Annual Award Winners
Community Service Award
We honor a Chamber member (individual, business or organization) who makes contributions to the community a priority. They give their time and service back to Orcas Island in a way that benefits the community.
Our winners have included:
2010: Dr. David Shinstrom (Orcas Family Health Center)
2011: Janet Brownell (Orcas Island Education Foundation)
2012: Larry Shaw (Orcas Island Food Bank)
2013: Jason Linnes (Island Market)
2014: Hilary Canty (OICF)
2015: Margie Doyle
2016: Bruce & Christina Orchid (Red Rabbit Farm)
2017: Tony Ghazel, Scott Lancaster & Chris Sutton (Orcas School District Board Members)
2018: Chris Brems
2019: Orcas Island Senior Center Nonprofit
Environmental Excellence Award
This award recognizes a Chamber member (individual, business or organization) that utilizes environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices in its day-to-day operations. They go that extra step to make sure their operations are compatible with our beautiful environment.
Our winners have included:
2010: Charles Dalton (The Kitchen restaurant)
2011: Tom Averna (Deer Harbor Charters)
2012: John Steward (Maple Rock Farm)
2013: Joe Gaydos (SeaDoc Society)
2014: Orcas Food Coop
2015: Eclipse Charters
2016: Beach Haven Resort
2017: The Exchange/Orcas Recycling Services
2018: Rain Shadow Consulting, LLC
2019: Eco Cleaners
“Island Friendly Spirit” Award for Customer Service
We honor a Chamber member (individual, business or organization) who makes customer service and the ‘customer experience’ a priority. Good customer service is the lifeblood of any business; it is all about bringing customers back, and about sending them away happy. These nominees do all of this, and more. To visitors and fellow islanders, these Chamber members make commerce on Orcas Island a positive, memorable experience.
Our winners have included:
2011: Cindy Morgan (Nest)
2012: Sara Farish (Outlook Inn)
2013: Lisa & Paul Rios (Mijitas Kitchen)
2014: Michell & Doug Marshall (Office Cupboard)
2015: Brown Bear Baking & Orcas Village Store (tie)
2016: Clyde & April Duke (Random Howse)
2017: Orcas Island Market
2018: Regan Vaughn of Rosario Resort
2019: Jill Curtiss of Jillery
Business Innovation Award
Established in 2019, this award combines the best of the previous “Business Innovation & Creativity Award” and the “Business Marketing Award.” We honor a Chamber member (individual, business or organization) who took a chance on a new idea or concept in the marketplace. They realized that to stand out in today’s world a bit of marketing wizardry is needed. Whether it’s traditional media, new media, or something entirely unique, these nominees took action and brought attention to their business or organization in a noteworthy fashion.
Our winners have included:
2019: Marlace and Rick Hughes of Ray’s General Store & Pharmacy
President’s Public Service Award
Awarded at the discretion of the Board President. Our recipients have included:
2017: Rick Hughes, San Juan County Council Member
Previous Awards
Business Innovation & Creativity Award
Established in 2014, this award recognizes a Chamber member (individual, business or organization) who took a chance on a new idea or concept in the marketplace. They realized that the business climate changes and that “shaking it up” a little bit is good for business. These nominees will likely continue to surprise us in the future.
Our winners have included:
2014: Jared Lovejoy (Film Fest & The Barnacle)
2015: Buck Bay Shellfish Farm
2016: Doe Bay Resort & Retreat
2017: Orcasong Farm
2018: Fiona & Eddie Stone of Orcas Adventures
This award was folded into the Business Innovation Award in 2019
Business Marketing Award
Established in 2014, we honor a Chamber member (individual, business or organization) who realized that to stand out in today’s world a bit of marketing wizardry is needed. Whether it’s traditional media, new media, or something entirely unique, these nominees took action and brought attention to their business or organization in a noteworthy fashion.
Our winners have included:
2014: Orcas Island Film Festival
2015: Donna Laslo for SeaView Theatre
2016: Audra Lawlor (Girl Meets Dirt)
2017: Cole & Stephanie Sisson (Doe Bay Wine Company)
2018: Orcas Island Film Festival
This award was folded into the Business Innovation Award in 2019