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Since 2001, the Milgard School of Business has hosted the Business Leadership Awards. These awards recognize local business leaders for outstanding service to their company and the community and for exemplifying the Business School's five core competencies: integrated business knowledge, strategic thinking, communication, teamwork and professionalism.
2025 Business Leadership Awards
Business Leader of the Year
Chris Walters, CEO, GENSCO
Chris Walters was appointed the CEO of Gensco, Inc. — a Fife-based, family-owned HVAC-product wholesale manufacturer and distributor — more than a year ago. He previously served as president for 12 years, which was preceded by stints in various other roles with the company. Soon opening a new manufacturing facility in Salem, Oregon, plus branches in Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, the company credits Gensco’s leadership for resulting in the business’s e-commerce platform accounting for 60% of its sales and for fostering partner support in the form of business development, technical training, and marketing services.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Larry and Virginia Gordon, Gordon Trucking, Gordon Truck Centers
Husband-and-wife duo Larry and Virginia Gordon are the force behind Gordon Trucking, a company they founded in 1980 that’s evolved over the years to include truck-dealing (which now falls under the banner of Gordon Truck Centers) and national business terminals. The Gordons largely retired from day-to-day operations in 2013, when they sold the 2,000-truck operation they’d amassed to Heartland Express, though the dealership side of the business continues to be run by their son, Scott, and is now touted as one of the largest truck-dealership groups in the U.S. Larry and Virginia haven’t completely stepped away from the family business: they still have their own office at Gordon Truck Centers’ Pacific headquarters.
Sustainable Business Leader of the Year
Bett Lucas, Senior Vice President Commercial, Seaport Sound Terminal
In addition to serving as the senior vice president of commercial of the Seaport South Terminal and TransMontaigne, Grays Harbor-raised and -based Bett Lucas serves as the chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development board and has previously been on the boards of Rebuilding Together South Sound and the MultiCare Health Foundation. She dedicates her Business Leadership Award to her aunt, Karen Brown, who received her doctorate from the University of Washington and who taught her to always “work hard, think boldly, and never shy away from challenges and new opportunities.”
Women's Leadership Award
Jackie Flowers, CEO, Tacoma Public Utilities
Since 2018, Jackie Flowers has served as the CEO of Tacoma Public Utilities, where she says she’s prioritized customer experience, employee engagement, and operational excellence throughout her tenure. Outside of her day job, Flowers is the chair of the Large Public Power Council Board of Directors, the co-chair of the American Public Power Association’s American Public Power Association CEO Climate Change Taskforce, serves on the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, and is on the board of directors for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.
Pathfinder Leader of the Year
Marquise Dixon, CEO, Degrees of Change
Marquise Dixon, the Tacoma-based CEO of the higher education-focused nonprofit Degrees of Change, says he’s passionate about expanding college access and creating economic opportunities for youth — something he’s also channeled in previous roles as the vice president of Youth and Family Services at Urban Ventures and assistant dean of Experiential Leadership Development at the University of Northwestern — St. Paul.
2024 Business Leadership Awards
Business Leader of the Year
Clint Stein, CEO, Umpqua Bank
Clint Stein serves as president and CEO of Columbia Banking System and CEO of Umpqua Bank, and he served as president and CEO of Columbia Banking System and Columbia Bank from January 1, 2020 until 2023’s merger with Umpqua.
Mr. Stein joined Columbia in 2005 as senior vice president, chief accounting officer and controller, and in 2012, he was appointed executive vice president, chief financial officer. In 2017, Mr. Stein was appointed executive vice president, chief operating officer, and he continued to serve as chief financial officer until May 2018. Mr. Stein was named a CFO of the year in 2015 by the Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ), and he was named as a top-100 business leader on the PSBJ’s Power 100 list in 2022.
Prior to joining Columbia, Mr. Stein served as chief financial officer for Albina Community Bank, which he joined following his tenure as chief financial officer at Community Bank. He began his nearly 30-year career in the financial services industry as a public accountant focused on tax and municipal nonprofit auditing.
Mr. Stein currently serves on the Executive Council For A Greater Tacoma, and he is a director on the boards of Washington Bankers Association and Pacific Coast Banking School. He previously served as a board member for the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.
