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SEDCOR Annual Honors Lunch Awards Contact: Susan Appleby For Immediate Release – June 5, 2008 On Thursday, June 5th, SEDCOR, the economic development group for Marion and Polk Counties held their Annual Honors Luncheon at Willamette Valley Vineyards. Over 300 SEDCOR members, civic and government officials were in attendance. The event was sponsored by Saalfeld Griggs PC. The awards honor outstanding companies in the following categories: Innovative Product, Agri-Business, Service Provider, Community Service, and Manufacturer of the Year. The Mary Pearmine Workforce Leadership Award was also presented by the Enterprise for Employment and Education. Sheryl Southwell, SEDCOR Board Chair and president Specialty Polymers, presented the awards and was assisted by Ray Burstedt, SEDCOR President, and other SEDCOR Board Members. Innovative Product of the Year This award is given to the individual or company who has been active in SEDCOR and has developed a new product or process which is on the “cutting edge” and who advances the industry and the economy through its development. Gloria Sukraw, General Manager, Garmin AT, accepted the award. Garmin, a pioneer in the field of GPS technology, still leads the way today. They design, manufacture and market navigation, communication and information devices, many of which are enabled by global positioning technology. Garmin’s status as a world-leading GPS company can be credited to their dedicated associates around the globe. They understand that continued success depends on the intellectual skills of their associates and their ability to continue to innovate. As Garmin’s sales have grown, so has their number of associates. By the end of 2007 Garmin employed nearly 8,500 associates worldwide, of which 200 are located in Salem. This represents a 38% increase in the Salem workforce since Garmin acquired the company in 2003. The company expects to continue this growth to support double and triple digit revenue growth. The Salem location is dedicated to developing panel-mounted aviation products, which are sold in both new aircraft and the retrofit market where existing aircraft are fitted with the latest electronics from a broad product line. These products have won prestigious awards throughout the industry for their innovative features and ease of use. Multiple features and capabilities are integrated into single products, minimizing the use of precious space in the cockpit, enhancing the quality and safety of flight through the use of modern designs and components, and reducing the cost of equipping an aircraft with modern electronics. While it is true Garmin has been successful since it’s inception in 1989, the most successful leaders do not rest on past accomplishments and neither will Garmin. They continue to look forward to the future and its challenges, knowing they are located in a community that provides the best support both from a business as well as a personal perspective. Agri-Business of the Year This award is presented to the individual or business who has been active in SEDCOR, has demonstrated excellence in agri-business this past year and who supports and maintains the significant role and future of agriculture in our economy. Ed Johnson, President/CEO, Oregon Cherry Growers, Inc., accepted the award. Established in 1932, Oregon Cherry Growers celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2007, and is owned by approximately 90 growers from the Willamette Valley and The Dalles area. Oregon Cherry Growers is the largest volume cherry processor and fresh packer in North America. This Oregon based company is a leading worldwide exporter of fresh and processed cherries serving domestic markets, the Pacific Rim and other regions of the world. Their product line has greatly diversified over the years and they now are a leading supplier of dried blueberries and other fruits. The company operates three processing plants in The Dalles and Salem, OR with approximately 410 employees. In addition, the company has a joint venture fresh packing operation, Pacific Coast Cherry Packers, located in Wapato, Washington with their partner Sage Fruit. OCG sells globally with approximately 30% of the fresh packed cherries and 25% of the processed cherries being exported primarily to Pacific Rim countries. OCG employs a fully trained technical staff that oversees quality control, research and development, and field support. This expertise allows Oregon Cherry Growers to produce cherries in every segment of the industry including fresh, maraschino, frozen, brined, glace’, ingredient and canned. A full line of cherry products is distributed into food service, retail and industrial domestic, as well as international markets. The company is well known in the industry for its diversified product line, high quality products, and excellent customer service. This coupled with the loyalty of its grower owners and employees should position Oregon Cherry Growers for another 75 years! Service Provider of the Year: This award is given to the organization who has been active in SEDCOR and who has exemplified the best qualities of corporate citizenship by contributing significantly to the community. Gayle Caldarazzo, Executive Director, United Way, accepted the award. The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley works locally in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties to advancing the common good. They strive to improve lives by creating lasting changes so that children, individuals, and families thrive. By addressing the root causes of issues, The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley focuses financial, volunteer and in-kind resources toward programs that:
