Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/938775
He doesn't have to guarantee anything. A guarantee is a placeholder in case something goes wrong. With Jim, things don't go wrong. A guarantee implies things could go awry. A promise, especially one from Jim and Dunn, means you will get what you want and need. A promise means more. Kory Sauve hasn't been with MBAKS long, but knows how integral Jim is to the Association. "Jim and Dunn make a huge contribution of supplies, vendors, and other collateral to Rampathon, our annual MBAKS event where member volunteers build free wheelchair ramps for those in need. They help make the event the huge success that it is." says Kory. Would you be my… Michell Filleau-Maas, who herself, as MBAKS community stewardship manager, knows a bit about selflessness, also has words for Jim—no, no; the good kind. "Jim Coshow is a true gentleman (word association!) and one of the kindest people I've had the pleasure of working with," says Michell.Ë"His efforts for Rampathon go above and beyond any logical expectations. He somehow keeps everyone and everything on track so we all feel as if he is catering to our needs—and yet no one else feels pressured in the process. "Jim seems happiest in the trenches with us, ensuring those individuals in our community who truly need help get it," Michell continues. "We are all blessed by his intelligence, know-how, but more importantly, his ingrained spirit of giving back to everyone lucky enough to cross his path." Like Michell, Kory is quick to point out Jim's MBAKS efforts go way beyond Rampathon. "Jim has stepped up in sponsoring MBAKS events and supporting our members directly in many ways—putting on last year's Remodelers Council (RC) Holiday Party at Dunn Lumber's Bellevue location, for example. He also has helped with each RC Dinner by not only sponsoring, but by paying for a podcast through his marketing agency that we can use to keep these dinner presentations online for all to hear." Add a radio and producer credits to Jim's extensive resume. Let's not forget about Jim and Dunn's work with another local nonprofit, Northwest Harvest, as well as his advocacy for the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. It's refreshing, isn't it, to know young people have someone like Jim as a mentor? Kind of reminds you of another role model. A certain sweater-clad individual. Could you be my… What is it like working with Jim on the daily? Must be magical. Thankfully, nice words are easy to come by when Jim's name comes up. Take this example from Mike Dunn, yes, like that Dunn, president of the lumber company which bears his name. "Jim Coshow embodies the essence of the traditional owner-operator," Mike says. "Practically born with a clipboard in one hand and a tape measure in the other, Jim started at Dunn Lumber over forty years ago, working with his dad at our Marysville location. "After graduating from Western Washington University, he has filled nearly every leadership role in the company. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jim allows me to work in the background while being the face of Dunn with customers and vendors alike. Boundless energy and "bonhomie" make Jim our chief ambassador and a fixture in the Northwest building material world." Won't you be my neighbor? On the next decent day, take a walk around your neighborhood. Look around. See the good in your environment from a builder's perspective. Our region and its manufactured beauty have in many ways been shaped by Dunn and Jim. The latter's gifts go more than skin deep, however. Those he has helped may never get the chance to thank Jim in person, but that's okay. His contributions are seen and felt every day in the communities we traverse. It's Mister Coshow's neighborhood and we're all living in it. Thank goodness for that. "We don't have a guarantee, we have a promise." 51 SPRING 2018 master builder