A Northwest native, Mr. Stein earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from the University of Idaho. His post-graduate education includes the Graduate School of Bank Financial Management and the Graduate School of Banking.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dean Allen, Chairman & CEO, McKinstry
Dean Allen is leading transformative change to address the overlapping climate, affordability and equity crises by relentlessly pursuing Action for Impact across the built environment.
Under his leadership, McKinstry is ushering in a zero-carbon future that decarbonizes our nation’s buildings and energy infrastructure to better serve our communities. As CEO, Dean has grown McKinstry into a recognized national leader in the design, construction, optimization and maintenance of high-performing buildings and energy assets. His passion for collaborative problem solving and community service inspires and mobilizes McKinstry’s national footprint of more than 3,000 employees to eliminate barriers standing in the way of a better built environment. The result can be seen in the company’s innovative South Landing development in Spokane, which sets the benchmark for zero carbon and zero energy at zero cost premium. The development earned 2021 NAIOP Sustainable Development of the Year top honors.
Dean lives McKinstry’s values and has long served his community in various philanthropic roles to make a positive difference. He is particularly driven by global health and education equity under the ideal that all children deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. Dean is a board member for the Washington Roundtable and serves on the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation Board and Research Committee. He is also a Founding Board Chair of Washington STEM.
Dean earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Molecular Biology and in Psychology from the University of Washington. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Eastern Washington University.
Non-Profit Leader of the Year
Dona Ponepinto, President and CEO, United Way of Pierce County
Dona is currently the President and CEO for United Way of Pierce County. Dona joined UWPC in January of 2014 and brings over 30 years of experience within the United Way network.
Since taking the reins in Pierce County, Dona led a ground-breaking three-state research project on the financial stability of families known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), spearheaded the creation of the yearly, From Poverty to Possibilities summit, and launched the Center for Strong Families, that focuses on helping families increase their income, decrease expenses, build credit, and acquire assets. Currently, in partnership with the City of Tacoma, County and DSHS, she and her team are leading another Guaranteed Income Demonstration project.
Prior to joining United Way of Pierce County, Dona was a Vice President at United Way for Southeast Michigan (UWSEM) in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to joining UWSEM, she was with Orange County’s United Way and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
She is a member of the Junior League Tacoma and is currently the President of the Association of Junior Leagues International. In addition, she serves on the boards of the Tacoma Art Museum, Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital, Coordinated Care, and the Workforce Development Council. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as a Board of Trustee for Tacoma Community College.
Dona holds a BA in Psychology and a MS Degree in Counseling from Creighton University.
Lifetime Achievement (Non-Profit)
Bruce Kendall, President and CEO, Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County
Bruce Kendall has been a pivotal figure in economic development, serving as the president and CEO of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County for 25 years.
Since assuming the role in 1999, Kendall has been instrumental in driving significant growth across the region. Under his leadership, Tacoma-Pierce County witnessed the creation of new jobs, the arrival of new companies, substantial state highway investments, and the development of cultural landmarks, including securing the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. He has been recognized for his resilient leadership during economic and public health crises, and for advancing equity and diversity in economic initiatives. His contributions have earned him widespread respect and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Museum of Glass. Celebrated for his optimistic leadership and significant impact, Kendall is set to retire soon, leaving behind a legacy of enduring community development.
Sustainable Business of the Year
René Ancinas, Chair & CEO, Port Blakely
As Chair & CEO, René leads Port Blakely, a multi-national renewable forest products company. In this role, he oversees the company’s long-term business strategy, advancing its vision to cultivate a healthy world and ideals of good corporate and environmental stewardship.
René joined the fifth-generation, family-owned Port Blakely in 2005, serving in various leadership and operations roles in the company’s Forestry and Real Estate operations prior to becoming CEO in 2010. Prior to joining the company, as a member of the owning family, he helped establish a sustainable family business governance structure that has become a model for legacy family-owned companies nationwide.
Active in the industry and community, he serves on the boards of directors for the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) and Washington Roundtable, and is a member of the Tugboat Institute, a group of long-term, sustainable businesses that seek to make a long-term difference in the world. Previously, René served on the Boards of NatureBridge and the Seattle Symphony.
