Celebrate Corvallis 2023 is brought to you by our title sponsors
NOMINEE INFORMATION
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Central Willamette Credit Union
Servpro of Benton & Linn County
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Bobbi Quitoriano – Corvallis Labor Max Staffing
In January 2022 Bobbi opened Corvallis LaborMax Staffing Agency. The goal was to help local businesses find the right employees for their open positions. We realized to truly make change we needed to change how we found and managed businesses to earn trust in our abilities. Bobbi was working full time towards completion of her degree in Psychology. She wasn't wanting to take on a job. Family always wins. Bobbi jumped right in to the Corvallis Community. She brought her strengths of looking at the world a little differently then most. Her professional & personal life experience helps her to relate with others to develop and foster real relationships. She became a member of the Chamber. began meeting business owners. Going to non profits like Jackson House, OCI, and even meeting the local probation officers. Asking questions and finding ways she could personally help. Due to the focus of LaborMax and her passion to speak to anyone about it, she was asked to join a State Funded programs, Uniting Oregon. Working to build a plan to help bring jobs back to our rural Oregon communities. She is now invited to join Corvallis School Foundation to help bring her educational expertise with children and poverty with mental health concerns. Her true professional attributes and energy has shown many Large and small companies from Albany to Medford that LaborMax Staffing in Corvallis is working to build new relationships between companies and prospective local skilled employees to make a better Oregon!
Dr. Sheena Christensen – Hello Vet
Business person of the year may be an unexpected nomination for a veterinarian turned business person. I did not attend business school or get a degree in marketing. I graduated from undergrad with a B.S. in Animal Ecology in 2007 and then from Iowa State University College of Veterinary medicine in 2011.
I remember an early employer of mine asking me if I had any interest in becoming a clinic owner, and at the time I had honestly not even considered it. 10 years later it turns out I absolutely love business and love being able to participate in my industry, not only as a doctor, but as an entrepreneur that is impacting the direction our industry shifts.
As a veterinarian turned business person, I have committed a lot of my time to learning. I use any spare time I can carve out to learn about business and marketing. That's why the question, which we get often, of 'is Hello Vet a franchise' makes me smile. While I want the whole world to know we are a Corvallis based start up, I also love to know that my branding and design can be mistaken for the work of formally trained corporate teams and not that of a veterinarian.
I opened Hello Vet as a start-up company in 2021. The entire brand, concept of our client experience and workplace culture were designed at my kitchen table. I even designed the floor plan because I wanted to ensure Hello Vet was truly a different experience than what people were used to in veterinary medicine. As most small businesses can relate to, I am currently our CEO, our CFO, and our CMO. I do all of our marketing, stay hands on with my employees to help with career development, and still do surgery on Wednesdays.
Jesse Freeby – Corvallis Custom
JB is the type of person who selflessly gives to his friends, community, and employees without ever asking for credit or recognition. He is one of the most brilliant people I know, yet still has incredible patience and humility. He is super deserving of this award!
Kim Nichols – Knight Financial Loans
Kim is a tremendous human being. Anyone who has had the opportunity to meet Kim, and interact with this woman, would instantly feel her incredible energy and zest for life. She brings a conviction and commitment to everything she endeavors to accomplish, and she does it with an amazing grace and sense of compassion. From a business perspective, we are so fortunate to have her on our team, she has elevated our performance and production to new heights since joining our crew March 10th, 2020. From a personal perspective, we have become so much more than business colleagues. It is a privilege to call this woman one of my very best friends...the level of respect I have for her is so humbling. She cares deeply about anyone in her circle, yes, but she extends her warm heart to any stranger she meets, thinking about everything and everyone far before she considers her own needs and desires. She is truly that amazing soul that is so rare in this life we live. A heart of gold coupled with a toughness that would dominate most in the trenches, I'd take this woman to war with me any day. If there is a more deserving individual for Business Person of the Year, I'd like to meet them. Kim should really be on the docket for Human Being of a Lifetime! It is with sincere humility, love, & respect that I submit this inspiring, gritty, & magnanimous woman for this recognition. She is so deserving. Thank you.
