About Clallam EDC

Previously, Colleen McAleer ran the Washington Business Alliance in Seattle where she led the organization to influence the state’s processes by applying business principles: A strategic plan with metrics and clearly defined goals. Under her leadership the Business Alliance led a coalition of 34 organizations to ensure the McCleary process included an increase of $78M in annual funding to support vocational training needs for kids in the classroom.

Colleen is in her second term as a Commissioner at the Port of Port Angeles. She previously served as the Port’s Director of Business Development and Real Estate. After challenging the status quo, she ran for office, and twice has won 59 of 59 precincts to become the first female Commissioner in the Port’s 98-year history.

At the Port, Colleen has spearheaded the Composite Recycling Technology Center, which has received tens of millions in private and public funding to create innovative manufacturing jobs in rural Washington.

Colleen owned and operated a successful commercial real estate office in Clallam County for ten years. She is a decorated combat veteran who served 10 years in the Army as a helicopter and fixed wing pilot and as a military intelligence officer.

Peggy Simmons is a 3rd generation community member of Clallam County.

She is a graduate of Sequim High School, and attended Peninsula College before transferring to Washington State University to complete her degree in Social Sciences.

Peggy has been working with small businesses for over 20 years as a Bookkeeper and previously owned a salon in Sequim.

She has spent extensive time as a volunteer for various events and programs such as Look Good Feel Better, The Local Food Banks, Relay for Life, and other non-profits events in a multitude of roles such as event organizer, speaker, and performer.

Aimee Conkle is an Olympic Peninsula native having lived most of her life in Port Angeles, Forks, and Clallam Bay. She has an adult daughter and granddaughter, a son in high school, and her youngest daughter is going into the 5^th grade.

She has a wide variety of interests including music, writing and design and has a background in research, website design, social media and event planning. You may also recognize Aimee for her volunteer work in the local food banks.

Lynn Keenan is gathering information over the next few months on our child care situation in Clallam County, while working on putting together a sustainable course of action for our rural region.

Please reach out to Lynn at Lkeenan@clallam.org with any info or concerns you may have within our Child care industry in Clallam County.

Silas Crews of Story Crane Video Productions. Currently creating the 2021 installment of Choose Clallam First’s social media campaign in order to support our local businesses and check in on any new pivot points you’d like to share!

This is a 100% free support resource provided to your local businesses due to Covid 19.

If you have ( or would like to nominate) a business in Clallam county and want to see the businesses’ story featured, email Silas directly at silascrews@gmail.com and make sure to check out our Covid Response page at Chooseclallamfirst.com