CFO of Janicki Businesses Humbled by Honor

Skagit County Business Pulse
By Ruth Richardson
February 2005

The accolades and recognition keep piling up for Lisa Janicki.

The chief financial officer for both Janicki Industries and Janicki Logging and Construction was elected as the president of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County for 2004. In November, she earned high praise in the form of the Skagit Women's Alliance and Network Business and Professional Woman of the Year Award. Her leadership efforts have been noted in the Northwest Puget Sound Business Journal, and she recently learned she had been named to a prestigious list of those who support Catholic education.

After learning of yet another honor from Business Pulse, she wondered out loud why people in the community thought she'd earned the "Business Leader of the Year" title. "It's humbling to think there are people out there who think I've earned the award," Janicki said. She was quick to point out that she wouldn't be able to participate in any community organizations without the help of her co-workers. "The people I work with are great," she said. It's that type of attitude that earns Janicki high praise from those who work side by side with her. EDASC Executive Director Don Wick worked with Janicki throughout 2004. He is also the person who convinced Janicki to serve as treasurer for the organization in 2003. At the time, Janicki told him that she wasn't interested in being out in the public eye. Instead, she told Wick that she wanted to work behind the scenes.

After her term as treasurer expired, the 500 EDASC members elected her board president for 2004. "Our board is in charge of guiding our organization," Wick said. "The president sets the tone and direction for where our organization is going." Wick said his year of working side by side with Janicki was incredible. "Lisa is an excellent leader," he said. "She has all the leadership qualities. She is bright, she is inspirational, optimistic. She has a disarming style. She makes people feel at ease. She does business from others' points of view. She's incredibly gracious. She is generous. She has a generous spirit. She serves with abundant good cheer, that is a magnet. She's an outstanding, excellent leader. We are so fortunate to have her here in our community."

From the beginning of her EDASC term, Janicki was adamant about bringing more east county businesses into the folds of the group. After a year, Janicki said she thinks she was able to recruit several new EDASC members from Sedro-Woolley. More than that, she was able to show other business leaders in Skagit County that there is more happening upriver than flooding.

Janicki's hard work has also brought more name recognition to the two companies located in Sedro-Woolley. "It has been amazing," she said. "Once your name is out there, people want to know what's happening with Janicki (Industries and Janicki Logging and Construction). Janicki is able to share her knowledge of the two companies quite effectively. Strolling through large molds of boats and airplane fuselages, the CFO can explain what the various machines are used for and how projects are progressing. She claims to know just enough to give a tour, but as she says hello to numerous employees by name, one can tell she doesn't spend all of her time crunching numbers.

After winning the SWAN award, Janicki said she realized she was in a position to really help women who work for the two companies. "I implemented a quarterly women's meeting," she said proudly. "It's been real rewarding." The first meeting was held in December, where female employees interacted and listened to how they should slow down during the holidays and simplify their lives so they could enjoy their families. In March, a speaker will talk about women's health. "Once a quarter, we're going to get together and have lunch," she explained.

Janicki is also heavily involved with Leadership Skagit, a program run through EDASC and Skagit Valley College. She wants to see the program become a real tool in training the next generation of business leaders in Skagit County.