Chamber presents annual business awards
Published on Tue, Jun 8, 2010 by Beckye RandallRead More Business
The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce recognized the contributions of several key individuals and businesses with the 2010 Annual Business Leadership Awards, presented May 21 at the monthly Business Before Hours.
Jim Johnson received the chamber's Volunteer of the Year award in recognition of his work for the Marysville Food Bank, Hospice, the United Methodist Church, the Marysville School District and the Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to volunteering for weekly food pickup duties for the food bank, Johnson served on the Board of Directors for nearly five years. He has given his time and energies to Hospice for seven years, and was named the Hospice Volunteer of the Year in 2009.
A member of the Marysville United Methodist Church, Johnson and his wife Ardyce support the church's outreach missions and have traveled as far away as Africa to work for the church. He is also a long-time volunteer for the Marysville School District's ELL Pen Pal program.
Johnson is also an expert craftsman who designs tiny wooden pins in the shapes of angels, butterflies and crosses. He carries bags of them wherever he goes, and gives them out freely. His pins have helped raise money for missionary work, BoyScouts, religious retreats, and much more. On Monday afternoons, when Johnson volunteers at the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, visitors can expect to be offered a special wooden pin as a gift.
The chamber's Elected Official of the Year award was given to Stan Jones, a Tulalip tribal member who served for 44 years on the Tribes' Board of Directors before his recent retirement.
In presenting the award, the chamber credited Jones' "visionary leadership, wisdom, integrity, passion and sincere caring for the future of his people," which led to a strong economic base that supports not only the tribal community, but serves as an economic development catalyst for all of North Snohomish County.
The tribal leader's important role in restoring traditional cultural practices and observances was also noted. Jones helped resurrect the Tulalip Tribes' Salmon Ceremony and was a key participant in the historic Boldt decision regarding tribal access to the state's fishing harvest.
In representing the interests of Native Americans, and particularly the people of the Tulalip Tribes, Jones has met with national and international leaders, presidents and diplomats, throughout his long and illustrious career. The benefits of his work will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Marysville School District's superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland was chosen as Individual Business Leader of the Year by the chamber. Nyland's leadership has resulted in nationwide recognition for the district's innovative policies. He was named Washington State Superintendent of the Year in 2007 for guiding the district's work in literacy and improving student achievement while also establishing better relationships with employees and union leaders after a challenging teacher strike.
During his tenure at the district, Dr. Nyland has overseen construction of three high schools, a middle school and an elementary school. The district recently qualified for School Improvement Grants of more than $4.3 million, and won voter approval of an operations levy for critical needs.
The Business of the Year Award went to the Tulalip Resort Casino. The nomination noted that the resort casino "is a powerful draw for tourism, bringing people from all over the world to spend their dollars here. It has created jobs and career building opportunities for its employees, and built strong partnerships with community organizations."
The 4-diamond resort is the fourth largest private employer in Snohomish County, with over 2,320 employees and an impact exceeding $75 million. Casino revenue creates the millions of dollars in Tribal Community Impact funds that are distributed annually to area non-profits and service organizations.
The final award presentation for the year, the Millikan/Howard Leadership Award, went to David Toyer. Toyer served on the chamber's Board of Directors from 2004 to 2009, and chaired both the board and the chamber's Government Affairs committee.
According to the chamber nomination, Toyer "has given countless hours working to sustain economic development and business retention by being involved in business groups and activists in our communities, including the exploration of a NASCAR track, a new 4-year state polytechnic university and expansion of our local airport to include commercial air service. He has held board seats on the Master Builders Association, the Everett Community College Foundation, the Lake Stevens Education Foundation, the Washington Affordable Housing Council, the Snohomish County Housing and Homelessness Policy Oversight Advisory Board, and spent several years in the United Way Campaign Leadership Team."
Toyer currently lives in Webster City, Iowa, where he is an economic development consultant.
Jim Johnson received the chamber's Volunteer of the Year award in recognition of his work for the Marysville Food Bank, Hospice, the United Methodist Church, the Marysville School District and the Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to volunteering for weekly food pickup duties for the food bank, Johnson served on the Board of Directors for nearly five years. He has given his time and energies to Hospice for seven years, and was named the Hospice Volunteer of the Year in 2009.
A member of the Marysville United Methodist Church, Johnson and his wife Ardyce support the church's outreach missions and have traveled as far away as Africa to work for the church. He is also a long-time volunteer for the Marysville School District's ELL Pen Pal program.
Johnson is also an expert craftsman who designs tiny wooden pins in the shapes of angels, butterflies and crosses. He carries bags of them wherever he goes, and gives them out freely. His pins have helped raise money for missionary work, BoyScouts, religious retreats, and much more. On Monday afternoons, when Johnson volunteers at the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, visitors can expect to be offered a special wooden pin as a gift.
The chamber's Elected Official of the Year award was given to Stan Jones, a Tulalip tribal member who served for 44 years on the Tribes' Board of Directors before his recent retirement.
In presenting the award, the chamber credited Jones' "visionary leadership, wisdom, integrity, passion and sincere caring for the future of his people," which led to a strong economic base that supports not only the tribal community, but serves as an economic development catalyst for all of North Snohomish County.
The tribal leader's important role in restoring traditional cultural practices and observances was also noted. Jones helped resurrect the Tulalip Tribes' Salmon Ceremony and was a key participant in the historic Boldt decision regarding tribal access to the state's fishing harvest.
In representing the interests of Native Americans, and particularly the people of the Tulalip Tribes, Jones has met with national and international leaders, presidents and diplomats, throughout his long and illustrious career. The benefits of his work will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Marysville School District's superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland was chosen as Individual Business Leader of the Year by the chamber. Nyland's leadership has resulted in nationwide recognition for the district's innovative policies. He was named Washington State Superintendent of the Year in 2007 for guiding the district's work in literacy and improving student achievement while also establishing better relationships with employees and union leaders after a challenging teacher strike.
During his tenure at the district, Dr. Nyland has overseen construction of three high schools, a middle school and an elementary school. The district recently qualified for School Improvement Grants of more than $4.3 million, and won voter approval of an operations levy for critical needs.
The Business of the Year Award went to the Tulalip Resort Casino. The nomination noted that the resort casino "is a powerful draw for tourism, bringing people from all over the world to spend their dollars here. It has created jobs and career building opportunities for its employees, and built strong partnerships with community organizations."
The 4-diamond resort is the fourth largest private employer in Snohomish County, with over 2,320 employees and an impact exceeding $75 million. Casino revenue creates the millions of dollars in Tribal Community Impact funds that are distributed annually to area non-profits and service organizations.
The final award presentation for the year, the Millikan/Howard Leadership Award, went to David Toyer. Toyer served on the chamber's Board of Directors from 2004 to 2009, and chaired both the board and the chamber's Government Affairs committee.
According to the chamber nomination, Toyer "has given countless hours working to sustain economic development and business retention by being involved in business groups and activists in our communities, including the exploration of a NASCAR track, a new 4-year state polytechnic university and expansion of our local airport to include commercial air service. He has held board seats on the Master Builders Association, the Everett Community College Foundation, the Lake Stevens Education Foundation, the Washington Affordable Housing Council, the Snohomish County Housing and Homelessness Policy Oversight Advisory Board, and spent several years in the United Way Campaign Leadership Team."
Toyer currently lives in Webster City, Iowa, where he is an economic development consultant.
