NEXT EPISODE
Monday, July 13, 11:00am-12:00pm
Please join our panel for an in-depth discussion of issues for our businesses that have arisen due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
​
Presenters include:

• Victoria Woodards, Mayor, City of Tacoma
• Pam Cody, President, Sound Tax and Accounting
• Monica Blackwood, President and CEO, West Sound Workforce

​Hosted by:

• Tom Pierson, CEO, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
• Bruce Kendall, CEO, Pierce County Economic Development 
• John Powers, Exec Director, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance

​INSTRUCTIONS:
Starting at 10:45am - Webinar begins at 11:00
On Your Computer or Cell Phone with Internet Capability
click the link below to join the webinar and ask questions:
https://zoom.us/j/843841095

If Calling in by Phone (listen only): 
(Please note that due to extremely high call volume nationwide, our conference provider is having challenges maintaining availability of call lines.  If you call in, it may take several tries to connect.)
    iPhone one-tap:
    US: +16699006833,,843841095#  or +13462487799,,843841095# 
​
    Other Telephone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial an area code closest to your current location):
    US: +1 669 900 6833  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 301 715 8592 
​    or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 929 205 6099  or +1 253 215 8782
    Webinar ID: 843 841 095

PAST EPISODES

42. PIERCE COUNTY OUTLOOK - INSIDER INSIGHTS INTO THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK FOR OUR COUNTY
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 11:00am

• Katie Condit, CEO, Workforce Central
• Bruce Dammeier, County Executive, Pierce County
• Denny Heck, Representative, U.S. Congress, WA 10th Congressional District
• Eric Johnson, Executive Director, Port of Tacoma
• Helen McGovern-Pilant, Interim CEO, Workforce Central
• John Wolfe, CEO, NW Seaport Alliance​

See Port of Tacoma Presentation Slides
Listen Here
​
41. EMPLOYMENT EQUITY AND SAFETY ISSUES IN THE TIME OF COVID - PLUS THE WA STATE FAIR
Monday, June 29, 2020 at 11:00am

• Bob Bentley, Compliance Consultant, Alera West Region
• Craig Blackwood, Deputy Assistant Director,  Washington State L&I
• Brian Sahli, Consultant Manager, Washington State L&I

See Alera Presentation
Listen Here
​
41. EMPLOYMENT EQUITY AND SAFETY ISSUES IN THE TIME OF COVID - PLUS THE WA STATE FAIR
Monday, June 29, 2020 at 11:00am

• Nathan Morris, Vice President Legislative Affairs, U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform
• Tamar Jackson, Director of Community Engagement, WorkForce Central
• Kent Hojem, CEO, Washington State Fair

Listen Here

40. HIGHER ED, THE REALTY INDUSTRY, AND ANSWERS FROM ESD
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 11:00am

• Mark Pagano, Chancellor, University of Washington Tacoma
• Karen Winkler, CEO, Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors
• Matt Buelow, PFML Expert, Employment Security Department
• Jennifer Tecca, Statewide Intake Manager, Employment Security Department

Listen Here

39. EDUCATION, PPP FUNDING, AND TRADE ADJUSTMENT RESOURCES DURING THE PANDEMIC
Monday, June 22, 2020 at 11:00am

• Michele L. Johnson, Ph.D. Chancellor and CEO, Pierce College District
• Torre Hammer, Partner, Moss Adams
• Tracy Ireland, Senior Manager, Moss Adams
• David Holbert, Executive Director, NW Trade Adjustment Center
• Ken Wenninger, Director of Client Development, Northwest Trade Adjustment Center

Listen Here

38. REP DEREK KILMER ON THE HERO'S ACT AND PIERCE TRANSIT AND COUNSELOR KRISTINA WALKER ON TRANSPORTATION AND TACOMA DURING PHASE 2
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 11:00am

• Congressman Derek Kilmer, US House of Representatives, WA 6th Congressional District
•  Ryan Wheaton,  Executive Director of Planning and Community Development, Pierce Transit
• Kristina Walker, Executive Director, Downtown On the Go, Tacoma City Councilmember

Listen Here

37. PHASE 2 OPENING - SBA AND L&I QUESTIONS ANSWERED - WEAR A MASK
Monday, June 15, 2020 at 11:00am

• Kerrie Hurd, ​Seattle District Director, Small Business Administration 
• Steve Burke, SBDC Western Region Manager, Small Business Administration
• Mark Costello,  Seattle Deputy District Director, Small Business Administration
• Corey Bevis, Safety Consultation Supervisor, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Lisa Goodman, Director of Marketing, The Benaroya Company 
• Akhtar Badshah, Founder and Chief Catalyst, Catalytic Innovators Group, Distinguished practitioner at the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and at the Business School
• Bharat Shyam, Tech entrepreneur, former Microsoft Executive and the first Chief Information Officer of Washington State

