The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new Director of Administration, Kim Hillhouse.  Kim has over 25 years experience working as a highly productive Administrator with extensive experience providing organized, prompt and accurate support to decision-makers across departments and industries.  Her background includes serving as Office Manager for a financial group, where she oversaw startup office operations and built a strong sustainable administrative team. She oversaw asset management, data management, and office design for several startup companies. She also served as primary liaison between two major facilities at Boeing where she provided meticulous technical support for the launch of companywide computer and database implementations. She has been a credit manager for a land and sea communications manufacturer where she developed and implemented credit and collection policies/procedures. 

 "Kim has big shoes to fill, but the scope of her background combined with her tangible talent and skills promises a bright future for our organization and assures us that we will continue to be cutting edge in service and support delivery to our members and the business communities we serve," states Caldie Rogers.

Kim was born and raised in Marysville as well as raising her children here.  Kim recently sold her highly successful business, The Sun Factory, which she opened and operated in Marysville.  During her five plus years of business, she was an Emissary for Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, she helped sponsor many local events such as The Strawberry Festival and Concerts in the Park.  She also donated to many local fundraisers, little leagues, dance competitions and promoted and collected food for the Marysville Food Bank. Kim has very strong ties to Marysville and is committed to the betterment of the community.

Please feel free to send Kim an introduction e-mail, kim@marysvilletulalipchamber.com

Kimberlie Ritchey, who has been the Director of Administration for the Chamber for almost seven years, will be relocating with her family to Idaho.  "It has been a great privilege serving the Chamber, the Marysville & Tulalip communities, and especially working with Caldie Rogers, who has been an inspirational leader in all the many roles she has led the Chamber through."

"Kimberlie Ritchey is leaving in her wake a tremendous legacy of accomplishment and service on behalf of our members and the business communities that we serve.  During her seven years she moved our internal operations into the computerized 21st Century.  From state of art integrated computer systems and programs, to development of our web site that now leads world search engines, her talent and can do spirit consistently implemented all of our visions into today's realities," sums up Chamber President Caldie Rogers.  "Kimberlie's love, patience and care of our staff, Board and especially our members has earned us a new reputation in the county ... The high touch chamber. We cannot thank her enough and wish her well on this next chapter of her life."

The Chamber invites members to drop by and meet Kim Hillhouse, and say goodbye to Kimberlie Ritchey, on Friday, August 27, from 12pm - 3pm.

 
The Chamber's annual Leadership Awards program celebrates businesses or individuals who best represent the qualities described below for each category. 

  Volunteer of the Year - Jim Johnson
 
This award recognizes a member or volunteer of the Chamber who has made a substantial contribution of time, talent, skill & dedication that provides us a formal benchmark of criteria to the Chamber and the greater Marysville Tulalip communities, and which by their nature enhances the quality of life of the communities we serve.
 
Jim Johnson has been a faithful and active community supporter since he moved to this area in 1997 after retiring as a school guidance counselor.  His retired life makes most working people's daily routines seem relaxed.
 
Every Monday he is at the Marysville Food Bank at 7am, making trips to various grocery stores to pick up & deliver food donations.  For approximately 4-5 years he also served on the Food Bank Board of Directors, until they were finally able to open a new facility in 2009.
 
He has been volunteering for Hospice for seven years now, and has been such a helpful, caring and compassionate end-of-life companion that Hospice named him their "Hospice Volunteer of the Year" in 2009.  The sister of one of his most recent "patients" has called him from her home in Australia several times since her sister's passing, as she spent time here during her sister's illness and was very touched by the support, compassion and care that Jim provided.
 
In 2006, he was the Parade Grand Marshal, being cited by the City of Marysville as a "Longtime community volunteer who is an active member of the Marysville Kiwanis Club and treasurer for the food bank's annual Operation Marysville Community Christmas, and an expert craftsman who designs wooden pins in the shapes of angels, butterflies or crosses, which he gives out as gifts." The pins he makes have an amazing story, he carries bags of them wherever he goes and gives them out to whomever he has contact with.  All over the city, and even the world, people proudly wear their beautiful pins and recognize the giver when they meet another person wearing "Jim's Pin". When his church, or any other organization asks for any number of these for a special cause, or event, Jim is happy to do so, spending hours at his scroll saw table cutting out hundreds, even thousands of these pins.  They have been used for youth groups & recognition, religious retreats, missionary work, weddings, Boy Scouts, and many other organizations.  His larger pieces have been used as valuable items in local charity or church auctions.  For all this, Jim has never received any money in return, nor would he take it.  Donations of materials is all he's ever accepted.
 
