Thursday night at their Grand Event at the Hilton Garden Inn, Discover Kalispell Chamber of Commerce celebrated it’s 120-years of service and recognized some of our area’s greatest contributors.
The Chamber’s highest award, the Flathead Legacy Award (formerly known as the Great Chief Award) went to Dan Dickman, a Flathead City-County Health Department nurse whose quarter-century of service is known to many. Dan visited Flathead Valley Schools providing health checks and gave shots to students. He also did home health visits for newborns, seniors and abused children. He is described as ” the ultimate volunteer and leader in our community for years and the finest human you could ever meet.”
The Businessperson of the Year is Glacier Bank President Mike Smith, whose leadership has positively influenced our local community both financially and socially.
This year’s Educator of the Year is Edgerton School Principal Jen Stein. Her staff says she challenges them to develop innovative solutions when situations arise.
The Business of the Year is Three Rivers Bank of Montana. Founded in 1974 with an initial investment of $600,000, the bank’s assets now top $315,500,000. The original charger document was typed by Almeda King in their family basement.
The Small-Medium Business of the Year is Mountain Physical Therapy and Fitness, noted for granting free access to their gym for veterans under supervision by the Vet Center and to FVCC students.
The Non-Profit of the Year is the Whitefish Community Foundation, whose support of the area’s non-profit organizations is unequaled. The Whitefish Community, through their Great Fish Community Challenge, raised just over $6.7-million for 80 non-profits in our area.
The Community Spirit of the Year was awarded to Sue Corrigan, in recognition of her continuing service to education. Sue is a retired teacher and now a member of the Kalispell School Board.
The Legacy Partner of the Year is Glacier Bank, for their leadership, financial support and commitment to the Chamber’s mission.
The Ambassador of the Year is Mark Freidline, the Executive Director of the Flathead Builders Association and previously Recreation Supervisor for the Kalispell Parks & Recreation Department.
Kalispell Chamber CEO Lorraine Clarno is our guest Monday at 7:20 on Glacier Banks Community Conversations on the KGEZ Good Morning Show.
