For the past three years, Harrison Medical Center’s board of directors and executive team has thoughtfully and deliberately considered how best to operate successfully and provide local healthcare services so crucially needed. Harrison remains financially sound and is poised well for the future. However, the healthcare industry has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. The state’s budget crisis and reductions in federal Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates have cut across organizations of every size. National healthcare reform is expected to create even more change. As such, Harrison is considering how to ensure the future of this 93-year-old organization. read more »

After a nationwide search, John Clauson, who serves as service development director for Kitsap Transit, has been named to lead the agency by the board of directors. He will take over as executive director when Dick Hayes, 69, who has headed the transit agency since it was founded, retires early next year. Hayes has stated he’d like to retire on his 70th birthday, which is in February.

According to the Personnel and Finance Committee Chair, Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson, there were 10 finalists for the position, which drew applicants from around the nation, and one from out of the country. The committee narrowed the field down to five, who were all required to answer the same set of questions. Each candidate was interviewed in person by the committee, except one candidate from Charlottsville, Va., who was interviewed via Skype. read more »

Rick Wiler, owner of the Haselwood Auto Group announced the acquisition of the Kia franchise formerly owned by Martin Hoover and operating under the business name of Hoover Kia. Hoover Kia was located at 5150 Auto Center Blvd. in Bremerton. Hoover will continue to operate a pre-owned vehicle sale facility at the aforementioned address.

West Hills Kia, as the dealership will be named, will be located at 615 West Hills Blvd. in the West Hills Auto Plex. This facility formerly housed the Heartland Toyota Scion dealership which was relocated to a new Toyota facility located at 901 in the West Hills Auto Plex. read more »

After more than 40 years, Drury Construction, which built some of Kitsap’s largest and most visible projects, is closing its doors.

Owner Don Drury blamed the prolonged state of the current economy, and bank’s unwillingness to lend to some of his company’s best clients, as major contributors in the decision to shut down — that and his age. He is 75. read more »

The Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce has retained Frank Kenny as an interim executive director for the next three months. Kenny, who will work on a part-time consultant basis, will help the chamber create its new vision/direction as well as recruit a new executive director, following the departure of Kevin Dwyer. Kenny will also fill in as the interim executive director.

Jeff Waite, who became president in August, said the chamber is taking advantage of the transition to evaluate its strengths and role in the community. He said the results of a membership survey conducted in July were similar to others done around the state, showing that economic development, business networking and business advocacy are traditional areas of focus for chambers. read more »

After nearly 30 years as owners of Courtesy Ford in Poulsbo, John and Terri Hern have announced that they will retire when Courtesy Ford closes. Plans are underway to close down the landmark Poulsbo dealership.

Since opening Courtesy Ford in 1982, the Herns have made significant contributions to the community, believing it is important to give back. read more »

John Powers, former mayor of Spokane who later served as CEO of Seattle’s lead economic development agency, has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. He replaces Bill Stewart, who has announced his retirement after 3 1/2 years at the helm.

“KEDA is very fortunate to have John’s extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors,” said KEDA Board Chairman Elliot Gregg. “He brings the kind of skills and professional network that will help KEDA build upon our economic development successes. Bill Stewart and his staff have built a solid foundation, integrating both public and private economic development agendas in a united effort to expand jobs and economic growth in Kitsap County and the region.” read more »

Bill Stewart, executive director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) for the past three years, has announced his intent to retire at the end of September. He made the announcement to the KEDA executive committee on Friday, with the full board being informed via email this morning.

“My wife and I made this decision for personal reasons,” said Stewart. “I have truly enjoyed my time managing KEDA, and I am committed to further strengthening it before my tenure ends.”

Stewart, a former Eastern Washington newspaper publisher, came to KEDA after years with the state doing economic development work at CTED, which has since been renamed the Department of Commerce. read more »