After conducting a three-month search period, the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced on Thursday (March 28) Carol Kolson as their new President/CEO.
Kolson will assume the role on Monday, April 8. She was selected out of more than 40 applicants.
Carol has been involved with the Southwest King County Chamber for the last 6 years and is excited to help lead the Chamber. She has a 28-year banking career, most recently at HomeStreet Bank for 13 years. She has also worked in Marysville, Camano Island, Everett and Bellevue as a banker. Most of her banking career has focused on building meaningful relationship with clients.
Carol has served on the Southwest King County Chamber Board of Directors in the Chair position, Golf Tournament Chair, Funding and Events Committee and the Ambassador Committee. She believes being an active member at the Southwest King County Chamber resulted in new and long lasting client relationships.
Volunteering at non-profits who serve South King County cities has been a big part of Carol’s life. She is a member of the Tukwila Historical Society, and has chaired events for DAWN and Habitat for Humanity. She has taught financial literacy classes for several non-profits in South King County. Giving back to local communities is important to her as a business leader. She won the DAWN 2012 Hero Award, Southwest King County Chamber 2011 Outstanding Community Service Award and the Seattle Rotary 2007 Service Above Self Award.
Born and raised in Johnstown, PA, Carol has made the Seattle area her home since 1981. She loves to play golf, read and cook. She has had the opportunity to travel to Dubai, Qatar, China, Japan and Mexico City. Carol has two sons that also live in the Northwest, and her fiancée, John, works for Boeing.
Here’s a brief interview with Carol:
“I have been involved with the Southwest King County Chamber for the last 6 years and am excited to help lead the Chamber. I have a 28 year banking career, most recently at HomeStreet Bank for 13 years. I have also worked in Marysville, Camano Island, Everett and Bellevue as a banker. Most of my banking career has focused on building meaningful relationship with clients.
I have served on the Southwest King County Chamber Board of Directors in the Chair position, Golf Tournament Chair, Funding and Events Committee and the Ambassador Committee. I believe that being an active member at our Chamber resulted in new and long lasting client relationships.
Volunteering at non-profits who serve our South King County cities has been a big part of my life. I am a member of the Tukwila Historical Society, and have chaired events for DAWN and Habitat for Humanity. I have taught financial literacy classes for several non-profits in South King County. Giving back to our communities is important to me as a business leader. I won the DAWN 2012 Hero Award, Southwest King County Chamber 2011 Outstanding Community Service Award and the Seattle Rotary 2007 Service Above Self Award.
Born and raised in Johnstown, PA, I have made the Seattle area my home since 1981. I love to play golf, read and cook. I have had the opportunity to travel to Dubai, Qatar, China, Japan and Mexico City. I have two sons that also live in the Northwest. My fiancée, John, works for Boeing.
I am looking forward to working with the Board of Directors, Chamber staff and our members!”
Get outside and make a difference with your Friday afternoon!
Join BECU, Forterra and the City of Tukwila from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Friday, March 8 and help restore the Duwamish shoreline.
“Join community members and local businesses for an afternoon of volunteering to restore the Duwamish River shoreline. Volunteers will help dig out invasive blackberry, lay down mulch and plant native vegetation. This event will continue the Restore the Duwamish Shoreline Challenge initiated by BECU. Come learn more about the Challenge’s goal of uniting Tukwila’s business community for this local environmental cause and lend a hand restoring the Duwamish River’s ecosystem. For more information about the Restore the Duwamish Shoreline Challenge visit the challenge’s website.
Where to Meet: Green River Trail at the BECU Campus (12770 Gateway Dr. Tukwila,WA)
What to Bring: Please dress for the weather (layers are encouraged), wear close-toed shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring a filled water bottle. Tools, training and refreshments will be provided
Youth Volunteers: Volunteers under 18 and attending the event without a parent or guardian must bring a waiver signed by a parent or guardian to the event with them. Click here to download the Forterra Youth Volunteer Waiver.
Sign up to volunteer at http://www.forterra.org/events/volunteer_to_restore_the_duwamish_shoreline1
WHEN: Friday, March 8, 2013, from 1:00 – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Green River Trail near BECU campus, Tukwila, 12770 Gateway Dr, Tukwila, WA 98168
COST: Free
INFO: http://www.forterra.org/events/volunteer_to_restore_the_duwamish_shoreline1
Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Lynn Wallace is leaving her position to join the Renton Chamber of Commerce, according to an email sent out Monday (Jan. 14).
