AWB launches leadership development program
The Leadership Washington class of 2014-15 met for the first time this week at the Association of Washington Business Policy Summit at Suncadia Resort. The class, sponsored by the AWB Institute, will meet throughout the year at locations across the state. Among the participants is Annette Herup of SGL in Moses Lake, pictured fourth from left.
CLE ELUM — The Association of Washington Business is taking a proactive approach in preparing the state’s next generation of industry leaders to take over.
The AWB Institute, the workforce development arm of the state association, recently launched their Leadership Washington program. The new program aims to cultivate and educate those who will eventually assume top leadership positions in various industries throughout Washington.
Leadership Washington’s first cohort kicked off the program this week at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum in conjunction with the AWB’s annual Policy Summit. The class includes participants from Seattle, Spokane and the Tri-Cities.
Annette Herup, of SGL in Moses Lake, is also in the program.
During the next nine months, they will meet five more times in different regions across the state.
Each meeting will explore a different industry, such as agriculture, energy and health care and manufacturing.
AWB officials said the goal of the program is to, “develop articulate, thoughtful and well-informed leaders who can guide Washington state industry in a globally competitive economy.”
The program is organized by the AWB and sponsored by Battelle. It’s a way employers can address the eventual generational shift that will see baby boomers retire and leave the workforce, according to the AWB.
AWB president Kris Johnson said its important employers prepare their next generation of leaders sooner rather than later.
“Baby boomers are already beginning to leave the workforce and we know the wave of retirements — the so-called ‘silver tsunami’ — is only going to continue growing over the next two decades,” he said in a statement. “And they aren’t just leaving the workforce; many of them are leaving top leadership positions.”
According to the AWB, the oldest of baby boomers turned 65 in 2011. Each day an estimated 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age.
The first Leadership Washington class will conclude in May, in conjunction with AWB’s Spring Meeting in Spokane.