Douglas County Economic Development Director Soo Ing-Moody recently led a panel at the Regional Innovation Roundtable, bringing together leaders to discuss innovation and strengthen the regional economy.
Regional Innovation Roundtable: Driving Innovation in North Central Washington
Douglas County Economic Development Director Soo Ing-Moody recently moderated the Innovation Opportunities Panel at the Regional Innovation Roundtable, a half-day event at the LocalTel Event Center, that brought together leaders and changemakers to explore opportunities for innovation, strengthen the regional economy, and foster collaboration.
Panelists Included
- Dr. Ryan James, CEO & Co-Founder of DOPL – Pioneering the use of robotics and AI for on-demand diagnostic and interventional care in underserved communities.
- Dr. Andrew Jones, CEO of Confluence Health – Leading one of the region’s largest healthcare systems.
- Dr. Lee Kalcsits, WSU Professor & Endowed Chair of Environmental Physiology for Tree Fruit – Researching how light, temperature, water, and nutrient dynamics affect the performance of apples, pears, and cherries.
- Meaghan Vibbert, Public Information Officer, Douglas County PUD – Highlighting the renewable hydrogen production facility in Baker Flats, which will enhance operations at the Wells Hydroelectric Project and provide clean transportation fuel and wholesale hydrogen opportunities.
- Andy Weinstein, CEO & Founder of GODOT – A third-generation Pepsi bottler who co-founded the American Beverage Association’s NextGen initiative and created PepsiCo’s Next Generation Bottler Network. GODOT is redefining the circular economy by converting waste streams into mission-critical inputs for the beverage industry through proprietary hydrothermal carbonization hubs.
In addition to the panel, Kate Hoy, Program Director with ARC WA, delivered a presentation on The Role Federal R&D Funding Plays in Regional Economic Development, underscoring how federal investment can support innovation and growth across North Central Washington industries
The Roundtable focused on building connections across industries and identifying ways to drive innovation in the region. Key goals included:
- Identifying shared challenges and opportunities for innovation
- Highlighting regional strengths and emerging trends
- Fostering cross-sector collaboration
- Showcasing funding pathways through America’s Seed Funding Program (SBIR/STTR)
The event was hosted by NCW Tech Alliance in partnership with Life Science Washington Institute and ARC WA.
North Central Washington is home to a diverse mix of industries, including healthcare, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. The Regional Innovation Roundtable underscored the importance of collaboration to ensure continued growth and opportunity for the region.
Connect with Economic Development
Douglas County Economic Development Director, Soo Ing-Moody, offers comprehensive support for businesses at all stages-whether starting, expanding, or locating to the region. She provides expert guidance, connects entrepreneurs with local resources and funding opportunities, and serves as a dedicated partner in fostering business growth within the county.
For contact information and to learn more go to our Economic Development webpage here