Wallace has served for nearly the last two years at the chamber – which serves Tukwila, Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac – with her start date being April 4, 2011.
She replaced outgoing CEO Nancy Hinthorne, who retired.
Wallace also served on the Board of Directors for Discover Burien, of which she is leaving as well.
Prior to the SWKCC gig, Lynn served as Executive Director of the Eastern Pierce County Chamber of Commerce from 1994 to 2004, then spent six years in the local hotel industry.
No word yet from the chamber on who might replace Lynn, or when the search will begin.
Here’s the full text of her goodbye email:
I have been fortunate these past two years to work with a great group of people, both the volunteers and the staff of the Southwest King County Chamber. The Chamber is financially stable, the programs are moving along with great leadership and the future looks bright.
An opportunity became available last month that would allow me to take my career on another path and take on new challenges. With a heavy heart I have decided to move forward and take the CEO position with the Renton Chamber of Commerce. I will continue to support the Southwest King County Chamber this month and ensure the Chamber continues the wonderful progress you have made possible this past year.
The Southwest King County Chamber has so many exceptional leaders and volunteers; it will continue to be a strong voice for the business community in Southwest King County. You have two great staff members who make this a great place to work and I know they will continue to work hard and make every program in the Chamber successful.
I want to thank you for the trust you have put in me at the Southwest King County Chamber and I have enjoyed every minute of my time here. I feel lucky to have met and worked with each one of you and I hope I have the opportunity to work with you in the future.
My very best wishes,
Lynn
President/CEO
SOUTHWEST KING COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
On Friday (Jan. 11), the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce awarded the following 2013 Business Award Winners at its annual luncheon (click image to see larger version):
L-R: Randy Coplen, The Quincy Group, SWKCC 2013 Board Chair; Kris Van Gasken, Des Moines Area Food Bank, Winner of Outstanding Leadership Award; Michael Schabbing, Courtyard by Marriott/Southcenter, Winner of Business Advocate Award; Barbara Panush, The Ink Stop, Winner of Ambassador of the Year Award; Kathy Powers, Orion Industries, Winner of Large Business of the Year Award; Ashley Fosberg, Highline Schools Foundation, Winner of Outstanding Community Service Award; Jackie Bea, Basil’s Kitchen & Bar, Winner of Small Business of the Year Award.
“Congratulations to our 2013 Business Award Winners!” they said on their Facebook page. “YOU GUYS ROCK!!!”
Tukwil is one of seven King County school districts to win a share of $40 million in federal “Race to the Top” funds, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday (Dec. 11).
Tukwila, along with Auburn, Highlne, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Seattle and Tukwila school districts competed together this fall as “The Road Map District Consortium,” a reference to their participation in the Road Map Project. This project is a collaborative effort to dramatically improve education in South Seattle and South King County.
The King County districts’ application was among 16 winners selected out of 372 applications. Awards ranged from $5 million to $40 million, depending on the number of students served by the plan. The Road Map District Consortium was one of only two applicants to win the maximum award of $40 million.
“This is a major victory for students and families in South King County,” said Senator Patty Murray. “When we level the playing field by providing increased access and opportunity for our students, everyone wins. I congratulate the Road Map District Consortium for their outstanding leadership and collaboration in this endeavor. This victory will have a long-lasting impact on our community, and our state, as we all work together to build a brighter future for our students.”
The Puget Sound Educational Service District will serve as the lead agency responsible for overall project management and function as the fiscal agent.
“This amazing accomplishment proves that great things can happen when we work together. Thank you to all our partner organizations, districts, unions, community agencies, cities and housing authorities. The effort and commitment behind this plan is unprecedented – it’s a level of collaboration that should be celebrated and replicated,” said John Welch, Superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District.“The region’s plan is designed to have big impact where it’s needed most. We are excited to roll out strategies that will help all students experience success.”
