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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce Elects President, Sets New Mandates

Ellensburg, Wash. (Oct. 10, 2006) – It's been a busy fall for the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce, which just recently voted in new president Bob Hasen of ReMax Community Realty, and completed a two-day retreat where board members discussed Ellensburg's economy and the Chamber's role in its future.

Hansen replaces Ron Kohler for the one-year presidential term. Kohler, owner of downtown restaurant Pearl's on Pearl Wine Bar & Bistro, said he plans to stay very involved with the Chamber.

“I volunteered for another three-year term,” Kohler said. “I'm actively working on bringing in a convention program. That has the potential to bring an incredible amount to downtown, the community and the college.”

Chamber Director Ron Cridlebaugh said Kohler was a “big player in WinterHop BrewFest” and was instrumental in organizing the first candidates debate.

Hansen, a commercial real estate agent, has lived in Kittitas County for 20 years and been with the Chamber for four. As the new president, he plans to pursue three specific goals: bring in more business and strengthen ties with current ones, as well as improve customer service.

“That's what the board has directed me to do. Our motto this year is we're open for business. We're taking down the vacancy signs and bringing business into the community,” Hansen said. “And we will work with all the businesses that are here today by bringing in more forums, speakers and classes that our present businesses can attend to tone up their business tools.”

Cridlebaugh expressed confidence in Hansen's abilities.

“Bob has been in a leadership position for several years on the state level and now wants to devote his energy on a more local level. He became involved in the Chamber as a way to help the business community,” Cridlebaugh said.

Several other community members have also joined the board this fall, including Reed Larsen (Marketing Solutions for Central Washington), Aaron Zimmerman (Bank of the West), Marshall Madsen (Holiday Inn Express and Ellensburg Inn), Dick Smith (Kittitas Valley Community Hospital) and Jean Krisle (Suncadia). Gary Jones recently left the board after three years.

The newly-appointed executive committee includes Hansen, Debbie Strand (Economic Development Group of Kittitas County), Jo Kern (Big Apple Country & Gifts), Dale Jurgens (University Auto Center), Madsen, Bill Arnold (Ranch & Home) and Kohler. Board officers for the year are Hansen as president, Strand as first vice president, Jurgens as second vice president and Kern as treasurer.

During the two-day retreat, board members discussed several big issues, focusing specifically on Ellensburg's economy. Bringing in more business is its No. 1 priority, Cridlebaugh said.

“We want to make Ellensburg a better place to live, to visit and to do business in. We plan to work as an advocacy for business.”

Cridlebaugh said past directors and board members did an excellent job of improving Ellensburg's tourism. Now the Chamber wants to focus on business retention.

“We have a good handle on our tourism now. We're guiding it and keeping it moving in the right direction. Former Chamber Directors Jim Armstrong and Alan Walker laid a lot of groundwork and really got the tourism ball rolling.”

“We want to reach out beyond the Chamber and partner with the Ellensburg Downtown Association, the Economic Development Group of Kittitas County, Central Washington University and Kittitas Valley Community Hospital to work together. If we can work together as a group, I think we can be much more effective,” Cridlebaugh explained.