2019 Awards & Installation Banquet was a Rousing Success
Spirits were high at Springfield Chamber’s 69th Annual Awards and Installation Banquet on January 18th. The event, embracing the theme “Inspire Excellence,” was attended by over 300 guests. Community and business leaders from around the region enjoyed a memorable evening, celebrating businesses and individuals who have made a significant impact in the community.
After a lively cocktail hour the program opened with an energizing video produced by Travel Lane County,The Springfield Experience, highlighting the great many activities to enjoy in the area. Notably, a large number of businesses identified in the video are Chamber members, many of whom opened their doors within the last 18 months.
These recent developments and their impact on the Springfield community were highlighted in opening remarks by Chamber CEO and President Vonnie Mikkelsen. Vonnie’s welcome was followed by Jeff Nelson, General Manager of Springfield Utility Board (SUB), the event’s presenting sponsor, who shared his own special – and hilarious – award for Stephen Parac of XS Media. XS Media is a partner in an exciting project to bring high speed fiber to residential neighborhoods in Springfield.
Several awards were presented throughout the evening, including three business awards and several individual recognitions:
Virginia Ballew Lauritsen received the Chamber’s 2018 Distinguished Citizen award. Ms. Lauritsen, a graduate of Springfield High School, spent a robust career as a legal counsel before retiring back to Springfield in 1995. Since then she has packed her retirement with community service, including over 20 years on the SUB Board, eight years with the LTD Board, and numerous community task forces and committees.
Kari Westlund, CEO of Travel Lane County, was awarded 2018 Business Person of the Year. Between marketing the region to individual travelers and bringing large groups to the area for conventions and sporting events, the efforts of Ms. Westlund and the team she has assembled around her have had an enormous regional – and even statewide – impact.
The third individual award – the 2018 Emerging Leader – is new this year and was presented to Callie Barry-Elliott of Columbia Bank. Callie is noted for her extensive volunteer efforts with a wide variety of community organizations as well as with the Chamber’s leadership programs.
Additionally, Bill Compton of DirectConnect Humanitarian Aid was awarded 2018 Greeter of the Year. Bill was noted for his ongoing efforts to recognize and honor the hard work and sacrifice of our region’s public safety officers.
The businesses recognized included Systems West Engineers, a recent addition to downtown Springfield. Systems West took home honors as the 2018 Employer of the Year, with a deep commitment to their employees’ well-being,
The 2018 Pillar of the Community was Chambers Construction. Chambers, a partner in the region for over 60 years was notably touched by the award. They were noted for their generous and longstanding partnership with the community they serve.
The final award of the night was the 2018 Business of the Year. This year’s recipient was PublicHouse, a new multi-faceted eatery in downtown Springfield. PublicHouse has generated a wealth of new excitement for downtown Springfield. The impact they have had is felt directly by all nearby businesses and had helped refresh the entire Springfield brand.
Additional recognitions throughout the evening included a $5000 award from the Chamber’s CTE fund to the Thurston High School Natural Resources/Forestry Pathway program. Sid Voorhees, long-time volunteer and local auctioneer, was presented with a Lifetime Honorary Chamber membership for his exemplary service to the organization. Finally, both Ms. Mikkelsen and the Chamber’s Program Manager, Paige Sharpe, were acknowledged for highly prestigious appointments. Ms. Mikkelsen will Chair the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce in 2020, while Ms. Sharpe is participating in an exclusive national fellowship of Chamber professionals exploring the intersection of education and workforce concerns. Springfield Chamber’s 69th Annual Banquet celebrated excellence and impact with positive energy and room full of joyful guests. We are already looking forward to next year.
