On Wednesday, the city of Soldotna held their 64th Annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Celebration to give out awards to stellar people of the community.
Jerry Herring, the President for the Board of Directors, opened up the luncheon by thanking everyone for attending the event, and showed a PowerPoint presentation about all the big events that the Chamber had this past year.
Afterwards, Ryan Kapp began to start announcing some of the members of the community that help support the Chamber with their events.
Then it was time to hand out some awards!
President’s Award
This winner moved to Soldotna from the Philippines in 2009, and started cooking when she got here. This business has been present at the Wednesday markets, the Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec and Trade show, among various others.
“Our recipient has always first respond to the Chamber’s volunteers needed plea. Not only does she volunteer your time and talents for help at the Chamber’s pie auction behind the scenes, but also through generous and kind donations year after year that support our educational program and our lovely music series. She not only helps the chamber but her community, she is rarely recognized for her efforts.”
Rocky Hawkins from Wok N’ Roll was awarded the Presidents award. Since Rocky visiting family in the Philippines, her husband, Larry, accepted the award on her behalf.
Commitment To Customer Service
This person was said to have a natural knack for customer service, and had a natural ability to make people feel welcome.
This business was inspired by this individual’s love for the coffee shop world, and grew up sounded by women in business. She followed in her mother and sisters footsteps to have her own.
“They’re always looking for the next thing when it comes to their business. In a town saturated with diverse coffee options Allen Sisters Coffee has found great success while serving a dedicated clientele. Manager and sister, Hallie Allen’s commitment to customer service is reflected through the warm hospitality of their well trained staff and the unwavering consistency of their delicious drinks,” said Capp.
Ashton Callaway with Allen Sisters Coffee was the winner for the 2023 Commitment to Customer Service Award.
Government and Civic Affairs
This person graduated from Kenai Central High School, and then went to earn a BS in civil engineering with a minor in Economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he also played on the basketball team. He worked in the public sector in Los Angeles and for the Kenai Peninsula borough before joining the team at the city of Soldotna.
This person has served as a public works director for the city so out of our 13 years, following the footsteps of his dad who served as public works director with city Kenai for nearly 30 years
“At the city this individual leads the design and construction of all capital projects, ranging from streets and trails to water and sewer projects to renovation and construction of city buildings. He also oversees all aspects of the city airport. He manages many federal grants and fills in a city manager, acting city manager when needed,” said Capp.
He aided in the expansions of the Soldotna Public Library, construction for Soldotna’s Memorial Park, and help plan for the Soldotna Fieldhouse.
This award went to Kyle Kornelis.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work a lot great organizations and with a lot of great people which, you know, kind of results in a lot of great projects. And I’m really excited about digging a giant hole about 60 feet that way and hopefully we’ll have a new venue for this,” said Kornelis.
Excellence in Profession
Kapp described winner for the excellence in profession as someone who “embodies the pinnacle of professionalism.” He claims that their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence serve as an inspiration to us all.
“Though they will be retiring, their legacy will live on through our great community,” said Capp.
This individual launched the Workforce Development website to help residents to find jobs and help with students with career aspirations. The KPEDD also helped aid the city of Soldotna to recover a grant for the riverfront redevelopment plan.
This year’s profession in excellence went to Tim Dillion.
“I just want to say thank you, but really KPEDD is not one person. It’s a team and Cassidy Cameron, the new executive director, Caitlin Abby and a tremendous board will keep the Kenai Peninsula as the place to live in the state of Alaska. Thank you,” said Dillion.
Dan Gensel Commitment to Youth
This next award was being given to an individual who had done tremendous work for the youth in the Boys and Girls Club, helped out the Kenai Brown Bears during their 4th of July parade in Kenai, and even helped out by sign waving for the Soldotna Field House.
“She has been involved in instrumental in the success of these events and projects. It doesn’t matter what it is if it will help kids the community she is there to help out and put in the time. She never seeks praise or recognition but consistently puts an extra effort and time to benefit the youth in our community,” said Capp.
Shanette Wik was awarded the Dan Gensel Commitment to Youth award.
“I am one piece to an incredible team of employees and a board is such an honor to receive this especially getting renamed. I’m just very grateful and honored and glad to work with the employees that I do. And I’ve been here 20 years and this is one of the strongest boards that I’ve got the privilege to work with. And I have to say most of this and what we’ve been able to accomplish is the leadership of Deb and Jeff Dolifka.”
