Chamber honors area’s leaders

Published 9:00 pm Monday, December 6, 2004

EVERETT – Arlan Hatloe will be presented with the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce’s top honor Thursday for his many years of service to the organization and to the business community in general.

Hatloe, an Everett businessman and member of the City Council, will receive the chamber’s Henry M. Jackson Citizen of the Year award at the organization’s annual black tie gala in the Everett Events Center.

“Arlan has been a wise and effective voice for business within the Everett City Council, throughout the City of Everett and in the regional business community,” said Chamber President Louise Stanton-Masten. “As chairman of the Everett Area Chamber, he was instrumental in providing powerful strategic counsel that has benefited our entire region.”

Hatloe, who has served on the chamber board for seven years, has worked on a variety of important projects, from setting the organization’s legislative agenda to participating in foreign trade missions, Stanton-Masten said.

He has continued his support of business on the City Council in working on economic development and efforts such as a buy-local program.

“He’s always looking at the end game and being able to make the kind of change that has a positive result,” Stanton-Masten said. “He is very insightful, understands issues and is able to build partnerships in order to get things done.”

A number of others will also be honored at the gala, including Everett artist Bernie Webber, who will receive a special lifetime-achievement award.

Stanton-Masten called Webber a community treasure, noting that his body of work preserves the community’s life and history.

“There’s no recognition that can match the contribution he’s made to the Everett community and the fabric of our life here,” she said.

Webber has painted numerous Everett scenes over the years, and his murals decorate many public buildings. Stanten-Masten noted that Webber, who had designed the seal for Naval Station Everett, provided a special variation for its 10th anniversary that was used on commemorative coins.

“He’s got the biggest heart, and he’s always willing to take on a project that is of benefit to an organization,” she said of Webber.

Other honorees include:

Corporate Executive of the Year: Randy Lyman of Randy’s Ring and Pinion. A chamber board member, Lyman has led his company to tremendous growth in recent years. He is a graduate of the Snohomish County leadership program and is involved in a number of community programs.

Small Business Executive of the Year: Andy Hall of Botesch, Nash and Hall Architects. Hall designed the chamber’s new office space in the Everett Events Center. “Every day, we benefit from Andy’s good work,” Stanten-Masten said, adding he has led his company into becoming a top designer of medical facilities and schools.

Dick Stephens Community Caring Award: Todd Morrow of Community Transit. The late Dick Stephens was a chamber ambassador who started the organization’s Christmas giving program. Morrow is being honored for his lifelong commitment to charitable work in the community, Stanton-Masten said. Morrow is a founding board member of Housing Hope and is on the board of Leadership Snohomish County, a training program for the next generation of Community Leaders.

Service to Business: Former Snohomish County PUD Commissioner Cynthia First and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash. This award honors elected officials who demonstrate support for the business community. First is lauded for her work to keep electricity costs down during a difficult time of energy shortages and lawsuits. Larsen is described by Stanton-Masten as a tireless worker “on behalf of issues important to the entire region.”

Chairman’s Award: Sally Kortekaas of The Herald. “Sally is another one of these people who have this can-do kind of attitude,” Stanton-Masten said. “She chairs our business assistance division and is just one of these golden people who’s always willing to jump in and go the extra mile.”

President’s Award: Linda Johannes, Everett Mall manager. A board member since 1991, Johannes “is another one of those people who is always willing to help out and always has the best interest of the organization in the center of what she’s doing for us.” Stanton-Masten said Johannes also “has her finger on the pulse of the chamber’s finances.”

Employer of the Year: Naval Station Everett. “Even the civilian personnel tell us it’s a great place to work,” she said, praising its education and recreation programs.

Employee of the Year: Kristi Keene, Everett Mall marketing director. “She has a sense of humor that makes it fun to work at the mall,” Stanton-Masten said. She noted that the mall was honored by the International Council of Shopping Centers for community involvement and programs such as the “Community Reflects room” set up at the mall after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Ambassador of the Year: Stephanie Broome, Stargate Technologies. “She is one of those kinds of chamber volunteers that we could not do our work without,” Stanton-Masten said. “She always seems to have the time to participate in chamber programs and activities.”

Friend of the Chamber: Verizon Northwest. For the past two years, Verizon has made significant donations to improve the organization’s Web site. It also has allowed executive John Gustafson to serve on the board and has supported the organization’s reception for legislators, in which the group discusses its legislative agenda.

Northwest Women’s Business Center Woman Entrepreneur of the Year: Sue Closser of Sunrise Services. Closser was described as an innovative and caring supervisor who is a positive role model for women entrepreneurs through her business success and her contributions to the community. The business serves vulnerable populations, mental health organizations and people who are developmentally disabled.