M AR CH 2017
TH UR STON C OUN TY C H AMBE R OF C OMME R C E
M
Page 12
A&R Aviation Services Page 16
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help wanted!
A&R Aviation Services is finding success hiring veterans with the help of Camo2Commerce (p.12).
Harlequin Productions
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©2017 BCI
Featuring...
CONTENT & CALENDAR
Every month, the Thurston County Chamber offers several networking events, forums & workshops to the community. Here are some highlights you won't want to miss.
In this issue...
6 Caught in the Lens Photos from Chamber events.
Mar. 2
YPN at The Governors Cellar
8
The Thurston Chamber Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a great
Advocacy Update
place to interact with younger business professionals in a low-pressure environment. Join us at for after hours Mar. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at The Governors Cellar, 621 Capitol Way South, Olympia.
Mar. 7
Morning Mixxer at RE/MAX Parkside JJoin us at RE/MAX Parkside on Tuesday, Mar. 7 at 7:30 a.m. for Morning Mixxer. Enjoy plenty of coffee, breakfast treats and great conversation. Where? 300 Deschutes Way SW #200, Olympia.
Marcch. h 8
12 A&R Aviation Services What started out in Ronnie Hix's garage now
Forum: Best of South Sound!
employs 30 people.
Reserve your seats early! The Best of South Sound Awards Ceremony at the Chamber's March Forum sells out every
16
year, so this year we're holding it at Saint Martin's Marcus
The Business of Art
Pavilion. Tickets available at www.thurstonchamber.com .
Ma Ma ar. r. 8
What does craft brewing, gophers and Interstate-5 have in common? Find the answer on page 8!
Speed Networking! Speed Networking takes traditional face-to-face networking
For the third article in The Business of Art series, we speak with Scot Whitney of Harlequin Productions.
and combines it with smart-matching software that enables participants to pre-select the types of people they are interested in meeting using customized matching
Mar. 16
BAH at Rapid Orthopaedic Center JJoin us at Olympia Orthopaedics Rapid Orthopaedic Center in Lacey on Thurs., March 16 at 5:30 p.m. for Business After Hours. Enjoy appetizers, drinks and great company while learning more about an incredible organization. BAH is free to attend.
For more event information, please visit www.thurstonchamber.com
www.thurstonchamber.com
23 Workforce Development Update
parameters. 6-8 rounds for $50 = A Bargain!
On Feb. 15, regional partners discussed implementation of a new approach for service delivery for businesses and job seekers.
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 3
Now Hiring! Seeking Work-Ready Talent By Sytease Geib, Thurston County Chamber Vice President |Workforce Development
CONTRIBUTORS
I
Natasha Ashenhurst
Businesses are hiring! That’s great news.
Rebekah Finn
However, as a community, we need to help
PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
EDITORIAL Editor: David Schaffert Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com
Sytease Geib
n this issue of the VOICE, a theme emerged in our interview with A&R
Programs and initiatives exist in both education
Aviation Services. This company has
and the public workforce system to support
vacancies they need to fill, but they are
work-based learning opportunities to gain real
faced with a singular challenge—many
world work experience before they leave the
applicants seeking work at A&R do not
possess the soft skills employers need.
need industry as partners in these initiatives in order for them to grow and succeed. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
develop a work-ready workforce.
Greg Raines
education/training environment. However, we
legislation that passed in 2014 is designed to
ADVERTISING
We have a strong K-12 education system, and
help job seekers access employment, education
Sales and Marketing: Marny Bright, Beth
excellent two and four-year college programs
and training to succeed in the labor market and
Phone: (360) 357-3362
aligned with industry needs. We make strides
to match employers with the skilled workers
Email: info@thurstonchamber.com
daily to align short-term training certifications
they need to compete in the global economy.
with industry to create pipelines of talent. There
The legislation identifies business as a primary
is no doubt our training providers are doing
customer and partner of the workforce system,
great things to develop technical skills. However,
and places emphasis on engaging industry to
Johnson or Blake Knoblauch
SUBSCRIPTIONS Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com
the irony in all of this is we spend on average
create workforce solutions. Integrating work-
DESIGN
the first 13 years of our lives in a classroom
based learning earlier and frequently in the
Mosaic Marketing Studio
K-12 setting learning the fundamentals, another
training process is a key critical factor to stop
2-6 years in college training for a specific
the cycle of the soft skills gap.
