TRIDEC CEO Karl Dye invites local leaders, elected officials, and industry experts from the Tri-Cities and throughout Washington state to chat over a cup of coffee.
These in-depth and interactive conversations are filmed and broadcast live. They provide resources for business owners, offer updates on our local economy, and help the Tri-Cities promote economic strength and diversity one cup at a time.
Episodes are aired live on Facebook Live or ZOOM.
Season 5:
Episode 3: Columbia Ability Alliance
Featuring: Michael Novakovich and Libby Blashill, Columbia Ability Alliance
April 5, 2024
Episode 2: Cleanup to Clean Energy
Featuring: Diahann Howard (Port of Benton), Mandy Wallner (City of Richland), Sean O’Brien (EFA), and David Reeploeg (TRIDEC)
March 29, 2024
Episode 1: Tourism in the Tri
Featuring: Kevin Lewis & Michele York, Visit Tri-Cities
March 8, 2024
Season 4:
Episode 10: Addiction in the Tri-Cities and What Can be Done
Featuring: Benton Franklin Recovery Coalition Board Members Michele S. Gerber & Nancy Roach
Download Presentation
December 1, 2023
Episode 9: PNNL: Driving Toward Lighter, Longer Lasting EV Batteries
Featuring: Joshua Lochlan, Materials Scientist, Fundamental Batter Research, PNNL
October 27, 2023
Episode 8: Framatome: Fueling the Future of Nuclear Energy
Featuring: Lance Stephens, VP, Richland Site Manager, Framatome
October 13, 2023
Episode 7: INEF: Tackling the Energy Challenge
Featuring: Chancellor Sandra Haynes and INEF Director Noel Schulz, WSU Tri-Cities
October 6, 2023
Episode 6: EFA: Creating a New Energy Future
Featuring: Bob Schuetz, Energy Northwest, Jaime Shimek, PNNL, Mike Schwenk, AWB Institute, Paula Linnen, The Foster Institute, and Ron Boninger, FUSE
September 8, 2023
Episode 5: Strong Racing: Bringing Home the Columbia Cup
Featuring: Darrell Strong and Corey Peabody, Strong Racing
July 14, 2023
Episode 4: Economic Development Projects Driving Growth
Featuring: Tom Glover, City of Prosser; Neal Ripplinger, PEDA; Mayor Barrow, City of Connell; & George Cress, City of Benton City
Click to Download Presentations
June 23, 2023
Episode 3: Celebrating Economic Development Week
Featuring: City & Port Economic Development Partners
Click to Download Presentations
May 12, 2023
Episode 2: Building a Home for the Arts in the Tri-Cities
Featuring: Phinney Brown, Steven Wiley, and Julie Wiley, Arts Center Task Force
April 14, 2023
Episode 1: Celebrating Columbia Industries’ 60th Anniversary
Featuring: Michael Novakovich, Columbia Industries
April 14, 2023
Season 3:
Episode 11: 2023 State Legislation Preview
Featuring: 8th Legislative District Leadership Elect
December 9, 2022
Episode 10: 2022 Election Impact
Featuring: Tim Peckinpaugh, K&L Gates
Tim’s Presentation
November 18, 2022
Episode 9: Air Service
Featuring: Buck Taft, Tri-Cities Airport; and Jack Penning, Volaire Aviation Consulting
Jack’s Presentation
May 20, 2022
Episode 8: Travel & Tourism Outlook
Featuring: Visit Tri-Cities Leadership
May 6, 2022
Episode 7: Housing Outlook
Featuring: Ron Almberg, Tri-City Association of Realtors; and Jeff Losey, HBA TC
Ron’s Presentation / Jeff’s Presentation
April 1, 2022
Episode 6: Washington Business Outlook
Featuring: Kris Johnson, AWB
Click to Download Presentation
March 18, 2022
Episode 5: Healthcare Outlook
Featuring: Reza Kaleel, Kadlec Health System; and Dr. Amy Person, Benton-Franklin Health District
March 4, 2022
Episode 4: Federal Outlook
