Celebrating 50 Years of CBE

Celebrating 50 Years of CBE

A Conversation with Alumni Entrepreneurs

Aerial view of Chuckanut Bay Distillery with a large "50 YEARS" anniversary graphic.

Event Details

When:

Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 5pm - 7pm

Location:

Chuckanut Bay Distillery
1311 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225

Price:

Free

Brought to you by:

College of Business and Economics, The Foundation for WWU & Alumni

Description

Join us for a special celebration as we mark 50 years of the College of Business and Economics with an evening of inspiration, connection, and community!

Kick off the evening at 5 p.m. with a casual (and delicious!) networking social hour featuring complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Mingle with fellow alumni, local professionals, students, and friends of the college before the main program begins at 6 p.m.

We’re thrilled to welcome two remarkable WWU alumni entrepreneurs to the stage:

  • Stephan Aarstol (’96) — Founder of Tower Paddle Boards and author of The Five-Hour Workday
  • Kelly Andrews (’94) — Founder of Fairhaven Health and majority owner of Chuckanut Bay Distillery

They’ll share insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, and building businesses that make an impact—right here in our community and beyond.

Whether you’re an alum, a local industry pro, or just someone who loves great ideas and great people, we’d love to have you join the celebration.

Featuring:

A person holding a surfboard near a calm waterfront with buildings in the background.
Stephen Aarstol '96

Stephan Aarstol is the founder of Tower Paddle Boards, a direct-to-consumer brand that gained national attention after securing investment from Mark Cuban on Shark Tank. With more than 20 years of experience as an internet industry entrepreneur, Aarstol has launched multiple ventures spanning e-commerce, consumer products, and technology. He is the author of “The Five-Hour Workday,” which promotes a productivity-focused work culture. His new venture, The Cut List, offers curated recommendations with “3 Great Picks for Everything.” Aarstol was honored with the 2019 WWU Young Entrepreneur of the Year Alumni Award.  

Person in a pink shirt stands in front of a distillery sign with decorative lettering.
Kelly Andrews '94

Kelly Andrews is an accomplished entrepreneur and investor based in Bellingham, Washington. As founder of Fairhaven Health, Andrews built the company into a leading international health brand before its successful sale in 2021. He is now the majority owner of Chuckanut Bay Distillery, a downtown Bellingham destination recognized for its award-winning spirits, unique event spaces, and role in revitalizing Cornwall Avenue. Beyond his consumer-facing businesses, Andrews manages a diverse portfolio of commercial and residential real estate throughout Whatcom County. 

Questions and Accommodations

  • If you have any questions or need disability accommodations please contact Alona Christman at mckenna2@wwu.edu.
  • To change or modify your registration, please contact The Foundation for WWU & Alumni. Call (360) 650-3353 or email alumni@wwu.edu.
  • Advance notice for disability accommodations and special needs is appreciated. Please mention your needs when registering.

The views expressed by our speaker do not necessarily reflect those of Western Washington University.