Award Winners
The Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce recognizes members for exceptional service, talent and commitment. We can’t say enough about how much we appreciate everyone for all of their hard work and determination in helping us be the best we can be.
Rising Star Award – A Mount Vernon Chamber member that has been in business for less than three years
Legacy Award – Chamber Member for 10 years or more
Making A Difference Award – A Chamber member who has gone above and beyond to help the community and the Chamber
2023 Year-End Award Winners
Rising Star: Betsy Anorbe Real Estate
Making a Difference Award: Sylvia Alvarez, Triumph Teen Life Center
Business Person of the Year: Nikki Wegner, Chinook Enterprises
Business of the Year: Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County
Chairman Award: Mayor Jill Boudreau, City of Mount Vernon
Ambassador of the Year: Jaime Huss, Washington Federal
2022 Year-End Award Winners
Ambassador of the Year: Crystal King, NW Technology
Rising Star: Custom Cleaning Services Washington LLC
Making a Difference Award: Tammy Reim-Ledbetter, Alaska USA
Business Person of the Year: Flora Lucatero, Children of the Valley After School Program
Business of the Year: Peoples Bank
2022 Upbeat Award winners
April: David Lukov, Kern Funeral Home
March: Stevie Allen, Logan Creek
February: Tammy Reim-Ledbetter, Alaska USA
2021 Year-End Award Winners
2021 Upbeat Award Winners
November: Sophia Garcia, Children of the Valley
October: Craig Chambers, United Way of Skagit County
July: Morgan Curry, Skagit Gleaners
June: Cheryl Willis, Skagit Transit
May: Nichole Long, Helping Hands
April: Linda Tyler, Port of Skagit
March: Macklin Hamilton, Cascades Job Corps
February: Joel Pasek, SERVPRO of Skagit County
2020 Year-End Award Winners
Ambassador of the Year: Katelyn Huffman, Express Employment Professionals
Rising Star: Ali Vargas, A.V. Skin Spa
Making a Difference Award: Monica Craig, CPI Plumbing & Heating
Business Person of the Year: Viry Delgado, COA Mexican Eatery
Business of the Year: Tulip Town
2020 Upbeat Award Winners
February: Monica Craig, CPI Plumbing & Heating
June: Crystal King, NW Technology
July: Mandi Rothman, Northwest Youth Services
August: Katelyn Huffman, Express Employment Professionals
December: Shannon Henderson, SICBA
2019 Year-End Award Winners
Ambassador of the Year: Marla Chapa, Skagit Social
Chairman’s Award: Bob Hyde, Windermere Real Estate, Anacortes Properties
Rising Star: Christine Greenlaw, Indulge Bakery
Making a Difference Award: Debra Lancaster, United Way of Skagit County
Business of the Year: SaviBank
Business Person of the Year: Brian Ivie, Skagit Regional Health
2019 Upbeat Award Winners
January: Philip Prud’homme, United Way of Skagit County
February: Tim Schofield, US Bank
March: Carl Angell, Louis Auto Glass
May: Donnie Keltz, Wycoff Insurance
August: Liz Theaker, Camp Korey
October: Flora Perez-Lucatero, Children of the Valley
December: Lianna Neyens, Skagit/Island County Builders Association (SICBA)
2018 Year End Award Winners
Ambassador of the Year Award: Ector DeLeon, Tulip Valley Winery
Bernie Award: Rob Martin, Chinook Enterprises
Legacy Award: Ben Sousa, Craft Stove
Rising Star Award: Marla Chapa, Skagit Social
Making a Difference Award: Firehouse Subs
Chairman Award: Steve Brown, Group Benefits Northwest
2018 Upbeat Award Winners
