2022 Awards Gala Program

Mayor Steve Callaway Legacy Award

The list of Mayor Steve Callaway’s accomplishments, achievements, and contributions to the greater Hillsboro community is too long to list here. Mayor Callaway’s legacy will be remembered – his positive impact will be felt – here in Hillsboro for years and decades to come.

First elected in 2016 and then sworn into office in January 2017 as Hillsboro’s 50th mayor, Steve Callaway has championed initiatives to make our community a better place for everyone to live, work, and play.

From inclusion and equity, to safety and sustainability, community events and connectivity, to education and economic opportunities, Hillsboro is better – more welcoming and friendlier – because of Mayor Callaway and his dedication to public service.

It must be noted that Mayor Callaway has served our community during unprecedented challenges, including COVID-19. His leadership, his genuine care and compassion for others, has shone through during the community’s pandemic response and ongoing recovery.

Having lived in Hillsboro for more than a quarter century, Mayor Callaway has always appreciated Hillsboro as a great place to live. He raised his children here and has sought to provide the same great experiences and opportunities for the next generation of families.

Back when he was simply known as Steve Callaway, or Principal Callaway, he initially ran for City Council because he wanted to continue his involvement in and service to Hillsboro with the experience he gained while serving on the Budget Committee, the Hillsboro 2020 Vision Implementation Committee, the Planning Commission, the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve Board, the Library Foundation of Hillsboro, the Oregon International Air Show, the 53rd Avenue Community Park Task Force, and the Hillsboro Schools Foundation. And that was all BEFORE he joined the Council in 2013.

Under Mayor Callaway’s leadership, Hillsboro has earned considerable national recognition and accolades. Hillsboro has had a consistent presence on many of the lists for the best places to live – and was even recognized in 2022 as one of the safest cities to trick-or-treat.

Mayor Callaway’s leadership has improved the quality of life for those who live in Hillsboro – and those who work here. This year, the City of Hillsboro was named Public Employer of the Year by the Oregon Resource Association for creating an inviting and equitable work environment for employees with disabilities.

Known for his ability to relate to residents regardless of the situation, Mayor Callaway is a compassionate leader who connects with people on a personal level. Often times, he finds himself choking up when recognizing a resident or City staff member, or when celebrating a meaningful acknowledgement or presenting an award to a student.

Mayor Callaway leads with his heart – and his head – for this community and all of its people. The future of our city is bright because of this star.

Titonian Wallace Sr. Chair’s Choice Award

Titonian Wallace is the owner and founder of Nesace Media. Nesace Media provides a full suite of marketing services to help businesses develop their brand and stay ahead of the competition. Titonian excels not only in the marketing space, but also in our larger business community.

Titonian is one of the Founders of the Washington County Chamber Black Advisory Business Council. The Black Advisory Business Council is a culturally specific council working to inspire, empower, and promote the economic growth and sustainability of black businesses and professionals within Washington County. He now serves as chair of the Council. He is hands on with the Council sharing freely of his time and talents for the Council to achieve its mission and increase participation. The Black Advisory Business Council has grown exponentially under Titonian’s leadership and has a strong social media presence and following. He helped build a community that simply did not exist.

Additionally, Titonian is a leader for the greater Washington County business community. He is Chair of the Washington County Chamber Small Business Entrepreneurial Council (SBEC) where his leadership helps to provide educational, advocacy and economic development connections tailored to the needs of small business owners and managers. Titonian also serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. He has given countless hours to strengthen the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s member businesses.

Titonian’s generosity in sharing his expertise and talents make him a shining beacon for our community and deserving of recognition by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Jayne Bond

Robert R. Herb Leadership Award

Jayne Bond leads in an industry dominated by men. She is a trailblazer for our community. She is a recognizable leader for her professional achievements and for her community engagement. Jayne is a small business champion.

Jayne joined the company founded by her father, Permapost, in 1983. Her first role was that of office manager. Jayne, who graduated with degrees in business and communications from Lewis & Clark College in 1981, traded in her personnel manager’s job at the downtown Nordstrom store to don a hard hat and dirty her boots in the lumber business. The recession of the 1980’s hit Permapost hard. Jayne’s father turned over control of the business to her and her brother, David, in 1988. She herself says she wasn’t the heir apparent, but she fit naturally into the role of president. Jayne has been with the company to refine the products offered and led the company to carve out its niche in the market. Today, Permapost is a full-service supplier of custom pressure treated and fabricated forest products.

In 1991 Jayne was the first woman to join the Beaverton Rotary Club. She has served in many leadership roles within this 125-year-old philanthropic community organization and has even been recognized as Rotarian of the Year. She is a dedicated Rotarian and even in business she leads through service.

