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This year, a new face led the Economic Alliance of Lewis County's annual banquet as the group honored the local leader of a nationally-recognized vocational education program based in Onalaska.
Newly minted Alliance Executive Director Todd Chaput, with help from the Alliance Board of Directors Chair Stuart Cavness, kicked off the night's program at 7 p.m. at Jester’s Auto Museum on Friday.
The event serves as a yearly check-in for the local business community, a celebration of jobs well done, and a time to recognize four community members or businesses for their work.
The event began much earlier than the program, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., giving attendees plenty of time to socialize. The first hour and a half gave attendees a chance to participate in a silent auction, eat appetizers and visit the cash bar. Throughout the program, participants would also get a chance to participate in a live auction and dessert dash.
At 7 p.m. on the dot, Chaput kicked off the event, beginning with introductions. Chaput also introduced a late farewell for the Economic Alliance’s former Executive Director Richard DeBolt who, despite having relocated to Texas late last year, attended the event.
Partway through, Chaput announced three awards for businesses and members of the community and their work in 2025. Owner and CEO of The Chronicle Coralee Taylor also came to the podium to announce the Russ Mohney Recreation Resource Stewardship Award, presented by The Chronicle and the Alliance.
Each year, the Economic Alliance of Lewis County presents the Gail and Carolyn Shaw Industry Award, the Community Commitment Award and the Buck Hubbard Staff Award.
The event ended with a roughly 30-minute presentation on the economic climate for this year by the Director of the Center of Economics at Western Washington University, James Mccafferty.
Gail and Carolyn Shaw Industry Award
Last year, the Economic Alliance awarded the Gail and Carolyn Shaw Industry Award to ToledoTel CEO Dale Merten. This year, the Industry Award went to a man who Chaput said goes to great lengths to always be well-informed on what is going on in the area and in the local business community. “
He does his research,” Chaput said.
The award winner recently bought a building in downtown Chehalis to host the headquarters of his business and is active in the community in many ways serving as a member of the Economic Alliance Board of Directors, a member of the County’s .09 Committee, the Industrial Commission and more.
This year, the award went to Dry Box Inc. President and Founder Kirk Vigre.
Vigre kept his acceptance speech short, expressing only his surprise at receiving the award after he, as a member of the Economic Alliance, had cast his vote for someone else to win the award.
“I appreciate the community,” Vigre said. “We try to do what we can, and I hope I earned it.”
Community Commitment Award
Next, Chaput presented the Community Commitment Award, describing it as an easy decision this year. Last year, the award went to the owners of Lewis County Coffee Co., Angie Twining and Samantha and Spike Magnuson.
This year, Chaput said it seems the awardee is at every local event, board meeting or anything else that is impactful. Chaput has also worked with the man closely in supporting the United Learning Center in Centralia, which is inching closer and closer to opening day.
This year, the Community Commitment Award went to Larry McGee, who has been a prominent member of the community for many years as a member of the Twin Cities Rotary, the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce and the Centralia Foundation, among many other local activities.
In accepting the award, McGee gave a short speech sharing an experience from his time working with HR Glass Group in his late 20s and learning from experience that success in business and leadership is about helping the many employees who make a business successful.
“What I quickly learned is it's the people around you that make you look good,” McGee said. “You just try not to screw it up. You try to support them and help them.”
Buck Hubbert Staff Award
Finally, Chaput presented the last of the Economic Alliance awards to an individual who he and the staff of the Economic Alliance feels does the best job of giving support to the Alliance and connecting the Alliance to the community. Last year, the award went to the marketing director of the Benaroya Company, Lisa Goodman.
This year, the awardee Chaput said works as a team member and mentor, constantly reaching out to the Alliance and working with its employees both to learn and inform. The award went to owner of Clarity Consulting Partners and Centralia City Councilor Kelly Smith Johnston.
Smith Johnston also showed a bit of surprise at being named for the award. While accepting the honor, Smith Johnston instead turned the recognition back on the Economic Alliance, remarking at the organization's growth, especially in recent years, into a leader of the local business community.
“You’ve become a force for collaboration, for vision, and for what it looks like to work together and have fun while you do it, and invite others to be a part of that.” Smith Johnston said. “For any small part of that I’ve been able to enjoy with you, I’m extremely grateful.”
Russ Mohney Award Presented by The Chronicle
The Russ Mohney Recreation Resource Stewardship Award recognizes stewardship and service in honor of the newspaper's former outdoors writer. Last year, the award went to Jay Gordon for his work with the Washington Dairy Federation and on the Chehalis Basin Board.
This year, The Chronicle selected another member of the community who has become known for his work with fish. Taylor presented the award to the Onalaska High School educator and leader of the school’s shop and award-winning aquaculture program, Kevin Hoffman.
Hoffman leads the aquaculture program, which teaches students hands-on skills while raising thousands of native fish to be released into the nearby Carlisle Lake. The program raises fish from small creatures barely distinguishable from one another in a large tank to full-sized fish that are first released into net pens floating on the surface of the local lake.
Hoffman opened his acceptance speech with a joke, comparing his work as an educator to that of many business owners, eliciting chuckles in the crowd.
“Students are great, but they’re like employees you can't fire,” Hoffman said. “You’re stuck with them sometimes one year, sometimes four, sometimes eight classes throughout those four years.”
Hoffman followed that up by voicing appreciation for the community including the Onalakska School District, for supporting the programs that he runs and for seeing their value. He added that as a Christian and member of the community, he is thankful to be able to serve and, echoing the words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, called on county residents to ask what they can do for their community.