The winning plan covers 261 schools and 150,000 students, including 36,000 high-need children. The districts will use the four-year Race to the Top grant to implement the following plans to help students “Start Strong,” be “STEM Strong” and “Stay Strong”:
Start Strong – We know that early learning is critical
- Provide funds to help districts work with preschools and early learning programs to help kids be ready to be successful in kindergarten
- Improve math, science and English Language Learner (ELL) teaching and leadership approaches so all students receive high-quality instruction
STEM Strong – We live in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-intensive region
- Provide a computer-based math instructional program for all high-need K-8th grade students that they can use in school and at home
- Help students explore STEM careers via online tools, speakers, mentors and internships
- Be a leader in implementing Next Generation Science Standards
Stay Strong – These strategies will help more students be successful in post-secondary education
- Offer all students the opportunity to take the SAT and PSAT in school for free
- Offer training for middle and high school guidance counselors and provide counselor assistants to better serve more students
- Offer districts the opportunity to the Advanced Placement (AP) course selections for students and help more teachers to get AP course training. Also, provide the opportunity to include more STEM, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, world language and career certificate options
The grant also meets minimum federal requirements:
- Strong focus on personalizing education
- Stronger teacher, principal and superintendent evaluations by 2014
- Implementation of Common Core State Standards complete by the 2014-15 school year
- Transparent reporting of data and school-level expenditures
Additionally, the consortium’s commitments go beyond the minimum federal requirements:
- Provide all high-need elementary students with a summer reading plan
- Double the number of students taking algebra or higher by the end of eighth grade
- Help all eighth-grade students complete a personalized plan to be college- and career-ready
This is the first time the federal Race to the Top competition has been open to districts and district consortiums. Previously, the grants had only been offered to states.
To read the region’s Race to the Top application, click here.
To view a full list of Race to the Top finalists, please click here.
REMINDER: Santa Photos at Advertiser Photography by Steven at their Burien studio ends this weekend – Friday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 16!
Just click here to schedule your completely private photo session for your kids or family before Santa gets too busy.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in their Burien studio for one final weekend for private sessions.
Please note though that Friday, Dec. 14 is totally booked up, so your last chance is:
- Saturday December 15th – Sunday December 16th
To schedule your private session in their “virtual line” for Santa for please use our online calendar.
“Let us help to give your child a memory that will last a lifetime,” they said. “With Packages starting at just $20 why would you want to wait in line at the mall??”
Christmas cards are also available and ready for pick up in just a few days.
For package pricing and to schedule your place in “line” click here.
Here are some actual testimonials from Readers:
- Melissa says:
We’ve done this two years in a row now. Not only great photos, but a great experience as well! What a concept! Book your appointment online in advance. No waiting in lines. No trying to find a parking spot at the mall. No waiting around with other people’s screaming children. You get a full 15 minutes with Santa without any rush or hassle. Not only that, but Mr. AND Mrs. Claus are prepared with your child’s background info such as likes and dislikes, names of their teachers, pets, etc. It’s a wonderful, personal experience. So thankful to have stumbled upon this on the B-Town Blog two years ago! Thank you!!! -
Carriesays:This was a GREAT experience!! Fully recommend! She was kind of on the fence about Santa, but after Santa knew so much about her, she’s definitely convinced he’s real. Very fun, and intimate… and great quality pictures to chose from.
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Betsysays:They do a great job with their photos and you keep your money in Burien with local owners. Win-win.
Photography by Steven is located at 243 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien.
For more information call 206-433-0988.
“Santa’s Landing Party” at The Museum of Flight in Tukwila begins Saturday morning, December 15, when the jolly old man and his wife will fly in via a classic de Havilland Beaver bush plane at 10 a.m.
After greeting well-wishers outside, the red velvet couple will hear children’s holiday wishes inside the Museum until 2 p.m., while music and family activities continue throughout the galleries.
The activities inside of the Museum are free with admission to the Museum. Greeting Santa’s airplane landing is free for all.
Live Holiday Music
The Museum galleries will ring with holiday fun with music by the Boeing Concert Orchestra and the Boeing Band from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Family Workshops
Family workshops at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. celebrate the “Wright Spirit” of the most famous brothers in the history of aviation: Wilbur and Orville Wright – inventors of the airplane. Learn how they solved the problem of controllable flight 109 years ago on Dec. 17; then make a model of one of their planes.
Live Theatre
During her 15-minute show, “First Flight Dress,” Marina Hutchison portrays a young North Carolina girl telling the story of the Wright brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903. With a period costume and authentic turn-of-the-century Carolina Outer Banks accent, Hutchison relates events leading up to man’s first powered flight.
The Museum will be closed on Christmas.
Winter Family Fun Festival continues December 26 through December 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Family activities continue everyday between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Enjoy winter-themed aerospace fun with gliders, flying snowmen, robots and more.
The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport.
The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $13 for active military, $9 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5.
For more information, visit www.museumofflight.org.
