SEWEDA hires new

Marshall Doak of Salem, Ore., has been hired as executive director of the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association, or SEWEDA, and the Palouse Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

Doak will take over the agency’s helm at its board meeting Tuesday, Sept. 13. He succeeds Duane Wollmuth of Walla Walla, who resigned from the post in May.

Doak previously served as executive director of a community economic development organization in Sunnyside, and for both the Economic Development Council and Small Business Development Center in Tillamook County, Ore.

SEWEDA is the economic recruiting agency set up to serve Whitman, Asotin, Columbia and Garfield counties. Commissioner Pat O’Neill represents Whitman County on the board.

SEWEDA also manages the regional transportation planning efforts through the PRTPO.

The executive director oversees a staff of five, spread throughout the region and will report to two board of directors.

Doak holds an MBA degree from Pacific Lutheran University, and has completed a comprehensive training program known as the “Northwest Economic Games” sponsored by the Washington State Department of Commerce. He also holds a B.S. degree from Colorado State University.