The Association of Washington Business has named Kristofer T. Johnson as its new president to succeed Don Brunell, who is retiring after 28 years as head of the 8,100-member business advocacy group.
Johnson will assume the position Jan. 1 with the retirement of Brunell, a Vancouver resident. He was selected following a nationwide search.
Johnson joined the association in 2010 as vice president of operations, overseeing the organization’s financial, membership and events divisions. He also was responsible for the nonprofit AWB Institute, which focuses on workforce development.
He previously served as president of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce in Minnesota and, before that, he led the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kennewick, where he served on the Association of Washington Business’ Board of Directors.
Brunell, 67, writes a weekly column that appears in The Columbian and dozens of other publications statewide. He said Tuesday that he would continue to write the column in his retirement.
