EDASC Top 10 for 2025

2025 saw new faces, systems, and a new logo at EDASC. While all these things happened behind the scenes, EDASC continued to engage with its partners and the community to advance a prosperous, equitable and sustainable Skagit County. 

Noted economist makes return engagement at Economic Forecast Night 

Back by popular demand, Beacon Economics’ Founding Partner Chris Thornberg delivered his take on the national economy during EDASC’s annual Economic Forecast Night. Thornberg told the 300-plus business leaders and community members gathered for the annual forecast dinner that the numbers showed a strong economy but the sentiment from everyday Americans tells a different story. 

“You have to pay attention to both the narrative and the data,” Thornberg said. 

On the local front, Thornberg said the county’s employers need more workers, and that becomes challenging for those attempting to move into this tight real estate market. 

“Skagit County desperately needs people and that is a conversation about housing,” Thornberg said. 

County CEDS plan to be facilitated by EDASC 

EDASC leads the implementation and tracking of Skagit County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a federally recognized plan that guides long-term economic growth. EDASC coordinates with local governments, businesses, and community partners to identify priorities, set measurable goals, and track progress. EDASC facilitates the CEDS steering committee and work groups, ensuring that diverse voices are included in shaping the county’s economic future. The CEDS framework helps align local initiatives with state and federal funding opportunities, strengthening regional competitiveness. By driving this collaborative process, EDASC ensures that Skagit’s economic development efforts are strategic, inclusive and forward-looking.

New team members join EDASC 

EDASC welcomed three new team members in 2025: Deputy Director Ken Huste, Equitable Economic Development Manager Juan Morales, and Business Operations Associate Melena Peitersen. 

Ken Huste is an accomplished economic developer and business development manager who most recently worked for Innovation Norway for 12 years as a Senior Advisor, Maritime. As EDASC’s deputy director, Huste is responsible for a range of activities in addition to business recruitment, retention and expansion, including strategic planning, program implementation, project management and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders. A native of Norway who spent his childhood in a number of countries, Ken and his family moved to Anacortes in 2025 from Texas. 

Juan Morales is a former member of the Mount Vernon City Council and previously worked as the program coordinator for the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. At EDASC, he primarily works with aspiring entrepreneurs and established small businesses, with a particular focus on underserved communities throughout the county. Juan is bilingual in English and Spanish and is a Skagit County native. 

Melena Peitersen is the Office Operations Associate at EDASC. She has more than 15 years’ experience working in office administration with local businesses, including Regence. Melena was born and raised in Skagit County. 

Business Climate Survey guides EDASC programs, partnerships 

EDASC’s 2025 Business Climate Survey revealed that hiring and retaining workforce remains the most pressing challenge for Skagit County employers, cited by nearly 60% of respondents. Businesses also pointed to permitting and land-use regulations, supply chain constraints, and the high cost of development as significant barriers. Access to childcare for employees emerged as a recurring concern, reflecting its importance in workforce participation and retention. Many respondents also noted difficulties accessing capital and planning for succession. These insights guided EDASC’s programs and partnerships, helping ensure that local employers have the resources and support they need to grow and thrive. 

Continued work with partners 

EDASC partners with a wide range of agencies and organizations to advocate for Skagit County’s economic interests and provide tailored assistance to businesses. 

These include, but are not limited to, municipal, county, state and federal lawmakers; the Washington Economic Development Association and Washington State Department of Commerce; business advising organizations such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Washington APEX Accelerator, Impact Washington and the Northwest Innovation Resource Center; downtown associations and local chambers of commerce; workforce development partners such as Northwest Career & Technical Academy, Northwest Educational Service District 189, regional institutions of higher education, the Northwest Workforce Council, and WorkSource; the ports of Anacortes and Skagit for business attraction and expansion projects; the Skagit Tourism Bureau; and our partner in Leadership Skagit, Skagit Valley College.

EDASC logo gets a refresh 

EDASC introduced its new logo this summer. 

This is the first major rebranding of the organization in more than a decade. The logo’s new look is a modernization of the past logo, notes EDASC CEO John Sternlicht, and represents how EDASC continues to modernize its approaches and programs to fit ever-evolving circumstances. 

“The new logo reflects the complexity and diversity of Skagit County,” he says. “It is multidimensional, like most issues we engage with, and the shapes appear to move upward, representing progress.” 

Sternlicht marks 10 years at EDASC’s helm 

EDASC CEO John Sternlicht celebrated 10 years with the organization this summer. During that time, EDASC has changed from inside to out – the name, logo, location, technology, accounting and systems – as well as a renewed emphasis on mission-related programming. Instead of a focus on events that tend to compete with other community organizations, the organization regularly surveys its constituency to identify business and community needs that can be met through purposeful programming. EDASC’s Board of Directors has also changed: only two on Sternlicht’s hiring committee remain. Read more from Sternlicht reflecting on the last 10 years on page 14. 

Startup School completes second successful year 

Startup School, EDASC’s entrepreneurial training program, completed its second successful year in 2025, offering a 12-week course to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Startup School is offered twice per year, once in Spanish and once in English, with curriculum in both languages from the My Own Business Institute at Santa Clara University. This year, 40 participants successfully completed the course. Startup School has been recognized with an Education First grant from WECU. 

EDASC seeks to understand childcare need 

EDASC’s Childcare Impact Report highlighted how limited childcare access directly affects Skagit County businesses, with employers reporting challenges in recruitment, retention, and employee productivity. Many businesses noted that lack of reliable childcare forces parents out of the workforce or restricts their hours, reducing the available talent pool. The report also found that employers are increasingly recognizing childcare as a key workforce issue, not just a family concern. By documenting these impacts, the report underscores the need for creative solutions and stronger partnerships between businesses, providers, and policymakers. 

New CRM improves operations, communications 

Behind the scenes, EDASC rolled out a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database. While it streamlines internal operations for EDASC, it also benefits Investors via more accurate company data, quick online billing, and targeted contacts to ensure EDASC communications arrive in the right inbox.