VOICE Articles

Fentanyl: The Deadly Synthetic Opioid Ravaging Thurston County

by Natasha Ashenhurst Fentanyl is causing a surge in overdoses and deaths in Thurston County, Washington. According to David Bayne, the Director of Thurston County Public Health and Social Services and co-chair of the Thurston County Opioid Task Force, Fentanyl is hard to detect and is often mixed with other drugs, including counterfeit prescription pills…

February 2023 VOICE Magazine

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Regional Changes in Leadership

by Doug Mah, Doug Mah and Associates, Thurston County Chamber Public Policy Director 2023 started with changes at the City of Lacey when City Manager, Scott Spence, left the area to accept a leadership position in Astoria, Oregon. Spence held the job for 11 years and worked for 23 years at the city. The Lacey…

Executive Profile: Kelsey Hulse of Strategies 360

by Natasha Ashenhurst If asked, Kelsey Hulse would tell you her success, personally and professionally, is because of two character traits. “Relentless persistence and optimism,” she said. Hulse, a government affairs specialist, studied philosophy in college. She says it was a helpful starting point for a vibrant and varied career. Straight out of school, she…

Welcoming Jay Kang: Thurston County Food Bank’s First Chief Executive Officer

by Kathryn Millhorn • Photography by Shanna Paxton Charitable, civic organizations like the Thurston County Food Bank wear many hats. Of course, they work tirelessly to provide much-needed food to the community. But they also meet emerging needs, fundraise, organize volunteers, and squeeze every last drop out of vital donations. In November 2022, our Food Bank shifted…

Shared Legislative Agenda 2023

by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director   Each year, the Public Policy Division of the Thurston Chamber convenes the Shared Legislative Partnership. The Partnership works to advance regional priorities for the upcoming State Legislative session. These priorities, when approved, will provide multiple and broad benefits to the entire region…

January 2023 VOICE Magazine

Click here for past issues of the VOICE.

December 2022 VOICE Magazine

Click here for past issues of the VOICE.

Local Business Owners Speak Out About Increases In Crime

by Natasha Ashenhurst Every year, Dr. Suneet Bath and volunteers help close to 100 people who need dental work but can’t afford to pay for it. They treat adult patients, providing fillings, extractions and cleanings. Dr. Bath also participates in a dance and singing show to raise money for the Union Gospel Mission. Dr. Bath…

Finding Your Path at the Olympia Career Hub

by Kathryn Millhorn Take a walk around downtown Olympia and you can’t miss the number of new buildings rising from vacant lots. The often missing and essential ingredient of these gorgeous new buildings? Builders state that the number one business challenge is finding skilled workers. Meanwhile, Olympia faces a housing shortage. These new buildings will…