A nurse who served her country during the Vietnam War and Desert Storm, and went on to head a major health care organization.
An executive who once managed the operations of U.S. Navy reconnaissance flights, and now manages operations at the country’s fifth-largest dealer in dental supplies.
An executive who joined Junior Achievement at Clover Park High School and has returned the favor by offering young entrepreneurs the leadership resources of the company he now heads.
The University of Washington Tacoma Milgard School of Business has announced the winners of the 10th Annual Business Leadership Awards.
• Small Business Leader of the Year: Brian Haynes, president and CEO of Rainier Connect, a Tacoma-based telecommunications company.
According to the nomination letter, “Brian is passionate about motivating youth to reach their highest potential,” and through his involvement with Junior Achievement has created “a pathway for 3,700 students in rural Pierce County.”
• Nonprofit Leader of the Year: Diane Cecchettini, president and CEO of MultiCare Health System.
A flight nurse during the Vietnam era and a troop commander in Desert Storm, Cecchettini in 1999 “became the first woman and first nurse to be named CEO of MultiCare.”
Her nomination lauds Cecchettini’s “resourcefulness and flexibility,” and notes the growth of MultiCare – Pierce County’s largest private employer – under her leadership.
• Business Leader of the Year: Greg Biersack, vice president of corporate operations at Burkhart Dental Supply – the state’s oldest incorporated business.
“Mr. Biersack has played an important role in leading this 122-year-old company to continued success,” states the nomination.
The Milgard School will present the awards May 11 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center.
Sponsors of the invent include Heritage Bank, Sound Credit Union, Propel Insurance, BiNW, Boeing, Burkhart Dental Supply, Franciscan Health System, Kidder Mathews, Moss Adams, MultiCare, Simpson, South Tacoma Auto, State Farm Insurance, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Weyerhaeuser and The News Tribune.
Reporters from The News Tribune business desk will profile each of the winners in the weeks preceding the event, with the first appearing April 24 and the remainder in succeeding Sunday editions.
C.R. Roberts: 253-597-8535 c.r.roberts@thenewstribune.com
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.