​See Restart Tacoma Presentation Slides
Listen Here
​
36. PHASE 2 COMPLIANCE AND BEST PRACTICES
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 11:00am

• Anika Moran, Executive Director, Tacoma Farmers Market
• Bob Bentley, Compliance Consultant, Alera West Region
• Thomas Showalter, HR Services Director, Alera West Region
• Allyson Thomas, Lead HR Services Partner, Alera West Region
• Breanna Williams, Senior Policy Analyst- UI Policy, Employment Security Department

Phase 2 –Workforce Compliance Update and Employer Strategy Presentation
Listen Here
​
35. WHAT DOES PHASE 2 MEAN FOR PIERCE COUNTY - HEALTHCARE, RETAIL, AND MORE
Monday, June 8, 2020 at 11:00am

• Dr. Mark Mariani, Chief Medical Officer, Retail Health, MultiCare Health System
• Mark Johnson, Sr. VP of Policy and Government Affairs, Washington Retail Association

Listen Here
​
34. PANDEMIC UPDATES FROM THE ESD, TACOMA, AND THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR INSLEE
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 11:00am

• Bretta Beveridge, Communications Manager, Washington Employment Security Department
• Catherine Ushka, Council Member, City of Tacoma - District 4
• Charles Knutson, Senior Policy Advisor for Economic Development, Innovation, and Global Affairs, Office of Governor Jay Inslee

Listen Here

33. THE PATH FORWARD: US CHAMBER, PPP LENDING, AND MANUFACTURING AND EMPLOYMENT CONCERNS
Monday, June 1, 2020 at 11:00am

• Chris Eyler, Executive Director- Congressional and Public Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce
• Scott Bossom, Sr. VP - Manager -SBA Lending, Columbia Bank
• Joseph Gosar, Account Executive - South Puget Sound Area, Impact Washington
• Geoff Lawrence, Account Executive- South Sound & Peninsula Region , Impact Washington
• Kevin L Proctor, President, ABK Consulting Group LLC

Listen Here
See US Chamber PPP Update Presentation Slides​

32. ANSWERS FROM GOVT PANDEMIC RESPONSE AGENCIES, CONSTRUCTION SECTOR UPDATE, AND MOVING TO PHASE 2
Friday, May 29, 2020 at 11:00am

• Greg Primm, President, Korsmo Construction
• Brett Holt, Private Sector Liaison | Region 10 Office of External Affairs, Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Taylor Hennessee, Private Sector – Infrastructure Program Manager, Federal Emergency Management Agency​

Listen Here
​
31. UNDERSTANDING PPP FORGIVENESS REGULATIONS AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY PREP FOR PHASE 2
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 11:00am

• Katy Bardizian, Accounting Services Director, The Doty Group, P.S.
• Joe Bushnell, Government Affairs Manager, Washington Hospitality Association

Listen Here
See Presentation PDF: PPP Forgiveness Update
​
30. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS INSIGHTS AND COUNTY UPDATES
Friday, May 22, 2020 at 11:00am

• Mariana Hernandez, Lead Policy Analyst, Policy, Data, Performance and Integrity (PDPI) Division, WA Employment Security Department
• Bruce Dammeier, County Executive, Pierce County

Listen Here

29. PPP FORGIVENESS REGULATIONS GETTING BACK TO WORK
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 11:00am

• Torre Hammer, Partner, Moss Adams
• Tracy Ireland, Senior Manager, Moss Adams
• Monica Blackwood, President & CEO, West Sound Workforce

Listen Here
​See Monica Blackwood's Presentation Slides    Slides with Notes

28. PPP REGULATIONS AND HEALTH/SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR REOPENING 
Monday, May 18, 2020 at 11:00am

• Josh Dunn, Founder and CEO, Premier Media Group
• Jennifer Ringenbach, Vice President and Sr. SBA Specialist, Keybank
• Dr. Anthony L-T Chen, Director of Health, Tacoma Pierce County Health Department

Listen Here
​
27. UNDERSTAND PPP REGULATIONS, REOPENING BUSINESS PROTECTION, LANDLORD/TENENT CONSIDERATIONS 
Friday, May 15, 2020 at 11:00am

