Service to Community is Hallmark of First Citizen & DSA Recipients

Over 300 guests gathered at the Red Lion Hotel on Friday, January 23rd to honor Salem’s 2003 First Citizen Award and Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipients. Chamber Board of Directors President, Mike DeRochier, AmeriTitle, opened the festivities. Ben Bryson, Pastor of Court Street Christian Church, provided the invocation. Kathy Goss, Capital Valuation Group Ltd and Chamber President-Elect acted as Mistress of Ceremonies and special entertainment was provided by the talented Johnny Guitar.  

(L to R): Edwin Peterson with wife and 1st Citizen Award Winner, Anna Peterson.  Distinguished Service Award recipient Ruth Hewett and husband, Bob Hewett.  Distinguished Service Award recipient Phil Settecase and wife, Betty May.  

2003 Distinguished Service Award

 - Ruth Hewett -

Ruth Hewett has been a passionate volunteer and advocate for children for decades. Ruth served for ten years as member of the Oregon State Board of Education and chaired the board for two different terms. She received the 1998 Marion County Advisory Board’s “Volunteer of the Year” award and was a founding member of the Marion County Children and Families Commission, serving as its chair for two years. Ruth has been active in many Salem-Keizer School District advisory committees and boards, lending her expertise in matters of juvenile justice, youth safety, youth health issues and child development. She currently serves on the Family Building Blocks Board of Directors.  {Ruth is pictured above with her husband Bob Hewett}

2003 Distinguished Service Award

- Phil Settecase -

Architect Phil Settecase has left his mark on many of Salem’s most recognized buildings, including 17 structures on the Willamette University Campus: the Sparks Center, Putnam University Center, Tokyo International University of America and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. He designed the Salem Civic Center, for which he received the Leo Harris award, the Salem Public Library and the Fire Station located downtown. A University of Oregon graduate, Phil is a past president of the Mission Mill Museum Association Board of Directors and is a “Heritage Award” recipient from that organization. He is also a past president of the Chemeketa Foundation Board of Directors and is active in St. Joseph’s Church. Phil and his wife Betty May have been married for 50 years and have two adult children, Carey of Eugene and Ben of Salem.  {Phil is pictured on the right side of David Holton, Curry Brandaw Architects}

Title Sponsors:     

Kaiser Permanente

West Coast Bank

Gold Sponsors:     

Portland General Electric

Red Lion Hotel & Convention Center

Silver Sponsors:     

FASTSIGNS

Saalfeld Griggs PC

Willamette Valley Vineyards

Bronze Sponsor:     

BC Towing

Prudential Real Estate Professionals

Terra Cotta Imports LLC

(L to R): Evening entertainer Johnny Guitar with help from AmeriTitle reps Brad Moore and Jeannette Munson.  Chamber President Mike DeRochier was assisting on percussion.  Johnny's flair was enjoyed by the over 300 guests in attendance.

(L to R): Thelma & Gene Derfler, Sharon & Ben Bryson.  The Head Table enjoyed conversation as 2002 First Citizen Gene Derfler compared notes with Pastor Ben Bryson, who provided the evening invocation. 

(L to R): 1st Citizen Committee Members Gina McCluhan, Velda Schooler, Sue Parsons, Karin Holton, Chair Terri Axell, Lee Anderson, JoAnne Thearle, Helen Ramsdell.  The volunteer committee is responsible for planning and orchestrating the tremendous evening celebration, including lavish decor.

(L to R): 1st Citizen Ushers Ross Carey - U.S. Bank, Gayle Caldarazzo - Cascade Employers Association, Sharron Seideman - Chamber Staff, Scott Snyder - Phoenix Inn Suites, Shirley Engel - Debra Herring Studio, Debra Herring - Debra Herring Studio, and Kris Gorsuch - Saalfeld Griggs PC.