Volume 30 • Number 3 • March 2005
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Businesses of the Year
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March 17 is an evening to celebrate business
An all-star lineup of Whatcom County business owners and more than 400 guests enjoying an evening celebrating local business can mean only one thing – it’s time for the 19th Whatcom County Business Person of the Year banquet,
What started as a single award in 1986 has evolved into four awards, great food and a chance to network and catch up with old friends. Tony Larson, publisher of Northwest Business Monthly, said he expects the March 17 banquet at the Best Western Lakeway Inn to continue its successful history.
“This is a night that is intended as a celebration of business in general,” Larson said. “It’s a chance to recognize businesspeople for the contributions they make in the business community, their impact on the economy and their generosity in the local community.”
While the scope of the banquet has changed over the years, the theme of honoring local businesses and businesspeople has not. In 1986, Don Haggen was named the first Business Person of the Year and, in 1989, the selection process was formalized and local sponsors helped host the first banquet.
Since that time a nominating committee has been formed each January, soliciting input about businesses that merit consideration and forming a list of finalists.
Once those lists are finalized the award winner is chosen by a specially selected advisory panel, which grades the finalists based on business accomplishment and community involvement. Only the advisory panel knows who will win the award before the banquet.
In addition to Business Person of the Year, the Small Business of the Year was added in 1990, recognizing businesses with fewer than 50 employees. In 1994, a Start-up Business of the Year category was added for businesses operating successfully for fewer than two years.
The final award is the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was first handed out to David Morse in 1990 and Harold Walton last year. Bob Diehl will receive the award this year for his dedication to his family’s business, Diehl Ford. Not only has Bob been a successful businessman while heading the third-oldest Ford Dealership in the world, he is also highly committed to the Whatcom County community. Among many other local agencies, Diehl volunteers and supports Big Brothers, Big Sisters; United Way; the YMCA; Toys for Tots and the Mount Baker Area Council.
Other nominees profiled in this special section include:
Business Person of the YearRud Browne, The Ryzex Group
Robin Halliday, Rivetek, Inc.
Doug Thomas, Bellingham Cold Storage
Small Business of the YearSecurity Solutions NW
Mount Baker Moto-Sports, LLC
Sea Sport Boats
Andgar Corporation
Parts Warehouse
Start-Up Business of the YearEmergency Reporting
Fitness Together
Unity HR
Sponsors, including Towner Press, Puget Sound Energy, Lakeway Inn, KGMI, People’s Bank and Larson Gross, are profiled in this section of the magazine. Larson said that without the generous donations of the sponsors the awards banquet would not be possible.
The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with a networking and social hour, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the award celebration at 8 p.m.
Tickets cost $45 for single tickets or $360 for a table of eight. Table sponsorship is available for $550. Tickets are sure to sell out. To make sure you reserve a seat or to receive information about the banquet contact Rhonda Saunders at Northwest Business Monthly,
(360) 671-3933
(360) 671-3933 x 14.
Come ready for a good time, good food and most importantly, come ready to celebrate Whatcom County’s businesses.
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