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News Release

WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks Launches Resilient Business Builders Network To Strengthen Small Business Leadership In The Tri-Cities - 02/05/26

RICHLAND, WA — Washington State University Tri-Cities’ Cougar Tracks professional development program is proud to announce the launch of the Resilient Business Builders Network (RBBN)—a future-focused professional development initiative designed to support small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders across the Tri-Cities region.
 
Positioned as a community of practice, RBBN delivers hands-on professional development workshops that address real-world business challenges, from scaling operations and developing talent to clarifying brand identity and navigating complexity. The program reflects Cougar Tracks’ growing role as the regional educational partner for small business development, bridging higher education, industry expertise and community investment.
 
“Small businesses are the backbone of our regional economy,” said Michelle Hrycauk Nassif, director of Cougar Tracks at WSU Tri-Cities. “Through Cougar Tracks, we are building a long-term support system where local businesses can access relevant training, trusted expertise and strategic guidance—while also shaping what workforce development looks like next in the Tri-Cities.”
 
Industry Collaboration & Community Investment
The Resilient Business Builders Network is made possible through strong partnerships with regional organizations committed to economic vitality and workforce growth—with potential cost-saving benefits available to members of certain partnering entities. For example:

  • Richland Chamber of Commerce members may qualify for full cost reimbursement through the Chamber’s Business Boost Grant, reducing barriers to participation and accelerating business impact.

  • City of Pasco residents and businesses are eligible to apply for Workforce Training Scholarships through Cougar Tracks, expanding access to professional development opportunities across the region.

“These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to investing in people, businesses and the future of our local economy,” added Nassif.
 
Built By—and For—Regional Businesses
What sets RBBN apart is its co-creation model. Session topics are directly informed by participating businesses, ensuring workshops remain timely, relevant and practical. By joining the Network, participants help shape future offerings—creating a responsive learning environment that evolves alongside the needs of the regional business community. Quarterly sessions are designed for hands-on learning and immediate application—so participants will leave with clear strategies, templates, and a next-step action plan they can put to work right away.
 
Program Launch Details
The inaugural workshop series will be led by RBBN ambassador and WSU alum Brian Moreno (MBA), a Tri-Cities entrepreneur and small business owner with a professional background in real estate development, hospitality and leadership consulting. He'll be focusing on cultivating resilience across all aspects of business—operations, people, brand and strategy.
 
That series will begin this April and include four professional development sessions hosted on the WSU Tri-Cities campus. The program is open to small business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and professionals managing small teams.
 
A Long-Term Vision for Regional Impact
As WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks continues to expand its industry-aligned programming, RBBN represents a broader vision: positioning WSU Tri-Cities as the go-to educational partner for small businesses seeking to grow, adapt and lead in a rapidly changing economy.
 
“This is not a one-time program—it’s a long-term commitment to our region,” Nassif said. “Cougar Tracks is here to walk alongside small businesses as they build resilience today and prepare for what’s next.”
 
Learn more, apply for scholarships, or register on the Cougar Tracks website:
 
About Cougar Tracks
Cougar Tracks is the continuing education and workforce development arm of Washington State University Tri-Cities. Through industry-driven programs, community partnerships and accessible learning opportunities, Cougar Tracks connects education to real-world impact—supporting professionals, businesses and communities across the Tri-Cities region.

WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks Launches Resilient Business Builders Network To Strengthen Small Business Leadership In The Tri-Cities - 02/05/26

RICHLAND, WA — Washington State University Tri-Cities’ Cougar Tracks professional development program is proud to announce the launch of the Resilient Business Builders Network (RBBN)—a future-focused professional development initiative designed to support small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders across the Tri-Cities region.
 
Positioned as a community of practice, RBBN delivers hands-on professional development workshops that address real-world business challenges, from scaling operations and developing talent to clarifying brand identity and navigating complexity. The program reflects Cougar Tracks’ growing role as the regional educational partner for small business development, bridging higher education, industry expertise and community investment.
 
