Submitted by Whatcom Business Alliance
On Friday, March 15, Whatcom Business Alliance and Business Pulse magazine hosted the 37th Annual Whatcom Business Awards Black & Gold Gala at Semiahmoo Resort.
The sold-out event of 400 guests began with a champagne toast and continued with a seated gourmet dinner. At the gala event, outstanding achievements of business leaders in the Whatcom County business community were recognized with four award categories, including Start-Up Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year and Whatcom Lifetime Achievement Award. Employee of the Year and Public Service Awards were also presented.
This year’s award winners were:
Start-Up Business of the Year: Neeter House of Luxury
The other start-up business finalists included Black Noise Records, Plantage, and Sasquatch Pest Control.
Small Business of the Year: Elements Hospitality
The other small business finalists included Comphy Co, HighCraft Cabinets, and Northwest Navigation.
Business Person of the Year: Billy VanZanten, WRS
The other business person finalists included Kent Bouma, WECU; Ty McClellan, Hardware Sales; Tiera Nipges, Pacific Facility Solutions.
Whatcom Lifetime Achievement: John & Mimi (Brooks) Ferlin, Brooks Manufacturing
Jon B. Strong Employee of the Year: Karen Dykstra, WRS
Public Service Award: Steven Sundin, City of Bellingham
Complete feature articles on all finalists can be read here at www.businesspulse.com.
