PORT ANGELES — John Fox received the Citizen of the Year Award on Saturday at the seventh annual Port Angeles Community Awards Gala at Field Arts & Events Hall, hosted by Shannon Cosgrove.
Fox, who was seriously injured in a November accident while volunteering for one of the many organizations he works with, received a standing ovation when his name was called.
He said he was “touched” by the recognition.
Citizen of the Year was one of six awards presented at the event, which is organized by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Winners and two finalists also were recognized for Organization of the Year, Young Leader of the Year, Business of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year and Educator of the Year.
Fox has been a longtime volunteer and supporter of community athletic events, particularly the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club. The extent of his contributions became especially clear after his accident, when others had to step in to fill roles he had quietly handled for years.
Tribal chair Frances Charles accepted the Organization of the Year Award on behalf of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. She highlighted the role of young people in the success of the Paddle to Elwha Tribal Canoe Journey hosted by the tribe last year.
The Young Leader of the Year Award went to Kayla Fairchild, the culinary program manager at the Port Angeles Food Bank. Fairchild oversees meal preparation programs that have produced tens of thousands of community meals. She also helped develop the Comfort Cafe as a revenue-generating project for the food bank.
Country Aire Natural Foods, which marked its 50th anniversary in 2025, was named Business of the Year. The award was accepted by General Manager Kyla Magner.
It was recognized as a longtime cornerstone of downtown Port Angeles, providing access to healthy, affordable food while supporting local producers.
The Emerging Business of the Year Award went to Mighty Pine Brewing, accepted by owners Amy and Doug Burghart. Opened just more than a year ago, the brewery was recognized for neighborhood investment and support of local nonprofits and small businesses, including partnerships with food trucks and a program that donates a portion of sales on designated days to local organizations.
Rick Ross, associate dean of athletics and student programs at Peninsula College, received the Educator of the Year award. Ross was honored for his long-standing commitment to students, both during and after their time at the college.
Ross, who has worked at the college for more than 30 years, is scheduled to retire in June.
The annual gala honors individuals and organizations whose work has made a lasting impact on the Port Angeles community.
The chamber received 125 nominations for this year’s awards.
A panel of eight judges met four times — twice the number it has taken in the past — to unanimously select the finalists and winners.
Judges are selected from representative sectors in the community. Anyone can nominate a person or business for an award; they aren’t required to be chamber members.
Judges for this year’s awards were: Tom Baermann, Pacific Office Equipment and a former business of the year recipient;Ken Frederickson, Olympic Electric; Sam Grello, Port Angeles Waterfront District; Cindy Kelly, former Port Angeles School District director; Marsha Massey, Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau; Jason Robinson, First Fed; Yara Vargas, Brix Marine; and Stacie Whitfield.
Sound Publishing, which publishes the Peninsula Daily News, the Sequim Gazette and the Forks Forum, sponsored the awards.
Category finalists and winners
Citizen of the Year
John Fox
Steve Hargis
Christine Loewe
Organization of the Year
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
Clallam County 4-H
Peninsula Trails Coalition
Young Leader of the Year
Kayla Fairchild
Easton Joslin
Anna Sanders
Business of the Year
Country Aire Natural Foods
Buena Luz Bakery
Onyx MVMNT Studio
Emerging Business of the Year
Mighty Pine Brewing
Angeles Rentals, Equipment & Supply
The Hub
Educator of the Year
Rick Ross
Rodger Johnson
Wendy Sampson
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
