The Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA) of Spokane County announced that it has hired Erin Williams Hueter as its Executive Director, effective January 1, 2023. She replaces Susan Ashe who has served in this role since the organization was created. “We are extremely pleased that Erin will be joining HSSA and will provide strategic leadership that, with our Board, will lead us into our next phase of operation,” said Jason Thackston, HSSA Board Chair. “Erin has an outstanding reputation in her career as the Inland Northwest Director of Lutheran Community Services Northwest.” Williams Hueter has been working in human services and violence prevention since the mid-1990s, and has been involved in the innovative training recovery work at Lutheran Commumnity Services Northwest, most recently as its Director. She has a bachelor’s of arts degree from Pacific University, with a major in Social Work. She is a graduate of the Leadership Spokane program, and has received many honors for achievements in her field. “The HSSA Board also is very grateful for Susan Ashe’s incredible commitment to HSSA since its inception and to our greater Spokane community,” said Thackston. “Her contributions to Spokane are numerous throughout her career in both private and public organizations, and the community has been served well. Susan has set a strong foundation for HSSA and we are confident that Erin will continue that great work.” During her tenure, HSSA has invested nearly $14 million in research to both private and academic companies and institutions, and supported innovative and affordable health care in Spokane County. HSSA has created hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, assisted bringing over $50 million dollars of extramural funding (new dollars to our local economy), and created over $100 million in total economic activity. In addition, HSSA assists start-up health and life sciences companies with grant-writing funds. Erin Williams Hueter was hired after a search conducted by both HSSA Board and community members. The Search Committee was led by Attorney Nancy Isserlis, former HSSA Board Chair, David Vachon, CEO/Founder, Iasis Molecular Sciences and Dr. Francisco Velázquez, Spokane Regional Health District Director, both members of the HSSA Board; and, Kim Pearman-Gillman, Senior Vice President, Numerica Credit Union, and Marcelo Morales, CEO/President, Allele Diagnostics and current Chair of Greater Spokane Incorporated, both community leaders. Questions may be referred to Susan Ashe at susan@hssaspokane.org.  ### HSSA BOARD MEMBERS HSSA Board members include Jason Thackston, Board Chair, Senior VP, Chief Strategy & Clean Energy Officer, Avista Corp.; Daryll DeWald, Ph.D., VP WSU Health Sciences and Chancellor, WSU Spokane; Allison Glasunow, Ph.D. & Counsel, Perkins Coie LLP; Alex Jackson, Senior VP & CEO, Northwest Region, MultiCare Health Systems; Kevin Oldenburg, Ph.D. CEO/President, 2nd Sight Bioscience; Alison Poulsen, Executive Director, Better Health Together; Darryl Potyk, M.D., UW/GU Regional Director of Medical Education; David J. Vachon, Ph.D., CEO/Founder, Iasis Molecular Sciences, and Francisco Velazquez, M.D., Director, Spokane Regional Health District. |