The Chamber recently welcomed Arabie Jaloway-Hill as TacomaACTS Coordinator and Julia Petersen as Transportation Coordinator.  TacomaACTS and Downtown on the Go! Transportation Partnership & Program were created to advocate for sustainable business and future quality of life in Tacoma-Pierce County .  These programs are designed to reinforce that cost-effectiveness and sustainability go hand-in-hand in business practices.

“I think that TacomaACTS is interesting—our participants have a great deal of enthusiasm and understand that sustainability is an integral part of their bottom line in the long-term,” said Arabie Jaloway-Hill, TacomaACTS Coordinator.

Arabie recently completed the Master of Science programme in Environment, Politics, and Globalisation at King’s College, London . 

During her time in England , her studies were focused particularly on the relationship between socio-environmental crises and the ascendancy of largely discredited economic metrics and the effect of cultural ‘discourse’ clusters on policy-making.  She also completed intensive coursework in social research methods and the local implications of globalization.  One of the highlights of her experience was the opportunity to work for the Cambridge-based Freshwater Biodiversity Unit of the IUCN, who research and compile the internationally recognized endangered species “Red List.”

Previously, she had the good fortune to attend Pierce College , Fort Steilacoom on both Pierce and Fuchs Foundation scholarships and largely credits the excellence of the Tacoma community college system with preparing her for study at King’s.  She now lives in Olympia with her husband Chris and three daughters, Hannah, Emma, and Annika. They enjoy Washington ’s astounding natural beauty every chance they get by camping, biking and hiking together.

In her role as Transportation Coordinator, Julia Petersen coordinates the Downtown On the Go! Transportation Partnership & Program.  Julia recently  partnered with other organizations to plan a Candidates’ Transportation Forum and worked with the City of Tacoma and Pierce County on a competitive state grant application for a potential telework development and implementation program for local businesses.  As well Julia authors a monthly newsletter—click here for the November edition.

“One of the integral parts of the program is to build awareness through interactive outreach efforts.  We want to keep transportation in the forefront of public discussion because although it is not a “sexy” concept, it still has a significant positive or negative impact on our quality of life,” Julia said.

Julia obtained her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington .  During her time at the Evans School , she conducted graduate research for the City of Tacoma City Manager ’s Office, assisting them in the start-up of their new Office of Sustainability and working as a summer intern on their Safe & Clean Initiative.  Prior to her life in Tacoma , she worked for the City of Enid, Oklahoma as a Recruitment & Training Specialist, and also taught elementary school for several years in both Florida and Colorado .  Originally from Detroit , she now lives in Tacoma with her husband, a McChord Air Force Base pilot, and their three year-old son. 

TacomaACTS

 In its pilot year, TacomaACTS is helping large and small businesses from a variety of industries to measure their ecological footprint and formulate cost-effective strategies to reduce it.  In addition to certifying these businesses for their efforts, TacomaACTS will provide strong advocacy for Tacoma ’s budding ‘green’ economy.  

Downtown: On the Go!

The Downtown: On the Go! Transportation Partnership is a group of ambitious business and non-profit organization leaders and managers who are committed to significantly increasing the number of alternate commute options in downtown Tacoma , as well as promoting these options to downtown employers and employees.  Julia organizes their monthly meetings and provides support to the partners in their efforts to make transportation choices that will increase the number of employees using an alternate commute.

The Downtown: On the Go! Program includes elements of ongoing support, development, and assessment of all alternate commute modes.  In doing so, Downtown: On the Go! involves both outreach and education to Downtown commuters and businesses as well as advocacy efforts on transportation issues affecting downtown Tacoma