Lewis Economic Development Council Executive Director Resigns

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Lewis Economic Development Council Executive Director Matt Matayoshi resigned as of Thursday, Sept. 10, according to EDC Board Chair Dan Rich.

Matayoshi began work at the Lewis County EDC as an intern in 2000. He worked as the executive director of the Mason County Economic Development Council for several years and then returned to the Lewis EDC in 2013 as the director of business development. He took over as the EDC’s executive director in 2014, according to past Chronicle reporting.

Rich said that the board is  in the process of finding a hiring consultant to assist with the application and hiring process to fill the executive director position.

“It’s unfortunate that he’s not with us anymore. I thought he was doing good work, especially with the grant money we’ve been distributing lately. I wish him well,” said EDC board treasurer Ben Kostick. 

The EDC, and the county’s Lewis County Together group accepted and evaluated applications from businesses and nonprofits in the county for two rounds of $200,000 in COVID-19 relief funding set aside by the Lewis County Board of Commissioners.



“We do not have an interim executive director. Myself, as president, and the rest of the board are just filling some holes while we’re starting the search,” said Rich. “We’re just keeping our projects moving forward and in the meantime, we’re starting the process of looking for a new director.”

Rich said that he is not aware of what Matayoshi plans are for his next professional step but believes he’ll be working with Matayoshi in some form in the future.

“We think that we’re going to be working with Matt in some form or fashion very shortly… He has all the skills for us to answer a phone call and he’ll be on the other line in some capacity at some other organization,” said Rich.

Matayoshi could not be reached for comment.