Ask the Queen Why She Hates Pullman

Dino Rossi and Queen Christine have both agreed to take questions from YouTube users and answer them. The deadline to submit video questions is August 12. More info can be found here.

Someone needs to ask the Queen why she supports the destruction of the Pullman economy. Her reinstitution of the death tax and the Department of Ecology's imposition of Phase II stormwater permitting, even though Pullman is a "bubble" community, threaten to drive future Schweitzer Engineering Labs expansion out of town.

Pullman: 2008 Gubernatorial Election as Tipping Point

It is indisuptable that the renaissance in growth and development that Pullman has experienced in the last ten years is attributable in large part to Schweitzer Engineering Labs, Pullman's largest private employer and one of the most successful and fastest growing companies in America.

It is equally indisputable that policies implemented by the Gregoire administration, such as the reinstituting of the death tax and the new Department of Ecology stormwater regulations have hit Schweitzer hard, as well as the plethora of business-unfriendly regulations left in place by previous Democratic administrations such as the B&O tax, stringent unemployment and health insurance requirments, et. al.

The 2008 gubernatorial election for Pullman is not about how Gregoire has botched transportation problems on the west side of the state, or even so much the unaccounted for sex offenders, problems with the WASL or the $2.5 billion spending deficit Gregoire has run up, although those are important issues to be sure. No, our real issue is whether SEL continues to grow in Pullman and therefore whether the city of Pullman continues to grow and whether we continue to improve our quality of life, our schools, our parks, our streets, etc.

WSU will not be our savior. President Elson Floyd has already announced a hiring freeze and a 20% cutback in courses offered. And branch campuses in Vancouver, Tri-Cities and Spokane continue to grow at the Pullman campus' expense.

We tried to get rid of the death tax through I-920 (SEL is a privately held, employee-owned company; the death tax could be ruinous) but the teachers union and other left-wing groups spent millions on lies and fear tactics designed to shoot the measure down. We tried to stop Ecology from implementing the costly stormwater regulations, but they wouldn't listen.

The choice is clear. After 20 plus years of business-unfriendly policies in Olympia, it's time for change. It's time for Dino Rossi.

From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Schweitzer Engineering Labs hitting hiring goals; Company officials say rising costs may push future growth out of state

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories is on track to meet its new hiring goals for 2008, but company officials say they're still trying to determine how much of the company's future expansion will happen in Pullman.

SEL Director of Public Affairs Susan Fagan said 249 people have been hired so far to fill positions ranging from engineers, manufacturers, pilots and administrators.

"Typically, we add new positions every week. I can give you a number (of open positions) now, but it will change by next week," she said, adding that many of the new employees are found locally. "We hire the most qualified people we can find, and we find a lot of those people right here."

She said "a majority" of this year's new hires now work in the Pullman headquarters, with others located at plants and offices throughout the world.

In February, the company reported that more than 300 new jobs would be available in 2008, most of which would be needed in Pullman. The news followed a fall announcement that a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility was to be constructed in San Luis Potiso, Mexico, primarily to make and assemble electronic relay panels and control houses. The expansion in Mexico also was expected to fuel growth on the Pullman SEL campus, as the high-tech components for the panels are designed, created and tested by workers in the company's Pullman headquarters.

Fagan said the company has grown continuously since its first product was sold in 1984, and SEL President Ed Schweitzer has indicated that employee numbers will double in the next five years.

But growth won't be confined to Pullman, as the cost of business is high in the state of Washington, especially in the areas of health care, unemployment insurance and business and occupation tax.

"The growth is going to happen here, but to what extent, we don't know," Fagan said, adding that the company has sent out other letters of interest to about 10 other states - including Idaho - inquiring as to whether they would support SEL growth through manufacturing plants or offices.

With roots in manufacturing parts used in generating electric power, the company has created products used in oil refineries, wind farms and high-voltage substations. Its products include clocks that are accurate to the microsecond, encryption equipment used to protect secure equipment and systems for the U.S. Navy that allow ships to run on electrical power rather than steam power.

SEL employs nearly 2,000 employees at more than 60 locations worldwide, and its products are used in 119 countries across the globe.

SEL Director of Corporate Marketing Mark Zeller said the company's Pullman presence will continue to grow. As demand for the company's products increase, the necessity to produce more parts will result in more new positions.

