Post Falls Chamber honors civic leaders
Stanley
Citizen of the Year 2020
Established in 1990, Citizen of the Year is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual in our community and is based upon significant overall contributions to Post Falls that benefit the community at large.
Servant leadership is defined as a leader sharing power, encouraging collaboration and lifting up team members to success. This year’s recipient stands head and shoulders above as a servant leader.
The contributions to the Chamber are far reaching … past board chair, River City Leadership Academy class president and graduate, Super Scholarship Raffle driving force and champion, golf tournament committee to name just a few.
Beyond this organization, time is spent on the KROC and US Bank advisory boards, NIC Booster Club, bell ringer extraordinaire for the Salvation Army, leading a Covid Task Force and supporting the arts, Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, United Way and Young Life. He makes time to read to the children at NIC’s Children’s Center regularly.
Professionally, passionately and positively supporting education for all ages, his impact would be difficult to measure. Serving on the Idaho State Board of Education and Idaho Indian Education Board, he’s an engaged and innovative partner with secondary education, local agencies, business and industry and the Idaho Legislature.
He’s also renowned as a fashion influencer.
It’s our distinct pleasure to recognize a humble, compassionate and kind friend to all with this award.
2020 Citizen of the Year, Graydon Stanley!
Spirit of Post Falls Award 2020
Established in 2007 this award recognizes a local organization which provides services and benefit to the citizens of Post Falls.
This year’s recipient is a service club with international affiliation, chartering in Post Falls a quarter century ago.
In 2020, when a pandemic sidelined much charitable work and service, this club didn’t miss a beat to continue their good works within the community.
In March they moved to virtual meetings quickly and found ways to stay on track with ambitious goals. From contributing $1,000 to provide N-95 masks to first responders and Post Falls school employees to weekly delivery of Meals on Wheels for the Post Falls Senior Center, the group continued a long list of their annual projects and scholarships. They helped fund two solar powered crosswalk signals near local elementary schools. Their members are active leaders in Post Falls and the surrounding area.
With gratitude and appreciation, we honor the Post Falls Rotary Club with the 2020 Spirit of Post Falls Award!
Business of the Year 2020
This award recognizes a member business for action, generosity and service above and beyond on behalf of the community.
In March when the Covid lockdown was initiated and businesses were encouraged to have staff work from home, the Chamber was no exception. Without secure access to the Chamber server, the need was identified. This business loaned and installed a firewall appliance at no charge, provided over a dozen hours of managed services and seven months of continuous monitoring, all gratis.
This generosity has protected the interests of the Chamber as well as of our member businesses.
They have also extended free network security evaluations to the Post Falls Police Department, Post Falls School District and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. This company’s community-oriented focus and strong desire to serve and protect data resources is commendable.
It’s an honor to present the 2020 Business of the Year Award to Cascade Defense.
Organization of the Year 2020
This award recognizes a member organization for action, generosity and service above and beyond on behalf of the community.
The past year will go down in history where one of our largest employers led the way in innovation, flexibility and perseverance during a pandemic. This organization employs 850 people in 11 locations in Post Falls.
The Post Falls School District serves 6,150 students in grades K-12, with 382 students enrolled in dual credit courses at NIC and the U of I. The district emphasizes Career and Technical education with 120 students at KTEC and 180 students involved with BPA and DECA. In 2020 PFHS seniors qualified for $2,600,000 in college scholarships!
The development and implementation of new procedures, distance learning and safety protocols in an environment where circumstances and state direction could change on a near daily basis, they rose to the challenges.
From the custodians to the bus drivers, support staff, teachers and new Superintendent Dena Naccarato, the Post Falls School District has earned our respect and appreciation.
It’s an honor to present them with the 2020 Organization of the Year Award!
Volunteer of the Year 2020
This award seeks to recognize and show appreciation for the volunteer efforts of a Chamber member who has given generously of their time and enthusiasm on behalf of the organization and community in a variety of ways.
It’s to be expected that the list of involvement for any recipient of this award is long and this year is no exception. From serving on the Chamber’s board of directors and Public Policy committee, Rotary leadership, and an appointed Urban Renewal Agency commissioner, she’s volunteered with River City Leadership Academy since graduating from the program in 2018.
A small business owner who makes time to engage in fundraising that benefits the community, often leading those efforts, she was named Rotarian of the Year and Area District Governor for Rotary.
For tireless and enthusiastic service to the community and Chamber, it’s an honor to recognize Christi Fleischman of Knock Marketing as 2020 Volunteer of the Year!