Jayne served as Chair of the then Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce during the Covid pandemic. The same role her father held in 1967 (then referred to as President). Jayne was there to support our business community in any way she could and with all the resources the Chamber had available. Jayne also played a pivotal role in the rebranding of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce to the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Jayne continues to serve on the Chamber Board and her leadership legacy will ripple for many years to come.

If you are curious about the history of Hillsboro, just ask Jayne. Between her and Bob Herb, it’s a contest of the memory. To sit around the table with them is like walking into a time capsule. Jayne’s great Grandfather was Robert Imbrie, who settled in Hillsboro in 1852 and built “the Gables” house on Cornelius Pass. His son, James Alexander Imbrie was Washington County Clerk and Court Clerk. James’ daughter Clare Imbrie married Albert Hartrampf; their daughter was Jayne’s Mother Anna Mary.

Jayne leads from a place of calm and logic. Our community is a better place because Jayne is willing to step forward, lead; She compels us to follow. Her humble star shines so bright and those around her benefit greatly for the light that she gives to guide the way.

Julie Ames President’s Award

Julie Ames began her career at the former Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce on August 15, 2005 as Vice President Member Programs and Services and Director of School to Work. Julie was responsible for the Ambassador Committee, morning and evening member networking events as well as oversight of the Chamber’s School to Career Program.

Soon after her arrival at the Chamber, she mastered her role and began taking on additional programs and became the “go to” in the office.

In 2008, she added Director of the Leadership Hillsboro program, a two-year program for business professionals and community members to learn more about the issues and unique opportunities in Hillsboro and to provide them with the information and contacts they need to become an integral part of the volunteer leadership that so defines and enhances our community.

She taught The Art of Effective Networking to help business professionals make the most efficient use of their networking investments and to provide them with the skills to present themselves and to represent their businesses to their best advantage. She was co-emcee of the weekly KUIK Radio Program, The Business Voice, interviewing business professionals about how they got their start and overcame challenges and seized opportunities.

Eventually, Julie was promoted to Vice President of Operations of the Chamber, an appropriate recognition of her importance to the growth and prosperity of the organization.

There isn’t adequate space to list all of her contributions or accomplishments but suffice it say, she was instrumental in the Chamber achieving the influence, recognition and success we enjoy today.

One line sums it up: “Julie is a master relationship builder and our members are drawn to her.”

Robert Grover Hillsboro Philanthropic Leadership Award

Robert “Bob” Grover has built his business, Pacific Landscape Management, based on his passion for nature and his strong moral values. Pacific Landscape Management was established in 2001 and just last year the organization was named one of the Best Places to Work in Oregon from Oregon Business. Bob is not only business savvy and an avid outdoorsman, but he also gives back to our community in a big and meaningful way.

When Bob becomes passionate about a project, he lends his time, talent, network, skill, and brain power, as well as his checkbook.

Over the years Bob has given back to our community, Washington County and the State of Oregon with gifts of time, money, services and incredible talent, commitment and passion. For over 36 years the Hillsboro Community Foundation (HCF) has been a beneficiary of Bob’s annual support and gifts to special projects. Bob established the Pacific Landscape Management Scholarship Program through HCF that enables the sons and daughters of his employees, who were first generation college students, to fulfill their higher education dreams. Since 2017 Bob and his company have contributed nearly a $100,000 to grow this fund, which has to date provided nineteen annual scholarships ranging in size from $3,000 to $5,000.

This year, Bob took the lead to establish the Hillsboro Hope Fund at HCF which supports the planning for a center in Washington County dedicated to creating access to trauma-informed, data-driven, and person-centered homeless services. Modeled after the Bybee Lakes Hope Center in Portland, the Hillsboro Hope Fund will initially support efforts to develop a strategic plan and build personnel capacity to research and determine feasibility of a similar Center in Washington County. Not surprisingly, Bob’s commitment to this project began through his donation of landscaping services for the Bybee Lakes Center. With Bob, one donation always leads to another enlightened idea and a commitment to help. Since starting the Hope fund, Bob has been its number one donor, champion, and advocate.

ICG Innovare Communication Group LLC Business of the Year Award

ICG Innovare Communication Group believes in working in collaboration with the community to enrich our society. The company firmly believes that in order to build a better world, collective commitment is required, promoting values that dignify a human being regardless of their beliefs, with a sense of equity, inclusion and equality. ICG Innovare Communication Group offers clients advertising campaigns, strategic planning, creative solutions, video production, graphic design services, marketing consulting and investigation and research. The organization understands that the common language is tolerance, patience, communication with respect and charity, being compassionate to all races and cultures.

