The Spokane Journal of Business recently announced honorees for the ‘24 People of Influence in 2024.’ John J. Hemmingson, our founder and the CEO of Lakeside Companies, has been selected. To be recognized, candidates must be decision makers in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area who are working to improve the quality of life in the Inland Northwest and who are thought leaders, industry innovators, and people who give back to the community at large.
John J. Hemmingson is an entrepreneur, leader and philanthropist whose business career includes leading successful mergers, public offerings, startups and more. In 1993 he moved to the Inland Northwest and has lived here ever since, becoming increasingly ingrained in both the business community and supporting the Spokane – Coeur d’Alene region at large.
In 1997, Hemmingson founded Lakeside Companies, a local private family firm that encompasses a collective of portfolio companies, a diverse asset investment portfolio, and charitable endeavors throughout the Inland Northwest.
This past year, Lakeside was one of 48 local companies who applied to win designation for the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region as a nationally recognized technology hub under the CHIPS and Science Act through the Economic Development Administration’s ‘Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs‘ competition. The consortium’s application – the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) – was 1 of 31 selected winners (out of nearly 400 applicants) to achieve designation as announced in October of 2023. The AAMMC and the consortium behind it are currently in the process of applying for phase 2 of the competition, which could lead to a federal investment of up to $70 million to further catapult the region to the forefront of aerospace materials manufacturing and invest in local workforce development and economic activity.
In addition to helping develop initiatives that build opportunity and resilience in our region, Hemmingson cares deeply about education, advocacy, and fighting poverty. He contributes to many local organizations that aid in these important causes and also serves on the Board of Trustees for Gonzaga University.
John J. Hemmingson will be recognized with the other 23 honorees at an event on Wednesday, January 24th at the Spokane Club. You can read the full list of nominees and buy event tickets on the Journals website here.
