Clark County Business Briefing for July 11, 2026

People in Business

Last month, about 200 regional business and community leaders honored 25 exemplary staff and volunteers across Clark County's educational system.

Honorees included those who support students across the pre-kindergarten to postsecondary continuum, including a special honor to Jon Girod of Quail Homes for his work in achieving a 20-fold increase in student participation in vocational career and technical education in just four years.

The honors were presented as part of the Learn Here Project, a 15-year effort to celebrate the staff and volunteers who make a positive impact on student learning across Clark County's educational system. A quality educational system is a key reason why people choose to land and live in Clark County.

Learn Here honorees for 2026 include: Rebecca Olson and Brook Trang of Battle Ground; Shauna Ruse and Heidi Buhman-McNeley of Camas; Earl Frederick and Sharif Burdzik of Clark College; Tricia Harding and Jamie Helm of Evergreen; Sherina Sours and Jennifer Duke of Firm Foundation Christian School; Tasha Hill and Derek Huegel of Hockinson; Stephanie Goad and Tyler King of Ridgefield; Erick Hoffarth and Diana Avalos-Leos of Vancouver; Billi Jo Thomas and Ole Helgerson of Washington State School for the Blind; Ami Justice and Carole Kaulitz of Washington School for the Deaf; Kenneth Kulk and Brittney Johnson of Washougal; and Gunjan Gakhar and Mike Bomar Washington State University Vancouver.

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