A graduate of the Executive MBA program at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, René also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
DEI Community Leadership Award
Lyle Quasim, Civic Leader
Lyle Quasim was born in Chicago, Ill, in 1943 and came to Tacoma, Wa., in 1966 as a member of the United States Air Force Lyle’s public service includes the following:
Director of the Washington State Psychiatric Hospitals and as the Washington State Director of Mental Health from 1979 to 1983 and 1983 to 1987, respectively. Director of the Safe Streets Campaign for Tacoma and Pierce County from 1989 to 1993. Cabinet officer for two Governors as the Secretary of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services from 1995 to 2000. At that time DSHS was the largest agency in state government. Chief of Staff for the Pierce County (Wa.) Executive from 2001 to 2009, and oversaw 16 county departments. President of Bates Technical College, one of the 34 Community and Technical Colleges in the state of Washington. He served at Bates from 2009 to 2012.
Current community engagement:
- Chair -- Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective
- NAACP 1st Vice President
- Chair -- Black Education Strategy Roundtable
- Member -- UWT Chancellor’s Advisory Board
- Board member Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
- Board member Fuse Washington
- Trustee University of Puget Sound
- Board member American Leadership Forum Tacoma and National Board
- Sound Transit Diversity Oversight Committee
Women's Leadership Award
Anne Jones, Owner, Designated Broker, Windermere Abode
As the child of career home builders, real estate has always been a part of my life. When I was 16, I worked for a local firm where I answered phones and updated the paper "MLS book."
Thirty years later, we own a Windermere office and I am able to serve on the NWMLS board, so the journey has come full circle! The way we buy & sell homes has changed significantly during that time, but a few key things remain the same. Representation and relationships matter most — in life, and in real estate! When I'm not working, you can find me running at Point Defiance or traveling with Dave and our two sons. No matter where our travels take us, I know we are lucky to come home to the Pacific Northwest.
2023 BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Business Leader of the Year:
DON CLARK
President & CEO, Sound Credit Union
Non-Profit Leader of the Year:
JOE LeROY
President & CEO, HopeSparks Family Services
Lifetime Achievement:
HERB SIMON
Retired President, Simon Johnson LLC
DEI Community Leadership Award:
LUA PRITCHARD
Executive Director, Asia Pacific Cultural Center
DEI Community Leadership Award:
TAFONA ERVIN
Executive Director, Foundation for Tacoma Students
Women's Leadership Award
PAMELA TRANSUE
Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
2022 Business Leadership Award Winners
Business Leader of the Year:
MAYA MENDOZA-EXSTROM
Chief Operating Officer, Seattle Sounders
Non-Profit Leader of the Year:
CONSTANCE TRUFANT
Executive Director, Trufant Family Foundation
Lifetime Achievement:
RANDY RUSHFORTH
Retired President, Rushforth Construction
Sustainable Business Leader of the Year:
DOUGLAS REED
President, Green Diamond Resource Company
DEI Community Leadership Award:
VICTORIA WOODARDS
Mayor, City of Tacoma
Women's Leadership Award
MIRIAM BARNETT
Retired CEO, YWCA Pierce County
2020 Business Leadership Award Winners
2019 Recipients
2018
recipients
2017
recipients
2016 recipients
2015 recipients
Business Leader of the Year
Paul Ellingson, President and CEO, Bargreen Ellingson
Small Business Leader of the Year
Bill Evans, Owner, The Pacific Northwest Shop
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
Jane Taylor, The Geneva Foundation
2014 recipients
Business Leader of the Year
Gordon Rush, Founder, The Rush Companies
Small Business Leader of the Year
Hal Russell, President and CEO, Commencement Bank
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
Stephanie A. Stebich, Director, Tacoma Art Museum
Lifetime Achievement Award
B. Corry McFarland, McFarland Cascade
2013 recipients
Business Leader of the Year
Richard Brandsma, President & CEO, Sound Credit Union
Small Business Leader of the Year
Janine Terrano, CEO, Topia Technology
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
Joseph W. Wilczek, CEO, Franciscan Health System
Lifetime Achievement Award
Brian Sonntag
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Michael P. Slevin III, Director, Environmental Services Department, City of Tacoma (MBA, University of Washington Tacoma – 2004)
2012 recipients
Business Leader of the Year
Luke Xitco, President and CEO, Associated Petroleum Products
Small Business Leader of the Year
Tony G. Panagiotu, President, Panagiotu Pension Advisors
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
John R. Peterson, President, Bellarmine Preparatory School
2011 recipients
Business Leader of the Year
Greg Biersack, Vice President of Operations, Burkhart Dental Supply
Small Business Leader of the Year
Brian Haynes, President and CEO, Rainier Connect
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
Diane Cecchettini, RN, President and CEO, MultiCare Health System
2010 recipients
Business Leader of the Year
Melanie Dressel, President and CEO, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
Small Business Leader of the Year
Mohsen Aliabadi, President and CEO, South Tacoma Auto Sales, Inc.
