Robin Toth, former vice president at Greater Spokane Inc., will head the state’s public-private collaborative efforts to grow aerospace in Washington.

“I am excited to join Commerce and look forward to bringing my experience in international aerospace business development to the team,” Toth said.  “Washington has the most efficient and innovative aerospace supply chain in the world, and I’ll be focused on partnering with the aerospace community on competing to keep Washington in a league of its own for the next generation of aircraft manufacturing and jobs.“

Julia Terlinchamp leaves Gov. Jay Inslee’s staff to lead economic development for the life sciences/global health sector.

“We have an incredible culture of innovation and entrepreneurship here in Washington with a legacy of life-changing research and technological advances. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to leverage my rich experience engaging diverse communities across the region to continue growing one of the strongest life science and global health sectors in the country,” Terlinchamp said

Virtual reality helps prepare people for reentry after incarceration

Christopher Poulos marked his first year as executive director of Gov. Inslee's Statewide Reentry Council this month. Poulos recently visited the Paul. G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington, where an innovative program is using virtual reality to help individuals prepare for new lives outside incarceration. Poulos, an attorney and celebrated advocate for criminal justice reforms, was formerly incarcerated.

Learn more about the Statewide Reentry Council's work

Affordable Housing Solutions

News this month of housing prices and rents beginning to stabilize or even soften is welcome, given the overheated markets that had priced out many potential homeowners. Even so, there’s still a long way to go when we look at affordable housing for opportunities for workers in lower wage groups and people on fixed incomes.

Chris Green, head of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, attended the China International Import Summit in Shanghai earlier this month. We continue to address intellectual property and other challenges while also working to maintain and grow international relationships that are so vital to our state’s economy, even as more uncertainty emerges from the Trump administration. Here’s an update on recent trade news stories from around the world:

It's a Tony award!

Congratulations to Commerce's special advisor on energy policy, Tony Usibelli. Tony was recognized by the CleanTech Alliance at this year's Energy Leadership Summit for 33 years of service and leadership supporting our clean energy future. A recognized expert and champion in his field, Tony was instrumental in developing the state energy strategy. His distinguished career includes university teaching posts, directing the State Energy Office, and advising numerous government officials and industry leaders on clean energy policy.