Raul Contreras

Assistant Director

Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Age: 28

Current city of residence: Kennewick

Briefly describe your company: 

Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Small Business Resiliency Network. Through this network, we have been funded to help all minority-owned businesses since 2020, completely free of charge. We conduct outreach targeted to minorities in the Tri-Cities area, ensuring all of the free programs offered by Commerce are being acknowledged by our communities. Technical assistance, digital marketing education, design help and small business advising are done at no cost at our office. Aside from those duties, we also work as a traditional chamber of commerce, creating monthly networking opportunities and promoting our members to our community.

How long have you worked there?

Since early 2021.

Education: Please list any degrees and professional certifications.

• Bachelor’s degree in digital technology and culture from Washington State University Tri-Cities.
• Enrolled at WSU Carson College of Business to obtain a Master of Business Administration.

Briefly describe your job and how you got into it:

I wear many hats at the Hispanic chamber. Thanks to my background, both work and education, I can meet with clients and help them with business plans, business loans and grant applications, digital marketing help, website creation, graphic design and more. I also play a hands-on role in ensuring all of our events are planned and played out as intended. I always say to come in with any business questions and if I don’t know the answer, I will educate myself to help. I started at the chamber in early 2021 as a communications intern with two other student peers. This was all thanks to the partnership between the Hispanic chamber and WSU Tri-Cities. The partnership was overseen by Ana Plemons, Ph.D., and Martin Valadez.

Tell us about your first job.

My first job was at 16, making pizza at a local Pizza Hut, a five-minute walk from Kennewick High. I worked my way up to become assistant manager as soon as I turned 18 and stayed until I was 21 years old. My first week as a manager was also my first at Columbia Basin College. I learned a ton about operating management here along with customer centricity. This is where I truly learned to work under pressure. If you want a great employee, seek those fast-food workers who thrive and can adapt to any setting.

What advice would you give to your younger self about achieving success?

I would tell myself to keep going. There are way too many people cheering you on to succeed that you aren’t even aware of. I also would tell myself to keep picking every brain I can. There is so much to learn out there.

What was your dream job as a child?

I wanted to be a designer for Nintendo.

What or who most influenced your career path or leadership style? This could be a book, class, person, etc.

I have many people that have influenced my career path. My uncle Jose Raul Contreras taught me what graphic design was. Martin Valadez, Maria Peña and Guillermo Castañeda have all played important roles in who I have become in the last three years.

What would be your top three priorities to make our community a better place?

• Inclusivity. It’s best for all of us to feel like we belong.
• Education. Everyone should be able to obtain their desired education, no matter their financial background.
• Caring. Tri-Cities is a melting pot, and we all have different backgrounds. We need to embrace each other and work toward the best of the community together.

Tell us about your community involvement/community service:

I currently sit on two boards: American Advertising Federation Tri-Cities and Arts Foundation of the Mid-Columbia. Both organizations help us enrich and elevate the arts and marketing professionals around our area. As I focus more on business again, I sit on these boards to help give back to the art and designer community.

My biggest community service that makes me feel like I truly am giving back to my community is being a volunteer for Make-A-Wish Washington. I encountered this organization last year. They showed up to my office letting me know there were no bilingual volunteers in Eastern Washington. Without thinking twice about it, I asked how I could join. I became the only Spanish-speaking volunteer for a while, but I have recruited some friends to help this cause. Seeing the photographs of the outcome of these wishes has truly filled me with joy and made me feel like I’m being the best version of myself.

If you had unlimited time, what volunteer work would you be interested in doing?

If I had more time I would love to get involved in the Tri-Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council along with helping the Tri-Cities Young Professionals continue growing. These are two different communities I strongly believe in.

How do you achieve work-life balance?

Consistency. Work toward setting a good consistency in your work, school and personal life. I enjoy making sure I am done with all of my work and school activities by Saturday afternoon to be able to get some rest and enjoy my friends and family on the weekends.

List any awards/honors you have received:

American Advertising Federation Tri-Cities, Judge’s Choice 2023.

Do you have family? Pets?

I have my mom, Jovita Contreras, a single mother who pushed through a new country with a language barrier to give Jaime, Karla and myself a better opportunity.

I do have a chihuahua named Chicaleta.

What brought you to the Tri-Cities? Did you grow up here?

I grew up in the Tri-Cities. I was born in the old Kennewick General Hospital. As a kid, you focus on your city and rep it. Growing up you realize we are one big city and you represent that all over the state.

What’s your dream vacation?

I want to travel to Japan and visit Tokyo for a weekend of professional wrestling.

Planner or procrastinator?

A procrastinated planner. Everything is planned in my head. Do I wait until the last minute to start? Maybe. Does it get done on time? Yes!

Introvert or extrovert?

A social introvert.

First car?

A Toyota Corolla.

Favorite thing to do in Tri-Cities?

Hang out with friends and family. I do enjoy a night out at any of the Tri-Cities bars, or Latin dance clubs. Along with a nice Dust Devils game.

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

I’m a part of the 1,000 pound club. Combining my bench, squat and deadlift lifting weight equals over 1,000.

Favorite Tri-City restaurant?

Soi 705 and Excalibur Pizza.

Favorite day of the week?

Saturday.

Text, email, phone call?

Email.

Would you rather travel back in time or to the future?

I’m a big “Stranger Things” fan. I would love to travel to the ’80s.