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Inside the shop at A&R Aviation Services.
career pathway and once those diplomas and
Photo by Greg Raines of Liondenpro
credentials are earned we are off into the world
The Chamber serves as our workforce council’s
Photography.
of work—a world that up until now few have
business services provider. We provide industry
spent significant time exploring.
with the opportunity to train and mentor our
PRINTING
current and future workforce in essential
Print NW
Soft skills or lack thereof is typically the most
skills necessary for long-term success at no
CONTACT THE CHAMBER
common challenge for businesses looking to
cost to the employer. To learn more about
PO Box 1427
hire, however, the practical application of soft
these opportunities, contact the Chamber at
809 Legion Way SE
skills cannot happen within the confines of a
360.357.3362.
Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 357-3362
classroom.
Email: info@thurstonchamber.com Website: www.thurstonchamber.com
COPYRIGHT
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTORS DIAMOND INVESTORS:
All material appearing in the VOICE
information is correct at time of
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printing, but the publisher accepts no
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responsibility or liability for the accuracy
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Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure
of any information contained in the text or advertisements.
4 • March 2017 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
Morningside Olympia Federal Savings Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Print NW Providence St. Peters Saint Martin's University TwinStar Credit Union Washington Business Bank
GOLD INVESTORS First Citizens Bank Cabinets by Trivonna Columbia Bank The Creative Office GHB Insurance Great Wolf Lodge Hometown Property Management
Jessica Jensen Law PS Nicholson & Associates Nisqually Red Wind Casino Olympia Furniture Company Pardiman Productions Puget Sound Energy RHD Enterprises Hotel RL Olympia Saint Martin’s University SCJ Alliance TAGS Wells Fargo-
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A CENTURY OF HELPING OTHERS.
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Caught in the Lens...
6 • March 2017 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
A collection of photos taken at Chamber events during February 2017
www.thurstonchamber.com
Photos from: Ribbon cutting at Niko Teriyaki, YPN at Don Juan's Mexican Kitchen, Morning Mixxer at Greene Realty, February Forum, Education Summit & EXPO, Ribbon Cutting at Pacific Medical Center, Ribbon Cutting at Tranquility Dental Wellness Center, Thurston Chamber Member Orientation and Leadership Thurston County Distinguished Leader Awards.
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 7
ADVOCACY UPDATE
What do these things have in common? They are some of the issues and items that the Public Policy Division is actively working on for the benefit of Chamber members and the community.
One of the Thurston County Chamber’s primary missions is advocacy, which can take many forms—providing beneficial services and products to Chamber members; supporting nonprofit, education and government organizations; and, of course, lobbying government bodies on issues impacting business and community. Here are a few of the issues we are actively engaged in this month:
gophers, I-5 & craft brewing
investments and partnerships that support a rapidly growing industry with strong roots in the history of our community. The Public Policy Division is dedicated to growing a prosperous economy and vibrant community by connecting people, ideas,
•
•
•
Gopher: We’re supporting common and consistent rules for
and resources. Public policy is determined by those that
Habitat Conservation Plans and other land use regulations.
participate and share their experiences, ideas, and insights
We encourage the cities and county to share information
as decisions are made. The Chamber encourages members to
to make the process more predictable for affected property
be active and to let our voices be heard at city hall, the county
owners.
courthouse, and the state capitol.
