Telling the story of Kitsap is what we like to do. Here are a few of the companies we've visited with, have participated in our BRE program, or have just shared their story.

If you have a great story to tell, please contact us!

KitsapImages.com started out of necessity.  The Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau had a new website and needed photos; lots of photos but had no budget to buy them.  Requests went out to local photographers to "donate" photos for the site with limited success.

Jean Boyle, Director of Tourism Development had always taken photos, but not professionally.  She started taking photos for the website with a small digital camera and several hundred photos later the website was complete, although it continues to change and grow. 

Local businesses and organizations started to ask for use of the photos.  For a while all requests were freely honored but as equipment upgrades and photography classes became more expensive and KitsapImages.com was created.

KitsapImages.com started as a local Kitsap stock photography website which is still the core of the collection but the site has grown to include other areas of Washington State and more generic stock photography.  KitsapImages.com has now sold pictures to many local businesses, chambers of commerce and organizations as well as appearing in regional magazines, Puget Sound Clean Air Calendar, the Washington State tourism website and 2007 Visitor Guide and more.

The Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau continues to use KitsapImages.com photos at no cost and the cost to others remains low by industry standards but from necessity a strong, new local business is finding success.

Jean Boyle is a member of the North American Travel Journalist Association.

The KEDC recently visited with Benik Corporation, manufacturer of quality neoprene products, located in Silverdale.  What we didn’t know prior to our visit was that this unique company has found a niche not only in product but in human capital.

Owners Dan, Robin, Nikki and Tim Baumgartner (left to right)

Benik owners, Tim & Nikki and Dan & Robin Baumgartner are family people who have brought a family feel into the business.  The atmosphere is light and friendly, the people are genuine and they love what they do.  They believe in investing in people and providing a future for families in Kitsap County well into the future.  There is a sense of belonging in the company and it is very evident that true care is given to the products that are produced.

Danita Hughes sewing parts on product

Ninety-eight percent of the custom products that Benik produces are sold outside of the county.  This means that Benik is a “primary” employer bringing new money into Kitsap County.  Their products range from the custom color knee support to match a cheer leader’s outfit, to elbow and shoulder supports, and toe warmers or finger supports for professional sports teams.  Those are the high profile uses, but the real deal is the custom-made pediatrics designs for special needs children.  Benik takes a custom design for any specific need and creates the product.  If you can design it, they can make it and make it well.  It’s real teamwork between Benik and the medical professionals.  Meeting the special needs of their clients is what makes Benik a unique and extraordinary company in Kitsap County. 

Fred Nelson cutting out custom hand splints

Rachel Jones preassembling products

For more information on Benik and their products visit www.benik.com

April 12, 2006, Silverdale WA -ActiveOne Mortgage Website president Michelle S. Garcia with team member, Lisa Jachimowicz proudly announces the Grand Opening of their new mortgage website on March 30, 2006—the first resource and educational website developed and operated by a team of Mortgage professionals. The website is located at www.activeonemortgage.com -- It will achieve breakthroughs in credit education, first time homebuyer's information, plus Kitsap County networking opportunities and programs meaningful to real estate agents through an understanding of the real problems and solutions of any type of mortgage situation.

"The programs—designed with high standards and expectations of achievement—will change the lives of Kitsap County families wishing to achieve home ownership, in ways that most of us have never thought possible." said President Michelle S. Garcia. "Being in the Mortgage Business since 1997 and a homeowner ourselves gives us the experience and knowledge of what is possible so we can best imagine what training and education will work. For example, our Road to Recovery Classes will clearly demonstrate this principle." Garcia said.

Current projects completed also include a unique Super Seller Program for Real Estate agents who are looking for potential home owners that have already been pre-qualified via online or by phone through America One Finance and the www.activeonemortgage.com website. In collaboration with leading lending technology companies in the industry we are reviewing new mortgage products, possible joint ventures with lending institutions to develop permanent strategies to anyone who desires home ownership towards a comprehensive plan that assists in meeting their personal family goals. This will enable Kitsap County residents to save money and stay financially independent with a series of programs designed to teach young families how buying vs. renting will benefit them over time and allow for a more satisfying standard of living.

