In a move that downright mystified some people in Kitsap County, former County Commissioner Chris Endresen has accepted the position of Director of Economic Development for the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). In that position, she will be tasked with leading the staff of the region’s economic development district and staff of the Prosperity Partnership, a coalition of over 300 public and private interests within PSRC’s four-county (Kitsap, King, Pierce and Snohomish) region.

According to a press release from the PSRC, the Prosperity Partnership is counting on Endresen’s leadership skills to help in its launch of a major reassessment of how to re-tool the way it support jobs in the region over the next several years. read more »

Frank Kenny, North Mason Chamber president and CEO, has announced his resignation effective Aug. 31. Kenny will begin a yearlong tour in September around the country to speak about social media to chambers of commerce and small business audiences.

Recognized as a leading expert in social networking and social media for chambers of commerce and small business, Kenny has resigned from the North Mason Chamber to pursue his dream of being a public speaker. He has garnered support for the tour from association and industry leaders in the chamber of commerce field, in Washington and nationally. read more »

Art Castle, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County announced today that he is leaving the association at the end of the year. He has been the executive vice president for over 16 years at Kitsap and 22 years overall. Among his many industry achievements are the market-based environmental Kitsap Built Green program and the Kitsap Low Impact Development implementation efforts.

“The current recession has impacted many of our members, as well as our association. While the association is as strong as ever, I have decided to leave. This is a difficult decision leaving a position I enjoy and an organization that I have been involved with for so many years. The talented staff at the HBA gives me great confidence in the future of the association. I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Castle. read more »

In a surprise move, State Senator Don Benton has shut down his campaign to unseat U.S. Senator Patty Murray, and endorsed Dino Rossi. Rossi ended months of speculation about whether or not he would enter the race on May 26, with his official announcement that he would challenge the three-term incumbent. Benton has been running hard for several months and was considered the Republican frontrunner — until Rossi’s announcement.

In a video posed on the Benton for Senate Web site at 4:19 p.m., the Benton for U.S. Senate Campaign today issued the following statement made by Senator Don Benton read more »

Dino Rossi ended months of speculation about what his intentions were in regards to running against 18-year incumbent Sen. Patty Murray, with an official, video announcement posted on his website, www.dinorossi.com, this morning. Originally scheduled to be released at 7 a.m., it was actually posted at 7:18, and features a video in which Rossi announces he will run against Murray, and asks supporters to join his campaign “to help put things right.”

Speculation about a Rossi run began in earnest in the beginning of February, when a poll conducted by the Portland-based Republican polling firm of Moore Information, showed Murray and Rossi locked in a statistical dead heat — should he run. Bob Moore, president of the polling firm, said he added Rossi’s name to an otherwise generic poll for no other reason than Rossi being probably the best-known Republican in the state. read more »

The Suquamish are giving local residents and area visitors one more reason to make North Kitsap a vacation destination.

Port Madison Enterprises (PME), the business arm of the Suquamish Tribe, has purchased the White Horse Golf complex located near Kingston. Acquiring the award-winning course is a natural fit for the Suquamish company, which operates a casino resort and spa, in addition to the historic Kiana Lodge Wedding and Meeting Facility. read more »

After a nationwide search, the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority (KCCHA) has selected Tony Caldwell as its new Executive Director. Caldwell currently is the Chief Administrative and Operations Officer of the Housing Authority of Monterey County in California. In that position, he is responsible for overseeing all financial management, Section 8 property management, maintenance, as well as all informational services and processes, which include information technology, telephony, business process management and automation, and public relations for the agency.

Caldwell brings the unique mix of public housing agency experience as well as entrepreneurship from having owned his own business read more »

The Port of Bremerton has hired Chris Case as its new manager of Marketing and Communications. She most recently served as communications director for the North Kitsap School District, and is the former editor of the North Kitsap Herald in Poulsbo.

Port CEO Cary Bozeman said, “I am thrilled to be able to hire (Case) for our position. She is extremely qualified read more »

American Marine Bank reopened Monday, Feb. 1 as Columbia State Bank. Federal regulators closed Bainbridge Island-based American Marine Friday, Jan. 29 and turned it over to Columbia State Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System Inc., in a competitive bid process. Branches with business hours on Saturdays changed the name Saturday, Jan. 30. read more »