Tuesday, November 3rd was Election Day for the various political jurisdictions around the region, and by now the results have been reviewed and analyzed and what if’ed to death. Tuesday was also the day we recognized this year’s Accomplished & Under 40 and Kyle W Corwin Legacy Builder Awards.
Rather than an election, our awards are based on nominations and a selection process. For the past 11 years, we’ve empaneled a group of award alumni and asked them to review the nominations and recommend those who should take their place in the annual class of Accomplished and Under 40. The selection of the Corwin Legacy Builder has a similar process.
Since the alumni got hold of the review process, the standard against which nominations are held only seems to have gone up. As a result, the quality of individuals recognized as Accomplished & Under 40 is more impressive than ever, detailed in this edition beginning on page six. Myself, and the rest of the staff at the Vancouver Business Journal, would like to extend a hearty congratulations to each and every one in this group; truly a recognition well-earned.
When I hear folks complaining about the future of our community, our state and our country, I am comforted to think about those we’ve recognized over the years with the Under 40 award. It is comforting knowing that there are 322 people who have been recognized with the award over the years – many of whom continue to be in positions of leadership in their companies as well as for charitable organizations around the region.
A quick glance down the list of honorees shows some who have started businesses of their own, such as Dental Clinics, Event Planning and Production firms, distributorships and professional services firms. Others have been elevated (or elected) to leadership positions in business associations, architectural and accounting firms, banking, nonprofit organizations and city councils.
While some have moved on to positions in other communities, the majority continue to make contributions right here in Southwest Washington.
Tuesday we also recognized the eighth recipient of the Kyle W Corwin Legacy Builder Award. Named in honor of a friend and mentor, Kyle Corwin was a devoted family man, consummate businessperson and an active and generous philanthropist. Kyle was a native of Vancouver, committed to making Vancouver and Clark County a better community. He mentored young people in the family business, Corwin Beverage; he mentored friends around the idea of getting involved – personally – in the community. More than those, Kyle was dedicated to and proud of his family. I remember being at Kyle’s home and being introduced to his family tree, which was photographically depicted on a wall in the main hallway of the house.
The year after we lost Kyle to a valiant battle with cancer, we introduced the award to honor the legacy he left. Over that time, we’ve recognized community stalwarts including Ron Frederiksen, Dr. Stan Friedberg, Tony Bacon, Mark Matthias, Norma Bergstrom and Ed Lynch.
This year, we recognized Bruce Hagensen, who was a boyhood friend of Kyle’s and credits him for his involvement in the community. More than 40 years later, Bruce, the former owner of Vancouver Sign and a former mayor of Vancouver, believes it’s really about everybody else – just like Kyle did.
However, that wasn’t the case on Tuesday. That day it was about Bruce and the scores of contributions he has made in our community.
Bruce, we thank you.