• Jennifer Parker, VP-Branch Manager, Umpqua Bank 
• Jerimy Kirschner, Managing Partner, Jerimy Kirschner Law
• Tim Thompson, CEO, Thompson Consulting Group
• Loren Cohen, Managing Director, MC Construction

Listen Here
​
26. PPP AND FINANCIAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED, PLUS CRISIS RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 11:00am

• Wes Ochs, EVP Chief Strategy Officer, Sound Community Bank
• David Raney, EVP Chief Banking Officer, Sound Community Bank
• Sarai Childs, Executive Director​, Business Health Trust

Listen Here
​
25. PPP QUESTIONS, BACK TO WORK PLANNING, UPDATE ON SILVERCLOUD POINT RUSTON
Monday, May 11, 2020 at 11:00am

• ​Christophe Chabaud, General Manager, Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront 
• Kevin Sayler, VP, Risk Control Specialist, Parker Smith Feek​

Listen Here
​
24. PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS INFO, ANSWERS ON UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS, AND PIVOTING YOUR BUSINESS
Friday, May 8, 2020 at 11:00am

• Katy Bardizian, CPA, Director of Accounting Services, The Doty Group
• Scott Michael, Policy, Data, Performance and Integrity Manager - Employment Security Department 
• Justin Stiefel, Founder & CEO, Heritage Distilling Company

Listen Here
​
23. HEALTH CARE, TESTING, BENEFITS, HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AND THE PROCESS FOR GETTING BACK TO WORK
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 11:00am

• Dr. Mark Mariani, Chief Medical Officer, Retail Health, MultiCare Health System
• Brett Thomas, Manager, Business Development, Occupational Medicine-Administration, MultiCare Health System
• Bob Bentley, Compliance Consultant, Alera West Region
• Anthony Anton, President and CEO, Washington Hospitality Association

Listen Here
​
22. DEREK KILMER ANSWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT CURRENT FEDERAL RELIEF AID
Monday, May 4, 2020 at 11:00am

• Derek Kilmer, US Representative, WA 6th Congressional District
• Don Sosnowski, Executive Director, Invista Performance Solutions

Listen Here
​
21. INFORMATION ON THE LATEST FED RELIEF LOANS AND HELP WITH EMPLOYMENT ISSUES
Friday, May 1, 2020 at 11:00am

• Helen McGovern-Pilant, Interim CEO, WorkForce Central
• Kerrie Hurd, ​Seattle District Director, Small Business Administration 

Listen Here
​
20. WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE'RE GOING - COMMUNITY, CITY & STATE STRATEGIES
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 11:00am

• Bryan Reynolds, Owner, Anthem Coffee
• Pat McCarthy, Auditor, State of Washington
• Steve Kirkelie, City Manager, City of Puyallup

Listen Here

19. CONGRESSMAN DENNY HECK AND THE NEW PPP
Monday, April 27, 2020 at 11:00am

• Congressman Denny Heck, US House of Representatives, WA 10th Congressional District

Listen Here
​
18. $11 MILLION PSE FUND AND INFO ON FED, STATE, AND LOCAL TAX RESPONSIBILITIES
Friday, April 24, 2020 at 11:00am

• Andy Wappler,  VP Customer Operations and Communications, Puget Sound Energy
• Dan Weedin, Toro Consulting, Inc.​
• Chuck Burkhalter, Tax Partner,  RSM
• Andy Colson, Senior Manager, State and Local Tax, RSM​

Listen Here
​
17. UPDATES ON JBLM, PIERCE TRANSIT, OUR LOCAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AND MORE
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 11:00am

• COL Skye Duncan, Joint Base Garrison Commander, JBLM
• John Caulfield, City Manager, City of Lakewood
• Sue Dreier, CEO, Pierce Transit
• David Carlson, DO Chief Physician Officer, MultiCare 

Listen Here

16. GOVERNMENT POLICY AND INSURANCE EPERTS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
Monday, April 20, 2020 at 11:00am

• Tim Thompson, CEO, Thompson Consulting
• Geoff Lawrence, Impact Washington
• Bob Bentley, Alera Group Compliance Consultant, Wilson Albers
• Heather Wagner, Sr. Human Resource Services Partner, Wilson Albers

Listen Here
Get Alera PowerPoint Presentation 
Get Impact Washington PowerPoint Presentation

15. GOVERNMENT POLICY AND INSURANCE EPERTS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
Friday, April 17, 2020 at 11:00am

