Springfield Chamber Recognizes Community and Business Leaders at the 73rd Annual Awards Event
Award recipients were recognized during the Springfield Chamber Awards and Board of Directors Installation Event on February 9th at the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater.
Thursday, February 9th, was a big night for small business and community leadership at the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater in downtown Springfield. The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s 73rd Annual Awards and Board of Directors Installation event, celebrating outstanding achievement in commerce and civic involvement in 2022, was held in the beloved theater under the theme “Inspire Excellence.” The presenting sponsor of the event was Springfield Utility Board, and a wealth of other local sponsors contributed to the festivities.
The prestigious awards were announced to an audience of 270 Chamber-member businesses and civic leaders. Business awards for 2022 were presented in the categories of Business of the Year, Employer of the Year, and Pillar of the Community, while individual awards were presented to 2022’s Emerging Leader, Business Person of the Year, Distinguished Citizen, and Greeter of the Year.
This year, members submitted 42 nominations for six award categories, each of high quality and articulated with careful attention to criteria. Each nomination was reviewed and scored by an independent panel of Chamber leaders and former award winners who met in December to select the recipients.
2022 BUSINESS AWARDS
Business of the Year: The Chronicle. This award recognizes a business that has made, and continues to make, a community-wide impact. In 2019, Noel and Denise Nash purchased the 110-year-old Creswell Chronicle, and renamed the paper “The Chronicle,” covering stories from Creswell, Cottage Grove, Springfield, and surrounding communities. In 2020, during the crux of the pandemic, owners Noel and Denise Nash took a calculated risk and opened a satellite office in downtown Springfield. In 2021, The Chronicle expanded its office space and completely relocated their operation to Springfield, so that once again, our community has a newspaper dedicated to hyper-local news coverage. Within the past year, The Chronicle has hired three full-time professional reporters, now reaches more than 20,000 readers monthly, and has earned more than 50 awards from the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.
Watch the Business of the Year presentation video.
Employer of the Year: OCCU. This award was bestowed in recognition of OCCU’s exceptional commitment to employees, and their focus on workplace culture. The story of this year’s Employer of the Year reminds us that big impacts are often rooted in humble beginnings. What started as a group of employees pulling cash into a shoebox and agreeing on a vision to enrich the lives of others, is now an organization enriching the lives of tens of thousands of families and local communities. OCCU’s vision to help people thrive stands out in their commitment to an organizational culture that places employees first: providing opportunities for employees to grow personally and professionally; investing in a safe, healthy, and inclusive workplace; and showing appreciation for employees’ contributions to workplace values.
Watch the Employer of the Year presentation video.
2022 Pillar of the Community: Lithia Toyota of Springfield. This award goes to an organization that has made a long-standing contribution to the community; has had significant impacts on employment, innovation, and stability; and contributes to the community beyond their core business. In a year that continued to feel the economic impact of the pandemic, with supply chain issues and inventory shortages, Lithia Toyota persevered, staying focused on the road ahead; and in doing so has won several regional and national awards for consumer satisfaction. Since opening their first store in Oregon in 1946, Lithia has been dedicated to making the communities they serve a better place to live, work, and play. In Springfield, Lithia continues to support the local workforce, and over two dozen nonprofits, in accomplishing their own mission of helping children, families, and individuals in Lane County.
Watch the Pillar of the Community presentation video.
2022 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Emerging Leader: Kenny Weigandt of Willamalane Park and Recreation District. This award recognizes an individual who exhibits exemplary leadership in volunteer work and civic engagement, as well as a commitment to professional and leadership development. Kenny brings a fresh perspective and strategic vision to all of his work. Through professional and community efforts, he supports students, emerging leaders, and businesses in our community. He enthusiastically mentors a new generation of community leaders, helping them understand the impact their advocacy and public testimony can have on the community over time. Through his efforts at Willamalane, thousands of Springfield students received a pass at no cost – resulting in over 50,000 visits to destination partners – keeping kids active and local businesses thriving.
