Who's behind the Redmond Chamber of Commerce? And what are they doing?

UPDATED:  The Redmond Chamber of Commerce is participating in a 'feasibility study' with two city funded, public-private partnerships.  The goal is to coordinate business development fund-raising.   The Chamber also appears to be working on a membership drive. Their Board of Trustee membership is listed below. 

The Redmond Chamber of Commerce attracts organizations from cities outside of Redmond and so is named the "Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce."  A few of  the major outside members are:  Evergreenhealthcare (Kirkland), Puget Sound Energy (Bellevue), Reporter Newspapers (Kent), and *Allied Waste (Lynnwood).  The following  is an excerpt from a Redmond chamber newsletter:   Read More >>

by Tom Martin, President, Chamber of Commerce, July Chamber Newsletter

The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce recently surveyed business owners in the greater Redmond area who are currently not members...to better understand why they have chosen not to be members. A key theme from that survey is...they are choosing carefully how they spend their money. Every expenditure needs to be seen as an investment... As a Chamber, we need to continually assess the value we bring to our members..."

One of  [our] key value propositions...offers advocacy at the city, county and state level.  Our partnership with the City of Redmond is a strength. Multiple city councilmen and leaders are members and serve on our Board. It is these relationships that allow us to advocate on the behalf of business for improved services, restraint on taxes and fees and a shared vision for making Redmond a great place to live, work, and play. 

Tom Martin is an Executive Vice President at Evergreen Hospital, Kirkland, WA.

Do you know the key business owners, managers, and influencers within the 400 member Redmond Chamber?  Pat Vache' is currently the only Redmond Council member on the Board or Trustees.  The Redmond City Council just joined.  Redmond Mayor Marchione isn't a formal member.  

Mayor John Marchione is coordinating the Chamber, Realize Redmond and REDA fundraising activities.  He's on the Board of "Realize Redmond", a public-private partnership founded to raise money for the new Downtown Park.  $150,000 taxpayer seed money has been spent to date on REDA and Realize Redmond.  (Comment:  I've heard from a very reliable source that months ago Evergreen donated $100,000 to Realize Redmond.). Click this link to learn more about REDA and these partnerships.    

Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce" Board of Trustees

"The Heavy Hitters" (Major Fundraising Sources and/or influencers) 
*Tom Martin (Chair), Evergreen Healthcare, Trustee, REDA,  Realize Redmond  (Dr. John Midtling) 
Jim Stanton, Microsoft, Trustee, Redmond Economic Development Alliance (REDA), Realize Redmond
Jason Van Hort, Puget Sound Energy  Trustee, REDA, Realize Redmond
Pat Vache', City of Redmond, Redmond Council member, Chamber Trustee, REDA, RR (informal)
 Lake Washington School District, Chamber, Ex-Officio. Trustee, REDA
The Redmond City Council is a new member.  Hank Margeson and Hank Myers are contacts. 


* Asterisk designates Chamber members on the Executive Committee, Board of Trustees
*Stephen Maffett, Columbia Bank, Past Chair.
*Auggie Kempf, Evergreen Healthcare Commissioner, Financial Planning, Chamber Membership Chair
*Rick Driftmier, Architect, Chamber Communications Chair
*William Garing, Governmental Affaires (retired from land use consutltant firm)
*Ryan Baumgatner, Cashman Consulting, Golf fundraiser
*Debra Cobin, Marbella Day Spa & Boutique, Galla fundraiser
*Jim Myers, Chiropractor  See who else is on the Board of Trustees. Read More >>

Daniel Youmans, ATT, Ex-Officio
Meagan Walker, Cascadia College, Ex-Officio
Rob Odle, City of Redmond, Director of Planning and Development.
Micheal Tenhulzen, Tenhulzen Remodel
William Biggs, Group Health
Andrea Southern, Publisher, Reporter Newspapers
Cindy Courtmanch, Marymoor Press
Kay Walin, Emerald Heights
Sue Jarvis, Redmond Cable
Andrea Lachmann, PS Business Parks
Daniel Youmans, ATT, Ex-Officio
Bob Hale, Entrepreneur Source
Diana Merrit, Landover Mortgage
Janet Prichard, *Allied Waste
   - Allied Waste (Republic) has 1/2 the business in the City of Kirkland and the business in Bellevue.  Waste Management has all the business in the City of Redmond. Allied Waste is the major sponsor the nonprofit "Redmond Basketball" gym.

Report and Opinion by Bob Yoder