Who we Are.

Why we are Here.

We are all about bringing entreprenuers and mentors together to build thriving startups to our wonderful Snoqualmie Valley.

Innovation Design Template

About Tad Haas President.

A passionate technology evangelist, experienced change agent and business builder, Tad gets to work with some of the best companies every day. Supporting innovators in key industries such as health and life sciences, manufacturing, and professional services. Taking great ideas to even better outcomes. A long tenure at Microsoft helped him see what it means to transform and deliver at scale.


He often speaks on topics ranging from “Art of the Possible…”, “Uncovering Your Innovators” or broad topics like Employee Engagement and IT Demand Management. As a 20+ year member of Project Management Institute (PMI) he always strives towards the full picture of Strategy > Innovation > Justification > Delivery and Outcomes.


I am passionate about business innovation and get to work in this space around the world most days. Being on the SnoValley Innovation Center Board allows me to have an impact locally - in the community I live, work and play in. 

About Rob Wotton Director of Strategic Partnerships.

As a business banker, I've made it my passion to bring people together to build better businesses and a stronger community. Over five years ago, I created the Umpqua Community Room with the support of Umpqua Bank. No other bank has done anything like this.


We created a monthly program, The Business Workshop, to bring people together to share ideas. And then we created the Sno-Valley Innovation Center, a nonprofit to continue helping business start-ups and those that need to change in order to grow. There is no question that COVID-19 is forcing vast changes on businesses today.


Sno-Valley Innovation Center recognizes that we can help businesses navigate those changes, and I am very excited about the work we are doing through the BizCast Forum program. We will be able to reach communities with similar needs and providing the technical resources regardless of their location.

About Walt Nelson Vice-President.

I am a software programmer with online marketing experience using Facebook Ads, SEO & so much more. If you need help with your online presence for your business, I can help.


I love helping businesses get started or improving their processes. My business is focusing on the raw data that businesses generate & making sense of all of it. I live statistics and optimizing business workflows. Our beautiful valley is full of bright people ready to give back to the community. Come join us.

About Sally Mayo Secretary.

I have a passion for creative packaging and product development.

After my experience as Art Director with Hallmark Cards followed by Retail Graphics Manager with Gibson Greetings, I became the Director of Art & Marketing for Jeanmarie Creation’s in the gift and social expression industry. I continued providing insight and expertise as a Marketing & Creative Consultant before taking on a new role as Manager of Packaging & Labels with Eddie Bauer. I took my expertise with me when my husband and I relocated to Shanghai China where I worked with local and expat customers while managing 3 health and wellness retail stores in Shanghai and Beijing.

On returning to Seattle, I had an opportunity to do something I always wanted to do and became involved with non-profits. I was co-chair of the Snoqualmie Arts Commission and a board member of Dream Dinners Foundation. Most recent, I ran Preston Food Bank with an outstanding group of volunteers. Currently I am active board member on the SnoValley Innovation Center and ready to share my creative packaging and product development experience.


About Kevin Mayo Treasurer.

I am a strategic developer, relationship builder, and collaborative leader with over 30 years of Financial and Operational experience in public accounting, food and beverages, consumer products, heavy equipment and consulting.


Presently I bring executive leadership, strategic vision, controlling and reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and stimulating bottom line growth for future benefits to organizations of all sizes. I have a proven record leading financial restructurings and reorganizations in challenging settings. I coordinate effectively with senior management and cross functional teams for the attainment of company goals and building future leaders. I have served clients as a management Consultant and Interim CFO.


I have a passion for working with startups to mid-sized companies to help them run more efficiently and become more successful. I have also always wanted give back to the community that I live in.

About Treb Gatte.

Treb is a business intelligence expert with 24 years of experience and is CEO of Marquee Insights, a business intelligence consultancy.

Prior to becoming CEO, he worked in leadership positions at Microsoft, Starbucks, Wachovia (now Wells Fargo). He has been recognized as Data Platform MVP from Microsoft.

Treb lives in the Snoqualmie area with his wife, children and corgi and holds an MBA from Wake Forest University.


About Mike Halim.

