A chance to recognize Pierce County’s leadership and celebrate community. Over 250 public officials and business community members gathered on December 3, 2025, to make meaningful connections and reflect on another remarkable year at the Chamber’s annual Public Officials Holiday Reception, a signature celebration honoring the leaders who serve Pierce County. Held at the Tacoma Art Museum in downtown Tacoma, the event made full use of the stunning Marie Helmer Lobby and Murray Family Event Space. The Museum’s modern, light-filled atmosphere provided a vibrant backdrop for an evening filled with conversation, appreciation, and community spirit. Guests enjoyed an exceptional selection of food and beverages catered by Ocean5–Table47. Jewel-toned décor by Floral and Stripe brought warmth to the space, while festive music curated by Velvetone Events added to the lively atmosphere of networking and celebration. Nyhuis Creative joined us once again to capture the evening through their thoughtful visual storytelling. During the VIP Hour, Interim Chamber President & CEO Tom Pierson welcomed guests and expressed gratitude to elected officials, event sponsors, and community members whose leadership and partnership strengthen Pierce County. Pierson also took a moment to honor the memory of Dr. Bernal C. Baca, who passed away in late November. Dr. Baca served on the Chamber Board of Directors and was a leading voice in our community through his work with the Washington Commission on Hispanic Affairs and as Executive Director of Mi Centro. Our team extends heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the many individuals he inspired. A new artistic experience was introduced this year through local artist Jenny Gunter, who created live caricature-style portraits on large plexiglass panels. Guests stepped behind the clear canvases to have their outlines sketched, creating unique keepsakes. The finished panels were gifted to our valued event sponsors and advocacy partners, an evergreen alternative to previous ice sculptures that celebrate the people at the heart of our work. A sincere thank you to our generous sponsors and to everyone who attended and contributed to this year’s event. Your partnership and enthusiasm make gatherings like these possible. As we look ahead to the new year, we encourage you to stay engaged with the Chamber’s upcoming events and initiatives. Thank you for your continued support during this time of transition. We look forward to welcoming you again in 2026!  Welcome to the new members who joined our business community in November 2025:
 This year, more than twenty participants completed a 10-week program designed to strengthen leadership skills, build deeper connections within the business community, and grow alongside a dedicated mentor. The Business Leadership Academy of Tacoma-Pierce County is made possible through a partnership between the Chamber and Pacific Lutheran University. Founded in 1978, the Business Leadership Academy is a regional community leadership program that has graduated hundreds of alumni and benefits from the program's vast network for learning and connection. This year's program included several standout experiences, such as a visit to the Port of Tacoma with tours of TOTE Maritime Alaska’s terminal facilities and the Wapato Creek Habitat Site. Participants also enjoyed a guided tour of Downtown Tacoma with Spaceworks Tacoma Director Jennifer English, gaining insight into local arts, culture, economic development, and community activation efforts. Additionally, this year’s cohort collaborated on group community projects, applying their leadership training toward real-world impact. The program concluded with a graduation and celebration luncheon at Court House Square in Downtown Tacoma. Congratulations once again to the 2025 graduates. We can’t wait to see the incredible things you'll accomplish in our community! Welcome to the new members who joined our business community in October 2025:
 The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber gathered hundreds of business and community leaders for our 2025 Annual Meeting, an evening dedicated to celebrating leadership, innovation, and the spirit of Pierce County business. Held at the Silver Cloud Hotel Point Ruston, the event highlighted a year marked by growth, resilience, and collaboration across the region. Interim President & CEO Tom Pierson opened the program with a land acknowledgment honoring the Puyallup Tribe, followed by recognition of our gold sponsor Alaska Airlines, silver sponsor KeyBank, and bronze sponsors Lightcurve, and U.S. Bank. This year’s keynote address was delivered by Jamie Strayer, founder of CU Strategic Planning and executive producer of the PBS series Opportunity Knock$. Strayer’s remarks focused on the power of storytelling and innovation to create economic opportunity and strengthen communities. Passing of the Gavel The Chamber recognized outgoing Board Chair Kierra Phifer, Senior Manager, Northwest Public Engagement at Doordash for her leadership in 2024-2025, and welcomed Chyna Willman, Owner of Grit City Wellness, as the new Chair of the Board of Directors for 2025-2026. Willman emphasized the Chamber’s mission to advocate for business, foster connection, and drive economic growth across Pierce County. Spotlight on Business Awards A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Spotlight on Business Awards, which honor organizations that exemplify leadership, creativity, and community impact. This year’s award categories reflected the evolving drivers of Pierce County’s economic success, recognizing excellence in civic leadership, environmental stewardship, creative entrepreneurship, small business resilience, and industrial innovation. We invite you to learn more about the finalists and winners of the 2025 Spotlight on Business Awards in our previous post. The evening concluded with closing remarks from Board Chair Chyna Willman, who thanked sponsors, members, and attendees for their continued support and partnership. