About the Small Business Liaison Team

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meet the Small Business Liaisons

The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) is a partnership of 29 state agencies working to improve access to regulatory in education and agency resources for small business owners across the state of Washington.

Our Mission: We are listening to businesses, then driving action to make it easier to do business in the state of Washington. A primary goal of the SBLT is to have an informed small business community that understands what's needed to comply with the state's licensing and regulatory requirements.

The team was formalized and expanded in Executive Order 12-01. ORIA acts as the facilitator of SBLT. The SBLT develops outreach programs, solicit ideas for regulatory improvement and develop new business tools.

Our Vision

To establish Washington State as a leader in support, and empower small businesses to thrive.

Our Mission

Working together to provide the resources and know-how for small businesses to operate in Washington State.

Our Values

  • Education
  • Service Excellence
  • Consistency
  • Trust

Some of Our Actions

  • This Website

  • The Checklist for opening a business

  • The Small Business Guide

  • Updating, maintaining, and increasing the visibility of the Small Business Guide

  • Translations of the Small Business Guide (Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Japanese, Somali, Somoana, Tagalog, and braille formats)

  • Participation in statewide business forums

  • Hosting presentations from state agencies and outside sources that provide services in support of small businesses

  • Two videos, prepared by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, Employment Security and the Washington Department of Revenue in response to requests from business owners, with information on audits and taxes

Additionally, the team has collaborated with local and regional small business assistance centers and invited business owners to provide direct feedback to the SBLT on their experience working with state agencies.

Download Liaison Contact List

Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT)

