A Collective Calling. A Shared Win.
March 19, 2026 – The 35th Recognition Banquet was a celebration of the human connections that move our local economy forward. SkillSource CEO Lisa Romine set the tone by grounding the evening in something both practical and deeply human: while we often measure progress through self-sufficiency, none of us gets there alone. She named what was visible across the room — people opening doors, removing barriers, and creating pathways — and reframed our work as a shared effort built on investment in one another.
The banquet was a night to celebrate contributions from employers, the grit of our career seekers, and the people who made sure they didn’t have to do it alone.
Rounds of Applause
Five training graduates and the employers who hired them took the stage to share the impact of this partnership, and to be recognized for their success. Their stories are the heartbeat of the SkillSource mission — not just where they’ve landed, but the decisions, risks, and persistence it took to get there.
Josiah Tuller and Firouzi Development
Josiah left high school to escape an environment of bullying, later re-engaging with his education through SkillSource to earn his high school equivalency. He transitioned into a construction work experience with Firouzi Development in Moses Lake, gaining the hands-on technical skills required for a professional job site. Firouzi Development hired him as a permanent team member, and at 19, Josiah now mentors new program participants while preparing for an electrical apprenticeship.
Maribel Contreras and Welcome Home Care
After relocating alone from Arizona while pregnant, Maribel transitioned from general labor into healthcare following a layoff. She partnered with SkillSource to develop computer literacy and earn her Home Health Care Aide license, using a matched savings program to secure the vehicle required for field-based home care. Welcome Home Care then provided the structured On-the-Job Training necessary to convert her new credentials into a stable career, helping address the regional shortage of qualified home providers.
Armando Ramirez-Ramirez and CHS Inc.
Armando graduated high school in 2024 and became a young father, pursuing a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to provide for his family. When initial training stalled, he partnered with SkillSource to complete his training, earning his CDL with a HazMat endorsement. CHS Inc. addressed the entry-level barrier by hiring Armando locally and further investing in his growth through skid loader and forklift certifications. Armando is now an Operations Specialist meeting peak seasonal demands in Othello’s agricultural hub, transforming his initial goal into a diverse, high-demand skillset within the local supply chain.
Roger Skjelstad and The Alano Club
A year ago, Roger was a resident at the Wenatchee Valley Reentry Center following a lifetime of addiction and incarceration. SkillSource partnered with Roger and The Alano Club for an internship, which led to On-the-Job Training, combining his lived experience with hands-on skills-development. The Alano Club hired him as a permanent staff member, and he is now enrolled in the Behavioral Health Consortium apprenticeship program, working toward becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist. Roger recently shared his story at the State Capitol to demonstrate the community impact of workforce investments.
Skylar Simmons and Regency Omak
After navigating years of instability, Skylar re-engaged with her education through the Open Doors program at WorkSource Okanogan to earn her high school equivalency. She entered into a hospitality internship at Regency Omak, where she developed the professional communication and resident-care skills required for a clinical environment. Regency Omak then hired her as a permanent Hospitality Aide, providing the mentorship and stable foundation for her next step in her healthcare career.
The inaugural Workforce Champion Award recognized the Wenatchee, Othello, and Okanogan School Districts for their commitment to innovative partnership through Open Doors, moving beyond traditional roles and expanding meaningful pathways to students. Wenatchee School District Superintendent, Kory Kalahar, was there to accept the award for Wenatchee School District, marking the vital connection between education and the local workforce.
A Collective Calling
Managing Director Susan Adams turned the spotlight toward the SkillSource staff. These professionals see their roles as a calling, often meeting people during their most uncertain moments and helping them find the next best step, and working closely with businesses to meet their specific needs — the same steady, behind-the-scenes investment Lisa spoke to in her opening remarks.
The organization also celebrated several long-time employees who have enabled so much success across the years, each with over 20, 30, and even 40 years of service.
Community and Leadership
The evening drew a wealth of advocates and elected officials who traveled to support this work. Attendees included Senator Keith Goehner, Representative Alex Ybarra, Othello Mayor Ken Johnson, and Ruby Gaston from the office of Congresswoman Kim Schrier. Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess and Washington Workforce Association Executive Director John Traugott were also present to witness the impact of these regional partnerships.
The banquet was preceded by an in-person board meeting where the SkillSource Regional Workforce Board reviewed updates toward the regional plan and finalized several leadership changes. Outgoing chair Zach Williams passed a ceremonial gavel to the new Board Chair, Tad Hildebrand. The board elected Ryan Beebout as Vice Chair and Michelle Price as Secretary/Treasurer. Four new board members were welcomed: Heidi Huddle, Maritza Enriquez, Lindsy Prows, and Savannah Knowlton.
The recognition extends far beyond this banquet and these honorees. For every person who chooses to keep going, to learn something new, or to take a step toward a better future, for every employer who invests in their workforce — and for every partner who shows up to make that possible — this work continues.
There may be no such thing as true self-sufficiency. But there is something just as powerful: people investing in themselves, businesses investing in their workforce, and communities investing in opportunity. And when those things come together, it’s worth a standing ovation.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration possible, including emcee Dr. Sara Thompson Tweedy, John Romine for the invocation, presenting board members and staff, the staff banquet committee, the team at the Confluence Technology Center, Ring-A-Bell’s Catering, Balloon Gala, and Lilies of the Valley.
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