Interstate-5: We’re advocating for efforts that start planning for future state and local investments in I-5 between
Are you interested in learning more about having a voice in the
Mounts Road to 93rd Avenue so that the movement of
public process or perhaps running for elected office? Please
products and people aren’t choked in Thurston County.
contact Doug Mah at Doug@Dougmahassociates.com for more
Craft brewing: We're calling for public and private
information.
8 • March 2017 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston Green celebrates business sustainability, apply today!
Thurston Green Business designation applications are open Jan. 1 - Mar. 15. Apply online at www.thurstongreenbusiness.com
S
aving water, conserving energy, reducing waste and buying or selling green are all sustainable steps that improve the health of our community and environment. Businesses who take these steps to lower their environmental footprint find that
they save money while protecting and preserving resources. In Thurston County, businesses who take one or all of these stewardship steps receive recognition for their efforts when they become a Thurston Green Business. It’s easy and FREE to join. Applications accepted through Mar. 15, 2017.
Apply today! It's free! Visit www.thurstongreenbusiness.com www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 9
Fifth-Annual Best of South Sound Awards Celebration Set for March
CHAMBER FORUM
T
he Thurston County Chamber and The Olympian are pleased to co-host the fifth-annual awards ceremony for Best of South Sound category winners. The awards ceremony will take place at the Chamber’s Forum March 8. We expect a fullhouse, so advance registration is encouraged.
For the past decade the Olympian has recognized Thurston County businesses with the coveted Best of South Sound award. Readers vote online for their favorite business in over 80 categories, including favorites such as Best Bank, Best Real Estate Agent, Best Dentist and of course, Best Buffet. The Thurston County Chamber Forum meets on the second Wednesday of the month, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Saint Martin’s University Marcus Pavilion. Forum includes lunch and the cost is $35 for general admission,
Controlled Rain, LLC won 2015 Best of South Sound - Best Landscaper.
$25 for prepaid Chamber members, and $30 for members at the door. Finalists are able to register for $25 online through March 2. Reservations are strongly advised. Immediately following the Best of South Sound Awards Ceremony, the Thurston County Chamber will host a brand-new event—Speed Networking—allowing business professionals to meet fellow professionals in a structured process and uncover synergies that can lead to increased business opportunities.
“Rick quickly understands issues and complexity, has a very clear mind, and provides helpful advice and soluƟons. Rick usually sees the problem two or three steps ahead and his advice is, therefore, comprehensive. He has my unreserved recommendaƟon” Michael MaƩhias, City Manager, Des Moines, WA
“We live in a busy world where not everyone has time for traditional networking. Speed Networking uses technology to pre-match participants with each other. We’re anticipating a lot of interest in this event and hope to offer it several times a year,” said David Schaffert, Chamber President/CEO. Speed Networking takes the traditional values of face-to-face business networking and combines it with smart-matching software enabling participants to pre-select the types of people
Advancing his clients’ legal interests since 1987 Employment law Contracts Real estate Government
they are interested in meeting using customized matching parameters. Each participant receives a customized schedule of meetings based on their interests.
Call (360) 464-6533 www.richardhugheslaw.com
For more information about attending or sponsoring the event, visit thurstonchamber.com www.thurstonchamber.com
324 West Bay Dr. NW, Ste. 201, Olympia
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 11
A & R Av i at i o n S e r v i c e s
E
stablished in 2008, A&R Aviation Services has experienced continuous growth. What started out in Ronnie Hix's garage now employs 30 people. A&R's commitment to reliability has built a reputation that brought on board clients like Alaska Airlines and Delta and customers as far away as Asia, Europe and South America. By
Natasha Ashenhurst Greg Raines
Photographs by
12 • March 2017 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
www.thurstonchamber.com
Ronnie Hix, left and Matthew Cook, right, examine a new project. Matthew Cook is a veteran, hired by A&R Aviation through the Camo2Commerce program.
W
hen Ronnie Hix was in high school, he and a buddy took a few flight lessons and quickly developed a passion for airplanes. He discovered that he not only enjoyed flying but had an interest in working on airplanes. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy to work on military aircraft and spent four years traveling the world and saw action in Operation Desert Storm / Desert Shield.
