Zak O’Brien knows how important it is to take care of customers.If you don’t do that, you’re not in business very long.O’Brien Construction Company Inc. has always understood this fact.It’s a reason the Kennewick company has been in business for close to 44 years.“My dad started this business in 1973,”...
Continuity can be a key to long-term success.It seems to be the case for Abadan Tri-Cities, a Richland company going strong since 1975.“It’s cross-generational. I’m the fourth owner,” said Tyler Best, president and general manager. “Each leader, from John Wells, the original owner, to Lee Pinnell, to my dad, has...
John Veysey watched with satisfaction as 60 volunteers helped spruce up five houses last month in a Pasco neighborhood near Shoshone and Third streets.Crystal Carter also was there and she was pleased too.“There are times in life where everybody needs a hand,” Carter said. “Together, we create this community we...
Washington State University Tri-Cities in north Richland was originally a commuter campus.But in recent years, it’s become a destination.Of the 1,868 students enrolled at WSU Tri-Cities, many are coming from out of state.“This is not a commuter school anymore,” said Jeffrey Dennison, WSU Tri-Cities director of marketing and communications. “We’re...
When Rich Cummins became president of Columbia Basin College in 2008, one of his goals was to provide student housing on the Pasco campus.It’s taken some time, but the school’s first on-campus student housing unit should be ready by fall 2017.“When I interviewed for this job in 2008, I said...
By Jeff MorrowPreferred Freezer Services opened up a monster facility in July 2015 in the north part of Richland.The $115 million building dominates the landscape, standing 120 feet tall, with 455,000 square feet of space and 313,000 square feet dedicated to automated freezer space.And it’s about to get bigger with...
By Jeff MorrowAll Daniel Washam was trying to do was make some apple cider for his wife.Instead what his wife Heidi received was something spectacular in d’s Wicked Cider.And then somebody wanted to buy Washam’s cider.That was in 2013. And that was when Daniel Washam knew he had a big...
By Jeff MorrowThe Mid-Columbia region is known for its world-class wineries.But what if you prefer a brew over a bottle of red?It may be comforting to know that some of the best hops in the world are grown within an hour’s drive of the Tri-Cities.And that there is a group...
By Jeff MorrowPlaying with rubber duckies isn’t just for little kids in the bathtub.For more than a quarter of a century, Tri-City adults have been racing the plastic yellow toys in the name of charity.Tri-City Rotarians’ 28th annual Mid-Columbia Duck Race is Saturday, Oct. 8, in Kennewick’s Columbia Park. The...
By Jeff MorrowIt’s been a journey of learning and change for the owners of a small Richland-based nuclear power consulting and technical services company.[blockquote quote="We knew the company could be successful. We had the employees and the resources." source="Karen Miller, managing director of Polestar Technical Services" align="right" max_width="300px"]Kathy Miller, Bill...