The ActiveOne Mortgage website primary initiatives are development, research and support of the commercialization of technologies for meeting the needs of the Kitsap County community. It is an evaluation, development, and implementation of programs to increase and implement real estate lending opportunities. They also serve as a resource for residents and potential homeowners to meet, discuss and collaborate on all loan information and material ranging from first time home buyers, Re-finance, and Alternatives To Foreclosure, plus creative loan programs for problem credit situations.

Michelle Garcia and her mortgage team believe that with effective loan education and with equal housing opportunity, all people can reduce the impact of cost from non-effective renting to cost effective home ownership. The ActiveOne mortgage website improves people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology and loan programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading resource in the Mortgage industry today.

Media Contact:
Lisa Jachimowicz
1.360.551.1816
lisaj@activeonemortgage.com
http://www.activeonemortgage.com

Do you own a private well and want to know what is in the water? Is your backyard garden soil suitable for growing tomatoes?  Twiss Analytical Laboratories can give you the answers.  Steve and Becky Twiss started the company in 1990.  Their facilities are located in the Twelve Trees Business Park in Poulsbo.  It is the only privately owned environmental and drinking water quality laboratory in West Puget Sound.

Accredited by the Washington State Department of Ecology, Twiss Analytical Laboratories performs chemical and bacteriological tests on drinking water and other environmental samples.  The company can provide a full range of analytical services to meet the regulatory monitoring requirements of public and private water systems.  They also perform tests that are required for local building permits and certain real estate transactions.

The company’s capabilities can detect fecal and coliform matter in water samples, as well as an assortment of toxic metals including arsenic, mercury, and lead. Twiss can also analyze lawn and garden soil and make recommendations as to soil amendments necessary to ensure the proper growing environment for a particular crop.

What is special about this business?  Steve and Becky point to the company’s Certification by the Washington State Department of Ecology; its status as the only privately-held environmental and drinking water lab on the peninsula; and its reputation for customer-friendly service.  “Most of our business growth has been by word-of-mouth advertising,” said Steve.  “We work hard to help our customers find solutions to their problems.  They appreciate it and reward us with referrals.”

The company continues to expand its services. Recently it added organic testing capabilities.  When asked about the effect of emerging technologies on their business, the owners point to a recent equipment purchase.  “This one instrument allows us to test for seven individual chemicals simultaneously,” Becky noted.  “It allowed us to replace three older instruments that had outlived their usefulness.  The new instrument improves the accuracy, precision and speed of our testing process.”

Committed to community involvement, Twiss Analytical has regularly participated in the annual Water Festival at Olympic College.  At the event company staff teaches fourth graders how the earth naturally purifies water by having them build filters out of gravel, sand and soil.  The company is also a recognized EnviroStar Business in Kitsap County.

Twiss Analytical Laboratories
26276 Twelve Trees Lane NW, Ste C
Poulsbo, WA  98370
TEL: (360) 779-5141
www.twisslabs.com

JSL Presidents from left to right: Ellen Lockert, Nina Jackson, Marit Saltrones

A phoenix has risen on Bainbridge Island. Nina Jackson, Ellen Lockert and Marit Saltrones of JSL Communications, LLC, have resurrected a vitally needed continuing education program for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Formerly publishers of Emergency Update Program, JSL Communications launched 24-7 EMS 15 months ago to provide high quality continuing education training for emergency responders. 24-7 EMS provides high quality, continuing education training for emergency responders based on the DOT refresher curriculum. Each program features learning objectives, lesson plan, video, skills practice, pre and post test with annotated answer key and student handouts including glossary and bibliography. Robust online training and secure testing create a complete blended learning package.

JSL Communications, LLC was formed in 2002 in response to requests from former Emergency Update Program clients. “We sold our former company to a large publishing house in the mid 90’s,” explained Saltrones.  “They promised us they would keep the program relevant and up-to-date, and for a while they did. But after a couple of years we started receiving phone calls from former clients asking us to get back into the business.”

After evaluating the business climate and assessing the need, Saltrones, Lockert, and Jackson determined the timing was right to get “back in the game.” Since starting in 2002, JSL Communications has grown to 14 employees with clients in 49 of the 50 states and Canada, training 55,000 emergency personnel every month. “We pioneered distance continuing education for EMTs,” revealed Saltrones, “People know us and that has made getting back into the business easier.” 