When he left the Navy, he started working at Aero Controls, Inc. in Auburn, a company specializing in aviation repair work. While he learned the aviation business on the job he simultaneously earned his Bachelor’s degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Once he completed his degree, he started working his way up the ladder, starting as a technician, then shop manager, customer service, sales and marketing and finally in business development. “When I went as high as I could at Aero Controls I became bored. I needed more fulfilling and challenging work, so in 2008 I opened A&R Aviation Services with my business partner, Adam Witcraft,” said Hix. They started the business out of Hix’s garage. “We lived on a one lane dirt road and we were repairing parts for Boeing classic 727s and 737s. Semi-trucks would try and haul the parts down our road. It was challenging. Our front yard and driveway were full of airplane parts and I was using my dad’s John Deer tractor as a forklift. Finally, my wife told me to find a different place to run the business,” Hix said with a laugh. That first year in business, A&R billed close to $1 million in sales. They went from two people to five. “We were looking for aviation minded people to lease a space www.thurstonchamber.com
from, so we talked to the Port of Olympia and Jeff Powell of Prime Development. The Port owns the land and Prime builds the hangars. So, we started in hangar M5,” he said. A&R kept growing and kept having to move to a larger and larger hangar. Finally, they worked with Powell to build a new space that should contain the company for a while. Hix credits the sustained growth of A&R to their commitment to reliability, outstanding service and the highest quality work in the industry. A&R Aviation is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified shop providing repair and overhaul services to aviation partners, including Boeing, Airbus, Douglas and military aircraft. While the company began repairing primarily classic airframes for a few customers, now they have moved into working with several brokers and domestic airlines, including Alaska Airlines and Atlas Air, airlines that operate the newer generation of Boeing aircraft. They serve customers throughout North America as well as customers in Asia, Europe and South America. A&R employs 30 people across the organization, including customer service, sales and marketing, business development, aviation technicians, shipping and receiving and logistic Continued on page 15 Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 13
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14 • March 2017 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
www.thurstonchamber.com
Continued from page 13
A&R Aviation occupies a hangar leased from Jeff Powell of Prime Development on land owned by The Port of Olympia. Aircraft parts are labeled and await repair. A&R Aviation is a FAA & EASA certified shop providing repair and overhaul services to aviation partners.
positions. To date, Hix said his biggest challenge in running an aviation-repair company is finding the right people to join his team. “Hiring good, quality people is hard. Many are missing the soft skills they need to be successful. A turning point for me was when my CFO, Sarah Shaw, partnered up with Sytease Geib, [Vice President of Workforce Development at the Thurston County Chamber] and Camo2Commerce. To date, we’ve interviewed and hired several individuals that have chosen to exit the military. It has become one of our go-to sources for hiring employees. These folks have the discipline and the initiative our employees need to be successful,” he said. Another hiring challenge Hix continuously faces is finding people who can pass the FAA required drug
www.thurstonchamber.com
tests. “Now that marijuana is legal in Washington State, a lot of people don’t realize that you can’t use it if you work at a federally inspected workplace. All new hires have to pass an initial drug screen, and then we run random drug tests which we have to report back to the FAA. This is another reason hiring veterans has been successful for us. They couldn’t use marijuana when they were enlisted so passing the drug tests is not a barrier,” he explained. When A&R hires a new employee, that person goes through a comprehensive training and mentoring program mandated by the FAA. “Our training manager works with new employees oneon-one. It is an excellent program and folks do not need an aviation background to be successful here. We find that people with a background in auto body repair or technicians easily transfer those skills to working with aircraft parts,” he said.
