CRTC Center executive retires

After launching the world’s first facility to recycle uncured carbon fiber composite into new consumer products and bringing new jobs and technology to Port Angeles, Composite Recycling Technology Center CEO Bob Larsen is retiring.

Larsen will leave the post on Aug. 11. He will be replaced by Chief Operating Officer David Walter, who will combine his current role with that of CEO. Larsen has served as CEO since March 2016. Prior to that he was chairman of the CRTC’s Board of Directors.

He was instrumental in establishing strategic partnerships with Toray Composite Materials America, ELG Carbon Fibre, Ltd., and the Institute for Advanced Composite Manufacturing Innovation to create new markets for recycled carbon fiber materials left over from aerospace manufacturing.

PA winemaker a finalist in state competition

Winemaker and Port Angeles native Jessie Newberg is one of 15 finalists in the 2017 Washington Coast Works Small Business Competition vying for up to $10,000 in startup financing.

Newberg owns Hurricane Hills Winery, established in 2016. (See hurricanehillswinery.com.)

Finalists will present their written case statement and a five-minute “fast pitch” to a panel of independent judges in early November.

To learn about sponsorship and mentoring opportunities or how to contribute to the prize money through a crowd-funding campaign, visit www.wacoastworks.org, or call Mike Skinner at 206-235-6029.

First Federal Community Foundation elects new directors

At its annual meeting held on July 24, the First Federal Community Foundation elected Norman Tonina and Cindy Finnie to serve two-year terms on the local nonprofit’s board of directors.

The foundation also elected David Flodstrom to an additional two-year term on its board. Flodstrom has been chairman of the foundation since its inception.

Tonina has served as the chairman of the Fort Worden Public Development Authority in Port Townsend since 2015. Finnie retired in 2011 from Allstate Insurance Company after 38 years of leadership experience. She is the co-owner and president of Rainshadow Properties, Inc., a boutique hotel and property management company that she co-founded in 1995. Finnie also is a director of the Centrum Foundation and a member of the City of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and director of the Fort Worden Foundation.