• Laurie Jinkins, Speaker of the House, WA State House of Representatives
• Bev Losey, Sr. VP Employee Benefits, Brown & Brown of Washington
• William Hobson, Executive Vice President, Bown & Brown of Washington​
• Tim Thompson, CEO, Thompson Consulting Group

Listen Here

14. COVID-19 QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY REP JAKE FEY AND HR/EMPLOYMENT EXPERT MONICA BLACKWOOD
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 11:00am

• Jake Fey, WA House of Representatives, 27th District
• Monica Blackwood, CEO, West Sound Workforce

Listen Here

13. STEPS PORT IS TAKING TO KEEP COMMERCE MOVING DURING CRISIS PLUS LABOR ISSUES DISCUSSED
Monday, April 13, 2020 at 11:00am

• Deanna Keller, Commissioner, Port of Tacoma
• John Wolfe, CEO, NW Seaport Alliance
• John McCarthy, President, Port Commission
• Helen McGovern-Pilant, Interim CEO, WorkForce Central

Listen Here

12. UP-TO-DATE INFO ON AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND HR/EMPLOYEE ISSUES
Friday, April 10, 2020 at 11:00am

• Victoria Woodards, Mayor, City of Tacoma
• Ron Eidshaug, VP for Congressional Affairs, U.S. Chamber
• Rita Giese, HR, Safety & Office Manager, Richards Packaging-Tacoma

Listen Here

11. IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ABOUT COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS AID/LOANS AND EMPLOYMENT ISSUES
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 11:00am
From KeyBank:

• Jennifer Ringenbach, Vice President and Sr. SBA Specialist

From Washington State Employment Security Department: 

• Kelly Lindseth, Director
• Kevin Dinnen, State-wide Adjudication Manager
• Jennifer Tecca
• Steve Ruggles, Implementation Manager

Listen Here

10. LATEST UPDATES ON FED, STATE, & LOCAL RELIEF/AID FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEE ISSUES
Monday, April 6, 2020 at 11:00am

• Derek Kilmer, US Representative, WA 6th Congressional District
• Bruce Dammeier, Executive, Pierce County
• Monica Blackwood, CEO, West Sound Workforce

Listen Here

9. U.S. REP ADAM SMITH AND SBA DIRECTOR KERRIE HURD DISCUSS FED AND STATE COVID-19 RESPONSES
Friday, April 3, 2020 at 11:00am

• Adam Smith, US Representative, WA 9th Congressional District
• Kerrie Hurd, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration

Listen Here

8. LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ASSOCIATIONS DISCUSS HOW THEY ARE NAVIGATING THE COVID OUTBREAK
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 11:00am

• Andy Wappler, VP of Communications & Customer Operations, Puget Sound Energy 
• Joe Bushnell, Washington Hospitality Association
• Kim Bedier, Tacoma Public Facilities 
• Dean Burke, CEO, Travel Tacoma Mount Rainier Tourism and Sports
• Russel Brunton, Owner, Indochine Restaurant

Listen Here

7. LOCAL AND STATE SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY LOAN INFORMATION
Monday, March 30, 2020 at 11:00am

• Betty Capestany, Pierce County Economic Development
• Carol Wolfe, City of Tacoma Economic Development
• Scott Bossom, Sr. VP Columbia Bank 
• ​Jennifer Ringenbach, Vice President and Sr. SBA Specialist, Keybank
• Travis Mahugh, Partner, Gordon Thomas Honeywell​

Listen Here

6. INFO ON THE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT
Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:00am

• Denny Heck, US Representative, WA 10th Congressional District 
• Neil Bradley, Executive VP & Chief Policy Officer, US Chamber of Commerce

Listen Here

5. HEALTH AND SAFETY QUESTIONS AND BUSINESS RESOURCES
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 11:00am

• Dr. Anthony Chen,  Director of Health for Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department​
• Nigel Turner, Division Director for the Communicable Disease Department and the Health Department Ambassador for the COVID-19 Response Team
• Ed Wolfe, Kitsap County Commissioner

Listen Here

4. THE CITY OF TACOMA PROVIDES INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO ITS BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS
Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:00am
Listen Here

3. HOW TO HELP EMPLOYEES, UNEMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE SYSTEM READINESS
Wednesday, March 20, 2020 at 11:00am
Listen Here

​2. STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 10:30am
Listen Here

1. PIERCE COUNTY RESOURCES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Monday, March 16, 2020 at 11:00am
Listen Here