Date and Time
Wednesday Feb 26, 2014
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM PST
The committee meeting will be followed by a presentation of a Policy Maker & Business Leader. This presentation is designed to be a conversation with those who influence policy around Washington State.
Location
Blanc 'n Schwartz Conference Room located at the Kent Chamber of Commerce office at 524 West Meeker, Suite 1
Contact Information
Andrea Keikkala
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Description
The Government Affairs committee develops the Chamber’s legislative agenda for issues addressed at the State legislature. The committee is comprised of small business, corporate members and municipal leaders from Kent and around the region. The committee evaluates local, regional and state issues that affect the business climate and quality of life (including initiatives and referendum). After extensive evaluation on issues the committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the Chamber’s position on issues.
February Policy Maker & Business Leader is newly elected School Board member Maya Vengadasalam.
Bio on Maya Vengadasalam
Serving my community has been an important priority throughout my life. I am keenly aware that I have been afforded a good life because of the sacrifices made by my hard-working and loving parents. It is important for our children to grow up understanding the potential they hold, and the promise of a bright future.
I came to America at age 11 from Kerala, India and dreamt of all the opportunities I had read about in American story books. I was a voracious reader – grabbing any book the local high school library would allow me to borrow. The books stirred my imagination and helped me understand all that I could achieve in life. I attended public schools from 7th grade until graduation, and then pursued a bachelor's degree in accounting at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. I graduated in 1986 and became a U.S. Citizen in the same year.
Professionally, I began my career as an accountant at a marketing organization. Subsequently, I managed a non-profit language services organization for the American Cultural Exchange - an international education organization, and then spun it off as a for-profit business, A.C.E. InfoTech Group, which provided website and software localization. After 9 years at A.C.E., I started a technology consultancy, DeviMedia, to provide marketing and internet solutions to non-profits and government providers. In all positions, I brought strong communication, financial, technical, and interpersonal skills to my work. Communication is the key to accomplishing any task at hand. I believe in collaborating and building solid relationships with stakeholders to effectively link and improve policies, processes, and practices. My greatest assets are my collaboration skills, my financial background, and my ability to make sound decisions. I will bring these assets to my position on the Kent School Board.
