Joe Gilman was named Person of the Year, Peninsula Community Health Services was recognized as Chamber Business of the Year and Siam Noodles and Food received the People’s Choice Award at the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration on Wednesday.
A dozen awards were presented by Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Board President Chuck Winters, with help from Ryan Kapp, during the ceremony in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex conference rooms.
Top honors went to PCHS, a recipient who “embodies a profound sense of community spirit” and enriches the local business landscape.
“They’re not just a business, they’re a cornerstone of the community dedicated to fostering a culture of service and care,” Kapp said.
Gilman, production supervisor at Kenai River Brewing Company and a part-owner of Kenai Joe’s Taphouse, was recognized as person of the year “for his remarkable contributions to our community — for his dedication, leadership and service,” Kapp said.
“It’s quite a surprise and an honor,” Gilman said after receiving the award. “It’s more of an honor being part of a community like this.”
This year, the chamber debuted two new awards, People’s Choice and Young Professionals of the Year.
Siam “embodies everything (People’s Choice) is designed to recognize,” Kapp said. They earned a recognition voiced by their community through their service, flavor and welcoming environment.
The first young professionals to earn recognition from the chamber were the Property Sisters, Mallory and Morgan Musgrove, for their distinguished performance in a competitive field, Winters said. They’re “resourceful problem solvers who skillfully manage the needs of their clients with innovation, dedication and genuine care.”
Triumvirate Theatre was recognized with the Pioneer Award, which celebrates a person or persons “instrumental” to the development of the community or its ongoing progress and growth. They provide children with performing arts education and enrich the local cultural landscape, Kapp said.
The Dan Gensel Commitment to Youth Award was given to Nila Sanchez, creator of the Yo! Tacos Next Generation Program that “empowers local youth by providing mentorship and entrepreneurial opportunities,” Kapp said.
Sanchez said that she credited the award to the support she received over the years, from when she started as a “problem child” with a pop-up stand. But when she needed help, she got it, and she always wanted to return that favor to the kids who come through her store.
“These kids in our community, they really need us,” Sanchez said. “I’ve had an amazing team throughout these nine years of Yo! Tacos … I’ve seen students go to college, four-year degrees, with scholarships. I’ve seen students go to the army who have worked for me for years. They still come back during the summer and still want to work for Yo! Tacos when they come back. That’s amazing.”
Lacie Kelly was given the President’s Choice Award, selected by Winters for her work to turn the Twin Cities Motocross Club back into a “healthy and well-organized entity.”
Small Business of the Year was awarded to Fine Thyme Cafe, the Customer Service Award was given to Soldotna Sit and Stay, John Mellish was named Volunteer of the Year, Renee Rybak was recognized for Excellence in Professionalism and Jordan Chilson was given the Government and Civics Affairs Award.
For more information, find “Soldotna Chamber of Commerce” on Facebook.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
Lacie Kelly receives the President’s Choice Award during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jordan Chilson receives the Government and Civics Affairs Award during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Renee Rybak receives the Excellence in Professionalism Award during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nila Sanchez receives the Dan Gensel Commitment to Youth Award during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Joe Rizzo, of Triumvirate Theatre, receives the Pioneer Award during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
John Mellish is recognized Volunteer of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fine Thyme Cafe is recognized Small Business of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Joe Gilman is named Person of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Mallory and Morgan Musgrove are recognized as Young Professionals of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Suwannasa Piwon receives the People’s Choice Award on behalf of Siam Noodles and Food during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Peninsula Community Health Services is recognized Chamber Business of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Silver partners are recognized during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Media partners are recognized during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Gold partners are recognized during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Platinum partners are recognized during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