ICG Innovare Communication Group was founded by Verónica Vázquez approximately seven years ago. Verónica identified the need for a deeper connection between the City of Hillsboro and the Latino community. Through her company, she began to build bridges of understanding between the Latino Community and City leadership. Verónica developed programming and in-depth Spanish language media content to educate and bring understanding to the Latino community. Through ICG Innovare Communication Group, Verónica continues to bring culturally and linguistically specific programming through the Elemento Latino television show. She has interviewed community leaders at every level of government providing the Latino community a connection to their representation. She continues hosting roundtable discussions with political leaders seeking office.

During the pandemic the Latino community was one of the hardest hit. Covid infection rates in the community were much higher. Verónica used ICG Innovare and Elemento Latino as a medium to connect with the Latino community to encourage and educate the community to seek out vaccinations. She conducted interviews with medical practitioners in Spanish and even wrote a Spanish language catchy jingle to encourage vaccination.

ICG Innovare Communication Group, with Verónica leading the way, shines brightly as a business ready to pivot and identify opportunities not only for their clients, but for the entire community.

Josh Tompkins Young Professional Award

Josh Tompkins is the Director of Business Development for Dick’s Auto Group and has been with the organization for 5 years. He originally started his journey with Dick’s in 2017 as part of a start-up Fleet Sales division building value around the company’s brand in the community. Now he enjoys an expanded role on the auto group’s executive team overseeing workforce and leadership development, key sponsorships, community engagement, and multiple operational projects.

A former non-profit executive and political professional, Josh worked for the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) from 2010-2016, first as a Field Manager for western chapters, then as Membership Development Manager for 70 chapters across the U.S. and finally as President of the ABC Central Texas Chapter in Austin.

As a member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Josh serves as Chair of both the Public Policy and Chamber Ambassador Committees, which he’s held since 2019 and 2022 respectively. Josh has also served on the PAC Board since 2019 and is active in Chamber workforce development efforts as much as possible. In addition to his work with the Chamber, Josh serves as Chair of the local Associated General Contractors (AGC) Professional and Industry Associates Council, sits on the Workforce Development Committee and serves on the chapter’s Board of Directors. He is also active with Chambers of Commerce in Canby and Wilsonville as the auto group has recently expanded to the southern part of the metro area.

Josh grew up in Southern Oregon, earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Oregon and has been married to his wife Samantha since October 2020.

Tualatin Riverkeepers Organization of the Year Award

Tualatin Riverkeepers is a community-based organization that protects and restores the Tualatin River watershed. The organization build’s watershed stewardship through engagement, advocacy, restoration, access, and education. Tualatin Riverkeepers envisions a thriving watershed that acts as a valuable community resource for everyone and strives to exist at the intersection of environmental justice, protection, and conservation so that all have equitable access to clean water, healthy ecosystems, and enjoyable river opportunities.

Over the past two years, Tualatin Riverkeepers has been focusing much of its work on its Equitable Access campaign, which seeks to provide all members of the watershed with the mental and physical health benefits that access to nature provides. The Tualatin is an easy river to paddle, and the Riverkeepers provide low-cost kayak and canoe rentals at both Cook Park in Tigard and Rood Bridge Park in Hillsboro to make sure that both the upper and lower sections of the river are accessible to the people who live there. In addition, they’re working with local municipal and county parks departments to provide new and improved public access sites, as well as expanding greenway trails so people don’t have to own property along the river to have access to it.

This year, following a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, the Riverkeepers reinvigorated and expanded their stewardship volunteer program, engaging former and many new volunteers in watershed restoration projects that provided habitat enhancements for myriad species who call the riparian areas and wetlands home. Weeds were pulled, plants were planted, and trails were chipped nearly every weekend.

Tualatin Riverkeepers partners with other community nonprofits, such as Centro Cultural, SOLVE, and The Intertwine Alliance, and with business supporters like Northwest Cannabis Company, LAM Research, and Backyard Bird Shop. Building and nurturing community connections is essential to the Riverkeepers’ work, and it demonstrates their deep commitment to the work of other community organizations too.

Blair Bozarth Volunteer of the Year Award

Blair Bozarth is a star that shines brightly in our community. She donates her time with organizations like Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals and always has an extra foster dog or two running around her home. In addition to fostering, she is a careful matchmaker, placing dogs under her care into homes perfectly suited for the particular animal. She is very involved in her son’s school, City View Charter School and volunteers in many ways, including field trips and art class. Blair is clear that her generosity of time, treasure and kindness are part of her moral compass.

Blair is passionate about gardening in a holistic, local way, contributing to Oregon’s environment with a nearly certified Master Gardeners’ yard. The Backyard Habitat certification is through Columbia Land Trust, and her purchases are typically through Sparrowhawk Nursery.

She spends several hours a week communicating with hormone positive breast cancer patients about their care, their futures, healthy eating after cancer, and side effects they might be experiencing because of her own battle with cancer.

