Wasilla chamber elects members

WASILLA -- The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting at Evangelo's earlier this month, where chamber members elected a new board and awards were given to honor those in the community that excel. Out-going president John Klapperich summed up the luncheon ceremony by exclaiming:

"These are the people who make a big difference in our chamber and in our beautiful city of Wasilla."

Chamber President Paddy Coan of Prudential Vista, a self-proclaimed "queen of commerce," said she hopes to continue the efforts put forth by earlier boards to get people to shop locally. She said it is important for consumers to remember that you don't have to leave the Valley to get what you need.

"We want to see the Valley continue to grow," she said. "You don't have to go to Anchorage, you can get what you need right here."

The 2004 board of directors for the chamber are as follows:

President Paddy Coan, Prudential Vista.

President-elect Robert Baker, North Star Multimedia.

Vice President Janice Strong, Strong Appraisals.

Treasurer Ted Perez, Northrim Bank.

Secretary Karen Walton, M.A.S.C.O.T.

Annette Andres, Wells Fargo Bank.

Chas St. George, Behavioral Health Services of Mat-Su.

Jason Hamil, Sears.

John Klapperich, KMBQ 99.7.

Vince Curry, attorney at law.

The chamber normally elects five new board members every other year, this year they elected six.

Also part of the annual luncheon was the awarding of honors bestowed on community members by the chamber. This year's Student of the Year was Tiffany Smodey from Wasilla High School. Jeanine Sparks, the guidance counselor at the school, said Smodey was a "major go-getter."

Martin Buser presented the Youth of the Year to Mari Troshynski. He reminded chamber members that "it's the people who make the Valley a great place to live."

Judy Youngquist, a teacher at Tanaina Elementary School, received the Educator of the Year award. The school's principal, Scott Daugharty, presented the award, saying "[Youngquist] is an outstanding example of what is good and righteous in public education and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District."

This year's Citizen of the Year award was given to Kelly Marre, who has co-chaired events such as the Light the Night Walk here in the Valley. Klapperich had kind words to say about Marre.

"She's an inspiration to a lot of people in this community," he said.

Howdie Inc., a general contractor business in the Valley, received the Business of the Year award.

The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce holds Tuesday lunch meetings at the Mat-Su Resort. For more information, call the chamber at 376-1299.