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, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 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
  • Gail Buce, Manufacturing
  • VACANT, 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
  • VACANT, 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 

Vacancies

Term Information

    • 4 year terms, 2 term limit, 1 year separation after 2 terms until eligible to reapply

Authority