"There's no sense sending something out to China to be made if we can make it here," he said. "There's company growth all over the world, and we'll continue to pursue that, but Pullman is home."

Fagan said SEL is proud to be a Pullman-grown business, but Washington state mandates and requirements are providing hurdles. The company spends millions of dollars annually to provide health insurance to the company's more than 1,000 Pullman employees.

Fagan said the state of Washington mandates companies include a lengthy list of benefits within the insurance policies companies provide employees. That continually bumps up the cost of coverage even if those benefits are not needed by employees.

Fagan said unemployment insurance is also on the rise and the state's "death tax," reinstated by Gov. Chris Gregoire, is daunting. The impending citywide stormwater utility, which could cost SEL $20,000 a year for its roughly 800,000 square feet of impervious surface on its campus located off Terre View Drive, also is a point of contention.

"It's starting to look kind of burdensome, isn't it?" Fagan said. "We're looking at what the best move is for the company to grow. We're growing with great thought."

Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson said he does his best to stand up for local business to state leaders in Olympia. Johnson, who is secretary of the Association of Washington Cities - and slated to move up to the role of vice president later today - said he's vocal to Legislators about mandates such as municipal stormwater permits and taxes that "are burdens the state imposes that makes it difficult to recruit" and retain businesses. He added that the mandates are especially troubling to Pullman as a border community, since to save money, businesses could just locate in Idaho.

"We're trying to make that point very clear to our Legislators," he said. "I guarantee that they're all concerns. We hear them and we bring them to our Legislators."

Support Small Business? Then Support Dino Rossi

Ed Schweitzer is not the only Washington businessman with harsh words for Queen Christine.

Back in April, members of the National Federation of Independent Business, the leading small business association representing small and independent businesses in Washington State, voted overwhelmingly to support Dino Rossi for governor by a whopping 96% margin.

Here's a quote from the NFIB press release:

What's at stake is the small business environment in Washington and the ability for business owners not just to compete, but also to survive in this difficult economy. After the previous three and a half years, NFIB members are still laboring under one of the most expensive workers' compensation systems in the country. They're still waiting for healthcare reform that reduces burdensome regulations and increases access and affordability. They're still clamoring for a solution to our broken transportation system that will improve freight mobility and allow businesses to get their goods to market, instead of having them sit in traffic.

Small businesses are also fearful of the future when it comes to taxes. The current governor has spent one of the largest state budget surpluses in history, increased spending by more than 33 percent, and now we're facing a $2.4 billion deficit next year. If spending can't be controlled, there's only one way to fill this budget hole -- with tax increases. Even House Speaker Frank Chopp has conceded that tax increases may be necessary next year. Given Governor Gregoire's affinity for a new state income tax, small business owners have reason to be fearful of giving her a second term.

Small business owners realize that Rossi is the right candidate to turn Washington into an entrepreneurial state where all businesses have the opportunity to succeed, not just the Microsofts and the Boeings of the world.

The irony of course of that liberals and Democrats always talk about being on the side of small business (e.g. going after Wal-Mart) but yet it is the big corporations that benefit the most under their regimes.

At the Dino reception on Tuesday, Ed Schweizter criticized the attempts of current and previous Democratic administrations in Olympia at "elephant hunting," whereby major incentives and tax/regulatory breaks are given to heavy hitters like Boeing

Like small, locally owned businesses and want to "Think Pullman First," you'd better "Think Dino First."(which moved its HQ to Chicago anyway) while doing nothing to help small business.

"Dino Rossi visits Pullman for breakfast; The Republican gubernatorial candidate spoke about what he believes the state needs"

Credit where credit is due. Christina Watts has one of the best write-ups of Dino's Pullman visit in today's Summer Evergreen. I'm glad she noted the presence of Rep. Joe Schmick at the event. We need Joe and a lot more Republicans like him in the state legislature if Dino is going to reform Olympia.

Dino Rossi wants to bring customer service to the state government. He told a group of approximately 50 supporters it was time to start treating state citizens like "customers, not nuisances."

The Republican nominee for governor met with Pullman residents Tuesday morning at the Schweitzer Event Center to give an update on his campaign and to share his goals for the state, if elected. Ed Schweitzer, founder and president of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, hosted the event. He said it was a pleasure to contribute to part of the political process.

"I got to know (Rossi) when he decided to run for governor four years ago and I really respect him," Schweitzer said. "I wanted to hold this breakfast so a lot of people in our community could get to know him."

