Business and Commerce Advisory Committee

Purpose

The committee will advise the Whatcom County Council on issues, including regulations and policies that could impact local businesses, industry, or economic development. The committee will report directly to the County Council as necessary to carry out the following functions: review and provide recommendations on comprehensive plans, regulations, economic development efforts, and on proposals which directly impact business and economic conditions in Whatcom County.

The committee will assist the County and provide recommendations on efforts to improve business conditions, environment and infrastructure. It will develop recommendations for comprehensive economic development efforts of Associate Development Organizations (ADOs) and other issues impacting business in Whatcom County. The committee will also develop recommendations and strategies for ensuring the county applies a client-focused approach to support businesses with regulations, permitting, and planning.

Meetings

Meetings are generally held monthly, noon to 1:30 p.m., date and location varies. Specific meeting information is available on the Port of Bellingham Commerce Advisory Committee website.
Meetings are open to the public. Community members may provide public comment on issues related to regulations and policies that impact business and commerce in Whatcom County.

Members

The committee has 20 members appointed by the County Council and represent various businesses and industries.

Thirteen of the 20 total members are voting positions:

Bob Pritchett, Internet technology, Committee Chair
Clark Campbell, Recreation, Committee Vice-Chair
Drew Zogby, Manufacturing
Douglas Thomas, Food processing
Casey Diggs, Retail
Paul Burrill, Marine trades
Pete Dawson, Commercial real estate
Brad Rader, Agriculture
Andrew Gamble, Energy industry
Debbie Ahl, Health care industry
Ryan Allsop, other for-profit
Troy Muljat, other for-profit
Sarah Rothenbuhler, other for-profit

The remaining seven positions are non-voting:

CJ Seitz, Higher education
Jeffrey Callender, Higher Education
Rud Browne, County Councilmember
Satpal Sidhu, Whatcom County Executive
Seth Fleetwood, Bellingham Mayor
Don Goldberg, Port of Bellingham Executive Director
Michael Jones, Small cities representative, designated by the Small Cities Caucus