January: Ector DeLeon, Tulip Valley Winery
February: Katey Von Hagel, Land Title & Escrow Company
April: Brittany Darby, WIN Home Inspection Mount Vernon
June: Dayna Wolf, Skagit Tradition Realty
July: Judy Williams, Chicago Title Company
August: Carol Harris, PrimeLending
October: Kara Ney, Peoples Bank
2017 Year End Award Winners
Ambassador of the Year Award: Susan Cooper, Preview Properties Skagit
Bernie Award: Rudy Kerkvliet, Skagit Valley Neighbors In Need Food Bank
Legacy Award: Louis Auto Glass – Carl Angell
Rising Star Award: Farmstrong Brewing Company
Making a Difference Award: Dr. Thomas A. Keegan, Skagit Valley College and Dr. Carl Bruner, Mount Vernon School District
2017 Upbeat Award Winners
February Renata Maybruck, Skagit Valley YMCA
March Mike Yeoman, KAPS Radio
April Teresa Pugh, Skagit Habitat for Humanity
May David Lukov, Hawthorne Funeral Home
June Amy Stroud, HomePlace Memory Care
July: Robin Davis, The Bridge at Mount Vernon
October: Jerry Shackette, Friendship House
2016 Year End Award Winners
Ambassador of the Year Award Carol Harris, PrimeLending
Bernie Award Bob Hyde, City of Mount Vernon
Legacy Award Donnie Keltz, Wycoff Insurance
Rising Star Award Tammy Reim-Ledbetter, Alaska USA
Making a Difference Award Tina Tate, Friendship House of Skagit County
2016 Upbeat Award Winners
January David Johnson, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
February Carl Bruner, Mount Vernon School District
April Ericka Savoy, Express Employment Professionals
May Jenny Daley, Ristretto Coffee & Wine Bar
June Rose Anderson, Anderson Podiatry
August Nicole Bauer, Mary Kay
September Brian Soneda, Mount Vernon City Library
November Summer Houlihan, Tri Dee Arts
2015 Year End Award Winners
Ambassador of the Year Award Silvia Reed, Bellingham Explorer
Chairman Award Steve Brown, Group Benefits
Bernie Award Marinus Rouw, Mount Vernon Chamber Volunteer
Legacy Award Deb Bundy, Skagit Publishing
Rising Star Award Amy Jacobs, House of Style Boutique & Salon
Making a Difference Award Jerry Shackette, Friendship House & Mount Vernon Farmers Market Board Member
2015 Upbeat Award Winners
January Kris Tully, SaviBank
February Ben Sousa, Craft Stove
March Annette Booth, Allstate Insurance
April Barry Harter, Central Payment
May Sally Johnson, Guardian Northwest Title & Escrow
July Tina Tate, Friendship House
August Karen Ray, Angel of the Winds Casino
September Kelly Schols, CPI Plumbing & Heating
October David Cope, SaviBank
2014 Year End Awards
The Legacy Award Speedy Automated Mailers / Gerry Ellen Sleeth
The Bernie Award Susan Cooper, Preview Properties Skagit
Making a Difference Award Bob Lama, PROforma
Rising Star Award Forte Chcolates / Karen Neugebauer
Ambassador of the Year Lisa Zehm, Business Support Services Northwest, LLC
Board Chair Bob Lama, PROforma
2014 Upbeat Award Winners
February Lisa Zehm, Business Support Services Northwest, LLC
March Nancy Thomas, Lickety Clips Grooming Salon & Pet Styling
April Susan Cooper, Preview Properties Skagit
May Rebecca Murray, Skagit Media Marketing
July Max Elam, New GRFX
August Chris Birk, CAS Creative Options, LLC
September Gerry Ellen Sleeth, Speedy Automated Mailers, Inc
October Lisa Knowles, Chinook Enterprises
2013 Year End Awards
The Legacy Award Mister T’s Awards & Embroidery / Dawn Latimer
The Bernie Award Bruce Thomson, Solid Project Services
Making a Difference Award Julie Speck, Junior Achievement
