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Annual City Awards - December 16, 2023 6-9pm - Award Nominees Announced
News Release through December 16, 2023
Contacts:James Cleavenger, City of Oakridge Administrator
cityadministrator@ci.oakridge.or.us | (503) 990-9368
Michelle Emmons, Oakridge Westfir Chamber of Commerce, President
president@oakridgechamber.com | (541) 913-4318
City of Oakridge & Oakridge Westfir Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Party & Awards Ceremony
Saturday, December 16, 2023 | Willamette Lanes Bowling Alley, 6-9PM
The Oakridge Westfir Chamber of Commerce is proud to present our first annual Business Leadership Awards as part of the City of Oakridge Annual Holiday Party & Awards Ceremony on Saturday, December 16th, 6-9pm at Willamette Lanes Bowling Alley, 47707 OR-58, Oakridge, OR 97463.
In addition to the 3 Business Leadership awards presented by the OW Chamber of Commerce, the City of Oakridge will be presenting 3 additional awards for Oakridge Citizen of the Year, City Employee of the Year, and Committee Member of the Year. All 6 awards will be presented at the ceremony on December 16th. According to Oakridge City Administrator James Cleavenger, “It is important to give recognition to the people in our community who have put forth so much effort to make our community a better place to live. It is my hope that these annual awards will become an annual tradition, in partnership with the Oakridge-Westfir Chamber of Commerce and RAIN Catalysts.”
The OW Chamber Business Leadership Awards are a community tribute to entrepreneurs, businesses and nonprofit organizations that contribute to the greater Oakridge and Westfir economic development efforts and quality of life for local citizens. The awards are community driven, and include both Chamber board nominees, as well as nominations that were provided by individual residents and business owners in the area. Winners were chosen by local community members, through an online voting survey with almost 100 respondents participating. “The OW Chamber proudly recognizes all of the businesses, nonprofits, and individual efforts that bring our community together and provide for equitable solutions and quality of life experiences that aid in economic development, access to essential services, and civic pride,” said Chamber President, Michelle Emmons.
“It is a privilege for me, as a RAIN Catalyst, to support the city of Oakridge and see the dedication and growth of the entrepreneur and business community. Oakridge is an integral part of the RAIN ecosystem,” said Melissa Prestinario of RAIN Catalysts.
In addition to award winners, the OW Chamber will also be recognizing all nominees in each awards category as follows (top three highlighted):
2023 New Business of the Year:
Sweetvine
Brock's Wood Lot
Cascade Art Works/Art Works
SoMetal
Campfire Restaurant
Bloomin’ Bowls
Happy Belly Burgers
Sacred Spiral Gift Shop
2023 Nonprofit Business of the Year:
Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative/South Willamette Solutions
Oakridge Food Bank - Bev McCulley
Oakridge Warming Center - Kathy Holston Nichols
WeRSharp - Norine “Tink” Marquardt Blankenship
Mountain Respite & Mission Safety Animal Rescue - Trudy Hammond
Oakridge Disc Golf Club - Jason Nehermer
Zero Clearance Theater – Loren Michaels
Westfir Oakridge Farmers Market
NICA - Eugene & Sue Cathcart
2023 Business Leader of the Year:
Vanessa Tharp - Vanessa Tharp Consulting
Jacqui Lomont & Wendy Dennis – Mane Street Coffiee
Todd Holly - Oakridge Tire Center
Toni Wassenburg - Casey’s RV Park, Artworks and First Friday ArtWalk
Harry Rumor & Mindy Dowell – Dowell’s Towing
Matt Burney – SoMetal
Barbara Council-Burney – Marbalous Art
Priscilla Davidson – Bigfoot Real Estate
John & Bree Crane – 3 Legged Crane
City of Oakridge 2023 Employee of the Year:
Clint Whitney – Public Works
Officer Valeri Miller – Police Department
Leah Brewer – City Hall Staff
Aric Higdon - Fire Department
City of Oakridge 2023 Citizen of the Year:
Lynda Kamerrer
Chelsi Corcoran-Rhule
Kathy Holston-Nichols
Eugene Cathcart
Bev McCulley
Loren Christopher Michaels
Rustie Ackland
City of Oakridge 2023 Committee Member of the Year:
Julia Yoder
Jason Nehmer
Kevin Gobelman
Lynda Kamerrer
Trudy Hammond
Cyma Lovell-Beers