Schweitzer said he supports Rossi for governor because he's fiscally conservative and politically moderate.

In addition to making the state more customer service oriented, Rossi said he wants to turn Washington into an entrepreneurial state.

"I want Washington state to be the worst place in America to be a criminal, and the best place to start a business," he said.

Rossi also spoke about revamping the state budget. He said Gov. Chris Gregoire turned a surplus in the budget into a deficit, calling her policies, "fiscal insanity."

"You can be fiscally conservative and still have a social conscience," Rossi said. "They are not mutually exclusive."

Though the election is several months away, Rossi said his campaign has already surpassed last year's numbers for volunteers and contributions. He hopes to run a campaign where he'll compare and contrast what incumbent Gregoire has done with what he wants to do.

He said he has proposed nine major projects, including an "ambitious" road congestion plan, and has been endorsed by five labor organizations, including the King County Police Guild, for his positions on public safety.

Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, attended the morning meeting with Rossi. He said he is supporting Rossi in the upcoming election because the state needs fiscal responsibility.

"It's always exciting," Schmick said. "I'm very glad that (Rossi) sees the importance of Eastern Washington."

Rossi ended the event by telling those gathered that they will have a tangible choice for their next governor.

Rossi told those present to encourage everyone they knew to vote. He said the myth that King County decides the election is untrue, and that Eastern Washington votes matter.

"Rarely in life do we ever get a second chance at things that are truly important," he said. "With the race for governor, Washington state gets a second chance."

"Rossi has high expectations for his second try; Republican who narrowly lost 2004 governor's race visits Whitman County"

The latest SurveyUSA poll has Dino up 10 points in Eastern Washington and down by that same margin in the metro(natural) Seattle area.

From today's Lewiston Tribune:

PULLMAN - If a snowball has a chance in June, then Republican Dino Rossi said Tuesday he as an even better second chance in November's Washington state gubernatorial election.

"Definitely better than that," said Rossi while making a campaign swing through Whitman County amid a freak mid-June snowfall. "It's remarkable where we are."

Rossi, who lost to Democrat Chris Gregoire in 2004 by 129 votes, said prior to a noon Pullman Chamber of Commerce luncheon that he and the incumbent are in a "statistical dead" heat.

"Last time I started with a 12 percent name identity statewide. Most everybody thought Dino Rossi was some kind of wine at that point. A cheap wine at that," Rossi said, using what has become a routine campaign line.

Today, Rossi said, he again enjoys strong backing on the east side of the state and what he called an "amazing" surge on the west side.

"It's not just Republicans," Rossi said. "Last time we had tens of thousands of Democrats who crossed party lines and we called them Dinocrats." Those same crossover voters are back, Rossi insisted, and they're bringing friends to the polls.

"We're in a position to win."

Rossi dismissed the notion Gregoire might benefit from more Democrats voting because Barack Obama has energized the party on a national level.

"I don't know if she (Gregoire) actually thought it through when she endorsed Barack Obama and brought the change message to Washington State," Rossi said, adding Democrats have been in charge since he was in grammar school. "It's been 28 years since we elected a Republican."

Politics in Olympia almost changed in 2004 when Rossi, a state senator from Sammamish, resigned his seat, ran against Gregoire and was initially declared the winner by 261 votes. A mandatory recount showed he still won, but only by 42 votes. After a third count, done by hand, Gregoire was declared the winner by 129 votes.

"Sixty-five percent of the people who are new to the campaign this time are people who wanted me to win, but didn't vote," Rossi said. "They've been kicking themselves ever since."

Republican leaders in Washington sued over the 2004 election results, but a judge upheld the Gregoire victory. Rossi decided to not appeal to the state Supreme Court and instead announced last October his intention to challenge Gregoire again in 2008.

"Fiscal responsibility is going to be a very big issue," Rossi said, adding he plans to challenge Gregoire's handling of the purse strings in the arenas of spending and tax increases. "People understand exactly what I'm trying to do."

He said his experience as a state senator in 2003 helping erase a budget shortfall without raising taxes puts him in good stead with where he wants to lead the state as governor.

"I want Washington state to be the worst place in America to be a criminal and the best place in America to start a business," Rossi said. He said he plans to gear his administration around encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in a business-friendly state where tax revenues can increase without tax increases.