“Small businesses are the backbone of our regional economy,” said Michelle Hrycauk Nassif, director of Cougar Tracks at WSU Tri-Cities. “Through Cougar Tracks, we are building a long-term support system where local businesses can access relevant training, trusted expertise and strategic guidance—while also shaping what workforce development looks like next in the Tri-Cities.”
 
Industry Collaboration & Community Investment
The Resilient Business Builders Network is made possible through strong partnerships with regional organizations committed to economic vitality and workforce growth—with potential cost-saving benefits available to members of certain partnering entities. For example:

  • Richland Chamber of Commerce members may qualify for full cost reimbursement through the Chamber’s Business Boost Grant, reducing barriers to participation and accelerating business impact.

  • City of Pasco residents and businesses are eligible to apply for Workforce Training Scholarships through Cougar Tracks, expanding access to professional development opportunities across the region.

“These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to investing in people, businesses and the future of our local economy,” added Nassif.
 
Built By—and For—Regional Businesses
What sets RBBN apart is its co-creation model. Session topics are directly informed by participating businesses, ensuring workshops remain timely, relevant and practical. By joining the Network, participants help shape future offerings—creating a responsive learning environment that evolves alongside the needs of the regional business community. Quarterly sessions are designed for hands-on learning and immediate application—so participants will leave with clear strategies, templates, and a next-step action plan they can put to work right away.
 
Program Launch Details
The inaugural workshop series will be led by RBBN ambassador and WSU alum Brian Moreno (MBA), a Tri-Cities entrepreneur and small business owner with a professional background in real estate development, hospitality and leadership consulting. He'll be focusing on cultivating resilience across all aspects of business—operations, people, brand and strategy.
 
That series will begin this April and include four professional development sessions hosted on the WSU Tri-Cities campus. The program is open to small business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and professionals managing small teams.
 
A Long-Term Vision for Regional Impact
As WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks continues to expand its industry-aligned programming, RBBN represents a broader vision: positioning WSU Tri-Cities as the go-to educational partner for small businesses seeking to grow, adapt and lead in a rapidly changing economy.
 
“This is not a one-time program—it’s a long-term commitment to our region,” Nassif said. “Cougar Tracks is here to walk alongside small businesses as they build resilience today and prepare for what’s next.”
 
Learn more, apply for scholarships, or register on the Cougar Tracks website:
 
About Cougar Tracks
Cougar Tracks is the continuing education and workforce development arm of Washington State University Tri-Cities. Through industry-driven programs, community partnerships and accessible learning opportunities, Cougar Tracks connects education to real-world impact—supporting professionals, businesses and communities across the Tri-Cities region.

WSU Tri-Cities Welcomes Mark Schuster As Director Of Industry Connected Programs (Photo) - 01/22/26

Richland, WA - Mark Schuster has a lofty goal for Washington State University Tri-Cities and its status in the region. 

 

“I literally want every business in the Tri-Cities to know about what we’re doing here,” he says. 

 

It’s a fitting objective for the Richland native, Cougar alum, and former Lamb Weston executive, who joins WSU Tri-Cities this month as the director of industry connected programs. As part of his newly created position, Schuster will help oversee two industry-focused programs — the Career Center and Cougar Tracks. 

 

The Career Center, located in the Learning Commons area of the Consolidated Information Center, serves as a campus resource for students looking to advance their hiring potential through a range of tailored services and events. The center also connects students with job, internship and cooperative education (co-op) opportunities, which is one key area Schuster seeks to expand upon. 

 

“We want every student in the Tri-Cities campus who wants an internship or business-related job before they graduate to get one, because internships do lead to careers,” Schuster says. “How can we best let the business community know that we have this tremendous pool of talented students who want to work for them?” 

 

Cougar Tracks is WSU Tri-Cities’ continuing education and workforce development program, offering workshops and customized training programs — both for businesses and independent learners — aimed at equipping students with in-demand market skills that will differentiate them from other job seekers. Courses are offered in a variety of online and in-person delivery formats. 

 

“The goal of Cougar Tracks is to really go hand-in-hand with the business community: What does the business community want and need from continuing education?” Schuster says.  

