First impressions, crucial conversations
By Lisa Brown, Director
It’s hard to believe that a month has passed since I accepted Gov. Inslee’s appointment to lead the Department of Commerce.
I knew this was going to be an exciting opportunity for me to apply my experience in government, health science and economics to advance the agency’s mission of strengthening communities all over the state. If these first weeks are any indication, I’m in for a very rewarding journey!
Initially, I’ve been focused on meeting as many of my hard-working Commerce colleagues, our partners and stakeholders as possible, from Olympia to Seattle to our office in my hometown of Spokane.
Engaging in conversations about the needs, goals and challenges facing Washington communities, families and businesses is one of my great passions. Connecting people and places with resources to envision and accomplish success is one reason I have spent the majority of my career in public service.
Now, I’m pleased to be embarking on this new chapter of listening, learning and working to connect communities with the many, diverse programs and services available through Commerce. I look forward to sharing stories and insights from these first crucial conversations as I move through them.
In addition to many local introductions, I have also been fortunate in this new role to represent Washington state on my first Commerce trade mission abroad and sign a memorandum of understanding to promote economic cooperation, trade relations and boost opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses in Spain and Washington. You can read more highlights of our itinerary in Madrid and Leon, as well as the separate Choose Washington delegation of companies to the big MWC2019 mobile tech trade show in Barcelona, in the story linked here. I also invite you to follow me on twitter @WAComDirector
Thanks to all who have welcomed me to Commerce, and I look forward to meeting and working with many more of our customers, partners and others who share our mission of strengthening communities throughout Washington.
Lisa Brown, center, visits Spain’s operational control center for high-speed trains run by Adif, the state-owned administrator of railway infrastructure. Their aim is making it the ideal mode of safe, efficient and sustainable transport and facilitating fair access.