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A conversation with Craig Larsen: "We should be educating and leading the business community to speak out with one clearly heard voice that's really loud and strong.".

Article Excerpt
On Feb. 3, Craig Larsen, attorney and Wenatchee city councilman, will officially tack on the title of executive director, as he takes on the challenge of leading the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce while adapting to 12 new bosses.

The law firm he became sole owner of last year after buying out a partner, will be closed. The former partner continued to work as an attorney after the buyout and will retire after the law firm closes, according to Larsen.

Larsen came to make the Wenatchee Valley home in 1991 after graduating from law school in Seattle.

"At the time the job market in Seattle was difficult," Larsen recalled.

Although the job opportunity may have brought him here, the Valley is the reason he and his wife decided to stay.

"We love it here, and it's a great place to raise our children," Larsen said. He is a father of four.

After practicing law for 12 years, Larsen decided it was time to break up his routine by jumping into the world of the chamber, a place he's become familiar with over the years as a member and as an officer in the group.

Larsen was president of the Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce in 2000. That year, the Wenatchee and East Wenatchee chambers united.

"I really love the chamber of commerce, and I'm committed to its mission," he said.

Larsen declined to get into the specifics of his new salary but did say it was in the low end of the $40,000 to $50,000 range set aside for the executive director salary. Besides the base pay, Larsen will have the opportunity to earn bonuses.

Larsen will oversee a staff of three including an assistant executive director, a membership events coordinator and a receptionist/bookkeeper. Jerrilea Crawford, assistant executive director and interim executive director will leave the chamber in the middle of January for a position with Washington Trust Bank as an associate relationship manager. Meredith Medved and Diane Cook occupy the other two positions.

According to Larsen, a new assistant will be hired, but no specific...