Commerce announces new state manufacturing council members Commerce Director Brown appoints 21-member council to advise on policy, strategies and investment to grow regional manufacturing sectors and jobs statewide. OLYMPIA, WA --- Washington Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown today named 21 members to the state's new Manufacturing Council. Council members are leaders hailing from the private, non-profit and public sectors. The council will advise and consult with the department and its agency partners, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public instruction and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, on a biennial report on the state of manufacturing and research and development in Washington, including challenges with legislative remedies. "Throughout our state's history the manufacturing sector has been a cornerstone of our economy by providing living wages, impactful careers and creating incredible innovation spanning the globe," said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. "This diverse group of council members will play a critical role as we look to ensure the success of the next generation of manufacturing, research and development throughout every region of our state." Washington State Manufacturing Council members: Amit Arora, jubilant Hollister Stier Allison Budvarson, Out of the Box Manufacturing LLC Susan Champlain, Boeing Ted Cummings, United Steelworkers Local 338 Maud Daudon, Career Connect Washington Jon Holden, International Association of Machinists 751 Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business Junus Khan, Carbitex Jessica Koski, Blue/Green Alliance Todd Mitchell, Heat and Frost insulators Local 7 Greg Pallesen, Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Shana Peschek, Machinists institute Gaylan Prescott, United Steel Workers, District 12 Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jessica Stiefel, Heritage Distilling Company Phil Stephenson, PACCAR Russ Vaagen, Vaagen Timbers Dave Whitehead, Schweitzer Labs Brenda Wiest, Teamsters Local 117 Deloit Wolfe, Impact Washington Jan Yoshiwara, State Board of Community and Technical Colleges The Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing (BEST) Act passed by the 2021 Washington Legislature, provides a framework for the state to add 300,000 new manufacturing jobs over the next 10 years. The BEST Act also seeks to double the number of small manufacturing firms and the number of manufacturing firms owned by women and minorities. Carolyn Busch, Workforce Innovation Sector Lead, and Sarah Lee, Manufacturing Sector Lead, for the Department of Commerce will staff the new Manufacturing Council. The first meeting of the council will take place in June. ###  | 
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