SPOKANE — After a months-long search, the West Plains Chamber of Commerce has finally found its next leader.
The Chamber announced on Aug. 2 that Eastern Washington native Mark Losh has been named its new executive director. Losh, who is currently director of membership with the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, begins his duties Aug. 23. He succeeds former West Plains executive director Toby Broemmeling, who stepped down from that role in October 2020 after almost two years in the position.
“I am very excited about this opportunity and challenge,” Losh said in a news release. “The West Plains is a region of Eastern Washington that is poised for explosive growth and great influence with many key stakeholders including the Spokane International Airport, Eastern Washington University, the Kalispel and Spokane tribes, Fairchild Air Force Base, Amazon and new industry such as manufacturing — all of which forms a solid foundation to make communities strong and prosperous.”
West Plains Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chair Roberta Brooke, echoed Losh’s sentiments.
“These are exciting times for the West Plains business community as we experience unprecedented growth,” Brooke said in an email. “Mark Losh has the vision, energy and experience to work with our members to help them and the region prosper. We look forward to his arrival.”
Born and raised on an Angus cattle ranch, Losh’s first business experience came in 1977 as co-owner of the Breadboard Restaurant in nearby Deer Park. Over the years he has worked in a variety of fields including finance, security, construction and manufacturing. He said he and his wife Sheryl are “looking forward to coming home.”
“I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of the 300-plus members of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “For me, it’s all about relationships and knowing who my members are, what they need and how I can help their businesses grow. My philosophy is to first connect with members, then engage them in the Chamber and ultimately grow their business and the Chamber which is a win-win for everyone.”
Board secretary and search committee chair Melanie Rose said the lengthy search process involved scrapping the old executive director position description and starting with a new one. The search yielded dozens of candidates.
“I’m proud of the Search Committee’s work to recruit the West Plains Chamber’s new executive director,” Rose said. “We absolutely believe Mark is the right person at the right time to accelerate the upward trajectory of the West Plains Chamber and region toward even greater economic vitality.”
Rose, regional business manager for Avista, and Brooke, director of graduate studies at Eastern Washington University, served on the committee with four other members. Those members included Troy Clute, senior vice president at Numerica Credit Union; Todd Coleman, executive director at S3R3 Solutions; Steve Hauschild, director of business banking at BECU and Erik Puthoff, community development officer at STCU.
Losh begins work at the Chamber on Aug. 23. He plans on being in attendance to meet members at the Chamber’s Master’s Golf Tournament on Aug. 27 at Fairways Golf Course. The Chamber has also scheduled at Sept. 7 “After Hours Networking” event from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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