Hix wishes that more students would consider a career in the trades. He explains, “As parents, we want our kids to become a doctor or lawyer, but what society needs are plumbers, mechanics and electricians. And not only is the work rewarding, but it is financially rewarding too. “I knew one day that I would be an entrepreneur. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to be in these shoes, I know how tough it is to run a business. It is non-stop, 24/7 work. We have to stay ahead of the changes in technology. We have to find new and faster ways to do the different aspects of our job. We have to decrease expenses and increase profitability. I’ve learned more in the nine years I’ve been in business than I ever learned in the classroom. Owning a business is my education, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.” ●
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 15
Scot and Linda Whitney in front of the State Theater. Linda and Scot share the role of Artistic Director at Harlequin Productions. Photo credit: Tor Clausen.
Harlequin Productions &
The Business Of Art Written by Rebekah Finn
A
nyone who might be on the fence about the importance of live theater only needs to sit down with Scot Whitney for a few minutes to be convinced. His wildfire energy when describing the power of storytelling spreads to his listener’s heart and mind.
“There is a unique experience in [live] theater, where it’s completely different from watching a movie: you’re in the same room, breathing the same air, there’s an exchange of energy between audience and actors, and it is a safe place to experience much more dangerous territory than we normally have in our lives,” Whitney explains. What theater offers is a chance to witness first-hand how another person might feel and think and live, thereby getting audience members out of their usual bubble to understand a different perspective. According to Whitney, this gets to the purpose of art: to broaden minds. “I believe the ultimate gift of the theater is empathy.” And in a
16 • March 2017 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
www.thurstonchamber.com
"My Name is Rachel Corrie" was on stage at Harlequin Productions Jan./Feb., 2017. A native of Olympia, Rachel Corrie was a student at The Evergreen State College who traveled to the Gaza Strip in 2003. She was killed by an armored bulldozer while acting as a human shield in an attempt to stop the destruction of a house. Photo courtesy of Harlequin Productions. time when division abounds, and connection and compassion
finally told a friend what he had been thinking, his friend
are in high demand, why not seek out a dose of empathy in our
blurted out, “That’s perfect! I know it’s going to happen!” After
own backyard?
multiple people reacted the same way, it confirmed what the founders had begun to realize: it was time for Harlequin
History In 1991 Whitney set out with his wife, Linda, and three other people—James L. This, Phil Annis and Ronna Smith—to start producing plays that would simultaneously challenge and entertain Thurston County audiences. This group of five founders pooled their passion and their start-up capital (only $400!), and began producing plays on the black box stage of the Washington Center. “Our productions started out small; we had very limited resources, but we had a lot of energy, a lot of talent, and a lot of really great people to work with,” Whitney recalls. “We put up one show, and it did well. So we did another one, and another one, and another one and produced six small plays in that first season.” They decided to offer subscriptions, and quickly got a starter group of 85 patrons. “The next year we doubled that, the
Productions to buy and refurbish its own space. After gathering some sound advice and support from the community, in June of 1996, six years after first starting Harlequin Productions, Whitney announced on stage that they would be purchasing, gutting and remodeling the State Theater on the corner of 4th Avenue and Washington. “From that day, we had almost exactly 17 months to raise the money, buy it and gut it.” And raise the money, buy it and gut it they did, pulling together grants and donations to make it happen. “We revived a derelict building, and turned it into one of the best performance spaces in the state.” Whitney recognizes the challenge of keeping healthy activity alive and well in urban centers, and he is proud that Harlequin Productions is able to hold down a prominent corner of downtown Olympia.
next year we doubled that and it grew very rapidly.”
Sustainability
Within two years, it was evident that Harlequin Productions
In the twenty years since 1997, Harlequin Productions has
was outgrowing its rented space. Whitney started to
had years of fantastic ticket sales, and other years of operating
contemplate what seemed to him like a crazy idea. When he
in the red. What has enabled them to keep their doors open
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 17
360.456.4999
venablespestmanagement.com info@venablespest.com
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2010 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia
through tough economic
house usher or ticket-
times? The support of
taker, or a behind-the-
community members
scenes production crew
through sponsorships and
member. The best way
donations. Looking ahead,
to contribute is to buy
Harlequin Productions is
a subscription for the
prioritizing a budget plan
entire season, which
that will move its income
comes with many perks
from 65-75% ticket sales
like discounts and first
to a more even 50%-50%
pick of seats. You could
split between earned and
also join the “Dr. Feel
unearned income.