Featuring: Brian Vance, DOE Hanford; Steve Ashby, PNNL; and Tim Peckinpaugh, K&L Gates
Brian’s Presentation / Steve’s Presentation
February 18, 2022
Episode 3: Regional Economy & Labor Market
Featuring: Ajsa Suljic, Regional Economist, ESD and Tiffany Scott, CEO, BFWDC
Download Ajsa’s PPT / Download Tiffany’s PPT
February 11, 2022
Episode 2: 59th Annual Meeting: Continuing Our Legacy
Featuring: TRIDEC Board Leadership
Click to Download 2021 Annual Report
January 28, 2022
Episode 1: 2022 Tri-Cities Legislative Priorities
Featuring: Miles Thomas, Hector Cruz, and David Reeploeg
Click to Download Position Papers
January 14, 2022
Season 2:
Episode 42: Energy Northwest: Energizing Our Next Generation
Featuring: Bob Schuetz, CEO, Energy Northwest
December 10, 2021
Episode 41: A TRIDEC Christmas Carol
Featuring: Leaders from the past, present and future and current TRIDEC staff
November 24, 2021
Episode 40: Leveraging Benton-Franklin Trends to Plan for the Future
Featuring: D. Patrick Jones, PhD, Executive Director, Institute of Public Policy & Economic Analysis, Eastern Washington University
November 12, 2021
Episode 39: PNNL: Investing in Our Future
Featuring: Steve Ashby, Laboratory Director, PNNL
October 22, 2021
Episode 38: Focusing on Families & Children
Featuring: Dr. LoAnn Ayers and Charles Simpson, United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties
October 8, 2021
Episode 37: BFCOG: Planning for the Future
Featuring: Michelle Holt and Davin Diaz, Benton-Franklin Council of Governments
September 24, 2021
Episode 36: Driving Pasco’s Future
Featuring: Mike Gonzalez, City of Pasco; and Stephen McFadden, Port of Pasco
September 17, 2021
Episode 35: DC Update
Featuring: Tim Peckinpaugh, K&L Gates and David Reeploeg, TRIDEC
August 27, 2021
Episode 34: The COVID Crisis
Featuring: Dr. Amy Person, Benton-Franklin Health District; John Solheim, Trios Health; Lori Mattson, Tri-City Regional Chamber; and Dr. Jasdip Matharu, Lourdes Health
August 20, 2021
Episode 33: Lampson International Worldwide Leader in Heavy Transport
Featuring: Kate Lampson, Lampson International
August 13, 2021
Episode 32: SIGN Fracture Care: Restoring Limbs and Livelihoods
Featuring: Jeanne Dillner, Sean Bradley, Jeri Rosenthal, SIGN Fracture Care International
August 6, 2021
Episode 31: Vit Plant: Final Steps in the Journey to Operation
Featuring: Valerie McCain, Bechtel National Inc. and Tom Fletcher, U.S. Department of Energy
July 15, 2021
Episode 30: Congressional Update
Featuring: Senator Maria Cantwell
July 9, 2021
Episode 29: Tourism and Economic Recovery
Featuring: Michael Novakovich, Hector Cruz, Karisa Saywers, and Lara Watkins, Visit Tri-Cities
July 1, 2021
Episode 28: 3 Rivers Community Foundation: Investing in Our Community Now and Forever
Featuring: Abbey Cameron, Executive Director, 3 Rivers Community Foundation
June 25, 2021
Episode 26: MCEI: Securing our Economic, Energy and Environmental Future
Featuring MCEI Committee Chairs: Chad Bartram, Jennifer Harper (Transportation), Jason Herbert (Nuclear), Diahann Howard (Nuclear), George Muntean (Energy Storage)
June 11, 2021
Episode 25: Aligning K 12 Curriculum to Career and Education Pathways
Featuring: Paul Randall, Tri-Tech Skills Center and Keeley Gant, Columbia Basin College
June 3, 2021
Episode 24: Impact of the 2021 Legislative Session
Featuring: Representative Matt Boehnke
May 19, 2021
