmen, a civics education program for high school students.

Suzanne serves on multiple boards including the Junior Statesmen Foundation, the Seattle Colleges Advisory Council, the Renton Technical College Advisory Council, and Seattle United Soccer Club. She is a past President of the University of Washington Alumni Association board. Suzanne is also a member of the International Women’s Forum. She previously served on the boards of the Aerospace Futures Alliance, the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, the Washington Technology Industry Association, the Seattle and Renton Chambers of Commerce, the regional PSRC/Economic Development District, the Community Center for Education Results/Road Map Project and CityClub of Seattle.

Suzanne received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology & Politics from Whitman College, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the Evans School at the University of Washington. A native of Seattle and K-12 graduate of Seattle Public Schools, Suzanne is an avid hiker, skier and traveler and she and her husband, Mike, are the parents of two active teenage boys.

CONTACT

Legislative Advocacy

Jim
Justin

Jim is President of Jim Justin Government Relations Consulting INC.  He started his consulting business in December of 2012 and currently serves a number of clients focused on education, health care, energy, and technology issues.  He also represents clients on finance, transportation, and economic development issues.   

Jim served as Governor Gregoire’s Legislative Director from June of 2010 – November of 2012. He was the Governor’s liaison with the Legislature responsible for advancing her legislative agenda and providing oversight on state agencies’ legislative activities.  He was also tasked with regularly communicating with outside partners and stakeholders to insure timely distribution of information and coordination of legislative proposals.    

He was previously employed by the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) serving in a number of capacities from 1985 – 2010.  He concluded his service with AWC as their Director of State and Federal Relations.  He held that position since 2002.  Jim’s previous responsibilities with AWC included the Assistant Director for Operations and Services when he was responsible for day-to-day office operations; management of the training, communications, and technology services; planning; budget development; and Board relations.  Jim also managed AWC’s Insurance Services programs.

Prior to AWC  Jim worked for Washington’s Planning and Community Affairs Agency (the predecessor to the Department of Commerce) where he assisted with the first local government infrastructure study and subsequent creation of the Public Works Trust Fund.

Jim is a Washington State University graduate with a degree in Political Science. 

CONTACT

FinANCE
MANAGER

Carey
Sheffield

Carey is an accomplished professional with over 25 years’ experience in constituent engagement and event production. Creative, flexible, collaborative and resourceful, she brings organizational expertise to event planning, donor relations, volunteer management and development campaigns. Carey is known for anticipating needs, innovating, and weaving together varied stakeholder objectives into cohesive programs. She approaches each stage of a project (planning, marketing, executing and evaluating) with enthusiasm, and is recognized for building strong, productive relationships within and across organizations.

CONTACT

Communications & Events Manager

Samantha
Gotkin

A results-driven nonprofit leader with 20+ years of experience, Samantha has directed 25 organizations nationwide to raise over $29M for economic, health, arts, education, and youth programs. Armed with dual master’s degrees—an MSW in Community Development and an MS in Entertainment Business—she blends strategic insight with creative problem-solving.  As Vice President of Operations, Samantha was instrumental in the development of the greater Seattle region’s first economic and trade development organization. A trusted consultant, she has guided nonprofits in fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. Outside of work, Samantha finds inspiration through fitness, soul music, and art documentaries. She’s a proud mom of two, married to a filmmaker, and passionate about building thriving communities.

CONTACT

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