Community Action Committee board hires Associated Industries to manage HR and expedite deputy executive officer hire

The Community Action Committee (CAC) board has voted to hire Associated Industries, a Spokane-based consulting organization, to assume human-resources functions and to assist in recruiting a new deputy executive officer, Councilmember Trumbo reported during the Kennewick City Council meeting on March 4.

At the CAC board meeting described by Trumbo, members discussed creating a new deputy executive officer position intended to succeed the current executive director when that director retires (no retirement date is set). The board identified 43 HR-related functions that needed management; Associated Industries will take over those functions and begin full HR support for CAC. "AI took over yesterday, March 3," Trumbo said, summarizing the board's action and timeline.

Trumbo said Associated Industries will handle candidate interviews and make recommendations to the CAC board about hiring the deputy executive officer. The board voted to engage the firm immediately to address a rapidly changing staffing situation that the board described as a difficult period over recent months.

Why it matters: CAC provides social services in the region; centralizing HR through a consulting firm is intended to speed hiring, provide continuity for service delivery and create a smoother transition when the executive director eventually leaves. No City of Kennewick council action was recorded on this item; Trumbo was reporting on the CAC board's independent decision.

Meeting context: Councilmember Trumbo presented this as a board report during the council's member reports period. Trumbo said the CAC board had already authorized the contract and that Associated Industries would begin HR responsibilities immediately. No formal city funding or contract award by the Kennewick City Council was described in the transcript.