Episode 23: Celebrating Economic Development Successes
Featuring: Karl Dye and Traci Jao, TRIDEC
May 14, 2021
Episode 22: Mental Health in the Workplace
Featuring: Dr. William Waters, Comprehensive Healthcare and Craig Timmons, Chaplaincy Healthcare
May 7, 2021
Episode 21: Nuclear: Powering the Way to a Clean Energy Future
Featuring: John Kotek and Dan Smith, Nuclear Matters; Nick Bumpaous and Jason Herbert, Clean Future Northwest
April 30, 2021
Episode 20: Carbitex: Harnessing Carbon Fiber’s Performance in Flexible Form
Featuring: Ron Boninger, CEO, Carbitex
April 23, 2021
Episode 19: Tri-Cities K12 Education Update
Featuring: Dr. Traci Pierce, Kennewick School District; Michelle Whitney, Pasco School District; and Dr. Shelley Redinger, Richland School District
April 23, 2021
Episode 18: Celebrating 20 Seasons of Dust Devils Baseball
Featuring: Derrel Ebert, VP & GM, Tri-City Dust Devils
April 9, 2021
Episode 17: 2021 City Economic Development Projects
Featuring: Mayor Linda Lehman, City of Benton City; and Mayor Lee Barrow, City of Connell
April 2, 2021
Episode 16: The Power of Three – A New Future for Nuclear Energy
Featuring: Clay Sell, CEO, X-energy; Brad Sawatzke, CEO, Energy Northwest; and Kevin Nordt, GM/CEO, Grant PUD
April 1, 2021
Episode 15: TRIDEC’s 58th Annual Meeting
Featuring: Eric Pearson, Board Chair and TRIDEC Staff
March 26, 2021
Episode 14: COVID-19: Year 1 and Beyond
Featuring: Jason Zaccaria, Benton-Franklin Health District and Dr. Amy Person, Benton-Franklin Health District
March 18, 2021
Episode 13: 2021 Federal Outlook
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: Brian Vance, DOE-RL/ORP; Roger Snyder, DOE-PNSO; and Tim Peckinpaugh, K&L Gates
March 12, 2021
Episode 12: 2021 Higher Education Outlook
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: President Rebekah Woods, Columbia Basin College and Chancellor Sandra Haynes, WSU Tri-Cities
Click to Download: CBC Presentation / WSU Presentation
March 9, 2021
Episode 11: 2021 Port Economic Development Projects
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: Tim Arntzen, Port of Kennewick; Stephen McFadden, Port of Pasco; and Miles Thomas, Port of Benton
Click to Download: Port of Kennewick Video/ Port of Pasco Presentation / Port of Benton Presentation
March 9, 2021
Episode 10: Life in the Tri
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: Megan Hughes, Barnard Griffin Winery; Michael Novakovich, Visit Tri-Cities; Krista Patterson, Northwest Paddleboarding; and Buck Taft, Pasco Airport
Click to Download: Tourism Outlook Presentation / Wine Industry Outlook
March 5, 2021
Episode 9: Snake River Dams-Floating the Pacific Northwest Economy
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: Jim Yost, Northwest Power and Conservation Council; Kristin Meira, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA); Todd Myers, Washington Policy Center
February 26, 2021
Episode 8: 2021 City Economic Development Projects
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: Evelyn Lusignan, City of Kennewick; Rick White, City of Pasco; Mandy Wallner, City of Richland; and Eric Mendenhall, City of West Richland
Click to Download: City of Kennewick Presentation / City of Pasco Presentation / City of West Richland Presentation
February 24, 2021
Episode 7: 2021 Housing Outlook
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: John Keltch, Tri-City Association of Realtors; and Jeff Losey, Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities
