Chamber’s ‘Inspire’ Event Celebrates Those Who Move Springfield Forward
On Thursday evening, the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater was filled to capacity as the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Inspire Excellence Awards. More than a celebration, the evening served as a powerful reminder of why this event exists: to recognize the leaders, employers, volunteers, and legacy institutions who are actively building Springfield’s economic and civic future.
The night began with an hour of professional networking on the stage of the Wildish, where 275 attendees met up with colleagues and friends, solidifying relationships and creating new ones, while a backdrop slide show of the Springfield Chamber’s “year in review” looped beneath Chamber-branded lighting of purple and warm red.
Once attendees had taken their seats, the awards ceremony began with an inspirational, one-minute video entitled “Springfield Builds,” which received a loud ovation. From there, Vonnie Mikkeslen, the Chamber’s President and CEO, led a smooth ceremony, laden with Springfield stories, tributes, and surprises, and which carried an emotional energy throughout the event.
“Tonight we celebrate leaders who don’t leave outcomes to chance. They build strength into their teams, their organizations, and this community.”
– Vonnie Mikkelsen, President and CEO, Springfield Area Chamber Of Commerce
About the awards
From a highly competitive pool of 40 nominations, a peer-review committee of past recipients and Chamber board members selected this year’s honorees – three individuals and three businesses whose leadership reflects long-term investment, stewardship, and a deep commitment to community. An additional award, Greeter of the Year, had been chosen previously but was also honored on this night.
With great pride, the Springfield Chamber is proud to announce the 2025 Inspire Excellence Annual Award recipients.
2025 INDIVIDUAL Award Recipients
Emerging Leader
David Hill, Tribal One
David Hill was recognized for his steady leadership and commitment to civic engagement. As Director of Economic Development for Tribal One’s Lane County operations, he supports projects and partnerships that expand local opportunity. He serves on the Springfield Chamber Board of Directors, the Community LendingWorks Board, and the Springfield Utility Board Budget Committee, and is a graduate of Leadership Eugene Springfield, where he now serves on the Steering Committee.
Business Person of the Year
Ike Olsson, Olsson Industrial Electric
Under Ike Olsson’s leadership, Olsson Industrial Electric has built a reputation for precision, reliability, and strong workplace culture, recently earning recognition as one of Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. Beyond business success, Olsson has championed youth opportunity initiatives, supported thousands of local families through holiday giving programs, and invested deeply in community organizations across Springfield.
Distinguished Citizen
Greg James
Greg James was honored for decades of public service, including leadership roles with Springfield Public Schools, the Springfield Planning Commission, the Lane Council of Governments Board, and more than 20 years on the Willamalane Board of Directors. His work has shaped recreation, infrastructure, land use planning, and youth access to opportunity across Springfield.
Greeter of the Year
Rick Parra, Jerry and Walt’s Complete Auto Care
Rick Parra was honored for his consistent presence at the Chamber’s Business Before Hours program and for helping launch and strengthen the Springfield Chamber Ambassador program, ensuring new members feel welcomed and connected. His leadership reflects the understanding that relationships are foundational to business success.
2025 BUSINESS Award Recipients
Employer of the Year
Willamalane Park and Recreation District
Willamalane was recognized for its investment in its people. The organization provides competitive pay and strong benefits while prioritizing leadership development and internal advancement. As a public agency dedicated to recreation and community health, Willamalane demonstrates how investing in employees strengthens not only teams, but families and the broader community.
Business of the Year
Springfield Drifters Baseball, LLC
The Springfield Drifters were recognized for building a community-rooted baseball organization that brings families together, engages youth in sports, and creates meaningful internships and job opportunities for emerging talent. Through strong public-private partnerships and the 2025 purchase of a historic downtown building now undergoing renovation, the organization is helping shape a more vibrant and connected future for Springfield.
Pillar of the Community
International Paper
International Paper was recognized for its decades-long presence as a cornerstone of Springfield’s economy and its sustained commitment to responsible operations and community partnership. As one of the region’s largest employers, the company has provided family-wage jobs across generations while investing in safety, sustainability, and long-term stewardship of natural resources. The award reflects International Paper’s enduring role in shaping Springfield’s economic foundation and its continued commitment to the community it calls home.
Each recipient represents a different dimension of excellence, from civic engagement and youth opportunity to workplace culture, economic investment, and decades of public service. Collectively, they tell a larger story about Springfield: progress here is not accidental. It is the result of people who choose to invest, lead, mentor, hire, serve, and stay.
The evening also included the formal installation of the Springfield Chamber 2026 Board of Directors, reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment to ethical leadership, smart public policy, and a competitive business environment. Businesses do not succeed in isolation. When they thrive, Springfield thrives. That is the “why” behind the Inspire Excellence Annual Awards – a pause each year to celebrate achievement and shine a light on the example being set for the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders.
Congratulations to the 2025 award recipients! The Springfield Chamber wishes to thank the many volunteers that made the event a success, and their program sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: IEQ Technology
Award Sponsors: Chambers Construction, Sierra Pacific Industries
Gold Sponsors: Eugene Airport, Eugene Area Radio Stations (EARS), Lane Transit District, PeaceHealth, Sanipac, Springfield Utility Board.
Silver Sponsors: AIMS Mobile Nursing, Chik-Fil-A, Kernutt Stokes, Lane Community College, Lane Workforce Partnership, Jerry’s Home Improvement, NextStep, Nothing Bundt Cakes, OCCU, OnPoint, People’s Bank, QSL Printing, Richardson, Shadow Hills Country Club, Summit Bank, City of Springfield, Oakmont Dental, Visiting Angels/Papa Murphys, Willamalane Park & Recreation District.
In-Kind Sponsors: Oakshire Brewing, Bigfoot Beverages, Two Towns Ciderhouse, SafeAirNow, BiCoastal Media.
Video production by Bold. Cool. Media. Hors d’oeuvres provided by Sheild Catering. Special thanks to Mollie Skye and the amazing staff at the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater.
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