Chamber announces annual award winners
December 07, 2016
Bellingham, Wash. - The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry celebrated another successful year for local businesses at its 12th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa. This year’s awards recognized businesses and individuals for their contributions to the county, as ten awards were presented to deserving winners.
"We were privileged to celebrate some amazing individuals and businesses this year," said Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Guy Occhiogrosso.
Small Business of the Year winner, LaserPoint Awards and Promotions celebrated their 20 year business anniversary this year. The husband and wife team - Randy and Kathy Cross - attribute their business' longevity to "working with my best friend" as Randy said in their finalist video. The Small Business of the Year award was sponsored by First Federal.
Large Business of the Year was presented to Whatcom Land Title Co. Founder David Goddard was there to accept the award. It was a coincidence that he will be retiring at the end of the year. "I'm glad that David 's business won the Large Business of the Year before he retired," said Occhiogrosso. The Large Business of the Year award was sponsored by VSH CPAs.
Nonprofit of the Year was awarded to Brigid Collins Family Support Center. Brigid Collins Family Support Center is dedicated to ending child abuse by protecting children and building strong families. They have Children’s Advocacy Centers in Whatcom and Skagit Counties and Brigid Collins provide a one-stop shop for healing, justice and prevention when child abuse does occur. The nonprofit of the year award was sponsored by Banner Bank.
Green Business of the Year, sponsored by BP Cherry Point, was awarded to Best Western Plus Heritage Inn. In his acceptance speech, General Manager Britton Braswell stated that continues to strive for more greener practices and hopes to install solar panels at the hotel.
The Man of the Year award, presented by Salish Wealth Management, was awarded to Chuck Robinson of Village Books and Paper Dreams while his wife, Dee Robinson won the Woman of the Year award which was presented by Valpak of Northwest Washington.
Chuck and Dee opened their bookstore in 1980 and reinvigorated the Fairhaven business community. "It's amazing what one store can do for an entire community. Not only did the store bring jobs, Chuck and Dee instilled that "shop local, buy local" attitude long before that mantra was popular." said Occhiogrosso.
The CEO of the Year award is sponsored by Alaska Airlines and was awarded to Rick Wilson of Toyota of Bellingham / formerly known as Wilson Motors. Rick's dedication to "doing the right thing" was an inspiration for many of his employees and customers.
The 2016 Young Professional of the Year award, presented by Signs Plus was awarded to Riannon Bardsley, Executive Director of Northwest Youth Services. Riannon was one of the Top 7 Under 40 recognized by the Whatcom Young Professionals, Bellingham Business Journal and Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce in a separate awards ceremony held last month. Of the "Top 7" Riannon was awarded the Young Professional of the Year at the Top 7 Under 40 ceremony and at the Annual Awards Dinner.
The 2nd Annual Millie Deford Chamber Ambassador of the Year award was presented to Mary Kay Robinson of Windermere Real Estate. "Mary Kay is a very active member of the Chamber. She is the welcoming smile greeting many newcomers to our events," said Occhiogrosso. The Chamber Ambassador of the Year award was sponsored by Skagit Bank.
Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism also presented the Tourism Partner of the Year award to Whatcom Sports and Recreation. Lance Calloway was there to accept the award which was presented by Tourism board president, Lisa Karlberg.
The Chamber and its presenting sponsor, Bank of the Pacific, congratulate all of the award winners and nominees, and thanks all the volunteers, sponsors and attendees that made the night a success. The 13th Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017.
"We were privileged to celebrate some amazing individuals and businesses this year," said Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Guy Occhiogrosso.
Small Business of the Year winner, LaserPoint Awards and Promotions celebrated their 20 year business anniversary this year. The husband and wife team - Randy and Kathy Cross - attribute their business' longevity to "working with my best friend" as Randy said in their finalist video. The Small Business of the Year award was sponsored by First Federal.
Large Business of the Year was presented to Whatcom Land Title Co. Founder David Goddard was there to accept the award. It was a coincidence that he will be retiring at the end of the year. "I'm glad that David 's business won the Large Business of the Year before he retired," said Occhiogrosso. The Large Business of the Year award was sponsored by VSH CPAs.
Nonprofit of the Year was awarded to Brigid Collins Family Support Center. Brigid Collins Family Support Center is dedicated to ending child abuse by protecting children and building strong families. They have Children’s Advocacy Centers in Whatcom and Skagit Counties and Brigid Collins provide a one-stop shop for healing, justice and prevention when child abuse does occur. The nonprofit of the year award was sponsored by Banner Bank.
Green Business of the Year, sponsored by BP Cherry Point, was awarded to Best Western Plus Heritage Inn. In his acceptance speech, General Manager Britton Braswell stated that continues to strive for more greener practices and hopes to install solar panels at the hotel.
The Man of the Year award, presented by Salish Wealth Management, was awarded to Chuck Robinson of Village Books and Paper Dreams while his wife, Dee Robinson won the Woman of the Year award which was presented by Valpak of Northwest Washington.
Chuck and Dee opened their bookstore in 1980 and reinvigorated the Fairhaven business community. "It's amazing what one store can do for an entire community. Not only did the store bring jobs, Chuck and Dee instilled that "shop local, buy local" attitude long before that mantra was popular." said Occhiogrosso.
The CEO of the Year award is sponsored by Alaska Airlines and was awarded to Rick Wilson of Toyota of Bellingham / formerly known as Wilson Motors. Rick's dedication to "doing the right thing" was an inspiration for many of his employees and customers.
The 2016 Young Professional of the Year award, presented by Signs Plus was awarded to Riannon Bardsley, Executive Director of Northwest Youth Services. Riannon was one of the Top 7 Under 40 recognized by the Whatcom Young Professionals, Bellingham Business Journal and Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce in a separate awards ceremony held last month. Of the "Top 7" Riannon was awarded the Young Professional of the Year at the Top 7 Under 40 ceremony and at the Annual Awards Dinner.
The 2nd Annual Millie Deford Chamber Ambassador of the Year award was presented to Mary Kay Robinson of Windermere Real Estate. "Mary Kay is a very active member of the Chamber. She is the welcoming smile greeting many newcomers to our events," said Occhiogrosso. The Chamber Ambassador of the Year award was sponsored by Skagit Bank.
Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism also presented the Tourism Partner of the Year award to Whatcom Sports and Recreation. Lance Calloway was there to accept the award which was presented by Tourism board president, Lisa Karlberg.
The Chamber and its presenting sponsor, Bank of the Pacific, congratulate all of the award winners and nominees, and thanks all the volunteers, sponsors and attendees that made the night a success. The 13th Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017.
Contact:
Shelli Jones, Marketing Coordinator
shelli@bellingham.com, 360-746-2433
