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Home / AWB Awards / Sohn gets AWB's C. David Gordon Award |
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Sohn gets AWB's C. David Gordon Award |
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Written On: April 18, 2007 |
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Written By: Richard Davis |
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OLYMPIA—The Association of Washington Business will present ChangMook Sohn, executive director of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, with the C. David Gordon Award, AWB’s highest award for outstanding civic achievement. Sohn will be honored during AWB’s annual spring board meeting on May 22.
In 1984, state government was just emerging from a period of budget upheaval. A recession had shaken Washington’s economy and the government didn’t know how much money they would have or how they were going to spend it. The troubling situation moved Republican Gov. John Spellman and the Democratic Legislature to create the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and appoint Sohn as the first—and so far, only—executive director.
"It was more guesswork than science before Dr. Sohn was appointed," said AWB President Don Brunell.
The council was initially viewed with suspicion, according to Sohn. "My goal from the beginning was to gain full confidence and acceptance and earn trust on all sides, from both policy-makers and institutions," he said.
He succeeded to an unparalleled degree.
Sohn quickly met his goal as he helped politicians navigate through the economic confusion. His quarterly revenue estimates came to frame the legislative and executive budget deliberations. Within a few years, he garnered unanimous support from all six members of the forecast council.
"More than anyone else, Dr. Sohn brought integrity, accuracy and a viable process to state revenue forecasting," said Brunell. "His forecasts have been incredibly accurate."
Sohn visits South Korea regularly and strongly supports Washington’s international trade goals. In October, he accompanied Gov. Chris Gregoire and AWB President Don Brunell on a trade mission to South Korea and Taiwan.
"Dr. Sohn is a highly-respected and is a great emissary for the state of Washington. He is well-regarded in his native South Korea and we are very fortunate to have him as part of our state government," said Brunell.
Past recipients of the C. David Gordon Award include former Sen. Jeanette Hayner, R-Walla Walla (2006) and Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg (2005). The first C. David Gordon Award, presented in 2004, was shared by Gordon, former president of AWB, and his close advisor C. Lee Coulter. Both men were World War II veterans and worked together for more than 20 years.
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