Publishing executive wins Fluke’s Community Service Award

Published 10:38 pm Monday, September 22, 2008

LYNNWOOD — Theresa Poalucci, a Bothell-area resident and co-owner of the Journal Newspaper Group, is this year’s recipient of the John M. Fluke Sr. Community Service Award.

“She is amazing. She’s everywhere, and she’s very effective,” said Jean Hales, president of the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, which presents the annual award on Oct. 8.

A resident of the Puget Sound area since 1973, Poalucci’s list of community service work is long and varied. Notably, she is ­president-elect of Lynnwood Rotary, chairwoman of the Mill Creek Festival and fundraising chairwoman for Fallen Heroes.

She also is on the board of the Edmonds Center for the Arts, the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, the Shoreline Arts Council and the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce. She also is president of the Northgate Chamber of Commerce and an active supporter of Clothes for Kids, Edmonds in Bloom, the Edmonds Arts Festival and the Business Development Center at the University of Washington’s Bothell campus.

That’s all in addition to her role as co-owner and publisher of the Journal newspapers, a chain of 13 community publications in Snohomish and King counties.

“I find that when I give of my time, I always get back more than I gave,” Poalucci said. “To be able to give is a privilege. I am lucky to have a staff and business partner that agree with this and assist me in so many ways, making it possible for me to be involved at the level that I am.”

Established in 1970, the Fluke award is named for the founder of Fluke Corp., the Everett-based electronics company. He also was well known for his community involvement.

This year’s small-business award from the chamber goes to Dale Terwedo and Terwedo Financial Services. A longtime community leader, Terwedo also has completed more than 90 piloting missions for Angel Flight West, which provides free transportation for medical patients and others with compelling needs.

The corporate business award goes to Jim Morino and Acura of Lynnwood. Last year’s individual recipient of the Fluke award, Morino is a longtime volunteer with the Boys &Girls Clubs of Snohomish County and is involved in a number of other community efforts and organizations.

Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.