 

Prior to joining WSU Tri-Cities, Schuster spent close to 30 years in various management and executive leadership positions at frozen-foods manufacturer Lamb Weston, working at various facilities in the Tri-Cities region and abroad. After getting his start in factory floor management, Schuster became involved in corporate finance and sales, eventually overseeing global manufacturing and supply chain logistics as the company expanded its overseas operations. 

 

In addition to his role at Lamb Weston, Schuster recently served as a board member for the Tri-City Development Council and the Association of Washington Business, advocating business-friendly policies at the local, state and national levels. 

 

“He knows this area and he understands the business and industry side of things, so we’re very excited to have him,” says Kate McAteer, WSU Tri-Cities vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. “We’ve got someone coming in who has led and developed successful teams in the industry.” 

 

Schuster also comes to the Tri-Cities campus as a lifelong Cougar fan, having graduated with a business degree from the Pullman campus in 1995. In the three decades since his graduation, Schuster has given back to his alma mater in several capacities, leading numerous fundraising activities, athletic events, and serving as a board member and past president for the WSU Alumni Association, among other things.  

 

“Anytime WSU knocks on my door, I've answered it. And that will not change,” Schuster says.  

While his aim to connect with every Tri-Cities business may be ambitious, Schuster acknowledges it’s not something he plans to accomplish all on his own, and he encourages other Cougs and community members to get involved with what’s happening on campus, noting the need for career mentors, coaches, internship providers and more. 

 

“I want you to have that feeling of, ‘Hey, how can I help drive the mission forward? How can I help those students right now?’” he says. “Remember what it’s like to be in those shoes and then think about how can I — as a Coug, or a Tri-Citian, or a business owner, or a business member — help that group succeed?” 

Attached Media Files: MarkSchuster_vert.jpg, MarkSchuster_Horiz.jpg,

WSU Tri-Cities Welcomes Mark Schuster As Director Of Industry Connected Programs (Photo) - 01/22/26

Richland, WA - Mark Schuster has a lofty goal for Washington State University Tri-Cities and its status in the region. 

 

“I literally want every business in the Tri-Cities to know about what we’re doing here,” he says. 

 

It’s a fitting objective for the Richland native, Cougar alum, and former Lamb Weston executive, who joins WSU Tri-Cities this month as the director of industry connected programs. As part of his newly created position, Schuster will help oversee two industry-focused programs — the Career Center and Cougar Tracks. 

 

The Career Center, located in the Learning Commons area of the Consolidated Information Center, serves as a campus resource for students looking to advance their hiring potential through a range of tailored services and events. The center also connects students with job, internship and cooperative education (co-op) opportunities, which is one key area Schuster seeks to expand upon. 

 

“We want every student in the Tri-Cities campus who wants an internship or business-related job before they graduate to get one, because internships do lead to careers,” Schuster says. “How can we best let the business community know that we have this tremendous pool of talented students who want to work for them?” 

 

Cougar Tracks is WSU Tri-Cities’ continuing education and workforce development program, offering workshops and customized training programs — both for businesses and independent learners — aimed at equipping students with in-demand market skills that will differentiate them from other job seekers. Courses are offered in a variety of online and in-person delivery formats. 

 

“The goal of Cougar Tracks is to really go hand-in-hand with the business community: What does the business community want and need from continuing education?” Schuster says.  

 

Prior to joining WSU Tri-Cities, Schuster spent close to 30 years in various management and executive leadership positions at frozen-foods manufacturer Lamb Weston, working at various facilities in the Tri-Cities region and abroad. After getting his start in factory floor management, Schuster became involved in corporate finance and sales, eventually overseeing global manufacturing and supply chain logistics as the company expanded its overseas operations. 

 

In addition to his role at Lamb Weston, Schuster recently served as a board member for the Tri-City Development Council and the Association of Washington Business, advocating business-friendly policies at the local, state and national levels. 

 

“He knows this area and he understands the business and industry side of things, so we’re very excited to have him,” says Kate McAteer, WSU Tri-Cities vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. “We’ve got someone coming in who has led and developed successful teams in the industry.” 