Kourtni Rader – Seoul Sisters
In 2022, Kourtni stepped up as a leader among downtown businesses to help fill some of the gap left when the DCA dissolved. Additionally, she opened a second downtown store and grew her employee base by 500%.
Pegge McGuire – Community Services Consortium
Pegge McGuire is the Executive Director of Community Services Consortium (CSC), the community action agency serving Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties for 43 years. She has been dedicated to serving and uplifting Oregon residents and communities for decades, having previously worked for Fair Housing Council of Oregon and Oregon Housing and Community Services.
When Pegge first started at CSC, she was the Deputy Director. Developing and overseeing many programs and millions of funding dollars to help improve the lives of local community members. At the start of the pandemic, her predecessor unexpectedly went on medical leave and had to retire early, in the midst of a time of growth and high demand on the agency. Pegge rose the call without hesitation, not only taking over as Executive Director, but continued fulfilling the needs and duties of the Deputy with too little time and capacity to replace the position. She is welcoming a new Deputy this month, after bravely leading the organization on her own during some of it's most challenging and exciting years.
Michele Mincinski – Gillott Home Team
Michele Mincinski has been serving Benton County residents with their real estate needs for over 16 years. She is a Board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis and Corvallis Chamber of Commerce and Board member for the CHS Booster Club. She has a passion for serving her community. Michele also has a strong desire to support local businesses through being a Corvallis Chamber Ambassador. She believes in supporting community business first knowing giving and receiving is a full circle. Michele has two wonderful daughters who have been lucky enough to be raised in such an amazing community. Started the 1st and 2nd annual Spartan Scramble Golf Tournament and fundraiser for CHS booster Club. Corvallis Wine Walk Organizer.
Rachel Kohler – Majestic Theater
Rachel is the education coordinator for the Majestic Theatre. She also directs many shows and programmes for the theatre every year. Rachel is a kindhearted, fun, and spirited person who does her best to help people feel included and valued. Her contributions to the theatre - and to the community at large (in partial through her work at the Universal Universalists church) makes her one of the most dynamite people present in Corvallis.
PATRON OF THE ARTS
Louise-Annette Burgess - Maxtivity
Wow! What an honor to even be considered for Patron of the Arts. When I first moved to Corvallis to go to Oregon State University – two things struck me – one was the Corvallis Fall Festival that I attended that first autumn and the three historic movie theatres contributing to the vitality of our beautiful downtown. One of the theatres, The Majestic, was being used for live acts. I immediately started volunteering at the Majestic Theatre with their resident troupe, Corvallis Community Theatre. I served as a member of the Executive Board for CCT, as Secretary for about 3 years as well as acting, directing, and publicizing plays both in Corvallis. Later as it expanded programming, I had the opportunity to teach theatre classes at The Majestic in their space and at local schools as an Artist in Residence. On my own, I taught acting, character development, and stagecraft principles to individuals and groups (pre-K to adult). I worked my way through college at both The State Theatre and The Whiteside. After getting my start at KBVR TV and Radio Station, I’ve done voice-over work and been in commercials and voluntarily taught those skills to others in our community. I’m most proud of my work as a founding member of the Whiteside Theatre Foundation and serving as Board Chair from 2008 – 2011, then on the Executive Board, then House Manager and Licensing Liaison for many years. Currently, I am the Executive Director of Maxtivity, the happiest place on the planet – where we MAXimize creaTIVITY, and believe in breaking down barriers to access to creative experiences for all. I still attend the Fall Festival, events at The Arts Center, The Majestic and Whiteside, and continue to champion and donate to causes that allow access to the arts for all. Thank you!
