PULLMAN — Joey Nestegard, chief business and finance officer at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman, has been appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to serve on the Washington Employee Ownership Commission.
The commission will develop and oversee the Washington Employee Ownership Program within the Department of Commerce, according to a news release from SEL.
It was established as part of a bipartisan bill that was passed unanimously by the WashingtonHouse and Senate last May. The law provides support and resources for companies interested in becoming employee owned.
SEL has been 100% employee owned since 2009 and is active in several associations advocating for the business model, including the ESOP Association and the Employee-Owned S Corporation of America. Nestegard is the chairperson-elect of the ESCA board of directors.
Headquartered in Pullman, SEL invents, designs and builds digital products and systems that protects power grids around the world. The technology prevents blackouts and enables customers to improve power system reliability, safety and cost.
Port of Lewiston GM given statewide honor
The Idaho Economic Development Association named Port of Lewiston General Manager Scott Corbitt as the Idaho Economic Development Professional of the Year.
Corbitt, who joined the port in 2022, was nominated by Dodd Snodgrass, executive director of the Clearwater Economic Development Association.
“(Corbitt) represents what it means to be a dedicated economic development professional,” Snodgrass said in a news release from the Port of Lewiston.
“The Port of Lewiston serves an important economic development role in the region and the state, and (Corbitt) is a true advocate for our community,” Snodgrass said.
In his nomination, Snodgrass highlighted Corbitt’s leadership efforts, including involvement in regional workforce development, implementing regional broadband improvements and creating the “Leadership LC Valley” mentoring program through the Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Snodgrass also noted Corbitt’s work assisting in the retention of business in the area and serving as an advocate for industry and the citizens of the community.
