About

Our Story

Located in south eastern Washington State and north central Idaho, the Palouse encompasses both communities regardless of the state line and connects Moscow, Idaho, home to the University of Idaho, and Pullman, Washington, home to Washington State University. Known for rolling hills and dry-land farming, the area produces much more than an abundance of grain crops. Intellectual capital is the latest commodity springing up in the area.

History – The Latah County Economic Development Council, Southeast Washington Economic Development Association and the two regional universities, University of Idaho and Washington State University, created the Palouse Knowledge Corridor as a forum to plan for the growth of and promote the intellectual and creative capital associated with these land-grant, research universities and the high-tech industries in this region known as the Palouse. Events have been held to convene discussions and understanding of the assets in the region, provide networking opportunities for companies and university research teams, address obstacles to progress, and other topics of interest. There are three repeating events each year; Spring and Fall Business Showcases and the Be the Entrepreneur Bootcamp.

Leadership of the Palouse Knowledge Corridor is provided through the two co-chairs, one from Idaho and one from Washington. The Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the two universities, the cities of Moscow and Pullman, Latah and Whitman counties, Moscow and Pullman Chambers of Commerce, Southeast Washington Economic Development Association, and business leaders from the region.

Vision: unify efforts to create economic opportunities on the Palouse.

Mission: to match innovation with opportunity, promote the assets of the Palouse, and foster collaborative efforts with universities, private sector, economic development agencies, and governments

Our Board

Co-Chair, Tom Lamar

Tom Lamar has served as a Latah County Commissioner since January 2015. Lamar previously served on the Moscow City Council from June 2007 to January 2015.

Since 1990, Lamar has been the executive director of Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, a broad-based conservation organization and Nature Center based in Moscow. In that role, he has worked with many Latah County landowners on stream restoration projects on their properties. He is a founding member of the Latah Trail Foundation and taught Conservation Leadership for six years at the University of Idaho.

Lamar holds a master’s degree from Washington State University and a bachelor’s from the University of Delaware. He has lived in Latah County since 1985. He helped raise three talented daughters, all of whom graduated from Moscow High School and are alumnae of the University of Idaho.

Co-Chair Asa Brown

Asa is Washington State University representative of the Palouse Knowledge Corridor. Asa relocated with his wife to the Palouse in 2016, and since coming to the Palouse, he has worked in various roles within WSU to help grow, cultivate, and develop economic prosperity in the region. Prior to moving to the Palouse, Asa worked at a Seattle-based start-up company as general counsel, and has experience with new ideas, understanding new markets, and defining paths to economic growth and success. He graduated from Florida State University’s College of Law in 2014.

Treasurer, Francis Benjamin

Francis is the Washington State University representative, past co-chair of the Palouse Knowledge Corridor, and current co-chair of the Be The Entrepreneur Bootcamp. He came to the region in 1979 to attend the University of Idaho and now engages his engineering, psychology, theology, and political science degrees to design psychological research experiments which answer relevant complex questions. His Political Interaction research lab works to discover ways to improve the current political process. Francis served on Pullman’s City Council from 2003-2015 where he specialized in Economic Development. He is a former president of the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association and former president of the Association of Washington Cities.

Marie Dymkoski

As the Executive Director of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, Marie Dymkoski is responsible for a full range of activities coordination of the program of work; organizational structure and procedures; motivation of volunteering; income and expenditures; maintenance of membership; employment, training and supervision of staff; interpretation of policy; and long and short range planning. Marie enjoys the work of the chamber and believes that the Palouse is the best place to live, work and do business. Marie has served on the PKC board for six years, three as co-chair, and has lived in the town of Palouse, Washington for 28 years.

Gina Taruscio

Gina came to Moscow in May of 1994, three days after graduating from the University of Oklahoma. After completing her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Idaho, Gina spends her time in Moscow working with and for business.  From directing the University of Idaho Business Technology Incubator through the year 2000, then working with SEL, BioTracking, and Express Professional Staffing, to leading and supporting the Moscow Chamber of Commerce board since 2012, Gina has worked with and for locally owned businesses throughout her career.  Gina serves on the SMART Transit board, the Partnership for Economic Prosperity Board, and the Moscow Farmers Market Commission. She and her husband, Todd, are avid gardeners, and new grandparents. Gina also enjoys singing in her band “Voodoo City Radio.”

Jeremy Tamsen

Jeremy Tamsen is the University of Idaho representative for the Palouse Knowledge Corridor. He is an alumnus of the University of Idaho College of Law and the University of Colorado Denver. He brings to the Palouse his passion for new technology and his expertise in handling intellectual property, developed over more than a decade of experience working with small businesses. Jeremy is driven to grow the Palouse as an intellectual and commercial center, and he is excited to help the PKC make a big impact in the region.

Josh Larson

General Manager – Courtyard by Marriott, Pullman, WA

Art Bettge

Art was elected to City Council in November of 2013. He has lived in Moscow, Idaho for 33 years and was an active member of the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission for 10 years, serving 7 of those years as chair. Art also won the Service to Commissions award in 2009. Art is retired from the USDA and consults in the wheat end-use industry as ADBWheat. Art is a member of the American Association of Cereal Chemists International and was the recent chair of the annual international conference. Art is also a member of a number of committees for this professional organization.

Council member Bettge is the current Council Liaison for the following Commissions: Parks & Recreation Commission, Building Code Advisory Committee, MURA Board Member, 1912 Center Use Committee, Palouse Knowledge Corridor.

Jenny Ford

Jenny Ford has served as the Moscow Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Moscow Chamber of Commerce since March 2017. Jenny most recently served as the Executive Director of SMART Transit in Moscow. Prior to SMART Transit, Jenny worked as a Property Manager for Hill Properties. Jenny is also a University of Idaho Alumni where she received both a Bachelors and Master’s degree. Jenny supports the collaborative efforts with the universities and enjoys promoting our area through collaboration and partnerships within our region.

Nathan Weller

Nathan Weller is the Pullman City Council representative on the PKC board. He is interested in the unique possibilities of cooperation between businesses, government, and various organizations in a region with cross border universities, a regional airport, and supportive cities and counties. Born in Pullman, Washington, Nathan has had the opportunity to travel and work in a variety of industries including technology, construction, agriculture and research in locations ranging from Europe, Australia, and Mexico, and now brings that experience and knowledge back to his community and region. Nathan attended Washington State University and earned a B.S. in Psychology and graduated from the University of Idaho with a Masters degree in Bioregional Planning and Community Design. He built a small business in 2007 at the age of 25 and was elected to serve Pullman City Council the following year. Through his travels, work, and school he has gained a wide base of knowledge and friends in many areas and is focused on helping the region that has raised him.