Good” club and get the VIP treatment at every show you attend.
How can businesses contribute to this needed art form in our
Just like everything
community? Sponsor a
we do, the intersection
show or event, advertise in the program or make a donation. Nonprofit
Harlequin Productions not only stages contemporary plays, but plays by Shakespeare too. Here is a photo from The Two Gentlemen of Verona, on stage Sept./Oct., 2016. Photo courtesy of Harlequin Productions.
between art and business happens within the individual person. We can contribute to a
organizations may also be eligible to participate in the Community Partnership Program.
thriving Olympia arts community by being a patron of the arts,
How can individuals contribute? Attend a show! Plan a date
exploring something new and stretching our minds to connect
night, or grab some friends and get down to the box office. If
with other human beings. ●
you’re low on cash, Harlequin offers various discounts, and you could even catch a show for free by volunteering as a front-of-
www.thurstonchamber.com
Rebekah Finn is a freelance writer for the VOICE Magazine. You can reach Rebekah at rebekahufinn@gmail.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 19
20 • March 2017 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
www.thurstonchamber.com
CHAMBER FOUNDATION
A
pril is national “Math Awareness Month.” To celebrate and engage our
students and community around reallife math applications, the Thurston County Chamber Education Committee is promoting our 7th annual “Math for Life” event for students in Griffin, Olympia, North Thurston, and Tumwater school districts.
Last year we had nearly 700 students participate in this event! Math for Life’s goal is to promote real life math skills through a program that connects the business community and education. Go on a scavenger hunt to local businesses in our region and find out how they use math! Out of town for the week of spring break? You still have a chance to win, Math for Life runs from March 25 – April 9, 2017! Math for Life 2017’s map will be released on March 25th, 2017.
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 21
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
On February 15, regional partners met to discuss implementation of a new approach to maximize the service delivery experience to businesses and job seekers. On left, Sytease Geib leads a discussion on creating building blocks to partnerships.
Building Blocks to Partnerships
O
By Sytease Geib n February 15, the Thurston Chamber Workforce Development team helped lead a regional workforce meeting on behalf of Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, and included partners in
education, workforce development and WorkSource. This group discussed implementation of a new approach to maximize the service delivery experience to businesses and job seekers. The Thurston County Chamber is the contracted entity for PacMtn’s Business Service initiatives throughout a five county region including Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pacific Counties. A large part of this role is to provide leadership and functional oversight of business service activity through the WorkSource system and create a collaborative approach to bring other partners within the region together to discuss big picture strategies, form integrated teams and reduce duplication of efforts. The concept of partnering with other organizations delivering similar or complimentary services to customers seems easy and the right thing to do, yet when implemented it becomes tricky. Providing the platform to share ideas, concerns and best practices with regional partners creates trust and inclusiveness which are foundational to building long lasting partnerships. The Chamber will host these regional business service team meetings every quarter. The format: latest updates on big picture projects/activities, re-cap of goals and progress and regional training topics based upon feedback and cross training opportunities shared by the regional team members. ●
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE March 2017 23
Questions call 923.4560
TwinStar Credit Union Corporate Center 4525 Intelco Loop SE Lacey, WA 98503
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 7:30 A.M.
Hit it off at our Morning Mixxer!
Commercial real estate loans Equipment/Vehicle loans Operating lines of credit Dividend earning business checking accounts Merchant Card Services Electronic check depositing Payroll services
Branches in Olympia, West Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey and Yelm.
Please visit TwinStarCU.com/business
• • • • • • •
MVP Business Product Lineup:
PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427