Mickey Bernhardt – Corvallis/OSU Piano International
I joined the board of Corvallis-OSU Piano International in 2018, chairing both the Publicity and Hospitality committees. In 2020 I stepped into the role of President. I am blessed to be a part of this outstanding organization and board. all dedicated to advancing the culture of piano and presenting world class music to our community with affordability. Last Saturday we presented a free family concert at the Corvallis Public Library that was attended by a capacity crowd of both adults and children. There will be another free event at the library February 11. During the pandemic, with the cancellation of our Steinway Series concerts at LaSells Stewart Center, we presented a virtual music series with world class artists through our website free of charge. That summer, we were able to team with Lumos Winery to bring live music back to those who had been isolated indoors during the lockdown, which we have now repeated every summer since. I feel honored to have been nominated but no one, including myself, could not have accomplished all this on our own. It happened with the hard work and dedication of all of our wonderful board members working as a team.
Adrienne Fritze - Conundrum House
I am nominating Adrienne Fritz and Conundrum House because of how supportive she and the business are of the local arts and artists. Conundrum House created an art heist mystery as a fundraiser for Maxtivity (a non-profit dedicated to creativity in Philomath), which included a silent auction for art created by locals. This fundraiser raised beyond Maxtivity's goal. Adrienne is an active artist member of CAW (Corvallis Art Walk) and on the board of The Art Center. One room of Conundrum House is dedicated to displaying local artists for the CAW. Adrienne is coordinating with Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and CAW to create a new community event, 3rd Thursdays. Conundrum House participated in and sponsored literary & art-related OSU events.
Trey Phillips – Trey Phillips Fine Art
I am nominating Trey Phillips as he is a phenomenal painter. His passion for this community and how he celebrates the beauty around through his paintings is fantastic. He is so talented and as a recently retired appraiser, he is finally getting to express his appreciation for Corvallis and various areas of Oregon through his artwork.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Laura Lee Davis Mussen – Rejuvenation by Blackstone
Maureen Nikaido – Moku Chocolate
Craig McPherson – CnC Woodcutters
Taylor Young – Social Battery
Adrienne Fritze – Conundrum House
NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR
Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center
Grace Center for Adult Day Services
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
JUNIOR FIRST CITIZEN
Sami Al-Abdrabbuh
Sami has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Corvallis School Board, Corvallis Multicultural Center, Corvallis Public Schools Foundation, The ‘Color Caucus’ of Oregon school board members, Oregon School Board Association, National School Board Association, Oregon’s Fair Dismissal’s Appeal Board, Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s Steering Committee, Oregon State University Leadership Council for Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice.
Manju Bangalore
Manju has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Operation Period, Miss Universe Organization (current Miss Oregon), Community Organizer (Sexual Assault Prevention, LGBTQ+ rights, Racial Justice, Black Lives Matter protests, #MeToo and March For Our Lives marches.)
Miriam Cummins
Miriam has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Imagine Corvallis Action Network (ICAN), Community Services Consortium (CSC) Community Action Advisory Council, Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, Human Relations Commission (City of Albany), Linn-Benton & Lincoln ESD, Oregon School Board Association, and Western Regional Educator Network.
Jason J. Dorsette
Jason has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Linn-Benton NAACP, Community Services Consortium Advisory Board, Regional Racial Equity Group Leaders, Co-Founder of SoulForce Education, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Founding Board Member Alpha Community Education Initiative, and Oregon State University College of Education Advisory Board.
Jes Walker-Wyse
Jes has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis, Benton County Habitat for Humanity, Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, Field Director for the Miss America Organization, City of Oak Harbor Planning Commission, Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, and Boys Scouts of America.
Nancy Wyse
Nancy has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Corvallis City Council Councilor, 2020 Census Complete Count Committee, Local Political Action Committees (Citizens for a Better Justice System, Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Benton County, Citizens for 9-1-1, Friends of Corvallis, Yes for a Better Corvallis), Benton County Planning Commission, Benton County Budget Committee, NAACP, League of Women Voters, and New Year’s Day Walk for Peace.
Andrew Wolf
Andrew has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, Heartland Humane Society, Linn-Benton Rugby Football Club, Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, Soroptimist Corvallis, and Corvallis Pride.
