PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has named its nominees for its three annual service awards, which will be announced at a brunch Jan. 25.
“This is my favorite event of the year,” said Teresa Verraes, the chamber’s executive director, on Monday.
“It’s a privilege and honor to celebrate the people who continue to strive for excellence both personally and professionally and are clearly dedicated to making Jefferson County an even better place to live.”
The brunch will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Fort Worden Commons.
Tickets are $42.39, including a service charge, and are available at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Leaders. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Three people were nominated in each of the three categories.
The Citizen of the Year Award is given annually to an outstanding volunteer, while the Business Leader Award recognizes a person who has contributed to the economic growth of the community and the Young Professional Award honors a person who has already made a mark at a young age and is expected to make a difference in the future, according to Amanda Funaro, who is winding up her term as chamber president.
Nominees
Nominated for 2014 Citizen of the Year are:
■ Debbi Steele, who is affiliated with the Centrum arts organization and the Jefferson County Community Foundation.
■ Ian Keith, a Port Townsend Library advisory board member and community volunteer.
■ Gee Heckscher, a member of the board of the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority.
Nominees for the Tim Caldwell Business Leader of the Year Award are:
■ Malcolm Dorn, entrepreneur and owner of Wallyworks Construction.
■ Susan Jacob-Humiston, general manager of Sport Townsend.
■ Heather Dudley-Nollette, Co-Lab co-founder.
The three nominees for Young Professional of the Year are:
■ Damian Wright, owner of Wright Away Delivery.
■ Wren Farris, Soak on the Sound owner.
■ Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear, who manages the ReCyclery.
“The nominees for the 2014 Business Leader of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Young Professional of the Year awards are a reflection of our community,” Verraes said.
“They encompass seasoned business owners, young entrepreneurs who are already making their mark in Jefferson County to lifelong volunteers that are a source of inspiration to those around them and a vital necessity to the causes they support.”
Last year’s winners were past Port Townsend Rotary President Bill James, Citizen of the Year; Finnriver Farm & Cidery co-owner Crystie Kisler, Business Leader of the Year; and YMCA Executive Director Erica Delma, Young Professional of the Year.
Some of the 2014 nominees are on this year’s list.
Keith and Tudhope-Locklear are nominated in the same categories, while Dudley-Nollette was a 2014 Citizen of the Year nominee.
The Citizen of the Year award has been given since 1949. The Business Leader of the Year began in 1998.
The newest award, for young professionals, is in its third year.
Nominations came from the public, while the winners will be selected by the chamber’s board of directors.
For more information, call 360-385-7869.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
