Port Angeles community awards to be presented Saturday

Three finalists named in each of six categories

PORT ANGELES — The annual Port Angeles Community Awards gala will honor citizens and businesses in six categories on Saturday at Field Arts & Events Hall.

The awards, presented by Business Health Trust and sponsored by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Sound Publishing, will feature a program hosted by Shannon Cosgrove.

Individual tickets are sold out.

The six categories highlight the citizen, young leader, educator, organization, business and emerging business of 2024.

Three finalists have been named in each category. They are:

Citizen of the Year

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

• Marty Brewer. As superintendent of the Port Angeles School District, Brewer led the charge to pass a $140 million bond, ensuring state-of-the-art schools will shape the lives of students for generations.

His 30-year capital facilities plan involves a new Stevens Middle School, a new high school and a new Franklin Elementary School, investments that will create jobs, attract families and drive economic growth.

Brewer also has served in Kiwanis, Rotary and local trusts.

• Fran Howell. As president of the Port Angeles Food Bank, Howell has transformed the organization into a lifeline for thousands of families. Under her leadership, the food bank has expanded its reach, its programs and its ability to fight food insecurity.

Howell led the effort to ensure food bank staff receive livable wages, setting an example for other nonprofits. She also volunteers with Volunteer Hospice, Kiwanis and other community organizations.

• Danny Steiger. As CEO of Lumber Traders, Inc., Steiger has overseen major redevelopment projects, most notably transforming the former Sears building into Angeles Rentals, bringing new jobs and renewed energy to a key part of Port Angeles.

Steiger also has been an advocate for solving the affordable housing crisis, offering discounts through Lumber Traders to support nonprofit housing projects.

He serves on the Habitat for Humanity board, the Port Angeles Planning Commission, the Housing Solutions Committee and the Workforce Development Council.

Young leader of the year

This award goes to an individual between 18 and 39 who exemplifies a commitment to the health and future of the community and has made an impact during the past year beyond the responsibilities and expectations of their job.

• Jaiden Dokken. Clallam County’s first poet laureate transformed what it means to experience poetry in Clallam County. Since their appointment in 2023, Dokken has brought words to parks, festivals, libraries and even local beaches. Whether hosting workshops, open mics or poetry challenges, Dokken is breaking down barriers and making poetry accessible to everyone.

Dokken has bridged generational, cultural and artistic divides, using poetry as a tool to create community and inspire change. Their work has empowered young writers, amplified marginalized voices and ensured the arts thrive in the region.

• Perry Knudson. The managing director of Brix Marine, a company that has become a cornerstone of the Port Angeles economy. Under his leadership, Brix Marine has flourished, creating jobs and investing in workforce development. He works closely with Peninsula College and local industry groups to ensure students can seamlessly transition into careers in the marine sector.

He’s also a board member of the Clallam Economic Development Council, where he collaborates with businesses and educators to strengthen the region’s future. And he volunteers at the Winter Ice Village, supports local sports with the Port Angeles Lefties baseball team and helps displaced workers at the Chamber Job Fair.

• Rose Thompson. From serving as the executive director of the Dungeness Crab Festival to her work with the Juan de Fuca Festival, the Waterfront District and Fungi Fest, Thompson has been instrumental in ensuring that the local economy and culture flourish.

Thompson also is a community builder. Whether she’s running Fogtown Coffee, coordinating fundraisers or volunteering at the downtown association, Rose never hesitates to help.

Her colleagues describe her as unstoppable, dedicated and someone who makes a difference without asking for credit.

Educator of the Year

This award recognizes a teacher, coach or educational staff member employed by the Port Angeles School District or a private school in Port Angeles who has exhibited impressive leadership and achieved exceptional results toward the overall development of youth in grades K-12.

• Jason Gooding. For the past 11 years, Gooding has been a pillar of support for students, families and educators across the school district. As a school counselor, he has helped students navigate the challenges of academics, personal growth and planning for the future.

He has played a key role in improving district-wide systems, streamlining the High School and Beyond process, strengthening partnerships with Peninsula College and ensuring homeschool and online learners receive the support they need.

• Darren Mills. Known for making English fun, Mills connects with his students in ways that make learning engaging, meaningful and personal. He’s also a pillar of student leadership, volunteering with student government, organizing a school talent show band and even jumping on the drums himself.

