Tri-City Alumni Program
Bringing the talent and resources of former Tri-Cities residents back into the community
What's This All About?
The Tri-City Alumni Program was established as a creative way to help address economic growth goals stated in Richland's Strategic Plan, TRIDEC plans, and other documents. The idea is that people who attended school in, or lived in, the Tri-Cities, Washington area are more likely to have an affinity for it and to have an interest in supporting the local economy. Cities including Spokane and Ritzville, Washington have used alumni programs to benefit their areas.
The Tri-Cities has a significant number of highly successful alumni, including:
- Top executives of a multibillion-dollar corporation
- Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year
- At least 13 professional athletes and entertainers
- A Hollywood producer, screenwriter, and a TV personality
- The founder and CEO of Visio and Aldus.
People like this may be interested in contributing their business expertise, investment dollars, and personal connections to help build business vitality in the Tri-Cities, while creating opportunities for themselves and their organizations.
Program Goal
Develop a list of successful and influential Tri-City alumni (former students and residents) that TRIDEC can use to invite the alumni's contributions to the economic development and vitality of the Tri-Cities. Contributions could include:
- Relocating an existing business
- Opening a branch or satellite operation in the area
- Becoming a source of management talent (directly or as a mentor/role model)
- Investing directly in a local business/venture
- Sharing local opportunities with their personal and business networks.
We're Looking For ...
Former residents, students, or employees who lived or worked in Benton or Franklin Counties, and currently live elsewhere...AND are either #1 or #2 below:
1. Business professionals/entrepreneurs who hold executive or "C" level positions in companies or own their own successful businesses
2. Wealthy (presumed net worth of more than $3 million) and influential individuals with careers in business, arts, sports, entertainment, or government
Strategy
A committee of local volunteers is soliciting names and contact information through schools, newsletters, class reunions, and directly from friends, family, classmates, and former co-workers of successful alumni. Alumni also can nominate themselves. There's a "starter" list of 40+ alumni based on publicly available information.
The list of names and contact information will not be made publicly available. An economic development specialist from TRIDEC will use the list to to reconnect with these alumni and invite them to consider new opportunities available “back home” that they might take advantage of, or suggest to their peer networks. Followup is only with the permission of those contacted, and they can opt out of the alumni network at any time.
What Alumni Get Out of This
- Potential business opportunities
- "Legacy" opportunities - their names associated with Tri-Cities growth into the future
- Keeping informed about changes in the Tri-Cities economy (updates)
- Connecting with other successful alumni (network building)
- Further recognition for their accomplishments