Mike is two decades business owner in printing industry serving small and medium sized businesses locally and ship all over the United States. The experiences dealing with multi disciplinary organizations afford him the knowledge to also provide consulting (feedback) to small business owners on the best way to promote and use their budget related to marketing and promotion.

He found SVIC through Google search while trying to do personal professional development growth on running your business and through their Friday meetings decided to start another business in construction.


He gives back to the community through his volunteer work at Overlake Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol - preparing American youth in their leadership skills, STEM and emergency services. SVIC provides him the avenue to also give back to the community he lives in.

He run his businesses from Fall City, where he called home for over than 10 years with his wife and children.

About David Bosland.

David is an attorney who focuses on helping new, smaller, and growing business with intellectual property support such as trademark, copyright, licensing, etc. He also helps with personal documents such as wills and trusts. Prior to that he spent a couple decades in the tech management industry with a variety of Pacific Northwest companies.

He is very involved with the Alpental Ski Patrol as a Hill Patroller and teaches emergency medical first aid, technical rescue techniques such as chair lift evacuations and toboggan transport of injured persons. He enjoys spending time with his daughters, traveling, and learning new things.

About Dennis Pearce.

Dennis Pearce is President, Partner and Broker at Pearce & Lonam Properties, a local real estate team serving both residential and commercial clients in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties since 2005. 


A restless entrepreneur, Dennis also has recently started some long-range planning for retirement- which looks a lot like playing- with intention. A lifetime photographer, sailor and outdoorsman, his formal training includes a Bachelors of Science in Photography and Graphic Design. All of which led to him throwing open the doors of DennisPearcePhotography.com, during COVID, where he offers a wide range of images from local, national and international adventures. Everything from Black and white to abstracts, landscape and wildlife imagery, as well as environmental portraiture for musicians and creatives. 


Brainstorming, branding, creative pursuits and a desire to envision, foster and grow a vibrant community here in the valley have also led to a slot on the Snoqualmie Arts Commission. The desire to serve and build through meaningful connections and thoughtful conversations is the foundation of a future we can all support. “

About Mark Mulder - Honorary.

An award-winning educator, researcher and innovator, Dr. Mark Mulder serves as the Dean of the School of Business at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. Professor Mulder teaches in the MBA, Master of Science in Marketing Analytics, undergraduate business and innovation studies programs.


Professor Mulder has been recognized as Professor of the year and a recipient of multiple teaching and research awards. He serves as a business and marketing consultant with local and global nonprofits and business organizations. Authoring over 30 journal and conference publications, 


Dr. Mulder is an active scholar and researcher, contributing in the areas of marketing strategy and consumer behavior. Professor Mulder has served as a president of a local chamber of commerce, as an executive board member for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, on the board of various nonprofits, and presently serves on the board of the nation’s oldest utility cooperative.

Organizations We Partner With

City of Snoqualmie Logo
North Bend WA Logo
Snoqualmie Valley School District Logo
The Trail Youth Coffee Home Logo
Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce Logo

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Our Methodology To Foster Business Startups

Here's how to get started:

Friday Meetups

The Innovation Center invites entrepreneurs to Innovation Friday Meetups from noon to 1PM, where they can meet with a panel of volunteers to present their ideas or products.

Volunteer Experts

The volunteer experts will ask clarifying questions to better understand the concept, how far into the process they are, sticking points, and conduct a SWOT analysis.

Scalable Ideas

If the idea or product is scalable, the mentors will provide some guidance and expectations for the entrepreneur to work on prior to a follow-up meeting.

Innovation Design

The entrepreneur will be expected to complete the Innovation Design Template within the first 30 to 45 days as determined by the Executive Director in consultation with SVIC mentors.

Innovation Design Template

Fostering Innovation through Educational Programs

Here's how to get started:

White Label Program

Our long-range strategy is to offer programming as a White Label program for rural Chambers of Commerce based on their membership census on an annual basis.

Production Studio

Our Community Room would become our production studio. We know there are 30 million small business owners.

Partner With Others

By going directly to Chambers, we can reach our potential market faster and offer the most remote locations a turn-key program that will help sustain membership, necessary funds to operate and reasons for new members to join with minimal effort.

Big Plans

We will also broaden the available expertise through this new medium.

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