Rising Star Award Rely Local – Skagit / Tony Salas
Ambassador of the Year Kelly Kutchick, Whidbey Island Bank
Board Chair David Cope, Business Bank
2013 Upbeat Awards
January Sue Walden with Louis Auto Glass
February Mike Yeoman with KAPS 660 Radio
March Kristi Boyd with EDASC
April Ector DeLeon with Tulip Valley Winery
May Doug Faber with Mount Vernon Towing & Auto
July Alice Collingwood with Collingwood Communications
August Jenny O’Brien with Cascade Mall
September Cate Anderson with Skagit County Children’s Museum
October Rob Martin with Chinook Enterprises
2012 Year end Awards
The Legacy Award Mister T’s Awards & Embroidery / Dawn Latimer
The Bernie Award Paul Pickering / Max Dales Steak & Chop House
Making a Difference Award Ector DeLeon / Tulip Valley Winery
Rising Star Award Susan Trenary / HomeTown Values
Ambassador of the Year Paul Tinnon with Skagit Publishing
Board Chair April Axthelm with Axthelm Construction
2012 Upbeat Awards
January Stacie Zinn with EDASC
February Kymbr Self with Kimberly Self Therapeutic Massage
March Kayla Koopmans with Synergy Salon
April Sherry Ruderman with LegalShield
May Susan Trenary with Hometown Values Magazine
July Paul Tinnon with Skagit Publishing
August Kelly Kutchick with Whidbey Island Bank
September David Bricka with Country Meadow Village
October Billie Stormont with The Reed Advantage
2011 Year End Awards
The Legacy Award Skagit Valley Gardens / Gary Lorenz
The Bernie Award Mike Yeoman with KAPS Radio 660
Making a Difference Award Kimberly Self / Therapeutic Massage
Rising Star tulees / Katie Senff
Ambassador of the Year Julie Speck with Junior Achievement
Board Chair Paul Pickering with Max Dales Steak & Chop House
2011 Upbeat Awards
January Dave Becker with Dick’s Restaurant Supply
February Justin Sheridan with Conway Pub & Eatery
March Bill Orsborn with Car Care Clinic @ Gateway Trans
April Dave & Julie Kosteka with Ductvac Northwest
May Mike & Patt with Woods Sound Cedar Lumber
July Ector DeLeon with Tulip Valley Vineyard & Orchard
August Dawn Latimer with Mister T’s Awards & Embroidery
September Gerry Ellen with Sleeth Speedy Automated Mailers
October Kris Tully with Business Bank
2010 Year End Awards
The Legacy Award Chinook Enterprises / Rob Martin
The Bernie Award Tammi Wells with Skagit Valley Gardens
Making a Difference Award Mike Yeoman / KAPS Radio 660
Rising Star American Family Insurance / Paul Genest Agency
Ambassador of the Year Kimberly Self with Therapeutic Massage
Board Chair Mark Hulst with Dally’s Auto Body
2010 Upbeat Awards
January Ector DeLeon with Tulip Valley Vineyard & Orchard
February Rachel Porter with Balloon Splendor
March Catlyn Preston with Superior Graphic Design
April Kym Kelly with Cedar Creek Lumber
May Tammi Wells with Skagit Valley Gardens
July Ryan Schols with Dusty Planks
August Riley Scott with American Family Insurance
September Mark Lovell with Precision Collision
October Doug EldridgeBudget with Towing & Repair
December Matt & Cheryl Kaufman with Reverie BBQ
2009 Year End Awards
The Legacy Award Dally’s Auto Body / Mark Hulst
The Bernie Award Kim Bockenkamp with Best Western CottonTree Inn
Making a Difference Award Gary Lorenz & Tammi Wells / Skagit Valley Gardens
Rising Star Award Avenue Catering / Barbara Atterbury
Ambassador of the Year Tammi Wells with Skagit Valley Gardens
Board Chair Didi Hagman with Valley Cabinets Kitchens and More Inc.