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber extends gratitude to all finalists, judges, sponsors, speakers, staff, and guests who made the event possible. Together, our work continues to power a strong, connected, and resilient Pierce County.  The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Spotlight on Business Awards, our dedicated program recognizing the innovation, leadership, creativity, and resilience that power our regional economy. Each year, the Spotlight on Business Awards honor organizations that go beyond success to make a lasting impact on our community. These winners represent the very best of Pierce County’s community, from civic leadership and creative excellence to sustainability and small business ingenuity. The winners were revealed during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront, where members of the business community gathered to celebrate collective progress; heard from keynote speaker Jamie Strayer, CEO, Creator & Executive Producer of Opportunity Knocks;and connected with regional leaders. 2025 Finalists & Winner by Category Civic Leader The Civic Leader award organizations that actively support civic engagement, economic development, and public policy efforts that strengthen Pierce County. These leaders champion collaboration between the business community and public entities. The finalists are:
The winner of the Spotlight on Business Civic Leader award is The New Tacoma Neighborhood Council. Its team has been building civic connections for over 25 years. Their work represents true grassroots leadership, bringing neighbors, businesses, and public agencies together to shape Tacoma’s future. They’ve hosted community forums on homelessness and housing, contributed to the Tideflats Subarea Plan, and supported the Downtown Tacoma Block Party to foster pride and participation citywide. In partnership with Pierce County, the Downtown Tacoma Partnership, and Tacoma on the Go, they’ve influenced infrastructure planning, urban revitalization, and resource allocation. And their restoration of Peace Plaza at Thea’s Park — through the Buy a Brick campaign — turned public space into a lasting symbol of community ownership and renewal. Industrial Innovator The Industrial Innovator award celebrates businesses using advanced manufacturing technologies or emerging solutions to scale operations, enhance customer experiences, and redefine industry standards. The finalists are: The winner of the Spotlight on Business Industrial Innovator award is Aquagga. This startup is tackling one of the toughest environmental challenges of our time: forever chemicals. From its home base in Tacoma, Aquagga developed Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment, or HALT, a patented process that destroys PFAS — the toxic compounds that persist in water and soil for generations. Unlike traditional filtration methods that only capture these contaminants, Aquagga’s system eliminates them, breaking them down into harmless byproducts like water and salts. Their containerized “Steed Series” reactors can be deployed anywhere — from industrial sites to military bases — allowing for on-site cleanup without costly transport or disposal. Through partnerships with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defense, and global environmental leaders, Aquagga is proving that clean technology can be both powerful and practical, making them and our region a leader in cleantech manufacturing and sustainable remediation. Creative Champion The Creative Champion award honors businesses and organizations driving growth and innovation in the creative economy from design and media to arts, architecture, and marketing. These honorees turn originality into impact through economic contribution, cultural influence, and community connection. The finalists are: The winner of the Spotlight on Business Creative Champion award is Creative Colloquy. Its team has spent more than a decade cultivating Tacoma’s storytelling culture. What began as a single open-mic night has grown into a regional literary movement that brings writers, readers, and listeners together through monthly gatherings, near-weekly workshops, and the annual Creative Colloquy Crawl, a downtown literary festival that draws hundreds of attendees and energizes local businesses. Creative Colloquy publishes both digital and print works by South Sound authors and amplifies diverse voices that reflect our community’s heart. Their events activate local venues, fill restaurants and bookstores, and inspire empathy through shared stories. In a city known for authentic creativity, Creative Colloquy stands as Tacoma’s living proof that stories connect people and storytelling itself is a catalyst for cultural and economic growth. Force Multiplier The Force Multiplier award highlights small-but-mighty businesses with one to ten employees that have built thriving enterprises while maintaining a lean structure. These organizations embody resilience, adaptability, and innovation in service and operations. The finalists are: The winner of the Spotlight on Business Force Multiplier award is HOTWORX University Place. This innovative studio combines infrared