As we go through and recognize some well deserving folks for their contributions and achievements, think about the characteristics that they all share that has gotten them here. They all have that “Can Do” attitude, and that is why we honor them!
Our first award is Beautification Location of the Year. Our Beautification Committee, chaired by Larimee Ward, drives around the area looking for those businesses who have added an extra shine and polish to their businesses making them more welcoming to visitors driving by and guests coming through their doors. During the holiday season they also hold a decoration and holiday light contest.
Our nominees are:
· Coast Hearth & Home
· Les Schwab Tires
· Taco Bell
· Local Ocean Seafood
· Medication Station
· McDonalds
· The Broadcast Center
· Lincoln PUD
· Newport Marina Store & Charter
· Frontier Title & Escrow
· Simply Design Studio
· Washington Federal Bank
And the winner of the 2022/2023 Beautification of the Year Award goes to…..Medication Station
The exterior of their business is always in excellent condition and the large, black-framed windows sparkling clean. Add to that the flower boxes along the entire length of the building that overflow with a variety of colorful flowers, including white ornamental cabbages, and you have a very eye-appealing location in the Deco District. Newport appreciates your care!
Our next award is City Employee of the Year.
The Newport Chamber and our members know that each day of every year many people work behind the scenes for the enrichment and quality of life for our community. For several years we have recognized an employee with the City of Newport for their outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to community betterment. Those who receive this honor are part of what makes Newport a wonderful place to live, work and play. I would like to have our City Manager, Spencer Nebel, come forward at this time to introduce this year’s City Employee of the Year.
City Employee Steve Baugher
Next up is the Ambassador of the Year Award
Our Ambassadors group enjoys a long tradition with the Chamber as the ones who showcase our member businesses, hold ribbon cuttings for new and newly re-opened businesses, run a booth and sell all kinds of fun stuff at the Seafood & Wine Festival, staff the Chamber’s Visitor Center during the summer months, run the very popular Holiday Raffle, organize fundraising bazaars, assist with the Newport Marathon, and represent the Chamber at many of our local community events.
This year our Ambassador of the Year is a celebration of a very special Ambassador who has willingly and wholeheartedly served as the Chair of the Ambassadors this past year. Her theme for the year was “A Rising Tide Lifts ALL Boats”, an aphorism associated with the idea that improved communication will benefit all participants. And she’s done it all with exuberant finesse and pizzazz. This Ambassador attends and participates in every meeting, every Showcase, every ribbon cutting, every Business After Hours, is a committee member for the Seafood & Wine Festival and volunteers in many places in our community and she does it all with a giant smile on her face and a kind word to everyone she meets. She truly embodies and represents the definition of an Ambassador.
This year’s Ambassador of the Year is……Rian Martinsen
Now it’s time to announce the Business of the Year Award. Recent winners include TLC, A Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union, Grove Veterinary Clinic, Lincoln County School District, JC Market, Airrow Heating and Sheet Metal, and Oregon State Credit Union. This year the nominees for Business of the Year were once again an all-star list of businesses. This year’s nominees are all outstanding and all deserve special recognition for their excellence in business practices and community support. Standard Business Practices are likely three words you will NEVER hear the nominees of this award saying together in a sentence, Excellent Business Practices are more likely. Business excellence is not just about showing up and being there, it’s a whole state of being. It’s the desire to make the place where they do business a better place to live, work and play. They build from within, and they serve throughout.
And the nominees are:
· Most Wanted Painters
· Grocery Outlet
· TLC, A Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union
· Oceana Natural Food Cooperative
What a list of outstanding businesses who give to our community and provide services with excellence!
And the recipient of the 2022/2023 Business of the Year is…….Grocery Outlet
Newport Grocery Outlet supports their communities every chance they get. From donations and sponsorships to providing volunteers at local events, they’re strong supporters of causes that enrich and strengthen the communities they serve.
Next, we have the Business-Person of the Year Award.
Recent recipients include Donna McCrea, Richard O’Hearn, Laura Anderson, Steve and Sonja Lovas, Liz Rose, and Carrie Lewis.
Each one of those who have won the Business-Person of the Year Award and those who have been nominated this year have a very strong work ethic. It’s not just the work they do but the how and why they do it that distinguishes them from others. Leadership, patience, hard work, volunteerism, and generosity are just a few of the many traits that each of those nominated exemplify.
Nominees are:
· Saul Carrasco of Most Wanted Painters
· Doretta Smith of Martek Real Estate
· Janell Goplen of Coast Restaurant Group
Again, these are all outstanding nominees that each have contributed to the community as a whole and show growth and innovation in their business practices. You will also find them fundraising for our local non-profits, rolling up their sleeves to help out in our schools, communities, and at sporting events.
