2013
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Max Spalding
Entrepreneur of the Year: Mark & Steffanie Anderson, Business Cents
Business of the Year – Tier 1: The Splash/The Current
Business of the Year – Tier 2: Telect, Inc.
Charity/Cultural Services Award: Spokane Symphony
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Julie Van Wormer, ALSC Architects
Community Caring Award: Mark Peterson, “KXLY Extreme Team”
Educators of the Year: Leanne Donley, Central Valley School District & Haley Murray, West Valley School District
2012
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: William H. Gothmann
Entrepreneur of the Year: The Grounds Guys – Kenny Smith
Business of the Year – Tier 1: Independent Wealth Connections
Business of the Year – Tier 2: Greenstone Corporation
Human Services Award: HUB Sports Center
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Cindra Shields
Community Caring Award: Avista
Ambassador of the Year: Jennifer Nemes
Special Lifetime Achievement Award: Dick Behm
Educators of the Year: Morgen Larsen of Greenacres Elementary School & Patricia Perrenoud, Consulting Educator at Spokane Valley High School
2011
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Chuck Stocker
Small Business of the Year: Tracy Jewelers
Medium Business of the Year: Baker Construction
Large Business of the Year: Valley Hospital
Non-Profit of the Year: Valleyfest
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Rick & Diana Wilhite, Safeguard Northwest
Community Caring Award: Hutton Settlement
Ambassador of the Year: Sonya Hutnik
2010
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Dick Denenny
Small Business of the Year: Clark’s Tire and Automotive
Medium Business of the Year: ALSC Architects
Large Business of the Year: Banner Bank
Non-Profit of the Year: Spokane Valley Partners
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Dick Behm, Behm’s Creamery
Community Caring Award: John Guarisco, MDI Marketing
Ambassador of the Year: Sheri Dickinson, Mountain West Bank
2009
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Peggy Doering
Small Business of the Year: MOJO Reprographics
Medium Business of the Year: Monique’s Salon
Large Business of the Year: Mirabeau Park Hotel
Non-Profit of the Year: Inland Northwest Blood Center
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Chuck Stocker
Community Caring Award: Barbara Olson, BNI
Ambassador of the Year: Vivian Shammel
2008
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Ian Robertson
Small Business of the Year: Walls That Talk
Medium Business of the Year: Design Events
Large Business of the Year: Coeur d’Alene Casino & Resort
Non-Profit of the Year: Inland Northwest Candlelighters
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Jim Giles
Community Caring Award: Monique Smith, Monique’s Salon
Ambassador of the Year: Debbie Navin
2007
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Diana Wilhite
Small Business of the Year: Marjoni Marketing
Medium Business of the Year: Quality Inn Valley Suites Hotel
Large Business of the Year: Wagstaff
Non-Profit of the Year: Spokane Valley Partners
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Dr. Philip L. Rudy, DDS
Community Caring Award: Ian Robertson and Dr. George Schneider, MD
Ambassador of the Year: Jim Giles
2006
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Joe Custer
Small Business of the Year: Brighton Court Assisted Living
Medium Business of the Year: Holiday Inn Express Spokane Valley
Large Business of the Year: Itron
Non-Profit of the Year: Spokane Neighborhood Action Program (SNAP)
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Sue Schindler, Blodgett & Co.
Community Caring Award: Susan DeLano, Wishing Star
2005
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Julie Prafke
Small Business of the Year: Beal Digital Media
Medium Business of the Year: Inland Empire Distributions Systems
Large Business of the Year: Mirabeau Park Hotel
Non-Profit of the Year: Transitions
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Connie Wagner, Quality Inn Valley Suites
Community Caring Award: Randy Johnson, Act Now
2004
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Mike DeVleming
Small Business of the Year: Heart in Hand
Medium Business of the Year: Office Depot
Large Business of the Year: Global Credit Union
Non-Profit of the Year: Meals on Wheels
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Skip Bonuccelli
Community Caring Award: Chris Armstrong
2003
Harry E. Nelson – Citizen of the Year: Norma Ventris
Small Business of the Year: Holiday Inn Express
Medium Business of the Year: Dishman Dodge
Large Business of the Year: STCU
Non-Profit of the Year: SV Community Center
Chamber Member Volunteer of the Year: Debbie Navin, Creative Business Systems
Community Caring Award: Kathleen Kozlowski, STCU
Harry E. Nelson
Harry E. Nelson was born and raised in Iowa. As a young man, he learned carpentry and the printing trade, he then followed the silver boom to Colorado, where he published newspapers in the towns of Cripple Creek and Snyder at the turn of the century. He came to the Spokane area in 1905 and specifically to the Valley in 1907.
He returned to Iowa, married, and published more small papers, and then headed back to the Pacific Northwest to seek his fortune in the apple industry. In 1914, Mr. Nelson became associated with the Spokane Valley Growers Union, a cooperative apple house. It was while he was secretary-treasurer of the Growers Union that he and Karl Frolander saw the need for a Spokane Valley newspaper.
The first copy of the Spokane Valley Herald appeared March 24, 1920. On May 7, 1920, Harry outlined the philosophy of the Herald as well as expressing his faith in the Valley community. “Spokane Valley…is an empire within an empire,” he wrote. “Those with keen insight into the future know that the day is near at hand in which Spokane Valley will be so productive of wealth and so filled with homes that it will be one of the richest districts in the entire Northwest.”
In 1921, Harry Nelson joined with others to found the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. He then served as President in 1926.
After 16 years of service with the Washington State Horticultural Department, he retired for two years. During this time he devoted his energies to the Spokane Valley Kiwanis Club and the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. He was very involved with programs for children and to help young educators. In community development he was instrumental in forming the Pines Cemetery district. In 1949, the Chamber persuaded him to take the job of Managing Secretary. Under his management, the Spokane Valley Chamber soon began to accumulate a bank account, as well as property. Brochures describing the advantages of the Valley soon began to flow from the Chamber. In 1956, the Chamber was able to purchase three-quarters of an acre at 10303 E. Sprague, which had been part of the Balfour Ranch and the Balfour residence, which became the home of the chamber and later the site of the Fire Department and Balfour Park. The Chamber was serving the community, growing, and it was virtually debt free. Harry Nelson worked tirelessly at the Chamber until his death in 1959. His friend Jack Morrison, who was President during the time Harry worked at the Chamber, reflected, “He had a special way of putting things together and getting people involved.”
The Citizen of the Year Award has been named after Harry Nelson, because of his passion for the Spokane Valley and his commitment to the business community.
Harry E. Nelson Award Winners
2013 Max Spalding “Mr. Benevolent”
2012 William H. Gothmann “Mr. Reliable”
2011 Chuck Stocker “Community Educator”
2010 Dick Denenny “Community Visionary”
2009 Peggy Doering “Community Organizer”
2008 Ian Robertson “Community Involvement”
2007 Diana Wilhite “Business Advocate”
2006 Julie Prafke “Entrepreneur”
2005 Joe Custer “Lifetime Achievement”
2004 Mike DeVleming “First Mayor of Spokane Valley”
2003 Norma Ventris “Community Leader”