Click to Download: Residential Housing Outlook Presentation / Residential Construction Outlook Presentation
February 19, 2021
Episode 6: Tri-Cities Regional Economy Outlook
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: Ajsa Suljic, Washington State Employment Security Department
Click Here to Download Ajsa’s Presentation
February 12, 2021
Episode 5: Commerce Outlook 2021
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: Chris Green, Washington State Department of Commerce
February 9, 2021
Episode 4: Main Street Outlook 2021
Special Series: Tri-Cities Regional Economic Outlook
Featuring: Stephanie Button, Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership; Gustavo Gutierrez Gomez, Downtown Pasco Development Authority; Mandy Wallner, City of Richland; and Jesalyn C. Cole, Historic Downtown Prosser Association
February 5, 2021
Episode 3: COVID’s Impact on Mental Health
Featuring: Wanda Kontur, Timothy Ledbetter, and Brandy Hickey, Chaplaincy Health Care
January 29, 2021
Episode 2: Tri-Cities Legislative Priorities
Featuring: Jason Herbert, Tri-Cities Legislative Council; Stephanie Swanberg, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce; and David Reeploeg, TRIDEC
January 15, 2021
Episode 1: Community Resolutions for 2021
Featuring: Lori Mattson, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Michael Novakovich, Visit Tri-Cities
January 8, 2021
Season 1
Episode 34: The Future of Energy Storage at PNNL
Featuring: Dr. Vince Sprenkle, PNNL
Episode 33: Update on COVID-19’s Impact on the Tri-Cities Healthcare System
Featuring: Reza Kaleel, Kadlec Health System; and John Solheim, Trios Health
Episode 32: Hanford Mission Integration Solutions & the Future of Supporting Hanford Cleanup
Featuring: Bob Wilkinson, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions; and David Reeploeg, TRIDEC
Episode 31: ’tis the Season with TRIDEC
Featuring: TRIDEC Staff
Episode 30: The Future of K-12 Education
Featuring: Dr. Traci Pierce, Kennewick School District; Michelle Whitney, Pasco School District; and Dr. Shelley Redinger, Richland School District
Episode 29: SPECIAL Update from the Benton-Franklin Health District
Featuring: Dr. Amy Person, Health Officer, Benton-Franklin Health District
Episode 28: Resiliency of the Arts
Featuring: Debra Pearse Rogo & Joel Rogo, Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet & the Mid-Columbia Ballet; Davin Diaz, DrewBoy Creative; Dee Boyle, Kennewick Arts Commission
Episode 27: The Importance of STEM Education
Featuring: Evangelina Galvan Shreeve, Director, STEM Education, PNNL; and Deb Bowen, Director, Washington State STEM Education Foundation and Mid-Columbia STEM Network
Episode 26: Resiliency of Small Business
Featuring: Shaun Ehlers, Free Culture Clothing; and Alexandra RoseLee, White Glove Weddings
Episode 25: A Carbon-Free Future
Featuring: Brad Sawatzke, CEO, Energy Northwest
Episode 24: Environmental Innovation at PNNL
Featuring: Dr. Dawn Wellman, Division Director, Earth Systems Science, PNNL
Episode 23: Tri-Cities in the Making
Featuring: C. Mark Smith, Author & Economic Development Leader
Episode 22: Washington in the Making
Featuring: Mike Schwenk, Board Chair, AWB Institute
Episode 21: Tri-Cities: A History of Resiliency
Featuring: Former TRIDEC President & CEO Carl Adrian, and Gary Petersen, Former TRIDEC VP of Federal Programs.