FIRST CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Jeff Davis
Jeff has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis, Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, Early Learning Hub of Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties, Benton County Human Services Committee, Benton County Youth Mental Health Coalition, Boys and Girls Club, Corvallis Arts Walk, Leadership Corvallis, NAACP, Oregon Disabilities Commission, Oregon Community Education Association, Linn-Benton PFLAG, Downtown Corvallis Association, and daVinci Days.
Chris Quaka
Chris has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Leadership Corvallis, Rotary Club of Corvallis After 5, Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis, Pastega Christmas Light Display, City of Corvallis ICAN Board (2040 Vision Committee), annual charity Auction Director at Jefferson (now known as Katherine Jones Harrison) Elementary School, Oregon Disaster Funders Network, and AmeriCorps.
Alan Underkofler
Alan has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis, American Red Cross, Heartland Humane Society, Benton County Emergency Response Team (CERT), Benton County Search and Rescue, San Diego Rotary, San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and Poway Chamber of Commerce.
SENIOR FIRST CITIZEN
Sue Borden
Sue has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Corvallis Community Band, The Oregon State University Retirement Association, Corvallis Lions Club, Corvallis-OSU Music Association, Corvallis-OSU Symphony Society, Benton County Cultural Coalition, Corvallis Chapter of P.E.O., American Association of University Women, Willamette Council of Camp Fire, Corvallis School District, and Chintimini Garden Club.
Frank Heresco
Frank has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis, Corvallis Public Schools Foundation, Pastega Christmas Lights Display, and Calvary Chapel of Corvallis. He has also been involved in the national advancement of the Chiropractic profession.
Mike Huntington
Mike has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Medishare Project, Benton County Medical Association, Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates, Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, Oregon Radiation Society, Health Care for all Oregon, Physicians for a National Health Program – Oregon Chapter, One Payer States, League of Women Voters – Corvallis Chapter, NAACP Benton-Linn Chapter, First Congregational Church, and Hilltop Big Band.
John Marchel
John has been involved as either a Board/Executive Committee member or participant with the following organizations: Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV), Men’s Coalition to End Violence (off shoot of CARDV), Corvallis Kiwanis Sunrisers, Jackson Street Youth Services, Philomath Food Bank, and Maxtivity in Philomath.
FUTURE FIRST CITIZEN
Charlotte Hathaway - Crescent Valley HS
Charlotte is President of the National Honors Society, President/Founder of Student Advocates for Mental Health (SAM Club), Youth Ambassador to Jackson Street Youth Services, and Social Media Coordinator to CVHS Core Council. She has contributed her time to the Benton County Suicide Prevention Task Force, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Vina Moses Center, and Oregon Ambassadors of Music.
Yahaira Suarez - Crescent Valley HS
Yahaira is an officer in the National Honor Society as well as in Students Advocating for Equity. She has contributed her time as a school link leader and peer tutor. In the community, Yahaira has volunteered her time for the Corvallis Half Marathon, National Association of Letter Carriers canned food drive, Albany Historic Carousel as an operator assistant, and planting strawberries near Bald Hill.
Ava Betts - Corvallis HS
Ava is President of the Green Club and is a member of the Key Club. She has contributed her time promoting and participating in walk/bike to school days, recycled clothing swaps, Corvallis Planet Palooza and gardening. Ava participated on the cross country running and cross country ski teams. She helped the CHS girls’ team win the 2019 & 2021 5A cross county OSAA state championship.
Sofia Isaias-Day Corvallis HS
Sofia was Co-President of the Junior Class and is a member of the Key Club. She has contributed her time to the Green Club, Corvallis Planet Palooza, recycled clothing swaps, recycled book swaps, Corvallis Arts Center, Corvallis Parks and Recreation, Winter Smiles campaign, Beit Am Synagogue, and Jews of Color youth group. Sofia has participated on the tennis team playing on the number two doubles team.
Our Sponsors
LIST OF 2022 WINNERS
