Himebaugh brings decades of experience in association leadership and legislative and public affairs in Olympia to the organization.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (May 20, 2026) – After a months-long national search, the Olympia-based Washington Retail Association (WR) has selected Jan Himebaugh, the vice president of external affairs for the Building Industry Association of Washington for nearly 15 years, to lead the association starting June 1, 2026.
“It’s exciting to see our national search to replace our previous president and CEO, who retired in December, come right back home. Jan Himebaugh is a proven leader and tireless advocate for businesses of every size across Washington state and embodies the can-do spirit of private enterprises across our nation,” said Alesha Shemwell, WR interim president and CEO. “She not only brings a wealth of experience but, most importantly, an unmatched level of expertise and enthusiasm for addressing the pressing issues facing retailers, such as organized theft, tax policy, and building bridges between state and local leaders from every political persuasion and our job-creators in the retail sector.”
Over the course of her career, Himebaugh has built a reputation for developing practical policy solutions, leading successful statewide advocacy campaigns. She has a proven track record of building durable relationships across industries, local governments, and the political spectrum to reach solutions that balance the needs of businesses and communities.
“Throughout my career, I have worked to be the right leader at the right time, advocating for policies that move Washington state businesses and the communities they call home forward,” said Himebaugh. “I am humbled and honored to be trusted to serve alongside the thousands of retailers and their employees across our state to ensure we support vibrant downtowns where families gather for great conversations and once-in-a-lifetime events, foster job creation and boost economic opportunity for everyone. Along with WR members, it’s my goal to share how retailers have demonstrated the ability to shape communities that foster economic equity and upward mobility for every single resident in our state.”
A graduate of Hillsdale College with a degree in Political Economy, Himebaugh previously worked on a variety of political and public affairs campaigns, including Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ first congressional campaign, and led the successful statewide initiative campaign protecting access to natural gas in Washington state.
“We need fearless leaders like Jan to continue the conversations about how thoughtful policies shape public safety, foster economic security and build strong communities. These principles begin and end with a healthy and vibrant retail sector,” said Shemwell. “I speak for our entire board when I welcome her to our team of retail champions.”
Himebaugh’s work has earned her recognition from organizations across Washington, including the Association of Washington Cities’ Partner in Progress Award, the Washington Policy Center Champion of Freedom Award, and multiple National Association of Home Builders Association Excellence Awards for government affairs and advocacy campaigns. She currently serves on the boards of the Washington Construction Industry Council, League of Our Own Washington, and the Liability Reform Coalition. Himebaugh lives in Olympia with her husband, Daniel.
Himebaugh will officially assume her new role with the WR on June 1.
