November 2, 2021

Department of Commerce

Chavez

Brailey

Camacho

Three recent hires by the Washington State Department of Commerce significantly increase the agency's Community Engagement and Outreach team dedicated to promoting equity and opportunity for rural and underserved communities, small businesses and organizations. Jessica Camacho of Yakima will lead Commerce's Small Business Resiliency Network, a statewide program formed in Spring 2020, that works to ensure historically underserved business owners have access to business assistance, including COVID relief funding and support. Karlena Brailey joins the Community Engagement team. Brailey joined Commerce in September and is based on the Olympic Peninsula. Norma Chavez fills a similar post based in Kennewick, covering Adams, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Klickitat, Yakima and Walla Walla counties. Brailey and Chavez bring their experience to the growing Commerce Community Engagement and Outreach team stationed throughout the state. Community Engagement and Outreach Office Deputy Director JB Bennis is based in Seattle, assisted by Contracts and Program Development Lead Tracy Gunter based in Olympia. Also based in Olympia, Engagement Specialist Steve Dunk serves southwestern Washington communities. Based in Spokane, Julia Havens manages the team and also serves as specialist for the far eastern portion of the state. Commerce is currently recruiting two more community engagement specialists, one serving north central Washington and the other covering the northwestern region. For more information on these positions, see Commerce's website.