heat, isometric exercise, and virtual instruction to deliver results-driven workouts in less time. HOTWORX members enjoy 24/7 access, dozens of class formats, and a supportive community that’s growing fast — from 240 members at launch to more than 600 today – all while maintaining a perfect five-star Google rating. When a major flood forced a full studio closure earlier this year, the team acted fast. Within five days, they partially reopened, and by day 13, they were fully operational, a testament to their dedication and adaptability. HOTWORX embodies the power of innovation with limited resources, turning technology, efficiency, and customer care into a scalable model for wellness success. Environmental Steward The Environmental Steward award recognizes organizations leading the way in sustainability and environmental responsibility. These businesses set measurable goals to reduce impact, improve efficiency, and inspire a greener future for Pierce County. The finalists are: The winner of the Spotlight on Business Environmental Steward award is Pierce Transit. This organization has been driving sustainability for nearly half a century. From pioneering compressed natural gas buses in the 1980s to launching a zero-emission strategy today, Pierce Transit continues to set the pace for green mobility in the region. The agency has reduced total emissions by 19 percent since 2017, transitioned its fleet to renewable natural gas and R99 renewable diesel, and aims for a 100 percent zero-emission fleet by 2042. But their environmental leadership doesn’t stop there. Pierce Transit’s Youth Ride Free program has already provided more than one million free rides to young people, reducing car trips and promoting a generation of transit users. At their facilities, wastewater has been cut by 90 percent through upgraded systems, and new designs ensure full stormwater infiltration so that nothing harmful leaves the site. By combining technology, infrastructure, and education, Pierce Transit demonstrates that sustainability isn’t a department; it’s a spirit and lens that moves people forward. Celebrate with Us Online Jump on to your social networks and celebrate the organizations to spread the news and engage with both the finalists and winners of this year’s Spotlight on Business Awards. Each one demonstrates that you don’t have to look far to find organizations and people are collaborating, creating, and executing initiatives to make our business and broader community not only better, but ultimately stronger.  The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Spotlight on Business Awards, our program recognizing the innovation, leadership, creativity, and resilience that power our regional economy. Each year, the Spotlight on Business Awards honor organizations that go beyond success to make a lasting impact on our community. These finalists represent the best of Pierce County’s business community, from civic leadership and creative excellence to sustainability and small-business ingenuity. The winners will be revealed during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront, where members of the business community will gather to celebrate collective progress; hear from keynote speaker Jamie Strayer, CEO, Creator & Executive Producer of Opportunity Knocks; and connect with regional leaders.
Environmental Steward Recognizes organizations leading the way in sustainability and environmental responsibility. These businesses set measurable goals to reduce impact, improve efficiency, and inspire a greener future for Pierce County. Finalists:
 10/01/2025
Dear Chamber Members, We are writing to share an important leadership update at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. The Chamber’s Board of Directors has appointed Tom Pierson to serve as Interim President & CEO, effective immediately. Many of you know Tom from his previous tenure leading the Chamber for over a decade. He brings deep institutional knowledge, strong relationships across the South Sound, and a steady, member centered approach to leadership. His return at this moment provides invaluable continuity and confidence for our staff, investors, and members. During his tenure at the chamber, Tom led coalitions that secured funding for the 167 Completion project and led the formation of the Manufacturing Industrial Council. Our Board will launch a comprehensive search for our next permanent President & CEO. This process will include input from our members, staff, and community stakeholders to help identify a leader that reflects the values and priorities of Tacoma-Pierce County’s business community. Looking ahead, the Chamber remains strong, focused, and stable. If you have questions or would like to share feedback as we move through this transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and trust. Warm regards, Chyna Willman Board Chair Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Welcome to the new members who joined our business community in September 2025:
Reay is beginning a new chapter at the Washington Hospitality Association. We celebrate the lasting impact she has made in the South Sound business community.
At the heart of Reay’s legacy is the belief that we are stronger together as a community and it will continue to guide us as we enter this next chapter.
We’re excited to watch Reay share her enthusiasm, passion, and light as she shines in her new role. We look forward to collaborating again in the future as she brings her integrity and passion to her new role at the Washington Hospitality Association. |
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