 

Schuster also comes to the Tri-Cities campus as a lifelong Cougar fan, having graduated with a business degree from the Pullman campus in 1995. In the three decades since his graduation, Schuster has given back to his alma mater in several capacities, leading numerous fundraising activities, athletic events, and serving as a board member and past president for the WSU Alumni Association, among other things.  

 

“Anytime WSU knocks on my door, I've answered it. And that will not change,” Schuster says.  

While his aim to connect with every Tri-Cities business may be ambitious, Schuster acknowledges it’s not something he plans to accomplish all on his own, and he encourages other Cougs and community members to get involved with what’s happening on campus, noting the need for career mentors, coaches, internship providers and more. 

 

“I want you to have that feeling of, ‘Hey, how can I help drive the mission forward? How can I help those students right now?’” he says. “Remember what it’s like to be in those shoes and then think about how can I — as a Coug, or a Tri-Citian, or a business owner, or a business member — help that group succeed?” 

Attached Media Files: MarkSchuster_vert.jpg, MarkSchuster_Horiz.jpg,

New Regional Initiative Puts WSU Tri Cities At The Center Of Sustainable Aviation Progress (Photo) - 01/15/26

RICHLAND, Wash. — Washington State University Tri-Cities is positioned to play a central role in the state’s most ambitious effort to advance sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), following the launch of the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA).

 

Unveiled Jan. 8 at the Boeing Future of Flight in Everett, the accelerator will bring together state leadership, private-sector partners, research institutions, Tribal representatives, labor and community stakeholders to rapidly scale the production and adoption of low-carbon aviation fuels. Funded through a 2025 legislative appropriation and additional philanthropic support, CSAA is the most comprehensive initiative of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Two WSU Tri-Cities faculty from the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Lab — BSEL Director Josh Heyne and Research Assistant Professor Harrison Yang — were on-hand during the launch event to demonstrate and discuss their lab's SAF testing programs with other guests. WSU system President Besty Cantwell was an invited speaker, and more than 210 government and industry leaders — including Washington Governor Bob Ferguson attended the event.

 

WSU Tri-Cities research driving real-world impact

WSU is a lead research partner in CSAA, leveraging more than a decade of national leadership in sustainable aviation. Much of that work is happening at WSU Tri-Cities, home to one of the most comprehensive SAF testing and evaluation facilities in the country: the Sustainable Options in Aviation Research (SOAR) Lab and BSEL.

 

“WSU Tri-Cities provides the applied research and testing capabilities that make this work real,” said WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor, Sandra Haynes. “From validating fuels to supporting certification and commercialization, our researchers are helping the industry bridge the gap between promising science and commercial scale.”

 

Directed by Heyne, BSEL operates in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and serves as WSU’s primary hub for SAF testing and characterization. Since 2024, the SOAR Lab within BSEL has supported emerging energy solutions by providing specialized testing methodologies and equipment to industry and academic partners.

 

To date, BSEL researchers have tested nearly 500 SAF candidate samples from roughly 40 institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia supporting supply-chain validation, performance evaluation and federal policy efforts. Heyne was recognized last year as the most cited and most published researcher in the field, as well as the most productive author in SAF research from 2001 to 2023. He also holds the highest connection strength among researchers in the discipline — illustrating the breadth of his collaborations — contributing to WSU’s designation as the most collaborative institution in sustainable aviation research.

 

“With aviation expected to grow globally, sustainable fuels offer one of the most viable pathways for decarbonization in the next several decades” Heyne said. “Our focus here is on enabling industry to meet performance, safety, and economic targets that make commercial deployment possible.”

 

As part of CSAA, WSU Tri-Cities is partnering with Snohomish County to establish a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research and Development Center at Paine Field Airport. The center will house the world’s first SAF repository, where fuel samples will be collected, tested, indexed and distributed globally to support research and commercialization efforts. WSU Tri-Cities experts will play a key role in fuel testing, design of novel SAF compositions, while collaborating with government, industry and academic partners to foster innovation, workforce development and economic growth in the region.

 

WSU’s SAF research also contributes to ASCENT, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment, co-led by WSU and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

Looking ahead

With aviation accounting for an estimated 2 to 3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, leaders emphasized that SAF represents one of the most promising near-term strategies for reducing emissions while maintaining safety, affordability and reliability.