 
His volunteer work at the United Methodist Church here in Marysville is also extensive, he has served in leading youth groups, in plays, helping to conduct 2-4 day retreats, and going on working missions to as far as Africa.  He even has "adopted family" that he and his wife Ardyce pick up & take to church whenever they need rides.
 
Jim is also a long-time volunteer for the Marysville School District, and a member of the MSD Pen Pal program.
 
Jim has been a faithful Chamber volunteer on Monday afternoons since 2002.  Every visitor that comes in and speaks with Jim Johnson leaves with not only the information they came in for, but also a butterfly or an angel pin and a great memory & story to tell about how a representative from the Marysville Tulalip Visitor Center made them laugh and brightened their day.
 
Congratulations and thank you Jim.
 
 
 
Elected Official of the Year - Stan Jones
 
The elected official of the year award is given to an elected official at any level of government who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Chamber, its businesses and the local community, and who has substantially improved the business climate and encouraged economic development.
 
What do you call a man who has successfully won 15 consecutive elected terms of office for a total of 44 years of public service, and who during those years led a nation out of poverty and into economic prosperity and vitality ... We call him The Elected Leader of the Year, Mr. Stan Jones, the longest running Tribal Board member in the  history of the Tulalip Tribes.  Retired last month at the age of 83, Stan has dedicated his life to working for his people providing programs and services, while maintaining culture values, and tribal sovereignty.
 
Stan's Tribal name is Scho-Hallem that means number one warrior. He is from the Tuk tuk wa los (owl clan) and a descendent of the Snohomish, Skykomish, Squaxin, Snoqualmie, Clallam and Stoc wa lee jeb Tribes. He is a World War II Veteran who served in the Second Tank Battalion; Second Marine Division in the South Pacific as the first occupational forces.
 
Stan's visionary leadership, wisdom, integrity, passion and sincere caring for the future of his people led to the development of an economic base that today supports not only his Tribal community with opportunities for self sufficiency, but serves as an economic development catalyst for all of North Snohomish County. 
 
Under his leadership, The Tulalip Tribes have grown  from a government of 3 employees to one of 3,600 employees; as wells as creating an additional 2,500 jobs through their economic development efforts making Tulalip one of today's top four employers in Snohomish County.
 
His visionary leadership inspired the creation of the largest resort casino, entertainment and shopping area in the Northwest.  In addition to two casino operations, the Tribes own and operate Tulalip Bingo, a Tribal leasing business, Tulalip Broadband, two Liquor and Smoke Shops, the Tulalip Marina, the Quil Ceda Village Business Park, a membrane sewer plant, a gas station, utilities and more. The revenues provide services to Tribal community members such as elder care, a retirement home, daycare, a preschool and Montessori schools, programs in area high schools, adult continuing education, health and dental clinics, a pharmacy, family/child and homeless services, cultural activities, housing, a Boys and Girls Club, a police department and full court services.
 
Stan has been a leading force in restoring and protecting cultural practices and the traditional way of life. In 1976, Stan was one of the leaders that revived the Tribal Salmon Ceremony and has been participating ever since, teaching the younger generations the songs and dances.  He has fought for sovereignty and Tribal rights and was instrumental in the Boldt Fishing Treaty Decision, in which the Tribes received 50% of all harvestable salmon in the State of Washington.  Stan has been a fisherman all of his life and was one of the first Tribal gill-netters. 
 
He has led by example, representing the Tribe in an honorable way, breaking down barriers and building relationships that help the entire community, including joining Chamber President/CEO Caldie Rogers in 1996 to create the first and only chamber to date to partner with a sovereign nation.  This partnership has been made a national role model for diversity by the US Chamber of Commerce and is touted throughout America's Indian Country.
 
Stan has also served as the President of the Quil Ceda Village; a township owned by the Tribe and has served on the Gaming, Hunting, Fishing and Business Committees.  He has been on the Board of Directors for First Heritage Bank and the Tulalip Church of God.
 
He was appointed by Hazel Albert, Assistant Secretary of the Interior as the first National Chairman of the Task Force on Indian Gaming and negotiated on the first Tribal/State Casino compact.
 
In 2001, Stan was honored with the Wendell Chino Humanitarian Award, and in 2007 was awarded the Tribal Gaming Visionary & Small Business Empowerment Award.  On April 7th he will receive a Chairman's Lifetime Achievement Award from NIGA (National Indian Gaming Association).  He was honored to throw out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners Native American Day Game, and participated in the Goodwill Games welcome ceremony.  March 25, 2010 he received the Stanley O. McNaughton Leadership Award at the Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame for his passion and commitment that has contributed to benefit the entire community. 
 
