Key Personnel

Highlights:
• Skilled program and project manager
• Easily work in teams or independently to optimize outcomes
• Technology transfer experience including technology evaluation, market analysis and marketing of technologies
• Bioscience consulting experience
• 15 years of experience in bench and clinical oncology research
• 30+ peer reviewed publications


Laurie has successfully executed two business turnaround efforts, the first a restaurant in Fair Oaks CA and second, a qualitative market research firm and call center in Minneapolis MN. She holds a Mini-Masters in Leading Growing Companies from the University of Saint Thomas, Minneapolis MN and worked in senior leadership for a multi-state bank holding company, responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, sales training, marketing, and public relations. She secured the Minnesota Better Business Bureau "Business Integrity Award" for the firm.
Laurie was the founding director and manager at the SBA Women's Business Center, INW in Spokane. She managed all aspects of the grant including grant writing, reporting, staffing, technical assistance, business model canvas curriculum development, loan packaging and business coaching from conception to launch. Laurie received the SBA Women Business Advocate of the Year for Washington State in 2015.


In the course of his work at the Spokane Public Library, Mark has built a world-class collection of freely available business research tools. Ranging from competitive analysis to sales lead development to retail site selection to demographics research to on-demand workforce education, the Spokane Public Library has amassed a set of business research resources that is unmatched in the public library world. In recognition of this work, Mark was the 2021 recipient of the American Library Association’s BRASS Excellence in Business Librarianship award.
A lot of people are saying that public libraries are destined to save the world. Mark agrees with them.
Mark Pond, MLIS
Business Research Librarian
Spokane Public Library
509-444-5312
mpond@spokanelibrary.org
www.spokanebusiness.org

Highlights:
• Member of The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
• Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
• First place: Greater Northwest Student Journalism Award
• Awarded College Success Foundation: Achievers Scholarship
• Awarded College of Music Tuition Scholarship
External Advisory Board


Gary has been an economic developer since 1996, both private and public. He is a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council and is currently the Chair Elect of the Washington Economic Development Association.
His immediate past position was the Director of Economic Development and Marketing for the Port of Pasco. His projects included real estate development of the Port’s mixed use and industrial properties, carrying out the region’s economic development vision, Somos Pasco, promoting economic development legislation and marketing the Tri-Cities Airport.
He served as the Executive Director to the Wine Science Center Development Authority, which was instrumental in building the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center and previously he was the Economic Development Manager for the City of Richland where his work included special projects, such as creating the Revitalization Area for Industry, Science and Education and Broadband Initiative, as well as managing economic development and redevelopment programs within the City.
Gary received a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Administration, all from Washington State University. He is a former Governor’s Executive Fellow for the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and a Research Assistant for Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Washington State Universities Laboratory for Atmospheric Research.
Gary and his wife Karen (Wine Business WSU 2018) have a daughter Emma (Psychology WSU 2020), a son Sean (soon to be a Coug), and the three dogs Shadow, Cooper and Moose.













