Over 330 business and civic leaders gathered for a light-hearted evening celebrating excellence at the Springfield Chamber’s 70th Annual Awards and Installation Banquet, held on January 17th.

Presenting sponsor, Springfield Utility Board’s General Manager, Jeff Nelson, kicked off the evening with a light-hearted video depicting a makers challenge contest pitting the highly skilled talent of a Springfield High School wood shop student and those of a lesser skilled but still creative Nelson. The story had the audience both captivated and entertained, and celebrated investment in career and technical education.

President and CEO, Vonnie Mikkelsen, kicked off the awards program acknowledging business growth and investment throughout the community, extending hat tips to a long list of businesses bringing best-in-class regional, national, and international recognition to Springfield and the region.

Outgoing Board Chair Nancy Bigley, Clinic Manager at Oregon Medical Group and co-owner of Jazzercise of Eugene shared reflections from her two-year term as board chair, spoke of Chamber accomplishments in 2019, and concluded, “I’ve been changed by this experience.” Bigley passed the gavel to the Chamber’s 2020-2021 Board Chair, Charlie Kimball, CFO of Murphy Company.

Kimball laid out a bold vision to bring together influencers and leaders in business, government, and education to work on important community priorities; to courageously advocate on issues that matter to the Chamber; to center on economic development and projects that catalyze future growth; to advance on an epicenter for business and a permanent Chamber home; and to leverage sports tourism opportunities coming to our region in 2020 and 2021 with a goal to improve Springfield’s economy, in name and place value.

The 2020 Board of Directors were introduced and installed. The diversity and talent represented on the board and their individual and collective commitment to the Chamber was applauded.

Several awards were presented throughout the evening, including three business awards and a number of individual recognitions.

2019 Distinguished Citizen
**Gino Grimaldi, Retired Springfield City Manager**

**Gino Grimaldi, Retired Springfield City Manager,** was named the Springfield Area Chamber’s 2019 Distinguished Citizen. This award recognizes an individual in our community who has demonstrated exemplary civic leadership. Gino has spent a majority of his professional career, roughly 28 years, serving the citizens of Springfield. A steward of our community, he is known for acting with respect, passion and integrity, even in the light of contentious issues.

2019 Business Person of the Year
**Rick Satre, Principal at Schirmer Satre Group**

**Rick Satre, Principal at Schirmer Satre Group,** was named the Springfield Area Chamber’s 2019 Business Person of the Year. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in their organization, profession, industry and community. Rick has been an outstanding advocate for positive change and lent his professional services to projects that will help improve the image of our community for generations to come.

2019 Emerging Leader
**Jenna Fribley, Architect & Co-Founder of Campfire Collaborative**

**Jenna Fribley, Architect & Co-Founder of Campfire Collaborative,** was named the Springfield Area Chamber’s 2019 Emerging Leader. This award recognizes an individual who has risen to prominence through their community engagement and demonstrate great potential to positively impact our community in the years to come. Jenna has been a relentless force behind the downtown revitalization. She has brought bold ideas to life and given her time and talents generously to grassroots business and creative collaborations for the benefit of our community.

2019 Pillar of the Community
**Seneca**

**Seneca was named the Springfield Area Chamber’s 2019 Pillar of the Community**. The Pillar of the Community is awarded to a business or organization that has made a long-standing impact, strongly values diversity and inclusion, and one that has had significant impacts on employment, innovation, stability and contribution to the community beyond their core business. Seneca has been an engine for community growth and a steward of our natural resources since 1954. A leader in their industry, they are known for their efforts in sustainability and innovation.

2019 Employer of the Year
**Mereté Hotel Management**

**Mereté Hotel Management was named the Springfield Area Chamber’s 2019 Employer of the Year**. The Employer of the Year is awarded to a business or organization that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to its employees. They show a dedication to provide professional development and advancement opportunities, have a focus on workplace culture and work/life balance, employee recognition, and exhibits a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Mereté Hotel Management embodies these values in both brand and culture. They make their employees feel valued, heard, and most importantly, happy. Their internal leadership program provides the opportunity, resources and experience necessary for their staff to move into management positions.

2019 Business of the Year
**Masaka Properties**

**Masaka Properties was named the Springfield Area Chamber’s 2019 Business of the Year**. This award is presented to an organization that has an exceptional year based upon an expansion or opening in Springfield or the surrounding area, a turnaround story, or a business that has and continues to make an impact in the community through leadership and giving. Masaka Properties has been in the center of the renaissance happening in Springfield. Their unique vision, bold ideas and faith in Springfield has resulted in the renovation of 9 commercial spaces as well as the creation of 14 living spaces downtown.

2019 Greeter of the Year
**Carmella Swinney**

**Carmella Swinney was named the Springfield Area Chamber’s 2019 Greeter of the Year**. Swinney was recognized for her years of service and dedication to the Springfield Greeters Committee, and for the fact that she so inspirationally embodies the commitment to selfless relationships that is the keel that drives truly good business and community.

Additional recognitions throughout the evening included a $5,000 award from the Chamber’s #WorkReady CTE fund to Springfield High School’s Medical Assistant Program, and $1595 to Springfield High School’s Business and Technology Pathway. Avril Watt of Johnson Crushers International, Inc. was awarded the 2019 Board Chairs Award by Nancy Bigley. Finally, Mikkelsen was acknowledged for several appointments – she will chair the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce this year, and was recognized in Mayor Lundberg’s state of the city address as the recipient of the Spirit of Springfield award in recognition for her leadership and dedication to Springfield.

Nearly $9000 was raised for the Chamber’s #WorkReady initiative, during the evening’s Dessert Dash, sponsored by Lane Community College.

The Springfield Chamber’s 70th Annual Banquet celebrated excellence and impact with positive energy and room full of joyful guests. We are already looking forward to next year’s banquet!