Local business and community leaders were recognized on Friday, June 26, at the annual awards ceremony hosted by the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce. The chamber awards committee, chaired by David Toyer, solicited nominations from the business community to determine the Business, Volunteer, Elected Official and Individual Business Leader of the Year. The prestigious Millikan-Howard Chairman's Award was also presented.

Chamber president Al Aldrich introduced each honoree, beginning with Karen Hume as Volunteer of the Year. Hume, whose volunteer efforts helped establish the chamber's associated Visitor Information Center, has also been actively involved with the Camp Fire program, the Snohomish Senior Center, Snohomish County Tourism Bureau, SnoGold 2010, last fall's Skate America event and Marysville's Strawberry Festival. Her extensive knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry was instrumental in developing a world-class visitor center at Quil Ceda Village, serving thousands of visitors each month.

In accepting the award, Hume said, "I found a home that allowed me to be part of an industry I love," noting that tourism is the fourth largest business sector in the state.

Snohomish County Councilman John Koster was recognized by the chamber as Elected Official of the Year. Citing his support of small businesses and rural landowners, Aldrich said Koster "strongly supports the expansion of commercial air service to Paine Field and locating a four-year university in north county," two legislative initiatives backed by the local business organization. He also commended Koster for his bi-monthly forums for business and government officials.

Richard Toyer of Toyer & Associates was named as Individual Business Leader of the Year. While building a successful accounting and financial firm, Toyer also made time for community involvement during his long and impressive career. He served as a city councilmember and mayor of the City of Lake Stevens for a combined fourteen years, and has been a valued member of the Snohomish County Energy Policy Task Force, Snohomish County Cities and Towns, HUD Policy Advisory Board, Snohomish County Transportation Authority, and the National Volunteers of America Audit Committee. Toyer also served as treasurer for numerous civic organizations, including the Everett Rotary Club, Volunteers of America, Everett Area Chamber of Commerce and the local chamber.

"Public service is a big part of my life," said Toyer. "I'm a big believer that you have to give back, volunteer, and be part of your community."

Accepting the Business of the Year award on behalf of the Marysville branch of HomeStreet Bank was Marilyn Boe, branch manager. HomeStreet Bank, which has operated in Marysville since 1999, has contributed "tens of thousands of dollars" toward scholarships, parks, low-income housing, children's activities and much more. Projects that benefited from the bank's leadership and backing include a skate board park, informational kiosks at Strawberry Fields and Ebey Waterfront Park, landscaping and signage at Asbery Field and the waterfront park, and concerts in Comeford Park.

As a company, HomeStreet Bank landed at the number three spot on the Puget Sound Business Journal's list of medium-sized philanthropic businesses in greater Puget Sound region, and the family-owned bank also earned the Healthy Community Corporate Champion Award by Puget Sound Business Journal and the Seattle Foundation.

Branch manager Marilyn Boe has been an active leader in the local chamber, serving as chair of the organization's Emissary Committee and donating her talents during the chamber's centennial celebration. She was also chosen as the grand marshall of the city's Merryfest Parade in 2008.

According to Boe, "Business success is directly tied to community success." To demonstrate the bank's ongoing commitment to the community, Boe and her colleague Kevin Hassan presented Jerry Gadek of the Salvation Army with a $2,000 check.

The major announcement of the morning was the presentation of the chamber's Millikan-Howard Chairman's Award to Cal Taylor. Named after the late Ian Millikan and Mike Howard, both of whom were instrumental in the chamber's evolution to an effective business representative organization in the early 1990s, the Chairman's Award honors an individual who has likewise been a transformative leader in the community.

Taylor, a Tulalip Tribal member, served on the tribes' Board of Directors during the negotiation of the tribal gaming compact with the state and helped open the state's first tribal casino and later the Tulalip Resort Casino. He also spearheaded efforts to gain recognition for Quil Ceda Village as a municipality, and was actively involved in the tribes' efforts to purchase back thousands of acres of tribal land.

Taylor served as chairman of the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce for two years, helping establish the relationship between the Tulalip Tribes and the Marysville business community.

In accepting the prestigious award, Taylor noted, "I have always believed in service to others. Whether in the military or in the community, that service is what matters."

The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce will launch a Buy Local initiative at its July Business Before Hours event, set for Friday, July 31, at the Tulalip Casino Resort. For more information about the chamber or the visitor information center, visit www.marysvilletulalipchamber.com or phone (360) 659-7700.