People in Business
The Building Industry Association of Clark County recently announced its executive board roster, beginning with 2023 President Caleb Blanton. He is the construction manager at New Tradition Homes and was the BIA’s 2022 vice president. He is a 39-year resident of Clark County and has 25 years of construction industry experience.
Blanton was installed as president for the association on Jan. 20.
In addition to Blanton’s installation as president, the BIA has added Elizabeth Gomez, founder and project manager at Bridge City Contracting, to its executive board as vice president secretary. Gomez is a certified renovator, holding licenses in both Washington and Oregon. Graduating from Marylhurst University with a bachelor of arts in organizational communications, she holds a seat on the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Board of Trustees and is the chair of the BIA Remodelers of Clark County. She serves on the board of the Hispanic Chamber of Oregon and Southwest Washington.
The BIA’s executive board is rounded out with Chuck Niebert of Affinity Homes as vice president, Dave Campos of IQ Credit Union as vice president treasurer, Mark Kroll of Biggs Insurance as vice president associate, and Aaron Helmes of Generation Homes NW serving as immediate past president.
The executive board has identified housing affordability, workforce development and strengthening relationships with regulatory bodies as priorities in 2023.
The Clark County Council recently appointed Karl Johnson and Jack Harroun to the county’s volunteer Planning Commission. Both will serve four-year terms that begin immediately and end Dec. 31, 2026.
Johnson, a La Center resident, currently serves on the Planning Commission. He is a former educator for the Battle Ground School District and has managed and owned various construction companies.
Harroun lives in Vancouver and owns a residential/commercial building company. His volunteer service includes the city of Vancouver Housing Task Force, past president of the Building Industry Association of Clark County, chair of the Open House Ministries Building Committee and past president of the Hough Neighborhood Association.
The seven-member Clark County Planning Commission serves as an advisory board on matters related to development of land in the unincorporated area.
The Camas School Board voted unanimously to appoint longtime volunteer Bamini Pathmanathan to the open District 4 director position during its special meeting on Feb. 13. The seat was left vacant when Doug Quinn resigned in December upon accepting a new position as Camas’ city administrator. Quinn had served on the board since 2005. Pathmanathan will serve the remainder of Quinn’s term, which expires in December 2023.
Pathmanathan comes to the board with years of involvement in Camas schools through her children, including on the Citizens Advisory Council, the Student Wellness Advisory Committee, the Camas Educational Foundation and the PTA, and in classrooms. She has a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University and works at PeaceHealth in Vancouver.
“Bamini’s years of service and dedication to our district will be a valuable asset to the school board,” board President Corey McEnry said. “We are so excited for her to continue serving the students and families of the Camas School District.”
McEnry said the board was particularly moved by Pathmanathan’s recounting of her experience as an elementary student entering school in the U.S. without knowing any English. She recalled the caring and influential teachers who helped provide her the tools she needed to succeed. Pathmanathan also shared the influence of her mother’s lifelong commitment to public service, noting that for herself, public schools were the natural place to pursue this value.
During her interview with the school board, Pathmanathan emphasized the importance of listening and staying informed.
“One thing I’ve always seen in this community is (a willingness to have an) open dialogue and reflect on what’s being said,” she said. “… Being open and willing to compromise creates positive opportunities for our students.”
