The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce presented its annual awards Jan. 20 at Matt’s Rotisserie and Oyster Bar in Redmond Town Center.

Chamber President and CEO Chris Hoffman presented the 2009 Chamber Champion Award to Robert Pantley, developer, A Better Way, noting that he has “been involved with development issues and has been a constant pillar of our Government Affairs and is currently during yeoman’s work on the rewrite of the Redmond Community Development Guide.”

Among Pantley’s contributions to the region, said Hoffman, are the new Portula’ca townhomes in the heart of downtown Redmond and other Built Green housing choices. He also acts as the financial manager for his wife Elizabeth’s book publishing company, Better Beginnings, which includes a national best-seller “No Cry Sleep Solution.”

Stephen Maffett, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Redmond Chamber, presented the Chamber Rookie of the Year award to Brad Johansen of SILVERMARK, INC., who’s been an active promoter of the Chamber’s golf and gala committees.

“He comes from a culture of providing client nurturing,” said Maffett. “Brad’s suggestions and encouragement are key components of his success.”

Erika Vandenbrande, Transportation Demand Manager for the City of Redmond’s R-Trip (Redmond Trip Resource and Incentive Program) accepted the award for Government Partner of the Year, “an elected or appointed official who actively supported the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda to develop and maintain a favorable business climate.”

Working with the City of Redmond’s Jill Smith and other staff, Vandenbrande created a program that encourages walking, biking, carpooling or using public transportation to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

The Non-Profit Breakthrough Award was bestowed upon John Kenny of Redmond’s VFW Post 2995, honoring Kenny’s leadership of a Troop Support program that supplies comfort packages to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The local VFW has sent more than 6,000 boxes to troops in the last five years and Kenny has recruited a wide range of volunteers to assist in this noble effort.

The Business Partner of the Year award went to Stephen Maffett, a regional manager for Columbia Bank, who, “through volunteer leadership and action … shared expertise, insight and resources to make a difference to the community,” Hoffman noted.

In addition to his work with the Redmond Chamber, Maffett is a member of the Community Advisory Committee for Evergreen Hospital.

Debra Glugla of Marbella Day Spa was awarded the Minority or Female Business of the Year Award. A successful hairdresser and cosmetologist, she also heads a small company called Lucky Duck which makes hats and scarves and donates 100 percent of its proceeds to the Eastside Domestic Violence Program.

Business of the Year, with 50 or more employees, was an award to recognize a business that “either brought new jobs through expansion or took extraordinary measures to retain jobs in Redmond, or supported collective actions to make significant improvements within the community.”

Bill Biggs of Group Health Cooperative was the recipient. Group Health’s hundreds of social causes in the Northwest region include YMCA Healthy Kids Day, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Eastside Domestic Violence Program and the YWCA. In addition, Group Health promotes healthy lifestyle choices such as bicycling.

The Business of the Year with fewer than 50 employees award went to Judy Jewell of Olympian Precast Concrete.

Giving the award, Maffett stated that Jewell is “an activist that balances business needs with environmental protection efficiencies … (and) a point person for RICE, Redmond Industries for a Clean Environment, that represents manufacturing entities in Southeast Redmond.”

Jill Smith announced that the City of Redmond Business Commute “Way to Go!” Award had three recipients representing a large business, a small business and Special City of Redmond Outstanding Business Commute Award.

The commute award for a large business went to Honeywell Corporation, the commute award for a small business went to PlayNetwork, Inc. and the city’s special commute award went to Microsoft Corp.

The winner of the Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Mike Nelson to “a person or business that has shown exemplary service and commitment year after year to improve their business, their profession, the business climate or the community,” was Terry Lavender, property manager for Redmond Medical Center and private citizen.

Lavender was recognized for her business acumen, civic pride such as co-chairing Redmond Derby Days kids’ parades from 1989-2009 and for her environmental work such as chairing the King County Conservation Future Citizens Advisory Committee from 2003 to the present.