Ronan Chamber of Commerce recognizes community builders
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
RONAN — The Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce biennial membership banquet was held at the Mission Mountain Country Club Feb. 22.
Built around the theme that the chamber is “doing things most people think just happen,” the spotlight fell on individuals “who are the ones who actually make things happen,” according to master of ceremonies Wayne Fuchs.
Receiving the Key Person Award for 2013 was Brennin Grainey, a loan officer at Community Banks of Montana and a past president of the Ronan Chamber. It is an award that goes to an individual, who in the past two years has had a major impact in furthering the goals and mission of the Ronan Chamber, and who has dedicated significant time and effort to chamber activities.
In announcing the winner, Fuchs pointed out that “this year’s Thanksgiving dinner probably would not have happened if Brennin had not joined forces with Cheri Houle of Cheri’s Kitchen Catering to make it happen. It’s just another example of Brennin doing things that most people think just happen.”
The 2013 Lifetime Community Achievement Award was presented to Shane Roberts, CEO of St. Luke Community Healthcare. Fuchs, in his presentation to Roberts, covered some of the history of the Ronan hospital, which opened its doors 60 years ago on March 22, 1953.
Roberts came to St. Luke in 1988, when the hospital had $2.3 million in revenue with 78 employees. Last year, St. Luke’s revenue approached $60 million and employed nearly 400 Mission Valley residents.
With 39 years of healthcare administration under his belt, 25 of those at St. Luke, Roberts is retiring in September. On April 30, the American Hospital Association will be flying Roberts to Washington, D.C., to present him an award as “Grassroots Champion for Healthcare in the State of Montana” recognizing his advocacy for local healthcare on a national level.
Also during the evening, Jay and Beth Preston of Ronan Telephone Company (now Access Montana) gave special recognition to Rosa Tougas, who is retiring after 30 years with that company.
Keynote speaker for the evening was Racene Friede, executive director of Glacier Country Tourism, who talked about the economic impact that tourism has on the eight counties that make up Glacier Country, including Lake County and the Mission Valley.
