Trade missions vital

Gov. Chris Gregoire has come under fire for foreign travel expenses. As a participant in a state trade mission last year, I’d like to share a perspective. My company, Demand Energy Networks, is a young and growing company headquartered in Liberty Lake. We design energy storage solutions for utilities and large companies. Technology like ours will be an increasingly important part of the global growth of renewable energy sources.

I accompanied the governor and other Washington business executives on a trip to China to meet companies and find mutual economic interests in our respective markets. I met with Chinese executives from the energy industry who were very interested in my company’s products, and were enthusiastic about potential in their domestic markets.

I have subsequently made eight trips to China. Putting together a joint venture with a Chinese company has resulted in a very strong pipeline of business. I have doubled my full- and part-time employees during the past year, and raised equity.

Trade missions are an important economic development strategy for world-class Washington companies capable of selling their products internationally.

I encourage the governor to continue to “think differently” and help Washington companies promote themselves in international markets.

Dave Curry

President & CEO, Demand Energy

Spokane