 

WSU Tri-Cities will continue to contribute its research expertise to ensure sustainable aviation fuels are developed responsibly and at scale.

Attached Media Files: WSU President Betsy Cantwell, flanked by WSU Tri-Cities researchers Harrison Yang and Josh Heyne at the university’s demonstration table for the Jan. 8, 2026 announcement of the new Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (photo courtesy of WSU),

New Regional Initiative Puts WSU Tri Cities At The Center Of Sustainable Aviation Progress (Photo) - 01/15/26

RICHLAND, Wash. — Washington State University Tri-Cities is positioned to play a central role in the state’s most ambitious effort to advance sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), following the launch of the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA).

 

Unveiled Jan. 8 at the Boeing Future of Flight in Everett, the accelerator will bring together state leadership, private-sector partners, research institutions, Tribal representatives, labor and community stakeholders to rapidly scale the production and adoption of low-carbon aviation fuels. Funded through a 2025 legislative appropriation and additional philanthropic support, CSAA is the most comprehensive initiative of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Two WSU Tri-Cities faculty from the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Lab — BSEL Director Josh Heyne and Research Assistant Professor Harrison Yang — were on-hand during the launch event to demonstrate and discuss their lab's SAF testing programs with other guests. WSU system President Besty Cantwell was an invited speaker, and more than 210 government and industry leaders — including Washington Governor Bob Ferguson attended the event.

 

WSU Tri-Cities research driving real-world impact

WSU is a lead research partner in CSAA, leveraging more than a decade of national leadership in sustainable aviation. Much of that work is happening at WSU Tri-Cities, home to one of the most comprehensive SAF testing and evaluation facilities in the country: the Sustainable Options in Aviation Research (SOAR) Lab and BSEL.

 

“WSU Tri-Cities provides the applied research and testing capabilities that make this work real,” said WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor, Sandra Haynes. “From validating fuels to supporting certification and commercialization, our researchers are helping the industry bridge the gap between promising science and commercial scale.”

 

Directed by Heyne, BSEL operates in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and serves as WSU’s primary hub for SAF testing and characterization. Since 2024, the SOAR Lab within BSEL has supported emerging energy solutions by providing specialized testing methodologies and equipment to industry and academic partners.

 

To date, BSEL researchers have tested nearly 500 SAF candidate samples from roughly 40 institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia supporting supply-chain validation, performance evaluation and federal policy efforts. Heyne was recognized last year as the most cited and most published researcher in the field, as well as the most productive author in SAF research from 2001 to 2023. He also holds the highest connection strength among researchers in the discipline — illustrating the breadth of his collaborations — contributing to WSU’s designation as the most collaborative institution in sustainable aviation research.

 

“With aviation expected to grow globally, sustainable fuels offer one of the most viable pathways for decarbonization in the next several decades” Heyne said. “Our focus here is on enabling industry to meet performance, safety, and economic targets that make commercial deployment possible.”

 

As part of CSAA, WSU Tri-Cities is partnering with Snohomish County to establish a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research and Development Center at Paine Field Airport. The center will house the world’s first SAF repository, where fuel samples will be collected, tested, indexed and distributed globally to support research and commercialization efforts. WSU Tri-Cities experts will play a key role in fuel testing, design of novel SAF compositions, while collaborating with government, industry and academic partners to foster innovation, workforce development and economic growth in the region.

 

WSU’s SAF research also contributes to ASCENT, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment, co-led by WSU and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

Looking ahead

With aviation accounting for an estimated 2 to 3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, leaders emphasized that SAF represents one of the most promising near-term strategies for reducing emissions while maintaining safety, affordability and reliability.

 

WSU Tri-Cities will continue to contribute its research expertise to ensure sustainable aviation fuels are developed responsibly and at scale.

Attached Media Files: WSU President Betsy Cantwell, flanked by WSU Tri-Cities researchers Harrison Yang and Josh Heyne at the university’s demonstration table for the Jan. 8, 2026 announcement of the new Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (photo courtesy of WSU),