BACC release – All enjoyed a great evening this past Saturday at the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet—Together We Create Opportunity! Wonderful food, entertainment featuring the cast of Matilda the Musical from LTOB and a variety of awards and recognitions which truly make this a community celebration. Citizen of the year is an honor given to a member of our community who, by consistently giving of their time, energy and resources, has made Oregon’s Bay Area a better place to live. For 2022 that award was given to Pam Plummer. Pam is the definition of community service. She has served on the Boards of United Way and SCDC, the Bay Area Health District Finance committee and much much more. She is a former Chamber President who didn’t miss a beat in her involvement as she left the presidency. She was chair of an active Business Development committee and later chair of the Marketing and Communication team which developed a new website, expanded our social media presence and looked for other ways to connect to the membership. She stepped into the role of Chamber Treasurer to revamp and simplify our procedures. Pam is truly a leader in our community and a model for selfless service. The Business of the Year award is given to a business that has exhibited excellence in products and customer service; contributed time, manpower and resources to community improvement projects; and excelled in employee relations and training. This year’s honored business looks to maximize their positive effect on the community, their team and their families through a hygiene drive practice of dentistry that focuses on the patients they serve, they do that with an emphasis on the values of integrity, ambition, collaboration, kindness and positivity. Additionally, they strongly support their employees volunteer efforts in every aspect of community service. The 2022 award went to South Coast Family Dentistry, honoring their excellence in business and strong commitment to the community. Chamber Member of the Year is given to that member, who through their efforts, has carried us to a new level of community service and impact. In 2022 we recognized Steve Nye. In the Chamber he is one always willing to lead by doing. Steve was one of the team members that produced the successful Mother’s Day event in 2021. He took over the challenge of bringing the Chamber finances into its next form after the COVID financial challenges and staff changes, as Chamber Treasurer. Our member of the year has been actively leading a marketing team revival which includes a tiered sponsorships program this year. In his spare time, he is president of the North Bend Main Street program, which is working on the renaissance of downtown. Frontline Educators–Teachers were given the 2022 Community Award to honor a group which has stood in the forefront of our area’s response to our children’s needs during this pandemic over the last three years. They have provided solid educational support that varied from virtual to in person. They went that extra mile to aid children who were having problems learning in the new way. In this difficult environment they continuously focused on their students with a calm and steady demeanor, helping them maintain some form of their social connection. Teacher representatives from Coos Bay, North Bend, South Coast Education Service District and Southwestern Oregon Community College were brought to the stage. The Prefontaine Athletic Award went to Dominic Montiel, outstanding football player and scholar. The President’s Award is, most often, given to that individual who provided outstanding support to the President in making their year successful. For 2022 it was awarded to Timm Slater, Chamber Executive Director. He has been the constant face of the Chamber for almost 16 years, supporting and developing the new ideas and changes that each President and Board have undertaken. What a great evening! See you at next year’s Banquet on the last Saturday of January. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, professional business organization made up of the Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston communities. The Chamber works for a healthy economic climate of good jobs, more customers and efficient government. The Chamber’s strength lies in the number and diversity of its membership. With over 530 members strong representing every aspect of this area’s economy, we use their vast collective experiences and energy to make a positive difference in our community.
