The 116th Ashland Chamber Annual Dinner was held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites to a capacity crowd of over 225 people representing business owners, government and non-profit leaders and donors.
Annual Dinner 2024 Deena presents gavel to Greg
Annual Dinner 2024 Greg thanks Deena
Deena Branson of Branson’s Chocolates, 2023-24 President of the Board of Directors, served as Master of Ceremonies thanking those who operate our small businesses, sharing accomplishments of the Chamber over the past year and honoring Board members, Past Presidents, committee chairs and community partners. She presented the gavel to Greg White of Reinholdt & O’Harra Insurance who will serve as President for 2024-25 and he thanked Deena for her board leadership.
Entertainment was provided by The Bill Scholer Quartet
Past Presidents were honored for their decades of dedication to the Chamber:
Left to right: Jim Teece (2001-02), Marie Lange (2015-17), Laurie Gibbs (2014-15), Dennis Slattery (1991-93), Meiwen Richards (2009-10), Barbara Allen (1987-88), Deena Branson (2019-21)
Retiring Board members recognized for their contributions to the Chamber:
Gary Blake, President 2021-23, Board 2017-24
Dr. Susan Walsh, retired SOU Provost, Board 2022-24
The highlight of the evening are always the awards
which were given to the following individuals:
Katharine Cato presents Diversifying Hospitality award to Jay Bowen, Columbia Hotel
Not only has Jay Bowen brought the Columbia Hotel back to life but has given it a new purpose with recruiting outdoor travelers, especially on the PCT, hosting music concerts and multiple art events in the hotel and out in alley creating partners and collaborators.
Annual Dinner 2024 Katharine Cato presents Community Partner Award to Kristin Anderson of the Ashland Public Library
They were instrumental in building what is now the Ashland Mystery Fest in its 2nd year from their support of speaker fees for the original 10 authors to the 4 day cozy event it has become. Additionally, they are a community hub with many services for all ages offering meeting space for local businesses, story time and support for schools among many other resources and technology. Kristin serves on the Downtown Committee and MLK Celebration committee.
Jordan Pease presents Industry Evolution Award to Pronto Print.
The award recognized the evolution Pronto Print has done to meet the needs of their customers as their industry changes rapidly from print to digital and their exemplary customer service. A special call out to Chris Boutin for his customer care.
Dana Preston presents Industry Innovation Award to Cocorico
Grace and Nat Borsi were recognized not only for their excellent service and locally sourced fresh ingredients but for making the space their own after moving down from the Greensprings choosing Ashland for their destination restaurant,
Catherine Greenspan presented the Foster Business Growth to Laurel McKee, of The Websters
Celebrating 40 years of business in Ashland started by five women artists and crafters, Laurel purchased the business in early 2020. She adapted the model during COVID to make it her own. Collaborating with local businesses, building events inside and outside of the store including most recently an event drawing people from all over the country to Ashland for days of knitting, shopping, dining and plays all the while staying at Winchester Inn.
Jeffrey Nagel & Robynne Whitaker, the 2023 Greeters of the Year presented the 2024 Greeter of the Year to Catherine Greenspan, New York Life and Two Sisters Writing & Publishing.
Chair of many committees and outgoing co-chair of Greeters, Catherine currently serves on the Chamber board and is a real champion that cares about building up our Greeters group and membership in general.
Dana Preston presented the Chamber Champion Award to Heather Warden of Gypsy Road Studio.
"Get involved" is the only thing you need to say which is Heather’s motto and this embodies her spirit. Not only does she serve on the Downtown Committee but she rolls up her sleeves to encourage people to join and worked on the Annual Dinner Committee, Membership Engagement Committee and is a “block captain” for her area of the Downtown.
Annual Dinner 2024 Dana Preston presented the Volunteer of the Year to office volunteer Judy Kloetzel.
Judy works joyfully and always has taken the long shift most of the year. She is great about organizing the call logs, brochures, etc. and is extremely cordial and helpful to anyone and everyone calling or coming through the front door. Knowledgeable about what makes Ashland the place we all love and it shows as she is a regular attendee of plays,
Sandra Slattery presented the Citizen of the Year award to Barry & Kathryn Thalden
Barry and Kathryn were recognized for their generosity, persistence and unwavering dedication to making a lasting positive difference in our community through championing the first hanging flower baskets Downtown, to commissioning the murals on the side of the Ashland Food Bank, Calle Guanajuato and the latest project of The Playwright’s Walk of bronze metal plaques. Their personal involvement is vast with the building of innovative affordable housing projects in the valley while and with Barry serving on the Rogue Valley Symphony Board, the SOU Board of Trustees. Kathryn is passionate about helping women leaving abusive situations to find housing and support and they are both so supportive of numerous Chamber projects and events to support business.
Sandra Slattery presented the Honorary Life Member award to Gary Blake, Past President and retiring board member. Gary was recognized for his always positive and willing approach to getting involved in numerous Chamber events and programs. He served on the 4th of July Committee, was a Parade Judge and key event sponsor. Gary was the Legislative Committee Chair for many years and led the Legislative “Hotlines” weekly through the Oregon Legislative session along with moderating the Candidate Forums during each election season. Gary was on the steering committee for the Economic Diversification Strategy and served on the board for seven years and president for two years coming out of the pandemic. Gary is positive, thoughtful, intelligent and always sees the best in people making him a pleasure to work with, a great collaborator and community leader. We are happy for Gary as he is enjoying retirement.
Board of Directors for 2024-25
President 2024-25, Greg White – Reinholdt & O’Harra Insurance
Past President, Deena Branson – Branson’s Chocolates
Don Anway
Marsha Billeci – Evergreen Federal Bank
Catherine Greenspan – New York Life Insurance & Two Sisters Writing & Publishing
Julie Gurwell – Hearsay Restaurant, Lounge & Garden
Eric Hansen – True South Solar
Laurel McKee – Websters
Jordan Pease – Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library
Dr. Casey Shillam – SOU Provost
Chris Spirko – Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker
Eric Weisinger – Weisinger Family Winery
Ex-officio members:
SOU President – Dr. Rick Bailey
School Superintendent – Dr. Joseph Hattrick
Asante Ashland Community Hospital – Brandon Mencini, CEO
OSF Executive Director – Gabriella Calicchio
City Manager – Sabrina Cotta
Council liaison – Gina DuQuenne