Herald staff
The South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce will honor three local companies today at its 10th annual Business Excellence Awards luncheon.
Winners of this year’s business awards are CityBank, Paine Field and Wight’s Home and Garden in Lynnwood.
The event, which will take place at Ballinger Lakes Golf &Country Club in Mountlake Terrace, also will feature a keynote speech by Marion Butler of Premera Blue Cross. He is a vice president and chief marketing executive for the health insurer, which is based in Snohomish County.
In past years, the chamber has given an award to a small business, a moderately sized business and a large business in the area. This year, however, the awards committee eliminated the size divisions and focused more on the criteria for winners.
"What we are looking for are organizations that exemplify the chamber’s mission statement, which is advancing business for a better community," said Jean Hales, president and chief executive for the South Snohomish County chamber. "Those that won have good business practices, are good employers and are good community citizens."
CityBank, founded in 1974 and based in Lynnwood, has grown to a bank with more than $590 million in assets and branches in two counties. In the community, several of the bank’s officers serve on local boards, and many employees donate time and money to nonprofit organizations. The bank also donates approximately $100,000 a year to local groups, according to the chamber.
Paine Field, which employs about 50 people on its staff, has won numerous awards for its contribution to the county’s economy since its inception in the 1930s. Its employees are active volunteers in the area as well.
Wight’s, owned by James and Dorothy Anderson, is one of Lynnwood’s best-known businesses. Employing up to about 100 people during the peak seasons, the nursery and floral company donates money and merchandise and hosts several large fund-raisers every year to benefit nonprofit groups.
John Knutsen of Express Personnel, a former chamber chairman who started the awards program, will help present today’s honors, Hales said.
The luncheon program to recognize the winners will begin at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $20 each for members, or $25 for nonmembers. Call 425-774-0507, ext. 0 for more information or reservations.
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