At the end of 2019, the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Business Awards Committee began planning a celebration for April 2020 to honor the membership leaders in our business community. The theme for this annual event was to be ‘Roaring into 2020.” The Roaring 20’s was a decade of economic prosperity, driven by recovery from WW1, recovery from a global flu pandemic, deferred spending, a boom in construction and rapid consumer goods growth. It seemed like the perfect theme until 2020 brought a global pandemic, raging wild fires and social unrest. We ended up moving the event 3 times and finally held a virtual event in November, “Roaring Out of 2020.”
There are six awards given each year with three nominees in each category, plus two individual awards, acknowledging just a few of the many businesses, organizations and individuals who make Tualatin such a wonderful place to live and do business. The 20 nominees and 8 winners represent countless hours of volunteerism, charitable contributions, community activism, scholarships and youth programs, special events and tourism and business development and growth. 2020 has been a rough year but our membership stood together and we wish all could be honored. We say thank you to our businesses, sponsors and volunteers who joined together to continue to support each other and Tualatin. We are Business and Community Working Together.
The Chamber 2019 Excellence in Business Awards were presented to:
Ambassador of the Year is presented to a member of the Chamber Ambassador Team for their outstanding service representing the Chamber in the community, welcoming and supporting new members and hosting events that showcase the membership. The award was presented to Stuart Cregger, Complete Threat Preparedness.
Volunteer of the Year is presented to the individual who has demonstrated over and over a willingness to give countless volunteer hours to the Chamber and has embraced the spirit of business and community working together. The award was presented to Bill Cohen, Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants.
New Business of the Year goes to the new Tualatin business that not only opened their doors in 2019 but also became a true member of the community, supporting local organizations and the Chamber. The award was presented to Workonomy at Office Depot/Charles Cook.
Spirit of Tualatin-Individual is given in recognition is given in recognition of their contributions to the community in 2019; whose dedication to community and civic projects has made Tualatin a better place to live and has inspired others to exceed their limitations and accomplish more than they thought possible. The award was presented to Sue Raxter, Paws & Tails Pet Sitter.
Spirit of Tualatin-Business is given to a service club, non-profit organization or business in recognition of their leadership, dedication and contributions to the community and civic projects has made Tualatin a better place to live. The award was presented to Todd Construction/Brent Schafer.
Business Leader of the Year reflects someone within the Tualatin Chamber who has made specific, significant and lasting contributions to the Tualatin community. This individual has demonstrated leadership and cooperation while benefiting the community and civic enterprises. The award was presented to Cheryl Laird, Lam Research.
Lifetime Achievement is given to a business or individual who has consistently given back to the community time and again over the years and whose example encourages others to take action. The award was presented to Susan Noack, Meals on Wheels People.
Business and Community Champion is a new award this year to honor a business, organization or individual who went above and beyond to support, contribute and promote our community. This year’s first recipient is Sherilyn Lombos, Tualatin City Manager, who thought of a way to support local restaurants by having citizens buy their gift cards and donate them to local families in need. Through a Chamber partnership, Gift Cards for Good was created, and it generated $5,000 in gift cards that were distributed to 197 families by the Tualatin Food Pantry.
As CEO of the Tualatin Chamber for the last 12 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with so many people that make Tualatin special. Much of what makes that possible is the dedication of our citizens and business owners who volunteer and contribute to the overall well-being of this town.
– Linda Moholt, CEO Tualatin Chamber of Commerce
