Submitted by: ReUse Works
Kathy Washatka, Board President of ReUse Works, announced today that Dallas Betz has been hired as Executive Director of ReUse Works. Betz had been acting as Interim Executive Director since August.
As chief executive officer of the organization, Betz will be responsible for implementing policies set by the board of directors, including management of the financial, programmatic and administrative functions of the corporation.
Betz is familiar with ReUse Works and its two environmentally focused job-training businesses, Appliance Depot and Ragfinery. At times throughout the previous 10 years, he’s been both a staff member and a board member, working to increase exposure of the programs in their goals toward self-sufficiency. He started as an Americorps VISTA with the young organization in 2008.
“The board is thrilled to have Dallas in this role as his rich history with and knowledge of the organization will help us continue to grow these two programs that benefit our community,” said Washatka.
Betz has a background in education, program development and marketing, all of which he put to use with previous employers, The Ashokan Center, in New York and the Community Boating Center in Bellingham. Upon returning to Bellingham from New York, Betz immediately stepped into the role of Media Specialist at ReUse Works.
“I felt very fortunate to be able to come back to work for this organization that I had learned so much from over the years,” Betz said. “And it has been really humbling to step into the position of one of my key mentors, Duane Jager, who created this nonprofit business model that serves our community so effectively in so many ways.”
Appliance Depot and Ragfinery both use discarded materials (appliances and textiles) to drive their business models and provide job training for unemployed residents. Appliance Depot sells refurbished appliances with a 90-day warranty and Ragfinery is a community hub for textile artists and crafters to purchase fabric, clothing, notions and attend workshops on creative upcycling.
Betz’s priority will be to grow awareness and customer base of both programs to increase their capacity to serve Whatcom County.
