Kitsap Economic Development Alliance Annual Meeting
Liberty Bank was a corporate sponsor for Kitsap Economic Development Alliance’s (KEDA) annual Decision Makers Breakfast and economic forecast, where over 225 community leaders gathered at the Kitsap Conference Center to gain insights into the regional economy, and learn more about the economic sectors that drive our economy. Attendees also learned more about the individual enterprises that comprise the local economy as the event focused on telling the respective stories of three dynamic Kitsap-based businesses: Lyons Painting & Design, Watson Furniture and SAFE Boats International. These new productions are extensions of KEDA’s “Kitsap Connected” campaign, which has been recognized nationally as an outstanding and effective stimulus for regional economic development. “We are proud to be a member of KEDA and to contribute the vibrant growth of the Greater Kitsap and West Sound regional economy,” stated Liberty Bank CEO Rick Darrow.
Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala & Community Awards
Liberty Bank was a proud sponsor of the Greater Poulsbo Chamber Annual Gala, held at the Clearwater Casino Resort.
Dozens of local businesses and over 300 community members gathered to celebrate in a spirit of partners united for progress. Liberty Bank was among the presenters giving numerous community awards, including Person of the Year to Ardis Morrow; Business of the Year to Tim Ryan Construction; Organization of the Year to Martha & Mary; and the Emerging Business of the Year was Beautifully Polished. Eric Mahler won the Young Leader of the Year award, and the Pearce Dressel Award for Volunteer of the Year was presented to Kathi Foresee. Guests enjoyed an elaborate dinner buffet and auction.
Discovery Workshop: Information Security for the Rest of Us
Practical Advice for Small Businesses
The truth is that the majority of data breaches within the United States emanate from small- and medium-sized businesses. Hackers are specifically targeting these smaller businesses because of the difficulty and cost associated with correlating a breach to a small business.
In this Discovery Workshop, the first in a series hosted by Liberty Bank, Brian Morkert, a local technology and security expert, discussed cost-effective solutions that any business can implement to protect itself and its customers from Internet thieves. Brian works daily on the front lines combating Internet miscreants and helping clients design, implement, and manage cost-effective network security and technology solutions that align with business needs.
Local business owners met to learn about and discuss topics including how data breaches are identified; security awareness training at work and home; what’s appropriate in security testing; and managed services and outsourcing. Also reviewed were common threats of today and those recently in the news; why traditional anti-virus doesn’t work and what does work; and what to do if you suspect you’re a victim.
Check Liberty Bank’s calendar for future quarterly Discovery Workshops, which are free and open to the regional community.
Kitsap Economic Development Alliance Real Estate Symposium
The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) sponsored a Real Estate Symposium that was held at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort. Liberty Bank sponsored a table and made a short presentation that summarized the bank’s progress over the last several years. Liberty Bank’s Senior VP & Relationship Manager Duane Edwards reminded attendees that Liberty Bank was the last bank chartered on the west coast and that it is passionate about building relationships that strengthen our community.
The Symposium was designed to give the attendees an update on the strengths and weaknesses in the local real estate market and, in general, the speakers were all upbeat and positive. Liberty Bank would agree that its continues to see strengths in the real estate markets and that continued improvements are expected due to the spillover from the Seattle market. Duane talked about the Liberty Bank commitment to the local real estate market with owner occupied commercial real estate, non-owner occupied commercial real estate, land development, owner occupied and non-owner occupied single family construction, and Home Equity Lines of Credit.
“Liberty Bank is deeply involved in the regional community,” Duane concluded. “This is why it is important to bank with your local community bank, where dollars are kept in the community and put to work to improve quality of business and life in the region, thereby augmenting the overall economic growth of local markets.”
The 13th Annual Kathleen Sutton Fund Auction
Women facing cancer have many challenges, and the Kathleen Sutton Inspirational Fund was created to help defer transportation costs for women being treated for cancer. Women living in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap & Mason counties are eligible for assistance. As an event sponsor, Liberty Bank aligned with other local businesses and community members to support this event, and several bank staff members stepped up to volunteer.
Coffee Oasis Garden Beautification
Liberty Bank joined forces to help homeless and other youth in need by contributing to Coffee Oasis, a local non-profit coffee shop enterprise that provides a safe place for after school programs and for youth counseling, as well as job training and placement for teens. Funds raised in September helped to beautify the property of the Coffee Oasis location in Poulsbo, and teens helped with installation of landscape plants and materials. With locations in Poulsbo, Port Orchard and Bremerton, Coffee Oasis offers resources for street youth including showers, laundry, clothing and food, youth centers, mentoring, case management, a shelter, and more.
Annual Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce Golf Clinic & Fashion Show Dinner Smash!
Liberty Bank’s Kristi Sutton, Duane Edwards and Dave Huck joined the fun on July 23, 2015 at White Horse Golf Club for their annual Poulsbo Chamber 9-Hole Golf Clinic and Fashion Show Dinner. The event helped raise funds to benefit Soroptimist International of Greater North Kitsap.
To learn more, see http://poulsbochamber.com/
New Silverdale Oak Table Café Opens with Financing Support by Liberty Bank
July 9, 2015. It’s a family affair! With a long history in the restaurant business and an SBA loan arranged through Liberty Bank, Oak Table Café owners Nikki and Ross McCurdy proudly open a new location in Silverdale. “I love stories like this,” says Leslie Peterson, Relationship Manager at Liberty Bank, who worked closely with the couple to arrange the financing. “We like to provide real bottom-line impact for hardworking business owners like Nikki and Ross as they grow, do what they love, and serve the community.”
To read their story, see http://www.kitsapsun.com/kpbj/new-oak-table-caf-in-silverdale-is-all-about-family
Liberty Bank is Premier Sponsor for 15th Annual Kitsap County Celebration of Philanthropy
On May 15, 2015 Liberty Bank expressed its pride and support of charitable endeavors in the region by joining hundreds of guests who honored philanthropy at the KCF’s 15th annual Celebration of Philanthropy, held at the Bremerton Conference Center. Four awards were presented at this event, including the Spirit of Philanthropy awarded to Attorney Ray Garrido; the Outstanding Citizen awarded to Diane Landry; the Exceptional Non-Profit Service awarded to Linda Joyce; and the Business Making a Difference awarded to Windermere Real Estate/West Sound. Guest keynote speakers included Karen and Jamie Moyer. Jamie is a Mariner’s Hall of Famer who shares a passion for philanthropy and community service. Liberty Bank President & CEO Rick Darrow also spoke of his enthusiasm for the vital work of fellow philanthropists. “It’s in everyone’s interest that we invest in our community, and it is an honor to be among so many passionate business and individual partners in caring.”
To learn more, see http://www.kitsapfoundation.org/
Bankers Swing for Rotary at the Kingston Golf Classic
On June 19, 2015, Jennifer Carrier, Kristi Sutton and Leslie Peterson from Liberty Bank joined Kingston Rotary for fun and fundraising at White Horse Golf Club. Their participation helped raise support for local projects including Kingston Village Green, Feed the Kids, Kola Kole Preschool Restoration, student scholarships, blood drives and several international projects.
To learn more, see http://kingston-nkrotary.org/