United Way funds 43 organizations that provide services in these impact areas. Some of the organizations are Family Building Blocks, Helping Hands, YWCA, SKYBall, Family YMCA, American Red Cross and Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service. United Way also provides direct volunteer recruitment and support services for all non-profits through the Volunteer and Mentor Center. The center offers an interactive website for all organizations that utilize volunteers to post opportunities and volunteer information. In addition, the site allows individuals and groups to post a profile, which will be matched up to a volunteer opportunity that corresponds with their time, talent or geographic location. Community Service: This award is given to the organization, which represents a non-manufacturing business that has been active in SEDCOR, as well as the community, provides services to the community and who exemplifies the highest business ethical standards. Bill Winters, President, Silverton Hospital, accepted the award. This year marks the 90th Anniversary of Silverton Hospital. The hospital’s success is based on its creed Committed to Compassionate Care for our Communities. These are more than words; they are words to live by. From advanced diagnostics like a 64-slice CT, an innovative program to reverse heart disease, and community-based clinics, Silverton Hospital demonstrates its commitment to the continued health and vitality of the cities of Silverton, Mt. Angel, Molalla, Woodburn, and surrounding communities. In response to community needs, Silverton Hospital opened Wellspring Medical Center in Woodburn. Here the science of medicine and the art of healing come together to offer whole-person care and services to feed the mind, body and spirit. Hospitals are traditionally seen as places to treat the ill and injured. Silverton Hospital is much more, with services and programs to help build a healthier community. In 2007 2,000 area school children and 600 community members received free flu vaccine. Volunteer healthcare providers and community members help Silverton Hospital provide quality healthcare to the uninsured at the Community Outreach Clinic. Last year, Care Van, a free medical transportation service, provided 7,000 rides to and from the hospital and its clinics. This commitment to the community’s health continues with public educational programs, health fairs and seminars. Silverton Hospital has partnered with other community-minded organizations to develop programs and services that are greater than any one of them could provide alone. Partnerships include Silver Falls School District, Salud Medical Center, Marion and Polk County Prenatal Care Project, Silverton Together, Woodburn School District and Woodburn Together. As it celebrates its 90th anniversary, Silverton Hospital recommits itself to compassionate care for its communities. Manufacturer of the Year This award recognizes outstanding manufacturers, which are making world-class products, creating job opportunities and strengthening our communities. It is given to the individual or company who has been active in the organization, made contributions to the industry and community and is considered a successful operator exemplifying the highest business ethical standards. Gary Grossen, President, GK Machine accepted the award. What started out in a barn in 1976 as a local farm equipment repair business run by Gary and Keith Grossen has turned into a specialty design firm that fabricates state-of-the-art farm equipment. GK Machine, Inc. employs over 115 people at their plant located in Donald, Oregon, in Northern Marion County. They are a fabrication job shop, manufacturer of machinery, OEM manufacturer and supplier of hydraulic specialty equipment for the agriculture industry. GK Machine uses a broad range of equipment to fabricate high quality machinery while consistently meeting the strict deadlines of the manufacturing industry. From the most delicate engravings to the toughest bending jobs, their equipment eliminates the need to outsource. For that reason, they are able to maintain strict quality control standards for manufacturing of some of the most reliable equipment in the industry. Extra effort is put into developing relationships, not just selling equipment; customers are their best advocates. Each piece of equipment is custom tailored for each customer's specific needs. There's no assembly line. What sets GK Machine apart from mass producers is that customers can get what they want rather than having to settle for something that doesn't fit their exact specifications. Promoting continued growth and success in the manufacturing industry is of the utmost importance to GK Machine. Mary Pearmine Workforce Leadership Award The Mary Pearmine award was created by the Enterprise for Employment and Education, in 2003 to engage local businesses in recognizing the importance of developing a more highly skilled workforce. This award honors individuals and businesses that actively invest in the development of their own employees and that demonstrate a passion for improving the skills and prospects of others. Mary Pearmine Workforce Leadership: Best Practice by a Company: Best Practice by a Team: ### |
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