The Washington Retail Association hosted its WR Board of Directors at the State Capitol this past week. The winter meeting of WR Board members is held annually during Washington’s Legislative session, allowing members to engage policy makers on the issues that matter most to retailers.
The board is comprised of a strategic group of leaders representing Washington-based and multi-state retailers. The meeting included the induction of three new members to the board: Arta Baharmast, GM of Westfield South Center; Brenda Snyder, Lead Director, State Government Affairs for CVS Pharmacy and Jennifer Kurrie, Senior Director of Local and State Government Affairs for Walgreens. See a list of WR Board of Directors.
The director’s meeting hosted at the historic “Castle” in the South Capitol neighborhood of Olympia included important annual board business and strategic face-to-face conversations with key legislators throughout the day. Priority topics for the association include public safety issues, retail theft and organized retail crime, data privacy, packaging and extended producer responsibility (aka WRAP Act) and access to return to work programs. The meeting allowed members to discuss these priority issues with a broad range of policy makers.
Joining the meeting to review legislative priorities were seasoned veteran legislators Representative Tim Ormsby (D-District 3) and Senator Christine Rolfes (D-District 23). Representative Ormsby serves as Chair of Appropriations, and Senator Rolfes chairs Ways & Means. The board also welcomed several first-year legislators to Olympia this year, including Representatives Stephanie Bernard (R-District 8), Clyde Shavers (D-District 10), Sam Low (R-District 39), and Bryan Sandlin (R-District 15. Members shared top legislative priorities and learned about key priorities important to each of these policy makers.
The WR Board of Directors meeting wrapped up on a high note with evening festivities. The well-attended Legislative Retail Reception was hosted in partnership with our trusted partners at Washington Business Properties Association (WBPA) and ICSC. Approximately 20 legislators joined the reception, along with retailers, WR Board members and staff, and WBPA and ICSC representatives.