Liaison

Services

Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance (www.oria.wa.gov)
Hugo Nicolas Hugo.Nicolas@gov.wa.gov
Assistance with local, state, and federal business licensing regulations and environmental permitting.
Dept. of Labor & Industries (www.lni.wa.gov)
Andrew Bryan
Small Business Liaison
smallbusiness@lni.wa.gov
Maggie Hammond
Assist. Small Business Liaison
smallbusiness@lni.wa.gov
Andrea Muñoz
Small Business Program Specialist
smallbusiness@lni.wa.gov
Regulate Workers Compensation; employment standards & policies; workplace safety & health, and Contractor registration.
Dept. of Revenue (dor.wa.gov)
Kim Johnson kimberlyj@dor.wa.gov
One-stop state and city business licensing services.
Tom Wieland tomw@dor.wa.gov
Tax account registration, state business excise taxes, reseller permits, and tax incentives/credits.
Employment Security Dept. (esd.wa.gov)
Nino Gray
Executive Outreach Officer
nino.gray@esd.wa.gov status@esd.wa.gov
Tonja Harris
WorkSource Supervisor
tonja.harris@esd.wa.gov status@esd.wa.gov
Regulate Unemployment Insurance, Paid Family Medical Leave, Labor Market Information, and Work-Source program.
Secretary of State Corporations & Charities (www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities)
Constance Parbon corps@sos.wa.gov
Register Corporate Business Entities, Charitable Organizations, Trademarks, and Domestic Partnerships.
Commission of Hispanic Affairs (www.cha.wa.gov)
Nancy Aguilar Nancy.RochaAguilar@cha.wa.gov
Improving the development of public policy and government services to the Hispanic Community.
Commission of African American Affairs (caaa.wa.gov)
Ed Prince ed.prince@caa.wa.gov
Improving the policies, programs, and services of the African American Community.
Commission of Asian Pacific American Affairs (capaa.wa.gov)
Toshiko Hasegawa toshiko.hasegawa@capaa.wa.gov
Improve the well-being, education, health, and economic development of the Asian Pacific Americans Community.
Dept. of Agriculture (agr.wa.gov)
Laura Raymond lraymond@agr.wa.gov
Provide licenses and permits for agricultural products, regulate food safety, and comply with WSDA & USDA.
Dept. of Commerce (www.commerce.wa.gov)
Lynn Longan lynn.longan@commerce.wa.gov
Improve economic development, housing, public safety, international trade, and funding for small businesses.
Dept. of Ecology (ecology.wa.gov)
Laurie Dumar laurie.dumar@ecy.wa.gov
Provide environmental permitting and certifications; sustain healthy land, air & water; and regulate waste and pollution.
Dept. of Enterprise Services (des.wa.gov)
Shana Barehand
shana.barehand@des.wa.gov
Kim Sauer
Contracts and Procurement Business Diversity Program Manager
kim.sauer@des.wa.gov
Karen Gonzalez
Procurement Inclusion and Equity, Community Outreach Specialist
karen.gonzalez@des.wa.gov
Doing business with the state: register to receive bid opportunities, provide contract services to state & local government.
Women's Commission (wswc.wa.gov)
Address the problems and needs of women, such as discrimination, harassment, compensation and job opportunities and the specific needs of women of color.
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw.wa.gov)
Peter Vernie peter.vernie@dfw.wa.gov
Fishing and hunting permits, Hydraulic Project Approvals, enforcement regulations to conserve and protect the wildlife.
Dept. of Health (www.doh.wa.gov)
Erin Brewster
erin.brewster@doh.wa.gov
Provide public health and safety education, vital records certificates, health care licensing, and enforcement.
Dept. of Licensing (www.dol.wa.gov)
Bill Dutra https://dol.wa.gov/
Issue vehicle & boat registration, driver license, and professional licenses such as Real Estate, Engineers, Notaries, and Cosmetology
Dept. of Natural Resources (www.dnr.wa.gov)
Tami Miketa tamara.miketa@dnr.wa.gov
Licensing and regulations related to public land, aquatics, forests, commercial development, geology, and recreation.
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (www.wahbexchange.org/new-customers/application-quick-tips/covering-your-small-business)
Marie Cooper Marie.Cooper@WAHBExchange.org
operates WA Healthplanfinder, where individuals and families can get health insurance and access to state and federal subsidies to lower costs.
Dept. of Social & Health Services - Child Support (www.dshs.wa.gov)
Mitchell Dillard mitchell.dillard@dshs.wa.gov
Regulate the New Hire Reporting Program, child support enforcement, and administer medical, housing, or food assistance.
Dept. of Transportation (www.wsdot.wa.gov)
Yolanda Brooks brooksy@wsdot.wa.gov
Provide permits related to transportation and highways and regulate public transportation & motor carrier safety.
Dept. of Veterans Affairs (www.dva.wa.gov)
Shamekia Moultrie shamekiam@dva.wa.gov
Provide benefits, resources, and programs for veterans such as Veteran Owned Business Certification and Veterans Linked Deposit Program.
Emergency Management Division (mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division)
Taylor Hennessee taylor.hennessee@mil.wa.gov
Provide emergency response planning & coordination, disaster analysis, and prioritize the use of state resources.
Liquor and Cannabis Board (lcb.wa.gov)
Mistie Jones mistie.jones@lcb.wa.gov
Beth Lehman beth.lehman@lcb.wa.gov
Regulate licensing and permitting services for Liquor, Cannabis, Tobacco, and Vapor products.
Minority & Women Business Enterprises (omwbe.wa.gov)
Curtis Bennett curtisbe@omwbe.wa.gov
Nicky Budnuchit nickyb@omwbe.wa.gov
Certification as a business owned by a minority, woman, or disadvantaged individual for federal and state contracting; Linked Deposit Loan Program and Supplier Diversity
Insurance Commissioner (www.insurance.wa.gov)
Jeff Baughman jeffb@oic.wa.gov
License & regulate Insurance Producers; provide consumer protection and education.
Washington State Lottery (walottery.com)
Lance Anderson landerson2@walottery.com
Provide license for Lottery Retailers, enforcement of regulations, and assistance with sales, marketing, and accounting.
Human Rights Commission (www.hum.wa.gov)
front.desk@hum.wa.gov
Investigates discriminatory practices based on race, creed, color, national origin, and families with children.
LGBTQ Commission (lgbtq.wa.gov)
Improve the LGBTQ community and ensure an effective means of advocating for equity in all aspects of state government.