THE GORGE BUSINESS NEWS Business, Art, Culture, Outdoors, Travel & Entertainment
Connecting Communities Throughout the Columbia River Gorge Volume 3 - Issue 5
Serving Oregon and Washington FREE
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NOV/DEC 2019
Lisa Farquarson Recieves Chamber Director of the Year Award
By Lori Roach
L
isa Farquharson, The Dalles Area Cham ber of Commerce director, was recently named the 2019 Oregon State Chamber William R. Haas Chamber Executive of the Year at the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce convention in Lebanon. According to the OSCC to be considered for the award, candidates must be nominated by their board and must have held a CEO/Executive Director position for at least 5 years. Criteria for this honor is based on personal character, management excellence, community relations and leadership. The nomination packets meeting these requirements are then sent to a selection committee made up of previous OSCC Executives of the Year. Debi Mollahan, the CEO of the Tigard Chamber of Commerce, said at the conference while announcing the award, “Farquharson has served her community as executive director of the chamber for seven years. When she took on the position membership had been declining and businesses were leaving the chamber because they did not view it as a good return on investment. Businesses and partners reiterated again and again her dedication to the betterment of the community,” said Mollahan. “To quote one of them,
‘she has turned our chamber around, we are seeing growth in membership and she has transformed our chamber into a well-run, respected, service-oriented resource.’” September 2012 Farquharson was living in Pendleton and working as the membership director for the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce when she came across the listing for the Executive Director job opening in The Dalles. She called her husband Jon and asked what he thought she should do. “That’s your hometown…you need to apply…it’s your time to fly” he told her. By the end of October she was making her way to the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce Convention, which was being held in Vancouver in conjunction with the Washington State Chamber of Commerce. She stopped by The Dalles and picked up two of her new employees, and they all made their way to the convention. She knew, after spending a couple days at the convention, her new job was going to challenge her like she’d never been challenged before. November 1, 2012 Lisa walked into The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, took the helm of the organization and has continued to move the chamber and her community forward with a positive attitude, an amazing work ethic, and a vision of collaboration and comradery. “I had no idea Lisa was receiving an award,”
Lisa Farquharson
Continued on Page 3
Hood River Inn G.M. awarded Oregon Lodger of the Year C
huck Hinman, General Manager of the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, was awarded Lodging Operator of the Year by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) at its annual Hospitality Conference in Seaside. Hinman has worked in the hospitality industry all his life, beginning as a dishwasher at age 16, but mainly in hotel management in Seattle, Portland and Hood River. He’s managed the Hood River Inn since early 1990, shortly after it was acquired by owner group D.M. Stevenson Ranch. D.M.S.R. is made up of family members descended from D.M. Stevenson. The ownership group now operates the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn in Hood River and the Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn in Cascade Locks, as well as their sister restaurants and affiliate properties under Hinman’s leadership. In accepting the honor at an industry awards luncheon on September 17 in Seaside, Hinman credited much of his success in gratitude to dozens who have helped him along the way, including key staff members. “I feel fortunate to be supported by so
many, and I humbly accept on behalf of our entire team,” Hinman relayed. “My message to my peers here is to first and foremost, choose quality when given a choice, even though it may come at the expense of the bottom line. It’s easy to say ‘that’s good enough’ or ‘okay,’ but I try to model this philosophy when running businesses, making improvements, or choosing staff and their benefits.” Often mentioned as an important factor in Hinman’s success is his ability to attract and retain outstanding staff members. A significant number of managers and employees have been with the company between 10 and 30 years, a testament to his respected leadership at the helm. “He’s created a great family culture among staff that feels good every day you come in. He also makes a point of having consistent, daily connections with our guests that make him exceptional at his job,” shares Mark DeResta, Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Director. Kathleen O’Connor-McNew, Director of Sales for the Inn, agrees, “Chuck is the quintessential host. When he walks in a room he pays attention to who is present and makes every guest feel welcome and important.” Oregon Hospitality Awards recognize
Chuck Hinman “outstanding individuals who go above and beyond, raising the bar for excellence in performance, service and commitment to the industry.” Hinman served as Chairman for Oregon Lodging Association from 2008-2009 and as a board member on and off for close 12 years, assisting with the merger with the state restaurant association in 2010. For further information about ORLA’s 2019 hospitality awards, or to view the video about Hinman’s award, visit: oregonrla.org/hospitality-industry-awards.