Chamber announces 'Choice' nominees
SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the nominees for the second Chamber Choice Awards.
The awards, presented by Horizon Credit Union, recognize excellence in businesses and the community.
Nominees are:
Business of the Year — Bonner Community Food Center, Pend Oreille Arts Council, Sandpoint Furniture Carpet One, Northwest Handmade, Sharon’s Hallmark, LaQuinta, Community Cancer Services, Quest Aircraft Company and Perfection Tire
Volunteer of the Year — Tricia Sullivan, Tawnie Sleep, Shane Parsons, Lisa Ailport, Doug Lynch, Judy Thompson, Chris Bassett and Kristan Peacock.
Nonprofit of the Year — Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity, Wishing Star, Bonner County Fairgrounds, Bonner General Hospital, Community Action Partnerships, and Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.
Green Award — Advanced Ice Melt Solutions, Six Rivers Market, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Coldwater Creek, and Pend d’Oreille Winery.
Employee of the Year — Carolyn Inge, Bonner County Daily Bee; Colleen Spickelmire, Panhandle State Bank; and Maddie Imeson, The Lodge at Sandpoint
Employer of the Year — Horizon Credit Union, Pend Oreille Insurance, and Williams & Parsons CPAs.
Rookie of the Year — Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters, STCU, Catie’s Uniform Shoppe, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Business Management Services, LLC, Days Inn, and 41 South/Trinity at City Beach.
Innovation in Education — Bill Jhung, Idaho Small Business Development Center; Cynthia Nielsen, Carden Academy; Dick Cvitanich, Lake Pend Oreille School District; Mindy Cameron; Colleen Ross, Lake Pend Oreille High School; and Mona Stafford, Lake Pend Oreille High School.
Tourism Partner of the Year — Keokee Creative, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Linda Mitchell, Lake Pend Oreille Cruises; and Big Leap Creative
Citizen of the Year — Jim Lippi, Ivano’s; Allen McClelland, Washington Trust Bank; Colleen Spickelmire, Panhandle State Bank; Douglas W. Lynch, Advocate Insurance; David Keyes, Bonner County Daily Bee; and Michael Boge, Sandpoint City Council.
Young Professional of the Year — Jacob Styer, Coldwater Creek; Michelle Anderson, Pend Oreille Health Care; Kevin Estes, Coldwater Creek; Alana Hatcher, Coldwater Creek; Stephen Snedden, Sandpoint City Council; and John Reuter, Sandpoint City Council.
More than 550 members of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce will vote on these awards. The winners will be announced at the Chamber Choice Awards on Friday, Jan. 29, at the Sandpoint Business & Event Center.
The event is an Oscar-style awards ceremony honoring businesses and individuals who are involved, innovative, and inspirational and represent the “best of” in the greater Sandpoint area.
Sponsoring the event is STCU, Williams and Parsons, 95.3 KPND, Panhandle State Bank, and the Bonner County Daily Bee.
For tickets and information, visit www.SandpointChamber.com or call 263-2161.