January 6th, 2011

Richland PFD board offers interim CEO job to Tri-City business leader

By Michelle Dupler, Tri-City Herald

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Richland Public Facilities District Board offered longtime Tri-City businesswoman and education advocate Lisa Toomey a position as its interim CEO.

Toomey would fill the job recently vacated by Kimberly Camp after four years developing the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center -- district's signature project.

"As many of you know, we have done quite an extensive search for an interim CEO," board President Joel Rogo said. "Some of the things we were looking for were someone well known in community, someone with fundraising experience and someone who can bring passion and energy to the program that we all share. I believe we have found that person."

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November 29, 2011

Public Facilities District Board Vacancy – Application Period Extended

(From the Richland City Clerk to Richland City Council)

Two applications were received as a result of advertising for the vacancy on the Public Facilities District (PFD) Board for Position No. 4, formerly held by Joel Rogo. The term for Position No. 4 will expire on July 15, 2012.

The initial closing date for the position was November 18, with interviews scheduled for December 5; however, only two applications were received. After discussion, the City Manager and Mayor Fox recommended the application period be extended until Friday, December 30, and interviews scheduled in early January.

The City Clerk’s Office will notify the current candidates of the extension of the application period and contact you next week to setup a new interview date in January. The updated applicant information will be sent to you, after the December 30 closing date.

Please contact me if you have any questions at 942-7389 or mhopkins@ci.richland.wa.us .

November 29, 2011

Seeking REACH CEO

 Please review the job description linked below for information on the Richland PFD's permanent CEO position.

November 28, 2011

Seeking an Interim CEO
Purveyor of Science, History, Fun & Mystery

If you think you've got what it takes to help lead the REACH project towards success, please click the link below and learn more about this exciting position.

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October 6, 2011

A special message from Senator Patty Murray

For those of you who missed our wonderful groundbreaking ceremony, please watch this special message from the first Charter Member of the REACH. 

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October 5, 2011

Hanford Reach Interpretive Center Breaks Ground in Richland

Over 250 Tri-Cities residents were in attendance, as well as representatives of the offices of Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Congressman Doc Hastings. The ceremony opened with a blessing of the site by Armand Minthorn, Chair of the Cultural Resources Committee of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Speaking at the ceremony were Mike Kluse, Director of Pacific Northwest National Lab; Johnpaul Jones, Founding Partner, Jones & Jones Architecture and lead architect for the REACH; Kimberly Camp, CEO of the Richland Public Facilities District; and Joel Rogo, President of the Richland Public Facilities District.

Camp, who has been CEO of the Richland Public Facilities District since 2007, said, "It was a marvelous event, and we're happy to have had such a show of support from the community. It's a big milestone in the history of the Tri-Cities and the project."

Addressing the need for continuing fundraising, Kluse, who is co-chair of the REACH's Capital Campaign Steering Committee, urged Tri-Citians to contribute, saying, "the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center will reap benefits for the entire community. It's time for everyone to step up and provide strong financial support."

Bechtel National, Inc., a corporate leader in the Tri-Cities, answered the call for action. Frank Russo, Project Director, Bechtel National, Inc., presented the REACH with a gift of $150,000. "Bechtel has a long history of supporting quality-of-life projects along the Columbia River," said Russo. "The REACH will be a rich educational resource for all in our community and those who visit." Russo also issued a challenge to the community to match Bechtel's gift, calling for three further gifts of $50,000 within three months.

The ceremony also served as the launch of the REACH's membership program. The inaugural membership was given to Senator Murray in recognition of her years of commitment to the project.

The groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of Phase I of the construction process, and includes site improvements and utility tie-ins for the facility. The facility will be constructed during Phase II, which is planned to begin in Spring of 2012.

Please click here to view a special Groundbreaking message from our inaugural member, Sen. Patty Murray.

June 28, 2011

Hanford Reach Interpretive Center Announces Columbia Park West as Future Site

The Richland Public Facilities District (RPFD) announced today that the City of Richland had received formal approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers to enter into a sublease agreement which will allow for the building of the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center on Corps-leased land in Columbia Park West. The Corps also conducted a National Environmental Policy Act compliance check and issued a Finding of No ignificant Impact, clearing the way for construction to begin.

US Senator Patty Murray, an early supporter of the project, said in a statement, “This is excellent news for the Tri-Cities. Projects like the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center are tremendously important for both their economic and cultural impact. I applaud the hard work and commitment of the Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Richland, the Richland Public Facilities District’s CEO, Kimberly Camp and her staff, and their any volunteers on reaching this important milestone.