Washington Retail Board elects new members

Dec 3, 2020
|
Written by Renée Sunde, President & CEO
|
Inside Washington Retail

Following the association’s first Virtual Annual Meeting for members held Wednesday, December 2 the WR Board of Directors met for its Annual Fall Board Meeting. The 21 member board is comprised of a strategic mix of Washington based and multi-state members who represent a broad range of retail sectors both small and large.

We are pleased to welcome 4 new members who will serve a 3-year board term beginning January 1, 2020:

  • Ruthann Goularte, owner of Drees. Located in downtown Olympia, since 1929, Drees is one of the oldest independent retailers in the United States. Ruthann purchased Drees, a specialty gift shop, in 1976 after she moved back to her hometown. She knows firsthand the challenges of running a small business and has been an advocate for retail for many years.
  • Matt Gilmore, owner of Dunbar Jewelers in Yakima. Matt is a fourth-generation jeweler heading one of the oldest continuously running jewelers in Washington State. They are members of the IFO, AGA, and part of the Pacific Northwest Jewelers Association. Matt understands the importance of providing excellent service along with a quality product.
  • Krista Beck, CEO of Pistons of Wenatchee. Started as Jerry’s Auto Supply in 1963 by her uncle, the company has grown to nine retail outlets and a distribution center with more than 90 employees serving locations throughout Eastern Washington. As a retailer and wholesaler Krista understands the challenges small businesses face in today’s retail environment.
  • Charles “Chuck” Miller, VP of Government and Public Affairs at Macy’s. Miller joined The May Department Stores Company in 1998 as senior counsel and began work in the government affairs area shortly thereafter. After Macy’s acquired May, in 2005 he assumed a portion of Macy’s government affairs and has played a significant role in developing the company’s national government and public affairs program.

These volunteer leaders provide vision and strategic direction for the association through governance, policy and position development and fiduciary oversight.

Congratulations to our 2021 Board of Directors.