Dom Amor: Working behind the scenes to improve the region

Dom Amor is the recipient of the John M. Fluke Sr. Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and community leadership. Founded in 1970, the award is named for the founder of Fluke Corp., a subsidiary of Fortive.

EVERETT — When Dom Amor agreed to serve as interim director of Economic Alliance Snohomish County during the search for a new CEO, the COVID-19 pandemic was just a dot on the horizon.

Like many others, Amor expected the pandemic would blow over in three or four weeks and for business to then return to normal.

The next months were without parallel.

To curb the infection rate, Gov. Jay Inslee ordered nonessential businesses shuttered for two weeks. The mandate would be extended another two months.

Thousands of workers here and throughout the state were idled. Public schools closed. At the end of March, The Boeing Co. suspended operations at the company’s massive Everett assembly plant. By May, Snohomish County’s unemployment rate had soared to 19.5%.

With Amor at the helm, Economic Alliance served as a vital resource for the region’s business community.

The nonprofit, which serves as the county’s chamber of commerce distributed thermometers and other personal protective equipment to businesses. Later on, when federal pandemic relief funds became available, “Economic Alliance became one of the main organizations to disseminate of those funds,” Amor said.

“No one anticipated that the pandemic would have this kind of impact,” Amor said.

Amor served as temporary CEO for six months, from March 2020 until September 2020. “Right before all hell broke loose and everything shut down,” he said.

Amor said that he would have stayed onboard longer if not for a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

A nominator summed up Amor’s contributions this way: “While Dom may not be a household name in leadership in our community, he certainly does epitomize the characteristics of John Fluke Sr. as demonstrated in his creative entrepreneurial spirit, recognized business and community leadership.”

Amor received a half-dozen endorsements for the award.

Amor has served on boards at United Way of Snohomish County, Red Cross of Snohomish County and the advocacy board at Economic Alliance. He also served on the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce board, including a stint as chairman. In recent years, Amor helped behind the scenes when Mukilteo School District supporters sought to ensure passage of bonds and levies.

“Dom Amor has been a player in the Snohomish County and regional economy for decades,” a nominator wrote. “He’s given so much of himself over the years to organizations he’s passionate about.”

A former Red Cross Snohomish County board member, Amor worked quietly behind the scenes during the Oso tragedy — the nation’s deadliest mudslide — in March 2014.

“I went to the Red Cross’s operation base just outside Darrington,” Amor said. “I was just there helping with the logistical stuff, a very small role. Hearing the stories of how people lost their children to the landslide was very impactful emotionally.”

Amor is no stranger to tragedy. In 2011, he lost his son to suicide.

“Since then, he has tirelessly volunteered his efforts and emotions in raising awareness of Suicide Prevention after the loss of his son in 2011,” another nominator wrote.

Amor served as the tribal relations manager at Puget Sound Energy for nearly 33 years, retiring in 2019.

“His ability to bring people together with warmth and collaboration is unparalleled,” a nominator wrote. “Dom fostered relationships, connections and trust with Tulalip Tribes and other tribal leadership in the greater region.”

Amor said “it has been both a privilege and an honor to work with all the businesses and communities in Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties. My role as community manager and tribal manager has put me in touch with many good people.”

Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @JanicePods.