LYNNWOOD — As a large employer and strong force among community organizations, Jim Morino has made his mark in south Snohomish County.
The owner of Acura of Lynnwood and an active volunteer for a variety of groups is this year’s recipient of the John M. Fluke Sr. Community Service Award.
“He’s always been one to say, ‘What can I do to help.’ when there’s a need in the community,” said Jean Hales, president of the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, which will present the annual award next week. “He just gets in there and helps make a difference.”
Raised in Alaska, Morino and his wife of 31 years, Kathie, now live in Edmonds and have an 8-year-old son.
The Morinos moved here from Anchorage 20 years ago to open the Acura dealership. At the time, Jim Morino and his business partners owned three dealerships in Alaska and one in Fife. Acura of Lynnwood opened its doors in the fall of 1987.
The business now employs about 80 people, said general manager Brent Preuss, who’s worked for the dealership since it started.
“He’s the reason I’m here and won’t go anywhere else,” Preuss said. “He’s an amazing guy.”
In addition to running his business, Morino has served nine years on the board of directors for the Boys &Girls Clubs of Snohomish County. Bill Tsoukalas, the organization’s executive director, said Morino’s “business perspective and financial support were instrumental” in the clubs’ achieving their goals.
“He’s just a good guy. His heart’s in the right place,” Tsoukalas said.
Morino also has served as president for the Rotary Club of Lynnwood the past year, a job he did with great capability, Hales said.
Morino said being involved in the community is something that comes naturally.
“I help and give because that’s how I was raised, and now we have the opportunity to give back to our community,” he said.
Established in 1970, the Fluke award was named for John Fluke Sr., the founder of Fluke Corp., the Everett-based electronics company. His community involvement was legendary.
In addition to the Fluke award, the chamber every year honors businesses and nonprofits with the KeyBank Business Excellence Awards. This year’s recipients of those awards were: Columbia Funding Mortgage in Mill Creek; Junior Achievement of Washington; Lowe’s Home Improvement in Lynnwood and Mill Creek; Providence Everett Medical Center; and BETS Consulting of Mill Creek.
Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.
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