A high school football coach, he mentors students both on the field and in the classroom, teaching them discipline, resilience and teamwork. His students describe him as kind, helpful and always thinking of others.

• Everett Young. For students who have struggled to fit into traditional school settings, Young has been a lifeline. As a teacher at Seaview Academy, Young has worked to help students rebuild their confidence, rediscover their potential and achieve success.

Parents express overwhelming gratitude for the impact he’s had on their children’s lives. As one parent put it, “If every student had a teacher like Mr. Young, the world would be a different place.”

Organization of the Year

This award recognizes the non-profit, church, agency or community service organization that has demonstrated an exceptional achievement of its mission, consistently improving quality of life in the community in the past year.

• Clallam Mosaic. Under the leadership of Executive Director Lara Radke, Clallam Mosaic has embraced its new downtown Port Angeles location, ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities are front and center in the community.

Radke has expanded day programming for children, launched the All In Arts Studio, increased peer volunteer opportunities and deepened cultural connections with local tribal families. She’s also expanded parent-to-parent support programs in both Clallam and Jefferson counties, giving families the tools they need to thrive.

• First Step Family Support. From providing food, clothing, books and toys to counseling for parents and substance abuse support, First Step is dedicated to helping underprivileged families thrive. Its mission is to build family strengths by connecting caregivers with essential resources and support.

Its impact in 2023 included 1,790 families receiving direct support, 283,244 diapers distributed to more than 900 families, and a growing team of 34 advocates, nurses, case managers and specialists who continue to reach more families each year.

• North Olympic Baseball & Softball. Each year, more than 500 boys and girls ages 4 to 16 get the opportunity to play, compete and grow thanks to the leadership of David Melnick and the NOBAS board.

This year, NOBAS will host the North Washington Cal Ripken state tournament, the first time in nearly 20 years that a state-level event of this scale has been held in Port Angeles. With 50 teams and more than 600 families coming to town, the tournament also will provide an economic boost to the community.

Business of the Year

This award is for a business, large or small, that has shown consistent excellence as an employer, involvement as an economic citizen of the community and a recognized contributor over the past year to the general prosperity of the community.

• Radio Pacific. For more than seven decades, Radio Pacific has been a trusted voice of the Olympic Peninsula. Whether it’s delivering news, covering local sports or providing a platform for community conversations, it has remained a cornerstone of connection and information in Port Angeles.

Beyond the airwaves, it is a dedicated community partner, hosting events like the annual Home Show, Santa Breakfast and its presence at the Clallam County Fair, bringing people together and strengthening local traditions. It also supports local businesses, providing a platform for small business owners to share their stories in their own words, creating a personal connection with listeners.

• Swain’s General Store. For 66 years, Swain’s has been a place where neighbors come together, where tradition meets generosity, and where giving back is at the heart of everything they do.

Through the Swain’s Family Foundation, established by Cliff Swain, the store has contributed more than $650,000 to local charities, youth programs and community events, supporting everything from sports teams to school groups to nonprofit initiatives.

• Wilder Auto. The Wilder family’s generosity reaches far and wide, with major contributions to the Olympic Medical Center Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, Clallam County Fair, Peninsula College, Port Angeles Food Bank, Education Foundation and more. Each year, they donate a vehicle for the Duck Derby, helping to raise funds that directly support essential community programs.

Beyond philanthropy, Wilder Auto is a major employer in Port Angeles, providing jobs, stability and a strong economic foundation for the region. Their dedication to customer service, quality and community involvement has made them a respected local business.

Emerging Business of the Year

This award recognizes businesses that are between 1 and 4 years old or have been significantly reinvented within that same time frame. The Emerging Business of the Year should have recently filled a significantly unmet need or market, revitalized an area or contributed altruistically beyond the mission or profit motive of business.

• Angeles Rentals Equipment and Supply. In 2023, Angeles Rentals moved into the former Sears building on Lincoln Street, investing $2.5 million in renovations and inventory. Working with local contractors, they gave new life to a highly visible part of the community, improving the city’s landscape while keeping investment dollars local.

Angeles Rentals partnered with the Clallam County Conservation District to introduce a manure spreader rental program for small farmers, and it regularly supports local charities, including Habitat for Humanity, 4PA and the Lions Club.