"Anyone who thinks you aren't sending enough money to Olympia, don't feel guilty because you are sending enough money," he said, accusing his opponent of allowing reckless spending.

Rossi was introduced at the noon luncheon, but did not speak. He made a number of stops earlier in the morning and was scheduled to tour the new Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory building here, sit down informally with Whitman County officials and otherwise spread his message.

"Rossi says he'd be tough on crime, easy on business"

More on Dino Rossi's visit to SEL from KLEW TV below. Click here to find a link to a video report on Dino's visit.

PULLMAN - He lost by just 129 votes the last time around. Now, Dino Rossi is geared up and ready to try once again to become Washington's governor.

Tuesday, the Republican candidate visited Pullman, talking to locals and visiting the city's industrial park. Rossi said his family has lived in Washington for over 100 years, and now he has big plans for his home state.

"I want to turn Washington state into an entrepreneurial state," he said. "So, if people have a product or service that someone else wants, they want to risk their family's entire financial future, I want them to think of Washington state as the place to go."

Rossi toured the manufacturing building at Schweitzer Tuesday. He said so far, he has met with great success in his campaign.

"We are so far ahead of where we thought we would be at this point in time," Rossi said. "Last time, we had maybe eight people volunteer in the first week of the campaign in '04. This time, we had a thousand people over the website. We've almost caught up to the incumbent with cash on hand and we did that in six and a half months, what took her three and a half years to do. I haven't called a single lobbyist, it's all real people."

Rossi said he won't forget about the eastern side of the state if elected and that east-siders have the power to sway an election.

"Seattle is only nine percent of the state’s population," he said. "Eastern Washington is about 22 percent of the state's population. Twice as big. You've got the tail wagging the dog first off, but here's the problem - 84 percent of the people who were registered to vote in Seattle showed up and voted. In central and eastern Washington, it was 80 percent. That four percent doesn't sound like much, but that's another 23,000 more votes that could come from central and eastern Washington. And, you folks over here could control every single election if you want to."

Rossi said he has an easy to remember phrase about his run for governor.

"I want to make Washington state the worst place in America to be a criminal and the best place in America to start a business," he said. "How about that?

"Rossi says E. Washington voters can sway election; Republican hoping to unseat Gregoire pays visit to Pullman"

From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi said eastern Washington voters have the power to trump the "Seattle ship" [Dino actually said "Seattle chip," as in getting it off our shoulders - tf] and decide the outcome of the state's general election in November.

Rossi told business and community leaders at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman this morning that the key is increasing turnout.

The numbers are simple: Seattle has 9 percent of the state's population, while eastern Washington accounts for 22 percent. In Seattle, 84 percent of registered voters participated in the 2004 governor's race, compared to 80 percent in eastern Washington. Rossi said that 4 percent difference could have swayed the election that he lost by less than 1 percent.

"You folks can control every single election if you want to," Rossi said. "Don't let anyone tell you your vote doesn't count."

If elected, Rossi said his priorities will include changing the culture and direction of the government.

Rossi said he would like to see the government treat Washington residents like valued "customers," rather than "nuisances."

He criticized Gov. Chris Gregoire for irresponsible and unchecked spending that has amounted to a 34 percent increase in the state's budget since taking office. Rossi added the state's spending growth rate is 2.5 times that of its revenue growth rate.

That spending has meant $500 million in new taxes, Rossi said. He also suspects Gregoire will push for a state income tax.

"She's going to raise taxes again and it doesn't matter what she says," he said.

Rossi said being fiscally responsible doesn't mean social services like those for the elderly and disabled will be neglected.

"It's possible to be fiscally conservative and still have a social conscious," [sic] Rossi said.

The economy also is a looming issue. Rossi said "there's more to the business climate than Microsoft and Boeing."

He would like to see the state become a destination choice for entrepreneurs and their new businesses. However, Washington currently has one of highest small business failure rates in the nation. That, coupled with high workers compensation and unemployment rates, prevents many businesses from locating in the state.

"All of these things are killing the next Bill Gates and Boeing. It doesn't have to be that way," Rossi said. "I want to turn Washington state into an entrepreneurial state."

Rossi said Olympia politics too often are driven by "squabbling adults" [i.e. the teachers union - tf] rather than common sense and what is right for the state's residents. He cited a $13 million education grant the state lost because officials couldn't agree how to spend the money.

"We are not doing what is in the best interest of the children," he said.