Together, Saltrones, Lockert and Jackson have over 30 years of emergency and safety training and 25 years of broadcast television experience. They have the proven ability to integrate sound educational design, accurate technical information and top quality production techniques.  They have received multiple awards including two gold Emerald City Awards, a bronze Houston International Film Festival Award and a National Educational Film Festival Award.

JSL Communications offers custom workplace training solutions that are designed for adult learners and reflect an understanding of the principles of adult education.  They believe learning must be enjoyable and relevant to be effective.  “We work with top professionals in the field,” says Saltrones. “We have experts across the country that review our programs prior to their release.” JSL’s continuing education programs are accredited for the requirements EMTs need to keep their licenses current.

JSL’s program is also cost effective. “For the price of a single subscription a whole department can use the training material,” says Saltrones. “The amount of training money for EMS departments is shrinking.  We work very hard to provide the best value possible to our clients.”

Although their experts are located across the country, JSL is very much a local company. Saltrones is from an Island family. Co-Presidents Saltrones and Lockert are dedicated to staying in the area and using local business to provide their products. “All of our videotaping, editing and fulfillment is done locally,” noted Saltrones. “The only thing we go outside the community for is the reproduction of our video tapes and CDs.” JSL’s sales staff works two shifts to accommodate clients on the east coast. “We even use local fire department personnel as actors in our training videos,” added Saltrones.

When talking about the future Saltrones says things are bright for JSL. “We are expecting to add three to five more sales positions this year, although recruiting can be a problem in West Sound.” JSL is also anticipating challenges finding a location to house all the company’s employees in one space. “In the past, we had four business locations at once on the island.” says Saltrones. “We would really like to avoid doing that again, but we recognize that there simply isn’t adequate commercial space on the island.” When asked if they would consider moving the business off the Island, Saltrones responded that all partners are dedicated to remaining. “We want to work where we live – on the Island.”

JSL Communications LLC dba 24-7 EMS
PO Box 11292
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Tel: (206) 855-4911
Web: www.jslcom.com or www.24-7ems.com

Recently Marit Saltrones of JSL Communications, LLC sat down with the Kitsap Economic Development Council’s (KEDC) Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program management team for an in-depth BRE survey. The purpose of the survey is to help the KEDC assess the local business climate and to identify any hindrances to a company’s continuing prosperity and expansion in the community. The survey also seeks to identify the positive factors in the local business climate and how to best capitalize on these factors.

This local engineering, planning, and environmental services firm is designing and cleaning up our community. Parametrix, founded in 1969 plays a significant role in the growth of the Kitsap community.  Headquartered in Sumner WA, Parametrix expanded to Bremerton in 1978 and has participated in several community based projects over the years including the SR 304 Gateway, Evergreen Park Expansion, Sinclair Inlet Restoration, Port Gamble Clean Up, sewer and stormwater management projects for the City of Poulsbo, just to name a few. In 2003, the firm secured a 10-year contract with the Environmental Protection Agency working on a task order basis to clean up Superfund sites in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. This is the largest contract the firm has held to date and is being led out of the Bremerton office.

Evergreen Park

Parametrix recently promoted local resident, Peter Battuello, RG to Principal of the Bremerton office. He oversees the daily office operations as well as provides the leadership to support the growth and expansion of the services the firm offers on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. He began his career at Parametrix over 8 years ago and has led several local projects as well as been active in the Kitsap community for over 10 years. He is a graduate of Leadership Kitsap and was a member of the Bremerton Rotary. Parametrix, as well as Parametrix staff, continue to support and participate in local organizations such as the Kitsap EDC and the Bremerton Chamber.

The Bremerton office of Parametrix continues to grow and expand its services offered to local private and municipal clients. To support this growth and provide outstanding client service, Parametrix will be moving into a new office space in 2006. The office provides 40 professional wage jobs.

