Wendy Becker Poischbeg, Snohomish County’s economic and cultural development director

Wendy Becker Poischbeg, Everett

Snohomish County’s economic and cultural development director, 46, grew up in the county and lives in Everett.

What does your job entail?

I have the privilege of supporting some of the county’s ambitious economic development efforts by facilitating the development of cultural resource programs. I manage the county’s arts and heritage commissions, along with STEM and apprenticeship efforts and oversee the tourism program. Some major projects are the county’s five-year strategic tourism plan, including the implementation of a new tourism promotion area that has brought an additional $1 million-plus in annual revenue to the county. Also, the Centennial Trail Past Forward Interpretive Project and, most recently, the interactive artwork by artist Andy Behrle, “Cosmos Aquatic,” which we commissioned and created for the Sno-Isle Libraries TEDx talks.

What are your hopes for the future of Snohomish County?

My hopes for the county include an education system that champions apprenticeships for youth not ready for college, promotes awareness that a career in skilled trades offers an exciting career path with cutting-edge technologies and products made right here in the county, and a recognition that places where arts and culture thrive are values employers expect when recruiting and visitors seek when choosing places to travel.

Have you always been an organizer? Someone who rallies the troops?

Yes. Partnerships are key to any kind of success.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education is a big deal in this region right now. Would you like to see that include the arts, for STEAM?

As a representative to the Snohomish STEM Network Advisory Council, I love that the conversation always includes the importance of arts in any policy recommendation we consider. Equally important is that we clearly define how the arts, science, technology, engineering and mathematics education we are advocating for have real world results and value to employers, and are not just acronyms that are added to program descriptions to get funding.

You’ve been married about seven weeks now to Matthias Poischbeg. How is it going? Why did you choose to marry at the Wetmore Theater Plaza?

After seven weeks, I am happy to report that I am still head over heels in love. We chose to be married at the Cope Gillette Theatre at Wetmore Plaza because we wanted to share our nuptials in a nontraditional space and because we have a deep affinity to Village Theatre where Matthias is a board member.

What do you like to do away from the office?

I use fitness as my hobby and stress reliever. Running helps clear my head gives me time to problem solve and boot camp (taught by Matt) provides physical challenges that I use for personal goal setting.

What’s something that’s always in your fridge?

Fresh lemon water

What is your pet peeve?

Entitlement. Period.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I love watching MMA (mixed martial arts).

What is your idea of great happiness?

I am living great happiness. I choose happiness every day. I choose gratitude every day. My life is far from perfect, it’s been challenged with loss, grief, health concerns and tons of stress. But, I try and take those challenges and treat them as gifts I can learn from to be a better mom, wife and friend.

If you could dine with anyone from history, who would it be and why?

The Cone sisters, Claribel and Etta, who had an amazing social circle, including personal friendships with Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Together they amassed one of the world’s finest art collections. Can you imagine the stories they could share?

What is something some people might be surprised to know about you?

That I have a pretty decent singing voice. I was chosen for the Northwest Girlchoir when I was only 9, I sang for the Mountlake Terrace High School Dynamics and then went on to Soundsation at Edmonds Community College. I have traveled the world singing, but now I only sing in the shower.

— Gale Fiege

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