The general election will give Washington voters a chance to change the state's course that was set in 2004.

"Rarely in life do we ever get a second change at something that is really important, but with this race Washington state gets a second chance," Rossi said.

Washington's primary elections are Aug. 19, and the general election is Nov. 4.

Pictures from the Dino Rossi Event at SEL This Morning

BELOW- Dino meeting and greeting supporters at the SEL Event Center this morning

ABOVE - I always manage to get Daily News reporter Devin Rokyta in my pictures somehow(in tan jacket on left)

ABOVE - Russ and April Coggins discuss the issues with Dino

ABOVE - Ed Schweitzer welcomes Dino

ABOVE - Ed asks Dino for help in fighting Olympia's bureaucracy and overtaxation

ABOVE - Dino addressing the crowd

Ed Schweitzer: SEL Will Double in Growth, But Not in Pullman

According to Ed, Washington is not competitive because of Mrs. Gregoire's overregulation and taxes, such as the death tax, the Department of Early Learning, which has made getting child care difficult for some SEL employees, and Ecology's new stormwater regulations, which will cost SEL $20,000 a year. He had some very harsh words for the Queen.

Schweitzer Engineering would like to grow in Washington, but the company, Pullman's larget private employer, is looking at states like Virginia and countries like Mexico instead.

Ed would like to change his mind if Dino gets elected. Think about that when you cast your ballot in November.

"High-tech hits its stride"

Like Gerard Connelly, B.J. Swanson cannot be that ignorant of economics and be the vice president of a bank. I'd like to think that all the nonsense she expresses in this Lewiston Tribune article from yesterday is just claptrap for the masses to cover her left-wing snobbery. But nevertheless, let's hang her with her own words, shall we?

"The economy on the Palouse is stagnant?" The article states that between 1997 and 2007, the number of high-tech jobs increased from 322 to 460 in Latah County. That represents about 43% growth in 10 years. Not spectacular, but not exactly stagnant either.

Whitman County now has 1,363 high-tech, including 1,100 at SEL, which had 230 employees in 1997. That means the growth of jobs at SEL has been 380% over 10 years. That is spectacular sustained employment growth probably unequaled anywhere in the U.S., much less a rural county.

Has other growth in Whitman County kept pace? Swanson says that "each high-tech employee supports as many as four other jobs." So the growth at SEL alone should have created 3,480 new retail/service jobs on the Palouse, including about 1,392 in Whitman County (some 40% of new SEL employees live in Pullman/Whitman County.) There has not been anything like that amount of retail/service jobs created here in the last 10 years. The only thing "stagnant" in Whitman County is the retail sector.

According to the Washington Employment Security Department, there were 1,227 retail trade jobs in Whitman County in January 2008. That's DOWN from January 2000 when it was 1,250. You can see why retailers are so interested in the Palouse, particularly our side of the border. Can't Swanson and the Tribune reporter runs these numbers themselves and see the need for Wal-Mart and other retail? Exactly why is B.J. Swanson being allowed to speak for Pullman and Whitman County anyway? It's very biased reporting.

In what way does the effort, in Whitman County anyway, to capture these dollars by building a Wal-Mart believes keep us from "realizing more of our potential" in the high-tech sector? It's just the opposite. I mean if people make $50,000 a year, they're going to want to spend it somewhere, right? Trust me, if we had more retail amenities, SEL and other companies would have an easier time attracting potential employees. Swanson obviously forgets Ed Schweitzer is a big supporter of a Pullman Wal-Mart.

Yet liberal fascist Swanson claims that Wal-Mart is a threat because every time a new store or restaurant opens, another closes. Really? Is that why we have two Safeways, two Rite-Aids, two Les Schwabs, two Radio Shacks, two Subways, two Pita Pits, two Pizza Huts, four McDonald's, two Arby's and untold Starbucks in Pullman and Moscow? What closed in Moscow when Old Navy and Bed Bath and Beyond opened? Did Staples close when Office Depot opened? Did Snap Fitness and Absolute Fitness close when the Pullman Athletic Club opened? I would sure hate to ask Swanson for a business loan with a ridiculous zero-sum attitude like that.

High-tech hits its stride

MOSCOW - A building under construction at the east edge of Alturas Technology Park is one of the most tangible signs of the slow but steady growth of the high-tech sector on the Palouse.

The 10,000-square-foot building will house Alturas Analytics and Anatech Labs, which have outgrown their 7,200-square-foot space at the park in Moscow.