Puget Sound Naval Station Entrance

Three local projects will be part of a mobile workshop on August 28, 2005 as part of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO.org) being held in Seattle. Parametrix is assisting the Environmental Protection Agency and NADO in developing this tour which includes stops at Evergreen Rotary Park, the SR 304 Gateway, and Sinclair Inlet, which is part of the Kitsap County Brownfields Demonstration Pilot Project. Parametrix has partnered with the City of Bremerton and Kitsap County on these three projects which will be featured to out of town visitors as examples of positive redevelopment and multi-agency partnerships. “This will be a great opportunity to showcase efforts that Kitsap community has accomplished in its redevelopment efforts of Bremerton,” said Battuello.

The promotion of Battuello and the relocation to the new space is just the beginning of the firm’s plans to become the preferred engineering and environmental sciences firm that continues to design and support the local growth of the Kitsap community.

Parametrix is a 100-percent, employee-owned firm dedicated to providing quality engineering, planning, and environmental sciences with superior client service.  Parametrix now has nine offices across the western United States and over 450 professionals providing multi-disciplinary services in planning, transportation, natural resources, water, wastewater, and environmental engineering and sciences. For more information visit their website at www.parametrix.com.

Hecker Architects, PS recently moved into their new office space in East Bremerton.  Located just off the Manette Bridge owner and principle architect Jeffrey Hecker is excited to be part of Manette’s rebirth.  “We look forward to being a positive catalyst for the revitalization the neighborhood.”  Hecker Architects is a firm of local people who are passionate about good design and the creation of inspiring places.

In 1991 Hecker started the firm out of his home and has fostered an enthusiasm for creative, client-oriented design solutions ever since.  “For us, the best design is a creative realization of a client’s needs and dreams integrated within its surroundings.”  For the last couple of years Hecker and his employees have worked in a completely renovated two-story office space, formerly a coppersmith shop perched on pilings over the Port Washington Narrows.  With a growing staff and a need for more space, Hecker Architects purchased a building on Harkins Street and proceeded with designing a complete renovation of the building.  The result is a carefully designed workspace that better reflects the way that staff work together as a team and as individuals.  “Having the opportunity to design an office space around the way we work was truly satisfying and it has improved our productivity,” reported Hecker.  “Also, having gone through the entire process from design through construction, I think, makes us better architects and allows us to identify with the real-world concerns of our clients.”  The new office provides more workspace, facilitates efficient team interaction, includes room for continued growth, and showcases creative design solutions.

More than just a new office, Hecker Architects’ new headquarters is a show room of the design skill of its architectural team. One design feature that exemplifies their attention to detail is a molded fixture they designed to accent a tube skylight installed in the entry lobby.  “The standard trim ring for a tube skylight didn’t say much,” says Hecker, “so we designed a more substantial trim piece that stands out and gives a more dramatic feel to the space.”  This trim detail also provided an opportunity to integrate an elegant pendant light with the skylight into a simple cohesive focal point.

With a staff of 5 people, Hecker Architects is a growing firm that continues to stay very busy providing excellent designs for design-conscious clients, on both commercial and residential projects. “It is not unusual for each architect in the office to be working on three to five projects at a time,” pointed out Hecker.  Past commercial projects include the Fairgrounds Center, The La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries in Bremerton and Tacoma, and the Express Carwash in Bremerton and Silverdale. Current commercial projects include a new upscale DragonFish restaurant in downtown Bremerton, a major renovation of the West Hills Honda interior and exterior sales areas, and the redesign of Heartland Toyota’s central atrium space. “Working on car dealerships is extremely challenging,” said Hecker, “ since you have to take a large commercial space and figure out how to make it warm and personable to the customer while maintaining the manufactures guidelines for showrooms, all in a way that allows the business to remain open and active.”  Like the recently completed Scion showroom, designed by Hecker Architects, the renovated Honda dealership will be a one-of-a-kind showroom experience. 

Hecker Architects also has years of expertise in residential architecture specializing in shoreline and stream property design. One project in Manchester involved the construction of three buildings and the restoration of Duncan Creek into a vibrant, healthy salmon stream.  In order to complete the project, Hecker had to assemble a multi-disciplinary design and construction team that worked closely with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and regulatory agencies in Kitsap County to realize the clients dreams. “A few months after the completion of the project the client called to report salmon swimming in the stream. At that point I knew we had really achieved something very special,” noted Hecker with a smile.

