WHATCOM BUSINESS AWARDS HONORS LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS
39thAnnual Event Sold Out at Hotel Bellwether
Sulis Energy Wins Start-up Business of the Year
Marr’s Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical Awarded Small Business of the Year
Kelsey Van Miert of Northwest Health Care Linen Named Business Person of the Year
Bellingham, WA – On Thursday, March 26, Whatcom Business Alliance hosted the 39th Annual Whatcom Business Awards Black & Gold Gala.
The sold-out event of 350 guests began with an elegant cocktail reception at the Hotel Bellwether followed by a seated gourmet dinner in the Hotel Bellwether Ballroom. At the gala event, outstanding achievements of business leaders in Whatcom County were recognized within four award categories: Start-up Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award. Employee of the Year and Public Service Awards were also presented.
The lively awards show included video stories of the nominees on the big screens, roaring recognition for honorees as they took to the stage via a lighted runway and customized music selections, heartwarming tributes and thank-you speeches — and a lot of love in the room for the mayor.
Here are the award winners:
Start-up Business of the Year: Sulis Energy (photo attached)
Start-up business finalists also included Grizzly Pipeworks Plumbing Service & Repair; Salt of the Earth Massage.
Small Business of the Year: Marr’s Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical (photo attached)
Small business finalists also included Greenhouse Home; Pure Bliss Desserts.
Business Person of the Year: Kelsey Van Miert, Northwest Health Care Linen (photo attached)
Business person finalists also included Dave Vitt, Kulshan Brewing; Lydia Ahn, VSH CPAs.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Troy Muljat, Landmark Real Estate Management and Muljat Group Commercial.
Employee of the Year Award: Sherry Scoggins, Larson Gross.
Public Service Award: Kim Lund, Mayor of Bellingham, WA (photo attached).
Telling the story of business success and community prosperity in Whatcom
“Every year, the WBA hosts the Whatcom Business Awards Black & Gold Gala to shine a spotlight on 12 individuals whose talents and achievements might otherwise go unrecognized,” said WBA Executive Director Barbara Chase, explaining the event’s effect.
“The WBA invests significant professional work to tell the story of every finalist, not just the ultimate award winner in each category,” she added. Each finalist is featured in a full-length article in the current March | April edition of Business Pulse, the magazine published by the WBA.
Nominations and selection of finalists and winners follow an inclusive, year-long process. In early 2025, WBA opened nominations to the public for worthy candidates who meet the criteria in each category. From the nominee pool, finalists are qualified by the WBA Board of Directors, and votes are cast for winners in each category.
“What sets this event apart,” Chase summarized, “is that we tell the story of the entire business community. We celebrate the bravery of start-ups, and we champion the established businesses that make up Whatcom’s employee base. The WBA also presented three additional awards — Lifetime Achievement, Employee of the Year, and Public Service — to highlight the importance of professional excellence and teamwork in organizations in the public and private sectors.”
Complete feature articles on all finalists are at businesspulse.com/.
