REPORTER STAFF
Cindy Courtmanch of Marymoor Press was named the Chamber Champion of the Year by the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce at its annual awards luncheon Wednesday at Matt’s Rotisserie and Oyster Bar.
The Chamber Champion of the Year is an individual who exemplifies the Chamber’s goal of encouraging members to do business with one another, according to Chris Hoffman, the Chamber’s chief executive officer and president.
Hoffman said Courtmanch, a 10-year Chamber member, “has helped the Chamber as we look to new newsletter formatting and software. Cindy has served on several committees and has been a solid supporter of staff, committees and events.”
Courtmanch has served on the Gala Committee since 2004 and has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2007.
Bellevue’s Puget Sound Energy was named the Business of the Year with 50 or more employees and the Business of the Year with fewer than 50 employees was Matt’s Rotisserie and Oyster Bar.
In addition, the City of Redmond’s R-TRIP (Redmond Trip Reduction Incentive Program) and the Chamber partnered to present the first “Way to Go!” Business Commute Awards to recognize Redmond employers who have helped their employees to decrease traffic congestion and improve air quality.
Since R-TRIP launched its Web site, www.GOrtrip.com in May 2008, more than 10,000 members have committed to practices that save fuel and reduce CO2. Approximately 120 employers are represented through the program.
“The 2008 “Way to Go!” Business Commute Award for a small business with under 100 employees went to Hopelink. The Redmond-based human services agency offers its 47 employees an environment with flexible work shifts. And through R-TRIP, Hopelink provides employees with $20 gift certificate incentives for every 20 biking, walking, carpool, vanpool or public transit commutes they log onto GOrtrip.com.
“The 2008 “Way to Go!” Business Commute Award for a large business with more than 100 employees went to Microsoft Corporation. Thirty-eight percent of its employee population doES not drive alone to work. Microsoft offers free transit passes, priority parking for carpools and vanpools, vanpool subsidies, bicycling amenities, campus shuttles, a guaranteed ride home program, active use of GOrtrip.com and most visibly, The Connector, Microsoft’s own bus service.
The Connector began in September 2007 and serves 8,000 riders with 13 routes. On-board amenities such as Wi-Fi, bicycle storage, overhead storage and reclining seats encourage employees to utilize the service. An on-line reservation system guarantees a seat.
The Chamber handed out several other awards at the packed luncheon.
Chamber Rookie of the Year: Andrea Lachmannn from PS Business Parks.
Government Partner of the Year: Redmond Mayor John Marchione.
Non-profit Breakthrough Award: Marilyn Mason-Plunkett from Hopelink.
Business Partner of the Year: Falco Sult, partners Bruce Sult and Chris Falco.
Minority or Female Business of the Year Award: Lisa Dupar of Lisa Dupar Catering and Pomegranate Restaurant.
Rotary Community MVP of the Year Award: William C. Garing.
Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award: Barbara Gordon from Venture Bank.
