Chamber presents community awards

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce recognized the region's top volunteers, employees and businesses at its 54rd Annual Community Awards Dinner, held Feb. 7, at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley. More than 240 community members attended the event, which honored individuals and companies for their positive impact during the year 2007.

"We look forward to hosting the Community Awards Dinner every year, when the region comes together to bestow accolades on those making a difference in our community," said Chamber Executive Director Steve Teshara of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. "It's one of our favorite events of the year."

The prestigious Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Randy Hill, of Tahoe Vista, for his work in securing bond monies for Tahoe Forest Hospital. Jim Porter, of the Porter Simon Law Firm, received the Distinguished Community Service Award. Small Business of the Year went to Kelly Brothers Painting, while Large Business of the Year recognized JMA Ventures (Homewood Mountain Resort and Alpine Meadows Resort). The Parson Family, of Granlibakken Resort, took home the Business Arts Supporter of the Year and the Resort at Squaw Creek received the Hospitality Award. Non Profit Organization of the Year went to the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation (celebrating its 10-year anniversary); Positive Environmental Impact Award recognized the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences. General Manager Tim Silva, of Northstar-at-Tahoe, was honored with the Organization Leadership Award.

A number of North Lake Tahoe employees were recognized by their respected companies with Outstanding Employee Service Awards, including Dave Thatcher, Alpine Meadows Resort; Lachlin Kinsella, Auerbach Engineering; Antonia Wollman; Granlibakken Resort; Rene Sifuentez, Homewood Mountain Resort; Tom Davis, Northstar-at-Tahoe; Steve George, Northstar-at-Tahoe; Tony Karwowski, Northstar-at-Tahoe; Garry Morgan, Northstar-at-Tahoe; Dave Paulson, Northstar-at-Tahoe; Grady Lamoreaux, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn; Lola Campbell, Resort at Squaw Creek; Gonzalo Ruiz, Resort at Squaw Creek; Beth Orsua, Resort at Squaw Creek; Lauren Shearer, Sierra Sun/Tahoe World; Sue Bennett, Squaw Valley Ski Corporation; Rusty Heckert, Squaw Valley Lodge; Michael Dowden, Tahoe City Marina; Lisa Adams, The Store...Copies & More; Cheyenne Sabad, Tahoe City Downtown Association; Laura Abbey Brown, Excellence in Education; Katie Graham, Workforce Housing Association of Truckee-Tahoe; Claudia Andersen, The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation; Ginger Charlton, Tahoe City Public Utility District; Jonas Tomlinson, Ferrari's Crown Resort; and Alma Vega, Ferrari's Crown Resort.

Chamber staff also recognized volunteers with the Volunteer Service Awards, including Chamber Ambassador Dana Tanner, North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce; Peter Bansen, Squaw Valley Institute; Community Volunteer Dick Morton; Community Volunteer Nileta Morton; John Bergman, North Tahoe Business Association; Jim Self, Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival; and Lynn Berardo, The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation.

The Placer Lake Tahoe Film Commission recognized two award recipients for their effort and support to film and media production on the North Shore. Those honored were Mary Westmoreland, of the United States Forest Service (Tahoe National Forest in Truckee, California), who was the recipient for Individual Support, and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association (NLTRA) recipient for Business Organization Support.

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce is operated under the umbrella of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, which also operates the Tahoe North Convention and Visitors Bureau and is a partner with the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau in the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative.

For details about the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, click to www.NorthLakeTahoeChamber.com.