• Brix Marine. Since its rebranding in 2020, Brix Marine has established itself as a leader in the marine industry and a pillar of the community. As part of the Bryton Marine Group, Brix Marine is part of North America’s largest privately owned builder of welded aluminum boats, serving recreational, commercial and law enforcement sectors worldwide.

But while its vessels travel across the world, Brix Marine remains anchored in Port Angeles, creating living-wage jobs and supporting workforce development programs in partnership with Peninsula College and the Marine Technology Employer Advisory Committee.

It also is a community partner. Whether sponsoring fundraisers, supporting local events or participating in initiatives like the Orca Bait Swim, the company provides a hands-on approach to making a difference.

• Ridgeline Homecare Cooperative. Since it opened four years ago, Ridgeline Homecare Cooperative (RHC) has made an impact on the lives of seniors, filling a critical gap in home-based care while pioneering a new model of caregiving.

Unlike traditional agencies, this business is owned and operated by its caregivers, ensuring that those providing care have a voice in decision-making, better wages and greater job satisfaction. That leads to better retention, higher-quality care and stronger relationships between caregivers and clients.

RHC also partners with local organizations to advocate for senior care, offer educational workshops and support community initiatives. Its success has led to expanding services in Sequim and throughout Clallam County.

More in News

Zoe Hewitt, a shipwright at Haven Boatworks, uses a draw knife to shape the foremast on the 112-year-old historic schooner Adventuress, background, that is resting on the hard at the Port Townsend Marina. A new main mast, left, and the fore mast will be stepped next week, weather permitting. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Shaping Adventuress

Zoe Hewitt, a shipwright at Haven Boatworks, uses a draw knife to… Continue reading

Mark McCauley, Jefferson County Administrator. (Jefferson County)
Jefferson County administrator set to retire

Job applications due in late March

John Wayne Marina expected to add six buoy moorings

Project designed to accommodate 60-foot vessels

PASD narrows search for superintendent to 3

Board expects to select finalist in executive session Saturday

Taxes loom large in legislative talks

Public defense also top of mind, commissioner says

East Jefferson Fire Rescue firefighters work to extinguish a structure fire on Tuesday near the intersection of Lupine and South Jacob Miller roads. (East Jefferson Fire Rescue)
Firefighters extinguish structure fire near Port Townsend

East Jefferson Fire Rescue firefighters extinguished a structure fire… Continue reading

Colleen McAleer, Clallam County Economic Development Council
EDC: Retail leads business sectors in Clallam County

$518 million in taxable sales across all industries last year

A yellow oil-containment boom surrounds the 60-foot power cruiser Goldfinch after it sank at the Point Hudson Marina on Saturday. The boat was on its way from Seattle to Anacortes when it started taking on water. It made it to the Point Hudson and struck the breakwater as it entered the harbor but was able to be steered into slip 3, where it immediately sank. Port of Port Townsend staff responded and deployed the hard boom and absorbent material to contain the fuel spill. As of Monday afternoon, about 1,000 gallons of diesel had been recovered by Global Diving and Salvage with 650 gallons from the fuel tanks of the Goldfinch and the remainder being sopped up by absorbent material. The U.S. Coast Guard and the state Department of Ecology responded and performed additional containment. A plan for recovery was in the works, but it wasn’t expected to begin before Wednesday due to weather. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Boat sinks

A yellow oil-containment boom surrounds the 60-foot power cruiser Goldfinch after it… Continue reading

Retired Sheriff Joe Nole pinning interim Sheriff Andy Pernsteiners new badge on, following his appointment at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Jefferson County Sheriff appointed till next election

Commissioners favored stability over change

New Oxford Houses in Port Angeles run into roadblocks

Larger, two-story building may not be approved for program

Bark House confirms reopening date

Open house to be held March 1

Samantha Herik, an EMT with the Port Angeles Fire Department, attaches a poster to the side of her department’s vintage 1956 Seagrave fire truck during a fundraising drive on Saturday in the Swain’s General Store parking lot in Port Angeles. PAFD is collecting donations to rebuild the retired vehicle, known as “No. 5,” with a restored engine and transmission. The truck is used primarily for the annual Operation Candy Cane food bank fundraising drive, along with other promotional purposes. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Donation collection

Samantha Herik, an EMT with the Port Angeles Fire Department, attaches a… Continue reading