And the winner of the 2022/2023 Business Person of the Year is …..Janell Goplen
Janell, a Newport Hometown girl, grew-up and graduated from Newport High School. After living afar for college and her early adult life, she came back home to her beloved Newport.
Janell's commitment to her employees and their well-being stands out through the numerous initiatives she has spearheaded within her company. Including implementing a company match 401k plan, health care insurance program, and childcare opportunities, creating a positive work environment where everyone feels valued, appreciated, and cared for.
Beyond her work within the company, Janell is deeply involved in her local community. She volunteers her time and resources to various charitable organizations and causes, making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in our community and beyond. Her involvement in local government initiatives and her volunteer roles in various foundations are examples of her passion for contributing to the growth and development of our coastal community.
Not surprisingly, Janell's commitment to service extends to her business practices as well. She has created a giving back program within Coast Restaurant Group, contributing to numerous local charities and organizations most recently; My Sisters Place, Newport Animal Shelter, and Yakona Nature Preserve. Her dedication to promoting local businesses and attractions has made her a driving force behind tourism and the economic development of our humble harbor town. Janell's generosity, kindness, intelligence, and care for others have made her a beloved figure among her peers, co-workers, family, and friends. Her inspirational leadership, both within her company and in the community, makes her a most deserving recipient.
Our next award is the award which recognizes someone for their spirit of service and outstanding volunteerism. A little history behind this award which is called the Don M. Rowley Award for Spirit of Service and Outstanding Volunteerism…..in years past we would select a Volunteer of the Year and also an award for Spirit of Service. A number of years ago, the same name came up for both awards which was none other than Don Rowley. From that moment on, the awards were combined and named after Don. Don had given his time for many, many years through sweat equity, coaching, offering a strong shoulder, and being of a very sharp mind. And, he always gave his time willingly with a smile, a wink, or a chuckle. This is our 10th year for this award and the recipient joins a stellar cast of people who have given freely of their time and talent with great enthusiasm—Don Rowley himself, Susan Beck, Jenny Lingo, Jason King, Larimee Ward, and Frank Geltner have all received this award.
Tonight we recognize someone who has given countless hours not only to the Chamber but to our community.
This year’s recipient of the Don M. Rowley award for Spirit of Service and Outstanding Volunteerism is……
John Lingo
Each year, the Chamber President gets to choose someone who they feel embodies qualities that make the community and the Chamber better for their participation and encouragement or service. This gal has been involved with the Chamber for many, many years, at least 18. She has been a full-time visitor center volunteer, helping to keep the Chamber together during this transition period. She is an active Ambassador, volunteering at the luncheons and participates on the Seafood and Wine Festival committee. She also makes it her business to attend many events put on by the Ambassadors and our community. I truly appreciate her commitment to the community and to making our Chamber a better place.
And the Winner of this year’s President’s Award goes to…..Jenny Lingo
Our final award is the Unsung Hero Award. The objective of this award category is to honor the everyday heroes who unselfishly give so much of their time, talent, and resources to benefit other individuals or organizations. Unsung Heroes possess qualities such as courage, compassion, perseverance, conviction, and selflessness. They continue to make significant ongoing impacts with individuals and organizations and they do extraordinary things for others without recognition.
Our nominees are:
· Kali Mays with TLC, A Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union
· Major Raymond Erickson-King with the Salvation Army
· Wanda Janes with the American Legion
· Lisa Kellenberger with Thompson’s Sanitary Service
We honor an individual who is on a mission to serve his community. He cares deeply about Lincoln County by being actively involved in several community organizations and groups such as Newport Rotary, Chamber Ambassadors, Northwest Coastal Housing Board, he is a volunteer water aerobics instructor at Greater Toledo Pool, he has been spotted mowing his neighbor's lawn, plus all his other duties at The Salvation Army serving other through the Food Pantry of Hope in Newport weekly & Lincoln City every Friday, playing music at the kettles during the Holidays, and pastoral care Also to note, he's a recent graduate of Leadership Lincoln 2022/23.
And the award goes to……Major Raymond Erickson-King
Major Raymond recently accepted a new placement with the Salvation Army to Anchorage, Alaska to minister and lead the programs and services at the Anchorage Corps Community Center … a 18,000 sq. ft. building that includes The Salvation Army’s first gymnasium in Alaska, with six basketball hoops, several multipurpose rooms, a commercial kitchen, and a 200 seat auditorium/chapel. He will be incredibly missed by our community. It is with a heavy heart that we have to say good-bye for now.
