Senate honors Auburn Chamber of Commerce’s 90th anniversary

To mark the 90-year anniversary of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, the state Senate on Monday honored the organization's achievements for businesses and the greater community in a resolution sponsored by Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn.

February 24, 2016 2:27 pm
At the ceremony with state Sen. Joe Fain
At the ceremony with state Sen. Joe Fain

For the Reporter

To mark the 90-year anniversary of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, the state Senate on Monday honored the organization’s achievements for businesses and the greater community in a resolution sponsored by Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn.

Board members and current and former staff were on hand to be recognized in the Senate chamber.

“It was wonderful to have our state senator and good friend, Joe Fain, recognize the significant contributions of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce in celebrating its 90th year of serving the business communities in Auburn, Algona and Pacific,” said Nancy Wyatt, retired president and CEO of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce.

The nonprofit organization partners with 475 local businesses to improve the local economy for businesses and residents while giving back to the community in which they operate.

“The chamber’s focus on building up our entire community plays an important role in inspiring tomorrow’s leaders,” Fain said. “Every year I’ve been in office I have had the opportunity to host the Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound in Olympia to share with current and future leaders how state government works and the importance of engaging with elected officials. I greatly appreciate all the chamber does for all of South King County.”

In addition to legislative advocacy and promoting economic activity, the chamber hosts the Leadership Institute, which prepares local private sector, government and community members for civic and business leadership opportunities. The institute accepts students throughout South King Count, including the cities of Auburn, Kent, Maple Valley, Black Diamond, Covington, Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila.

The chamber also works with local students by hosting an annual high school career conference. The event pairs chamber members with students to share workforce skills, hold mock interviews and host seminars on how to succeed in business.

Chamber board chair Derek Brandes, first vice chair Cathy Wegner, retired chamber president and CEO Nancy Wyatt, current chamber president and CEO Julia Jordan and former Operations and Accounts Director and Fain’s current executive assistant Karen Wickstrom were on hand for the official reading in and approval of the resolution.