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
Charles Shelan, Executive Director, Community Youth Services
2009 recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
James A. Milgard, Executive Vice President, Milgard Windows and Doors
Business Leader of the Year
William Matthaei, CEO and Director, Roman Meal Company
Small Business Leader of the Year
Brian Forth, President and Founder, SiteCrafting, Inc.
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
David Ottey, Director, Emergency Food Network
2008 recipients
Business Leader of the Year
Michael A. Tucci, Chairman of the Board, Tucci & Sons
Small Business Leader of the Year
Ben I. Pentecost, Co-owner, Rickabaugh Pentecost Development, LLC
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
George Cargill, Chairman of the Board, United Service Organization of the Puget Sound Area
2007 recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
George H. Weyerhaeuser, Retired, Weyerhaeuser
Business Leader of the Year
Ray Tennison, President, Simpson Investment Company
Small Business Leader of the Year
Joe Stortini, President, Joeseppi's Italian Restaurant, Deli, and Catering
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
Bob Ecklund, President and CEO, YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce County
2006 recipients
Business Leader of the Year
Dan Absher, President, Absher Construction Company
Small Business Leader of the Year
Michael L. Miller, President, Rice Fergus Miller Architecture and Planning
Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year
Terry A. Hayes, CEO, Tacoma Goodwill Industries
2004 recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Philip, Retired CEO, Columbia Bank
Business Leader of the Year
Robert Magee, Chairman, American Shipping Group, Inc.
2003 recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
Fred Haley, Chairman-Emeritus, Brown & Haley, Inc.
Business Leader of the Year
Don Johnson, Vice President and General Manager, Simpson Tacoma Kraft
Rising Star Award
Thaddeus Martin IV, Partner, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Malanca Peterson & Daheim
Leadership Award
Melanie Dressel, President and CEO, Columbia Bank
John A. Hall, President and CEO, Rainier Pacific Bank
Andrea Riniker, Executive Director, Port of Tacoma
Randy Rushforth, CEO, Rushforth Construction Co.
Linda Thomas, Executive Director, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Malanca Peterson & Daheim
Janeanne Upp, CEO, Tacoma Art Museum
2002 recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
Gary Milgard, Chairman, Milgard Manufacturing Inc.
Business Leader of the Year
Mark Crisson, Director of Utilities, City of Tacoma and CEO, Tacoma Public Utilities
Rising Star Award
Josi Callan, Founding Director, Museum of Glass: International Center for Contemporary Art
Leadership Award
Donald R. Anderson, President, Washington Architectural Hardware
David Graybill, President and CEO, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
Ross Hjelseth, Headmaster, Life Christian School and Academy
Jeffrey S. Lyon, President and CEO, GVA Kidder Mathews
David Morris, CEO, Dillanos Coffee Roasters and Atomic Distributing
Tom Seigel, Superintendent, Bethel School District
Mike Wallingford, Vice President and Regional Manager, Wells Fargo
2001 recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
George Russell, Chairman of the Board, Frank Russell Co.
Business Leader of the Year
Bruce Greene, General Manager, Advanced Tel-Com Group
Rising Star Award
Janine Terrano, President, Business Internet Services
Leadership Award
Rick Allen, President, United Way of Pierce County
Joe Guizzetti, General Manager and CEO, Buffelen Woodworking
Chuck Miller, President and CEO, Bratrud Middleton Insurance
Clare Petrich, Owner, Petrich Marine Dock LLC
Mark Rake-Marona, Director, Franciscan Health System Hospice Program
David Senner, Owner, Abolins Inc.
Juli Wilkerson, Director, Tacoma Economic Development Department