2009 Upbeat Awards
January Adrian Santangelo with Computer Source
February Doug Faber with Mount Vernon Towing
March Julie Speck Junior Achievement
April Patt Woods with Sound Cedar Lumber & Outdoor
May Eric Lin with Skagit River Brewery
June Phil & Didi Hagman with Valley Cabinets, Kitchens & More
July Barbara Atterberry with Avenue Catering
August Billie Stormont with Express Employment Professionals
September Sandy Swartos with Steam Interactive
October Kimberly Self with Therapeutic Massage
December Marinus Rouw Tulip Festival President
2008 Year End Awards
The Legacy Award Max Dale’s Steak & Chop House / Paul Pickering
The Bernie Award Dr. John Jarolimek with Town & Country Chiropractic
Making a Difference Award Cheryl Kaufman / Reverie BBQ
Rising Star Liberty Tax Service / Larry & Tammy Custer
Board Chair Theresa Pugh with Synergy Salon & Day Spa
2008 Upbeat Award Winners
January Teresa Pugh with Synergy Salon
February John Jarolimek with Town & Country Chiropractic
March Sheran Blake with My Own Vintage
April Scott Sutton with Printwise
May Pete Vander Muelen with Diversint
June Keith Ridgeley with Mount Vernon Visitor Info Center
July Frank Tuzzolino with Geiger’s Custom Cleaning
August Dawn Latimer with Mister T’s Awards
September The Entire Ambassador Committee Mount Vernon Chamber
October Deb Bundy with Skagit Valley Herald
December April Axthelm with Axthelm Construction
2007 Year End Awards
The Legacy Award Piazza Construction / John Piazza
Making a Difference Award Chinook Enterprises / Rob Martin
Rising Star Backman Marketing / Donna Backman
Board Chair Carrie Case with Go Dig Corporation
2007 Upbeat Award Winners
January Ron Thayer with Steam Interactive
February Brett Ginther with Deception Pass Tours
March Carrie Case with Go Dig Corp
April Stephanie Hooper with Bayside Specialties
May Kay Robertson with Land Title
June Susan Cooper with Realty Executives Northwest
July Kirk Duffy with Hawthorne Funeral Home
August Mike Urban with Consumer Rentals
September Melissa Olson with Creative Celebrations
October Larry Hartford with Hartford Photography
December Allison Morelan with Relaxation Station
2006 Year End Award Winners
The Legacy Award KAPS Radio / Jerry Keane
The Bernie Award Tiffany Youngren with Youngren & Associates
Making a Difference Award Mr. T’s Awards & Embroidery / Dawn Latimer
Rising Star Relaxation Station / Allison Morelan
Ambassador of the Year Mike Yeoman with KAPS Radio
Board Chair Dr. Karen Westra with Riverside Health Club
2006 Upbeat Award Winners
January Mike Yeoman with KAPS Radio
February Tiffany Youngren with Youngren & Associates
March Joni Gordon with Villarorba Properties
April Didi Hagman with Valley Cabinets & More
May Craig Volkman with Bayshore Office Products
June Anthony Petz with Office Systems Northwest
July Shanden Templar with Best Western CottonTree Inn
August Leona Berg with Costco
September Mike Yeoman with KAPS Radio
2005 Year End Awards
Member of the Year Towner Press / Scott Sutton
Ambassador of the Year Linda Bishop with Express Personnel Services
The Bernie Award Dawn Latimer with Mister T’s Awards & Embroidery
Sponsor of the Year Key Bank
2005 Upbeat Award Winners
January Brian Backman with KAPS/KBRC Radio
February Mindy Otterstedt & Kym Kelly with Fidalgo Bay Coffee
March Beau McCallum with Emerald Bay Events
April Jill Ridel with Northcoast Credit Union
May Darrell & Stephanie Hooper with Bayside Specialties
June Linda Bishop with Express Personnel
July Miah Kawashima with North Cascade Eye Associates
August Scott Sutton with Towner Press
September Leona Berg with Costco
October Dawn Latimer with Mr T’s Awards & Engraving
2004 Year End Awards
Spirit of Excellence Donna Backman with Backman Marketing
Ambassador of the Year Paula Gordon with Business Pulse
The Bernie Award Teresa Knight with Dugh Synergy Salon
Sponsor of the Year Key Bank
2004 Upbeat Awards
January Mike Begley with Boomers Sewing & Vacuum
February George Feldman with Haggen
March Donna Backman with River City Screen Printing
April Claudine Joly with KAPS/KBRC Radio
May Susie Heller with Mount Vernon Chamber
June Shelley McGuire with UNICO
July Scott Sutton with Towner Press
August Mike Yeoman with KAPS Radio
September Sharon Swan with Express Personnel
October Dr. John Jarolimek with College Way Chiropractic
December Karen Ray Mills with Skagit Valley Herald