Anatech Labs began in 1992, doing water tests and other environmental work. About eight years ago its founders brought in a new partner and diversified into doing pharmaceutical testing under the name of Alturas Analytics.

Others are thriving too.

Economic Modeling Specialists is on the verge of outgrowing its leased space in Alturas. And EcoAnalysts is preparing to more than triple its office space with a move from downtown Moscow to Eastside Marketplace (see related stories), where it will be near another home-grown, high-tech Palouse venture, First Step Internet.

It's the kind of economic development that represents the brightest hope for Moscow and Pullman, says B.J. Swanson, commercial loan officer and vice president of AmericanWest Bank. "That's our quickest and easiest way to provide good-paying jobs."

Between 1997 and 2007, the number of high-tech jobs increased from 322 to 460 in Latah County, while Whitman County now has 1,363. The growth there reflects that of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, which in 1997 had 230 employees and now has 1,100 in Pullman, making it the second-largest manufacturer in the region.

Swanson believes more of the potential in the sector could be realized if members of the community focused on high-tech job growth more and worried less about real estate development and where Wal-Mart might locate.

The kinds of jobs the high-tech sector provides would strengthen weak spots in the economy at a time when it's unlikely significant expansion will occur at the universities, Swanson says.

Part of the reason Wal-Mart is such a threat is the economy on the Palouse is stagnant, Swanson says. Every time a new store opens, another closes. The same pattern happens with restaurants.

Each high-tech employee supports as many as four other jobs because the wages are so high and much of the revenue the companies generate comes from out of state, Swanson says.

The average pay of the 150 jobs at Alturas, where many of Moscow's high-tech businesses are located, is $50,000 a year, Swanson says.

The proximity to universities has made the success possible. Almost every high-tech company has some link to the universities, Swanson says.

The founder of SEL earned his doctorate from Washington State University. Basic research at the universities formed the foundation of other companies.

Once companies are up and running, the universities and Lewis-Clark State College provide a steady source of qualified applicants for the internships and jobs they have, Swanson says.

The availability of internships on the Palouse helps the schools because their students get on-the-job training and take classes in the same semester since they're not having to leave the area, Swanson says.

"It's our future if you look at our base and the assets the universities bring."

"SEL announces plan to add 300 new jobs; Most of the new positions will be located in Pullman"

If it were not for Schweitzer Engineering both the City of Pullman and Whitman County would likely be facing negative population, jobs, and income losses. Because of the underdeveloped retail trade, service, and housing sector in Pullman, Moscow may be benefiting as much from the growth of Schweitzer Engineering as Pullman.

- Steve Peterson, "Moscow at a Tipping Point: An Economic Analysis of the Retail Trade Sector, the Local Economy, and the Effects of Locating a Super Wal-Mart in the Moscow, Idaho Regional Economy"

Thanks to the courageous efforts of the Whitman County Commissioners and the Hawkins Companies, the development logjam created by the unholy alliance of local NIMBYists and left-wing nutjobs has been broken up. Whitman County will now start to benefit from the expansion of SEL. Now, all we need is for the Appeals Court to dismiss PARD's pointless appeal of Wal-Mart, and Pullman can start to benefit as well and we will have total victory!! What a great day for Whitman County!

From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories plans to expand operations and add hundreds of new jobs in Pullman.

The Pullman-based company announced Monday that more than 300 new employees will be needed to help the growing company.

Susan Fagan, SEL director of public affairs, said "most" of the open positions will be needed in Pullman. She said about 100 positions already are listed online, while nearly 200 more will be added during the next two quarters.

In 2007, SEL added 248 new positions and now employs about 1,000 people at its Pullman headquarters.

With roots in manufacturing parts used in generating electric power, SEL introduced the world's first digital relay in 1984. Since then, the company has created products used in oil refineries, wind farms and high-voltage substations. Its products include clocks that are accurate to the microsecond, encryption equipment used to protect secure equipment and systems for the U.S. Navy that allow ships to run on electrical power rather than steam power.

The company's products are sold in 120 countries.

Fagan said the new batch of open positions are a reflection of growth caused by "new products, new locations and new companies."

"Hiring these new people will help us grow and continue to meet the demand of our customers," she said. "We're creating new markets by inventing, designing and manufacturing new products."