Business Person of the Year: Celeste Wong of Celeste Watch Company. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in their organization, profession, industry, and community, along with a personal commitment to Springfield. Celeste is an astute entrepreneur and small business owner here in Springfield. She has served as an inspiration and mentor for women and engineers nationwide. Celeste has been listed as one of “50 Engineers You Should Meet” by National Engineers Week, included in the National Academy of Engineering’s Gallery of Women Engineers, and named as one of the Nifty-Fifty individuals who have made a major impact on the field of engineering by the USA Science and Engineering Festival. Self-taught in watch design, dial art, and watchmaking, Celeste now has a following across the globe.
Distinguished Citizen Award: Peter DeFazio. The award recognizes an individual in the community who has demonstrated exemplary civic leadership and made substantial contributions to the business community and civic enterprises over time. Beginning with his service in the United States Air Force Reserve in 1967, DeFazio has continued to serve this community and this nation over the past 50 years, most recently as Oregon’s fourth congressional district Representative, and Chair of the of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
GREETER OF THE YEAR
Greeter of the Year: Tab Davis of Bicoastal Media. Tab Davis is a business owner, radio account executive, public speaker, and a mentor and friend to many. She is known to be an enthusiastic and generous supporter of the Chamber Greeters, helping small business owners and managers shine their brightest. Davis’ community volunteer leadership role is extensive, serving as chair for Relay for Life at Lane Community College exceeding $1.5 million raised, the 2 highest years ever. Tab spent 5 years as a Community Director for March of Dimes where she put her fundraising success to work. While selling sponsorships and building relationships throughout the state, she made time for community service, volunteering on various school and athletic boosters and on the nonprofit and business Boards of NextStep Recycling, McKenzie Business Association, and Eugene and Springfield Chamber Greeters. Davis has served as a Board member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce since 2018 and contributed in countless ways to the Chamber’s mission and success. Tab Davis was named 2022 Greeter of the Year during the annual Greeters appreciation breakfast in December and was recognized during the 73rd Annual Awards and Installation event Thursday, February 9th at the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater.
NETWORKING SOCIAL, BOARD INSTALLATION, AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
While the awards portion of the evening was front and center, the annual event at the Wildish was also an opportunity for members of the Chamber to get together for some fun and networking. Upon arrival, guests were provided with swag bags and invited to the stage area where there was and a jazz pianist and catered fare from Carte Blanche Caterers. Two bars – including a backstage VIP lounge for top-tier sponsors – provided refreshments, while Nothing Bundt Cakes were on hand for take-home desserts. Attendees were encouraged to make reservations at nearby restaurants and eateries after the show to support local establishments.
Springfield Chamber Board of Directors Chair, Avril Watt, General Manager at local manufacturing company ASTEC, reported the Chamber to be in strong financial standing. Watt shared that the Chamber’s vision revolves around “People, Place, and Purpose”:
“Our PURPOSE is to be an influencer and barrier breaker that supports community and affects outcomes. We do so by improving the PLACE where businesses choose to be and families come to thrive, and by centering on PEOPLE, providing a sense of belonging, an appreciation for the qualities and attributes of diversity, and empowering our talent pipeline.”
– Avril Watt, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chair
Chamber President and CEO, Vonnie Mikkelsen, emceed the event and shared Watt’s optimism. Mikkelsen pointed to a number of high impact programs and projects the Chamber is focused on, adding that Chamber is an extension of “your” team, “an advocate for our members, a champion for business and our community.”
Watt closed the event by welcoming the Board’s newest members: Courtney Griesel of Sierra Pacific Industries, Ken Brown of Rexius Forest By-Products, Mary Ann Reilly of Travel Lane County, Pablo Valentine of Hershner Hunter, Stacy Koos of Summit Bank, Tiffany Monroe of Lane Families for Farms and Forests, and Tyler Hedden of PeaceHealth Medical Center at Riverbend.
About the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501 (c) 6 nonprofit association comprised of private, public, and nonprofit organizations in the Springfield, Eugene, and surrounding communities. The Chamber offers programs and services to strengthen, represent, and promote business throughout the region. For more information about how to join or volunteer for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, visit www.springfield-chamber.org or call 541-746-1651.
