Gary Ballew, long-time Director of Economic Development for the Port of Pasco, accepted a position as Vice President for Economic Development at Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI). GSI represents 925 businesses in the Spokane area and is comparable to the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce combined.
Ballew is highly respected in the local economic development community, having held prior positions at the City of Richland, Benton County, and the Wine Sciences Center Development Authority. At the Port of Pasco, he worked on the redevelopment of the Tri-Cities Airport, run by the Port of Pasco, improvements to Big Pasco, a major warehouse and distribution facility with 300-acres of newly developed land for agri-business. Also, he worked extensively in cooperation with the City of Pasco in their development activities.
Previously a member of the Tri-Cities Research District Board of Directors, Ballew brings a wealth of knowledge of the inland Washington economy to his new position. His Tri-Cities tenure is notable for his industry knowledge within agribusiness, value-added agriculture, shipping and logistics, and most-recently waterfront mixed-use development.