Episode 20: PNNL’s Innovative Leadership
Featuring: Steve Ashby, Laboratory Director, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Episode 19: Progressing the Trend with Benton-Franklin Health District
Featuring: Jason Zaccaria, District Administrator; Dr. Amy Person, Health Officer; and Nurse Heather Hill, CD Supervisor
Episode 18: Future of Higher Education
Featuring: Rebekah Woods, President of Columbia Basin College and Sandra Haynes, Chancellor of WSU Tri-Cities
Episode 17: TRIDEC Staff
Featuring: David Reeploeg, VP of Federal Programs; Traci Jao, Director of Business Recruitment; David Chavey, Director of Business Retention and Expansion; Ashley Stubbs, Director of Communications and Member Services; Laura Warr, Director of Finance; and Tiffany Burke, Executive Administrative Assistant
Episode 16: The Future of Economic Development (Ports)
Featuring: Tim Arntzen, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Kennewick; Gary Ballew, Director of Economic Development & Marketing for the Port of Pasco; and Miles Thomas, Director of Economic Development & Governmental Affairs for the Port of Benton
Episode 15: Future of Economic Development (Cities)
Featuring: Rohana Carmichael, Economic Development Marketing Specialist for the City of Kennewick; Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director for the City of Pasco; Mandy Wallner, Economic Development Marketing Specialist for the City of Richland; and Eric Mendenhall, Community Development Manager for the City of West Richland
Episode 14: Tri-Cities Labor Market & Workforce Development
Featuring: Ajsa Suljic, Regional Labor Economist for Employment Security Department (ESD); and Tiffany Scott, CEO of Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council
Episode 13: Events & The Tri-Cities Economy
Featuring: Corey Pearson, Executive Director of the Three Rivers Convention Center, Toyota Center, & Toyota Arena; Lori Lancaster, Executive Director of the Benton-Franklin Fair and Rodeo; and Kathy Powell, Event Director of the Tri-Cities Water Follies
Episode 12: Tourism and Economic Diversification
Featuring: Michael Novakovich, President & CEO, Visit Tri-Cities
Episode 11: Road to Recovery
Featuring: Dr. Amy Person (BFHD), Rick Dawson (BFHD), City of Kennewick Mayor Don Britain, City of Pasco Mayor Saul Martinez, and City of Richland Mayor Ryan Lukson
Episode 10:#MaskUpTC! Helping Our Businesses
Featuring: Shae Frichette, Frichettte Winery; Barbara Johnson, Columbia Center Mall; Tracy LaMarr, TC Food Dudes; and Steve Simmons, CG Public House and Catering
Episode 9: A Data Driven Approach to Stop COVID and Rebuild Our Economy
Featuring: Niket Thakkar, Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM)
Click to Download Presentation Slides
Episode 8: A Conversation About Reopening Downtown
Featuring: Stephanie Button, Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership; Gustavo Gutierrez Gomez, Downtown Pasco Development Authority; and Mandy Wallner, City of Richland
Episode 7: A Conversation About Getting the Tri-Cities to Phase 2
Featuring: Jerrod MacPherson, Benton County Administrator; Keith Johnson, Franklin County Administrator; and Rick Dawson, Benton-Franklin Health District
Episode 6: A Conversation About the Return of Air Travel to the Tri-Cities
Featuring: Buck Taft, Tri-Cities Airport and Jack Penning, Volaire Aviation Consulting
Episode 5: A Conversation with Kris Johnson on Rebuilding the Tri-Cities
Featuring: Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business (AWB)
Episode 4: A Conversation with BFHD on Rebuilding the Tri-Cities
Featuring: Jason Zaccaria and Rick Dawson, Benton-Franklin Health District
Episode 3: A Conversation with Congressman Dan Newhouse on Rebuilding the Tri-Cities
Featuring: Congressman Dan Newhouse
Episode 2: Importance of Healthcare in Rebuilding the Tri-Cities
Featuring: Reza Kaleel, Kadlec Health System; John Solheim, Trios Health; and Rob Monical, Lourdes Health
Episode 1: Rebuilding Small Business and the Tourism Industry
Featuring: Lori Mattson, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and Michael Novakovich, Visit Tri-Cities
Episode 10: Addiction in the Tri-Cities and What Can be Done
Featuring: Benton Franklin Recovery Coalition Board Members Michele S. Gerber & Nancy Roach
Download Presentation
December 1, 2023