Wasilla Chamber honors 'movers and shakers'

WASILLA -- A host of Valley movers and shakers exchanged shiny plaques, honors and applause with one another during the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting, at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn.

Paddy Coan, the current Chamber president, hosted the Tuesday afternoon event, in which incoming and outgoing chamber board members were announced. The event also featured annual awards and a grand-finale announcement of the new chamber president.

On Monday, current board members voted in a secret ballot for the new Chamber president. Coan told the attentive crowd that she was the only person in the packed banquet hall who knew who her successor would be.

"I've had the privilege of serving with some high-powered folks," Coan told an applauding crowd. "It has been my honor to serve you."

Then she turned the microphone over to future president John Klapperich, owner of KMBQ radio station. Klapperich will take over presidential duties in January 2005, with the responsibility of helping direct the mission of the Chamber to create a positive economic and civic climate in the Greater Wasilla area.

"In the next two to five years, we can go as far as we want to get," Klapperich said. "With the help of this board and with your help, hopefully we can achieve your dreams."

A total of five awards were handed out, including Citizen of the Year honors, which went to Wasilla Police Chief Don Savage for his work in the community over the past year.

In her closing comments, Coan thanked the many Chamber members, including state senators, public officials and many business owners.

"You reflect what we are all about," Coan said, "and that is Valley class."

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.

Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce board members and award winners:

Outgoing chamber board members

Robert Baker, North Star Multimedia

Janice Strong, vice president, Strong Appraisals, Inc.

Ted Perez, vice president of commercial lending of the Wasilla region Northrim Bank

Karen Walton, executive director of Mat-Su Community Transit (MASCOT)

Incoming chamber board members

Cindy Bettine, ABC Travel Time

Kim Floyd, Mat-Su Borough School District information specialist

Jason Hamlin, Sears (re-elected)

Len Horst, Alaska Sales & Service

Dianne M. Keller, Wasilla Mayor

Award winners

Youth of the Year --Wasilla Middle School student Ahriel Porter

Educator of the Year -- Tanaina Elementary School teacher Pattie Quinn

Citizen of the Year -- Wasilla Police Chief Don Savage

Small Business of the Year -- All About Herbs

Corporate Business of the Year -- Sears

Outgoing president

Paddy Coan -- associate broker in charge of the Wasilla branch of Prudential Vista Real Estate

New president

John Klapperich -- owner, general manager and president of KMBQ Corp.