Secretary-Treasurer of the Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Nathe Lawver joined the EDB Tacoma Pierce County Board because he felt it was important for the voices of working families to be heard whenever decisions are made about our region’s future.  “Economic development is most successful when we ask the right questions to ensure growth translates into good jobs, fair wages, and opportunities for all workers in our community,” said Lawver.  He believes that by bringing labor’s perspective to the table, he will help shape an economy that works for everyone.  Lawver is a PLU graduate who lives with his wife and three children in the North End of Tacoma.

What do you feel is the most important element you bring to this Board?
I bring a consistent commitment to lifting the whole economy by focusing on quality employers who invest in their people, provide living wages, and create opportunities for professional growth and long-term stability. My role is to keep working families at the center of the conversation, ensuring that as our community grows, we are building an economy where local people have pathways into careers that sustain them.

What accomplishments have you already achieved as a board member and are there other things you would you like to achieve?
Contributing to board conversations in a way that bridges perspectives. I’m also looking forward to fostering partnerships between labor, business, and community organizations. Looking ahead, I’d like to see us deepen these partnerships through workforce development programs, apprenticeship opportunities, and new initiatives that connect local businesses with local workers and the resources they need to succeed. The more we align our efforts, the stronger and more resilient our community becomes.

What is something about yourself that others in the business community might not know about you?
I hold a close belief in the shared potential of labor and business in the South Sound. We may not always agree on every issue, but when we find common ground, our ability to achieve meaningful progress is unstoppable. I am deeply optimistic about what we can accomplish together. In the labor world, we believe in Solidarity, and I see that Solidarity in the spirit of collaboration among the EDB.