Alan & Neil Eberlein accept the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, Lifetime Achievement Award at the 98th Annual Awards Gala. January 19, 2019. (Brian Gailey)

275 People filled the lobby of the Ross Ragland Theater waiting for the 98th Annual Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala to start. Nominees were mingling with others guests but anxiously waiting to see if they were going to win their category.

The annual Gala is an opportunity for the Chamber to recognize businesses and individuals who are making a difference in Klamath County.

This year there were over eighty nominations in ten categories - Best Place to Work Award (15 or less and 16 or more), Big IDEA Innovation Award, Commitment to Community Award, Environmental Leadership Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Pathfinder Award, Spirit of Entrepreneurism Award, Small Business Supporting Education and Large Business Supporting Education.

The Gala featured a new format this year. In previous years, the ceremony had entertainment placed throughout. Singing, dancing, theater performances, even spoofs of shows - such as Hee Haw and Laugh In. This year the awards ceremony was condensed to allow attendees the opportunity to relax, unwind, and play a bit of craps, blackjack or roulette in the RRT lobby as a fundraiser for the numerous Chamber educational and advocational events.

“I was so pleased with the Gala,” said Heather Tramp, Executive Director for the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. “I've loved the format for years but I've always noticed people want to hang out and visit and celebrate after so I started thinking the casino night might be a fun addition and so far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Over 100 stuck around to play games, network, and continue the celebration.”

“This was our biggest attendance in years,” said Tramp. “I thank our membership that supported the event through sponsorships, donations and volunteerism.”

The awards ceremony lasted a little over an hour honoring the recipients, below are the winners.

Klamath County Chamber Ambassador of the Year

**Peggy Roberts, Holistic Living**
*“What an honor, I have had more fun and more excitement to be here in this town and this community to get to know you on the side of a chamber.”*
- Peggy Roberts

Presidents Choice Award

**Jennifer Scanlan**
“It is my honor to give an award to someone that has gone above and beyond for the Chamber. It is such a treat to be able to give it. She has worked hard for many years to make sure our financial health was monitored and assessed properly. With her expertise and dedication we were able to bring our financials to a healthy point which has meant great things for our membership.” - Rachael Spoon

Small Business Supporting Education Award

**Holliday Jewelry**
“When I started having kids, I started volunteering in classrooms to help them out starting in Kindergarten. Through that experience I saw how great our teachers are, how great our districts are, the kids and how much help they needed. So it’s been my honor to, through the last 12 or 13 years to be involved in all the schools and to support them in any way possible.“ - Ray Holliday.

Large Business Supporting Education Award

**Fred Meyer**
“This business supports students county wide and beyond. Sometimes front and center and sometimes behind the scenes. The winner is noted especially for its participation in Operation School Bell starting in 2013 and it’s community awards program that helps so many schools do more. - Anne Hiller Clark

Best Place to Work, 16+ Employees

**REACH Inc.**
“It’s really simple to be a great place to work, you just have to hire the greatest people you can find. Make sure that they are positive, make sure that they are energetic, make sure that they are kind and make sure they want to provide opportunities to people. Then just let them do what they do. Klamath Falls has lots of those people.“
- Ron Moe

Best Place to Work, <15 Employees

**Basin Mediactive, LLC**
“We have great company with all those business that got nominated. We do, we get to help out in the community which is something that is really cool to all our people on our team do that. It’s pretty awesome in what we get to do and I want to say thank you.“ - Rob Siems

Spirit of Entrepreneurism

**Chad Elbert, Rudius Quest Coaching**
“I am more than humbled to be up here. I am just on a personal mission to inspire the people of our community. There are people in this room that are my mentors and I cannot believe I am up here right now. Thank you.“
- Chad Elbert

Environmental Leadership

**Three Rivers Mosquito and Vector Control**
“In today’s environment technology is quickly changing. The recipient tonight understands the importance and benefits of using the most up to date equipment and technology. They develop and tailor their programs to their clients needs, their budgets and environmental sensitivities. Here in the Basin we have a company that was the first to gain FAA approval for the use of drones to administer their product. With the use of drones, they can reduce the amount of chemicals sprayed and a specific amount in an area at three times less than a crop duster.“ - Jenine Stuedli

Big IDEA Innovation

**ZCS Engineering & Architecture**
“This is a very humbling room. We read all the nominees and we thought ‘oh good we do not need to write a speech.’ This is a wonderful place to work, this community has been good to us. Thank you, it is a great honor. We work with wonderful people.“

Pathfinder Award

**Matt Bogatay, Bogatay Construction**
Melodi McGee accepts on behalf of Matt Bogatay
*“Matt asked me to extend his deepest gratitude to the Chamber of Commerce for this wonderful recognition and their ongoing support of business in the Basin.*
Matt would also like to thank his mother Linda for her endless support, love, guidance and inspiration. His beautiful wife Taylor for her loving support of his ambition and support of his dreams. The Bogatay Construction team for their dedication and determination in bringing Matt’s visions to life. His father the late Rob Bogatay for teaching him to be a great leader, to believe in himself, to strive for great heights in all he does, and instilling in him a love for this great community. “

Commitment to Community

**Steel Sensations**
“Wow! I’m never speechless and I kind of am today. I have been nominated a couple times for this and I did not write anything because I was not expecting to win it [pointing to the list of nominations] because of the people that are up there. I am just going to keep trying and doing what I can to help the community out. Thank you.“ - Ryan Wheelock

News

Chamber Gala Honors Local Businesses and Leaders

Klamath Falls News