President and CEO, Dan Oliver

Quietly nestled in the wooded Day Road Industrial Park area on Bainbridge Island, Net Systems Inc. has been manufacturing commercial grade fishing nets and other trawling equipment for the past 27 years. Net Systems parent company, Nichimo Corporation, Ltd., is the world's largest manufacturer of fishing nets and equipment, processing gear, and food processing machinery. This global alliance allows Net Systems to offer worldwide support and ready access to the best minds and resources available in such areas as manufacturing technology, financing, production, and ongoing service. However, Dan Oliver, president of Net Systems, considers the Pacific Northwest his primary market. “Here is where we make our stand,” Oliver says. “The northwest fisheries is one of the most important in the world and it is in our backyard.”

Competition in the commercial fishing arena is fierce. “The northwest fisheries are some of the largest and most stable in the world,” explained Oliver, “and every manufacturer of fishing equipment wants to have a presence here.” Oliver considers the fact that Net Systems has been able to succeed in the face of stiff international competition is a testimony to the quality and craftsmanship of their product lines. “We simply make some of the best equipment out there,” proclaimed Oliver.

Net Systems, Inc has an impressive line of mid and bottom water trawling nets. Net Systems sells the
traditional knotted style of net  as well as  Ultra Cross ^®,  the knotless net Ultra Cross is a highly advanced 4-strand, braided continuous monofilament netting used for heavy duty commercial fishing applications. Ultra Cross netting delivers superior strength and performance over conventional knotted netting through the use of Dyneema^®, Spectra^®, High Tenacity Polyethylene, Nylon or Polyester fiber.  “This is a patented process and we are the only manufacturer of Ultra Cross in the country,” reported Oliver.  With five looms, Net Systems can produce netting from twine with diameters of 2.5 to 10 millimeters and mesh sizes from 100 to 13,000 millimeters. To have the same tensile strength as an Ultra Cross net a traditional knotted net would have to be twice as thick and weigh twice as much. To a commercial fisherman the weight and drag of a net is important because these factors directly impact the fuel consumption of the ship. “In today’s market of increasing fuel costs and decreasing profit margins, every little bit of savings helps,” said Oliver.

The net is only one part of a trawler’s fishing system. Of equal importance are the doors that are attached to the front of the net with the  purpose of holding open the mouth of the net. The doors directly contribute to the amount of power required to pull the net through the water. The more effective the doors, the less power required  and a lower fuel consumption. Net Systems has several lines of successful door designs. “We are continuously receiving testimonials from ship captains about our doors and how they improve the fuel efficiency of their vessel,” beamed Oliver.

In addition to providing nets for trawlers, Net Systems has a full line of barrier netting.  “Net Systems has held a contract with the Washington State Ferries for the last several years to make all their barrier nets,” disclosed Oliver. “We have also made barrier nets for the United States Navy and several off-shore oil platforms.”

One product line that Net Systems does not produce is drift nets. “People have a negative reaction to drift nets,” says Oliver. “We have never made them and we never will.”

Looking towards the future, Oliver is hopeful the line of aquaculture products that Net Systems has developed will soon catch on. “Back in the mid-nineties there was a lot of interest in aquaculture so we developed a line to meet the need, but recently the demand just hasn’t been there,” explained Oliver. Aquaculture is the science, art, and business of cultivating saltwater or freshwater fish or shellfish under controlled conditions. “I really believe that aquaculture will be a market in the future. When it does come of age we will be ready,” pronounced Oliver.

Oliver shared some concerns about the validity of the future labor pool for Net Systems. “Currently we employ 48 people,” said Oliver. “During the our peak  period just prior to the fishing session we could employ several more, but we have a hard time finding people with the aptitude we need.” Oliver’s main concern is the increasing age of his current workforce and the fact that he doesn’t have a steady supply of young workers coming in to learn the skills to replace them. “There is some artisanship in what we do,” stated Oliver. “Right now we are having a difficult time locating young people who are willing to stick around and learn the art.” Oliver noted that Net Systems has a good pay and benefits package, but that doesn’t seem to be enticing the young worker today. Oliver is hopeful the KEDC and other local resources will be able to help him figure out how to create an attractive career path for his future employees.

Net Systems, Inc
7910 NE Day Road West
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Tel: (206) 842-5623