 
 
His inter-government and inter-Tribal work has put him in the company of Bill Gates, Jesse Jackson, Nelson Rockefeller, Donald Trump, President Hu of China, President Clinton and President Bush.  He has also spoken on Native American issues at the invitation of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (treaty/environmental issues), and in China and Italy (economic development).  His work with cultural exchange has also taken him to Goa, India and New Zealand.
In a world where true leadership, public service and political courage are giving way to partisan politics with an exclusive focus of simply getting re-elected, Stan Jones is the epitome of what an elected leader should be, could be and is. Congratulations, Stan, and THANK YOU.
 
 
 
Individual Business Leader of the Year - Dr. Larry Nyland
 
The Individual Business leader of the Year Award recognizes a member who has made a substantial contribution to the Chamber and the greater Marysville Tulalip communities. Criteria for the award include community service / volunteerism, business practices and demonstrated leadership on local business and community issues.
 
Dr. Larry Nyland's impact on our communities has not only resulted in a substantial improvement to our local schools, but within our Chamber's businesses and the community as a whole.

Dr. Nyland is not just a great advocate for education, but an amazing partner in our Chamber as a board member and as a member of our Government Affairs Committee.  For instance, he has helped educate our government affairs committee on local bond measures, legislation and educational standards. Not in a manner that tries to force a position or an outcome, but in a manner that has allowed our Chamber to make educated, contemplative decisions.
 
Superintendent Larry Nyland graduated from University of Washington. He has been Superintendent for Marysville the past six years. Dr. Nyland was named 2007 Washington State Superintendent of the Year, and National Finalist.  He was recognized for leading the district work in literacy and improving student achievement while also establishing better relationships with employees and union leaders after a challenging teacher strike.  Nyland's leadership also helped the district rebound from financial difficulty and lower enrollment to see the voter approval of a $120 million bond to build two new schools.
 
Dr. Nyland's passion is building teams of people who do great things for kids. He is personally invested in teaching and learning: leading professional development and participating in dozens of classroom walk-throughs each year.  His focus is on learning how to learn ... and teaching others how to learn. 
 
Service and recognition includes:  Serving as president of the Washington Alliance of Better Schools, presenting on school leadership at the national Education Trust conference, serving as juror for the Brock International Prize for education, representing superintendents on the State Board of Education Math Panel, and serving on the Washington State Education Coordinating Council. 
 
Current community leadership includes:  a leading Board member of The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce and as well as a member of the Chamber's Government Affairs committee, a member of the Marysville Rotary Club, an active partner with the City of Marysville, and The Tulalip Tribes, as well as a respected Board member of the Junior Achievement.
 
Of particular note is that upon learning the vital importance of the Chamber's Buy Local Campaign, Dr. Nyland initiated an in-house audit of district purchasing of goods and services resulting in changes to the District's purchasing policies giving priority to local businesses and services including now using a Marysville printer for their district newsletter.
 
Successful business leaders are skilled at budget development, cutting expenses while generating revenue, effective project management, increasing technology and expanding staff skills.  Again, this is Dr. Nyland who: 
 
*negotiated land purchases at 50% of appraised value
*completed construction of Grove Elementary and Getchell High School a year ahead of schedule.
* realized energy savings from grants, reduced power usage, and by forming the District's own PUD is now saving the district an average of $200,000 per year. 
* built the Marysville Secondary Campus (A&T, Heritage, 10th Street) with innovative funding and construction utilizing Mitigation fees, General Obligation Bonds, and modular construction with no increase in local taxes. 
* Continued to invest in reading improvement despite $6.5 million in cuts one year ago. 
resulting in measurable increases of student learning
* Negotiated an Masters Program agreement between SPU and the district which created a local program resulting in twelve teachers graduating with Master's degrees this year.
* Successfully completed state audits w/ no findings for the third year in a row - going from10 audit findings to five to two to none.
* Accomplished what was promised in 2006 bond
*Achieved and maintained a 4 to 1 computer ratio for learning across the district
*Achieved wireless classrooms which will be available for MSC and MGHS this fall
* Connected all secondary schools and more than half of the elementary schools by a fiber network, the remaining 5 schools will come on line during 2010-201
* Won grants for our District totaling well over several million dollars

The 2010 Business Awards are proudly sponsored by Comcast

Last year's recipients were:

Business of the Year - HomeStreet Bank, Marysville Branch

Elected Officials of the Year - John Koster, Snohomish County Council

Business Leader of the Year - Richard Toyer, Toyer & Associates CPA

Volunteer of the Year - Karen Hume, Marysville Tulalip Visitor Center

Millikan - Howard Chairman's Award - Cal Taylor, Tulalip Tribes

The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce is an independent, non-profit, action agency committed to supporting and advancing the needs of the greater Marysville Tulalip area business communities. ###