PORT ANGELES — Donya Alward’s behind-the-scenes assistance to nearly every Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce event garnered her the chamber’s 2010 Member Extraordinaire award.
Alward, director of sales and marketing for the Red Lion Hotel, works with the chamber on the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival, held in and around the hotel in October, as well as coordinating meeting room needs and meal and lodging packages for other chamber-related events.
Jim Hallett, the chamber’s 2010 president who continues in the post this year, selected Bill Hermann of Hermann Brothers Logging & Construction as recipient of the chamber’s 2010 President’s Award.
The annual awards were announced Monday at the weekly chamber luncheon attended by about 70 people at the Red Lion’s Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant.
The award to Alward caught her by surprise.
“I’m shocked and very, very flattered,” she said.
While her “family is the most important thing to me,” she added, “raising up this community is very important to me.
“That is why I put as much effort as I do.”
Said Russ Veenema, chamber executive director:
“She works with our members on a day-to-day basis and is a great example of someone who works behind the scenes and does not seek the limelight.
“No matter how busy or hectic her day is — the guest always comes first.”
Hallett said Hermann represented the kind of sustainable business that he admired.
“When I moved here in 1973, I was working for Motorola, and he was my first customer,” Hallett said.
“He continuously takes on additional work and responsibilities and turned a business around from struggling to successful.
“He continues to succeed despite what is going on around him.
“He is truly a part of the ‘Authentic Northwest.'”
The chamber recently adopted a new marketing slogan — “”Port Angeles: The Authentic Northwest.”
Hermann, who was surprised by the award (he was lured to the chamber lunch by a series of tricky e-mails), said the basis of his long-running business was his family and employees.
“The most important thing is that we have a really, really strong family,” he said.
“It is such a pleasure to have such a great support from my brothers and my kids.”
Employees praised
He said he considers his employees family as well.
“Our 115 employees are counted next to the family because really they are extended family,” he said. “Without them doing good jobs and making us proud, we wouldn’t be here today.”
Departing 2010 chamber board members were also recognized at Monday’s meeting.
Willie Nelson with All Points Charters & Tours, Mary Hunchberger with the Peninsula College Foundation and Helen Elwood with Allstate Insurance all were recognized for their time on the chamber board.
New board members
New board members beginning their terms this year included Alan Barnard with Windermere Real Estate; Ed Bedford as an at-large member; George Bergner, another at-large member; Heidi Smart with Susan Parr Travel; and Chris McKinney with Aramark lodging and dining services.
The January Business of the Month Award was given to Lyn Fauth, who owns Tiger Lily in downtown Port Angeles, for her renovation of the interior and exterior of her business.
The January Beautification Award was presented to Jaime Bautista, owner of Fiesta Jalisco, for the expansion and renovation of his Mexican restaurant.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