Pioneer Award
This award was given to a couple. The husband moved to Kenai in 1975 and began practicing law in the state since 1976. In 1991, his practices moved to Soldotna, and have stayed there since. He is currently an active member with the Soldotna Historical Society.
The wife was raised in Ninilchik, and is a lifelong Alaskan, and has been working alongside her husband. She volunteers at the local hospital and Food Bank spending the remaining free time with their grandchildren.
“They’ve been fixtures in the community and have helped numerous local clubs, extracurricular groups, charities and individuals throughout the years. They never seem to find a child or person they would not try to help. They’ve helped countless people during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” said Kapp.
The Pioneer award for 2023 goes to Dale and Rhoda Dolifka.
“I was stunned by this award, but I really appreciate it. I look out here and at all of these wonderful people, you’ve just made our life a real joy. And we are repeatedly told that we won the lottery, so thank you for this award. And we just love and appreciate you all, thank you,” said Dale Dolifka.
Volunteer Award
After the Pioneer award, it was time to give an award to the unsung heroes of the community, volunteers!
This person has been an extremely valuable member of the Food Bank for many years, while also being the Chair of the Food Bank’s Education Committee. She also helps to facilitate a remote disruption in Anchor Point. She works hard to provide services to help people and their pets which for many people is important for the well being and mental health.
“This volunteers dedication commitment to making a positive difference in the world exemplifies the best of humanity. This recipient has the gift of seeing those around her who could use a smile. They had homemade food flowers, helping their garden or simply a kind listening here. She has amazing caring individuals and blesses the lives of anyone she encounters,” said Capp.
Linda Tannehill was the winner for the 2023 Volunteer of the Year.
Small Business of the Year
This year’s small business of the year award went to Echo Lake Meats.
The business was established in 1976, and is described as an “integral part of our community offering processing services for local fish and wild game.” Some of their most iconic items include smoked salmon beef sticks, jalapeño cheese spread, and one of their newsiest items, and apple fritter.
“Thank you to our family or our employees and all of your customers that come in and give us a chance. Really appreciate it. This was quite a surprise,” said new owner Eric Watkins.
Person of the Year
This award went to that was described as pouring her heart and soul in the community. The recipient is the executive director of Love Inc., and has been for almost 15 years. In the past 12 months, Love Inc. has been able to provide assistance to 1,671 individuals. And when the committee was looking for an operator for the new homeless shelter, she offered for Love Inc. to help out.
Within the past month, 134 adults, 34 children, and 30 pets have received aid.
“She’s affected beautiful change in the lives of quite literally thousand’s of people loving because about helping her neighbors in need rewrite their story and this person is at the heart of the program. She has dedicated much time and energy into giving back and building up in emulates everything loving is and everything our community needs,” said Kapp.
Executive Director of Love Inc. Leslie Rohr was very emotional to receive this award.
“I’m totally blown away and I don’t do it by myself. I have a wonderful team and a wonderful community to work with. I just remember that a pastor, my pastor, told me about 10 years ago that were meant to grow where we’re planted. And I was planted here for a reason. And I don’t think I’m done growing yet. So thank you all very much,” said Rohr.
Chamber Business of the Year
This family moved to Nikiski eight years after statehood. After purchasing their first airplane in 1977, they turned a hobby into a career.
This business just celebrated their 45th anniversary, and own five other businesses in tourism.
When this couple is not giving airfare tours to over 300,000 visitors, they help out with nonprofit programs through the Kenai. Some of the local groups that have received this couple’s aid includes the Boys and Girls Club, Hospice of the Central Peninsula, Kenai River Sport Fishing, Wounded Hero’s, Wounded Warriors, the American Cancer Society, and Relay for Life.
Doug and Kelly Brewer of Alaska West Air received the final award of the day, the Chamber Business of the Year Award.
Definitely throughout the 45 years it’s been a journey. Tourism has been tough for the last four years. So those of you who are in that business know what the journey has been like. We definitely have some incredible travel partners. Some of them are here today that have made it successful. Between our family, sacrifices, we work every day we answer the phone at 4am, we answer it 11pm, but we love being able to share Alaska with everybody, especially the beauty of the Kenai Peninsula. We definitely couldn’t do this alone. We have some incredible employees. Great guides. Great pilots. And like I said our travel partners are just incredible. And everybody in the whole community, I think when everyone makes his community a better place whether it’s cleaning the streets or the beauty of the hotels, the beauty of the river, the cleanup of the river, all this stuff makes it just a better place to bring people and that’s what’s allowed us to be successful. So I’m grateful to everyone, and I definitely think the best is yet to come. So thank you so much,” said Kelly Brewer.