The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business has selected 25 honorees for its Tri-City People of Influence awards.

The honorees are, in alphabetical order:

• Tim Arntzen, Port of Kennewick
• Amy Basche, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS)
• Nickolas A. Bumpaous, UA Local Union 598 Plumbers & Steamfitters
• Marty Conger, Fuse Advisors LLC
• Chris Eerkes, Sun Pacific Energy
• Chauné Fitzgerald, Women of Wisdom Tri-Cities
• Cynthia Garcia, Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council
• Michele Gerber, Benton Franklin Recovery Center.
• Jim Hall, recently retired from the Foundations at Kadlec (Kadlec and Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundations)
• Randy Hayden, Port of Pasco
• Sandra Haynes, Washington State University Tri-Cities
• Diahann Howard, Port of Benton
• Kevin Lewis, Visit Tri-Cities
• Tricia MacFarlan, Mirror Ministries
• Leo Martinez Jr., Numerica Credit Union
• Brandon Mayfield, Chervenell Construction
• Scott Middleton, Middleton Farms
• Don Miller, Gesa Credit Union
• Vicki Monteagudo, Century 21 Tri-Cities
• Dave Retter, Retter & Co. | Sotheby’s International Realty
• Robert “Bob” Schuetz, Energy Northwest
• Brett Spooner, Gravis Law
• Martin Valadez, Heritage University
• Matt Watkins, Pasco Public Facilities District
• Jason Wilkinson, Prodigy Homes

To be recognized, candidates must be decision-makers who helped to shape our region in the past year. In addition to thought leaders and industry innovators, honorees are people who give back, both in the business world and the community at large.

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business accepted nominations for the award between Dec. 2-Jan. 24.

Event details & tickets

The Journal will recognize these community influencers at our 2025 Tri-City People of Influence event, in partnership with Bechtel, CLA and the Port of Kennewick.

“We’re excited to recognize these transformative and inspiring community leaders at our inaugural March event. If you want to ‘be in the room where it happens’ – to quote a line from the musical, ‘Hamilton’ – make sure you attend,” said Kristina Lord, executive editor of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

The awards program is from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at Zintel Creek Golf Course, 314 N. Underwood St. in Kennewick. Tickets are on sale now at tcjournal.biz/tc-people-of-influence.