Blair does so much more for our community through her silent random acts of kindness whenever the opportunity arises. Just a few examples of her kindness include buying groceries or food (even plants one day) for someone if their card is declined or they appear flustered and embarrassed about not having enough money, she is generous and genuine in providing compliments to people every day, and in September she noticed a man with blindness needed assistance after the transport dropped him off – she walked him to his appointment at St. Vincent’s. The list goes on and on. Blair is so humble that she very seldom will even tell anyone about these activities that she passionately does for others living in this community. She is a bright shining star to all who are fortunate enough to meet her.

Chief Jim Coleman Public Safety Professional Award

Chief Jim Coleman has served in law enforcement for over three decades and has been with the City of Hillsboro Police Department since 2015.

During his tenure here in Hillsboro, Chief Coleman has served as Deputy Chief, Interim Police Chief, and Chief of Police. Chief Coleman’s approach to his role is that of being an active and engaged member of the community.

Chief Coleman feels the gravity of representing the unique opportunities our diverse community presents. He has been quoted as saying, “As Chief of Police, I believe our department is positioned to be a model of how a police agency can be an asset to its community.”

Because of Chief Coleman’s leadership, the Hillsboro Police Department is viewed by the rest of the country as an agency to admire and learn from.

Chief Coleman is described as having a thoughtful and strategic approach to community engagement. He is known for his significant community outreach efforts, and he is described as a great listener, caring, sincere, and genuine.

One nominator shared, “one can always expect Chief Coleman to be present at community events, taking a dynamic role and actively participating alongside the community. Chief Coleman goes the extra mile to support the residents and businesses of the Hillsboro community.”

Hillsboro residents not only feel safe under Chief Coleman’s leadership, but they also feel connected to law enforcement in a positive way.

Don Odermott

Public Service Award

Don Odermott has been a dedicated civil servant for the City of Hillsboro for 28 years. As the City’s Capital Facilities Manager, he managed design and construction of a number of city facilities including the Gordon Faber Sports Complex Stadium, the Hillsboro Police Station on 10th Avenue, and the Hillsboro Civic Center. His work in transportation planning and engineering for the city began in 2005 when he became the City’s first transportation engineer. Don was elected by the mayors of Washington County in 2016 as their representative to the Metro Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee and through this work he developed strong working relationships with State Legislators, Congressional members, County Commissioners, Mayors, ODOT Directors, and leaders within the Oregon Transportation Commission. In Don’s time serving Hillsboro’s transportation policy and planning needs, the City has secured and delivered over $150 Million in transportation improvements supporting North Hillsboro industrial expansion and hundreds of millions of dollars in multi-modal infrastructure in Hillsboro’s residential growth areas.

Don grew up on Main Street in Hillsboro, graduating from HilHi in 1981 in the last unified graduating class in Hillsboro history. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from Portland State University, Don worked in private consulting engineering for 9 years before joining the City of Hillsboro in 1994. Don is a professional civil and transportation engineer licensed in the state of Oregon.

Don is retiring to work part time in transportation consulting while enjoying more time with his wife Gina, his kids Justin and Lauryn, their horse ranch, fishing, coaching wrestling, trail riding, roping, and doing cattle drives. His passion for transportation policy will continue as he is joining the Washington County Chamber upon retirement as a small business owner and member.

Samantha Parra Distinguished Youth Award

Samantha Parra has demonstrated her outstanding achievement in academics, volunteerism, community, campaigns, internships and giving back. She is enrolled in courses at PCC while still a junior at Glencoe High School. She founded her own business, Rosetastic Designs, a jewelry and accessory company where Samantha sells her products at local markets and on Etsy. She gives of her time to many civic and community organizations. Samantha has interned for the Hillsboro School District and Hillsboro Downtown Partnership. She was recently recognized by the Hillsboro News-Times as one of our community’s “Amazing Kids of 2022.”

Samantha’s marketing gifts are used beyond her entrepreneurial ambitions. She helps small businesses on Main Street working along with the Hillsboro Downtown Partnership to assist businesses with their marketing needs. She also assisted with the promotion for the reopening of the HSD Ground Up Coffee located at the First Tech corporate office. She stepped up to immediately assist businesses after the devastating Weil Arcade fire.

Samantha is a kind and giving human. She creates special sales with her business throughout the year. Profits made through these campaigns are donated to local charities. She donates to local deforestation groups for Earth Day and also helped local Pride organizations that benefit local youth have the support and mentorship needed. Samantha created a line of beaded bracelets to raise funds for Glencoe’s Period High School’s Poverty Club, the funds raised were used for local women and children’s shelters.

Samantha plans to continue her entrepreneurial ambitions by pursuing business and marketing course work after High School. Samantha’s star is just starting to shine.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

ROBERT GROVE S