Fagan said the company seeks employees to work in the flight department, production, engineering, manufacturing, administration and more. Open job listings can be viewed at www.selinc.com.

In 2006, SEL's manufacturing facilities doubled to more than 200,000 square feet, which allowed for new equipment, expanded lines and room for additional employees. More than half of the company's Pullman employees work in manufacturing operations.

Fagan said the increase of employees will equate to more products for vendors and more business for shipping companies. She said the impact will resonate in the local economy.

"It's an exciting time for our company ... and it's exciting for our economy in our area," Fagan said. "There will be more families, and they'll need homes. They'll have kids that go to schools. They'll need services."

Pullman Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Fritz Hughes agreed. He said the SEL employee expansion will be a benefit to the entire region.

"It's a good quality of life that SEL provides for the community and that's a big benefit," he said. "It's a tremendous asset to our community.

"This brings in people and gives good stable employment for people so they don't have to leave" the area.

SEL was founded in Pullman in 1982 and employs more than 1,500 people in 64 locations around the world.

"SEL spreads holiday cheer; Pullman employees ship care packages to soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan"

Nice write up in today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News about SEL's Operation Desert Christmas:

K.C. Brown developed a habit of under-baking her cookies while her son-in-law, Ryan, was serving two tours of duty in Iraq.

She learned how to send care packages overseas so the contents would arrive in perfect condition.

“If you undercook them, by the time the cookies get there, they’re not like rocks,” she said.

Ryan returned from duty in 2005 and is now back with his family in California, but Brown knows many service personnel remain in danger and away from their families.

As a sign of support, the Pullman resident and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. help desk coordinator is involved in a project to send holiday care packages to soldiers stationed throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.

She recognizes that troops need to know they are being thought of, especially during the holiday season.

“I want all of them to know how much they are loved,” Brown said.

Kevin Carson, an SEL information systems specialist, started gathering items within his department in the company’s Government Service Division earlier this month. His small project caught on fast, and his co-workers at SEL’s Pullman campus soon began collecting goodies.

Ed Schweitzer, the company’s founder and president, pitched in $1,000. The company also donates food to the Pullman Food Bank and provides gifts for families that receive assistance through regional social service agencies.

Carson and his team did their research before they started packing up boxes. They went online to read Web logs, sent e-mails, and collected information from employees who knew people serving overseas to learn what items soldiers longed for.

They discovered everyday items are what the servicemen and women desire most.

Each package includes essential personal-hygiene products, such as razors, deodorant and shaving cream — an item not commonly shipped to soldiers because it is combustible.

The packages also contain things like compact discs, movies, puzzles and books, which are intended to add a little fun and stimulation to the soldiers’ long days.

“We have a great role in the world this year, because we get to play Santa,” Carson said. “It’s my belief that there’s an untapped need to help, and this helps.”

Also included are small toys soldiers can give to children living in the war zones.

More than 30 care packages were stuffed with goodies Thursday and were slated to be mailed out today. The packages will be shipped to members of the Washington National Guard and other outfits in Iraq and Afghanistan and be distributed to soldiers by their squad leaders.

“I hope they get there before Christmas,” Carson said.

Brown is sure to keep the packages nondenominational, even though it is the Christmas season.

“Whatever the season means to you, just know that you are being prayed for,” she said.

Hal Klein, an SEL lead software engineer, knows firsthand the importance of being recognized during the holidays.

Klein, a former Air Force airman who was stationed in the Azores Islands in the late 1970s, once received a package from his mother that contained a small, faux Christmas tree. The gift lit up what could have been a very lonely time of year.

“It was the only Christmas tree in the whole barracks,” he said. “It was really special.”

Klein’s 23-year-old son is fresh out of basic training and stationed with the Idaho National Guard in Blackfoot. He is safe at home for now, but the threat of being deployed is valid. Klein got involved in the care package project as a way to show respect not only for his son, but to all U.S. troops committed to their duty overseas.

“He didn’t join because he had to, he joined because he wanted to,” Klein said of his son. “We’re very proud of him. I hope the men that are over there know how much we think of them.”
Each package includes a form letter from SEL management expressing thanks to the soldiers for their loyalty to the United States.

Brown added an additional letter — something a bit more personal — that lets the troops know she is thankful for their bravery.

“I want all of them to know how much they are loved. So many of the soldiers are my kid’s age,” she said. “Do you know how many people are affected by this? I want to hug every one of them.”