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Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Honors Select Impressions as “Business of the Year”

It took deception and quite a bit of planning to get Mike Basinger, owner of Select Impressions to the Elsinore Theatre to accept the Chamber’s “Business of the Year” award. Mike has served on Salem-Keizer Public Schools Board for eight years and that very evening was his last meeting.

With the help of School Board Chair, Krina Lemons, the board wrapped up their meeting early and headed over to the Elsinore, with Mike under the ruse of participating in the graduation ceremony of the Chamber’s Leadership Youth class.   

No one was more surprised than Mike when Select Impressions was named business of the year and his entire staff, hidden in the audience of over 400, stood to give him a standing ovation. Select Impressions was honored for their consistent support of the community and programs such as Keizer Little League, March of Dimes, AgFest, Stronger Families of Oregon, Abiqua School, the Gordon House at the Oregon Garden, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

The annual awards ceremony is presented in conjunction with the graduation of the Leadership Salem and Leadership Youth programs. This year’s presenting sponsor was Umpqua Bank. Supporting sponsors were Allied Waste Solutions and Rural / Metro Ambulance. Photography was by Crystal Image Photography and the event was taped by Allied Video Productions, Inc. for replay on CCTV.

Chamber board of directors president Ross Carey, U.S. Bank and president-elect Therese Taaffe, PGE, shared presenting the awards. Chamber CEO Mike McLaran and Ray Davis, CEO of Umpqua Bank and keynote speaker, presented the youths’ graduation certificates. The youth also received a copy of Ray’s book, “Leading for Growth.” Mike, Theresa and Leadership Programs director, Kathy Moore, shared certificate presentations for the Leadership Salem graduates.

The President’s Choice award, in its third year as part of the program, was given to Salem Area Foster Parents. President Carey spoke with eloquence about of the heroic efforts of foster parents who take in children who are pulled from traumatic and unhealthy home situations and placed in foster care. Foster parents Ray and Kathy Green and Heather and Jason Zeh accepted the award on behalf of local foster parents.

Employer of the Year was Umpqua Bank. For the past two years this business has been ranked in the Top 25 by Oregon Business Magazine as one of the best large companies to work for. In all, Umpqua has made the list for 11 of the past 12 years. Said one employee, “the company allows you to be yourself and become a part of its culture rather than the other way around.”

Regional / National Business of the Year was T-Mobile. T-Mobile opened its call center in Salem close to eight years ago, employing over 900 and quickly immersing itself into the community through sponsorships of local events and charities. The company demonstrates excellent business practices through employee perks like its childcare subsidy and tuition reimbursement programs, a workout room, and its wellness and new mother's room.

Agri-Business of the Year was Kerr Concentrates, Inc. Besides being a locally owned and operated ag-related businesses, Kerr supports a long list of local charities and was one of the companies to support Delta Air Lines coming to Salem by prepaying for their travel over the next year.

Small Business of the Year was Harold’s Quality Auto Repairs. Owner Harold Wood is known for his big heart and generous nature. He supports local events, such as the PGE Festival of Lights Holiday Parade and Relay for Life, through hands-on support and hard work. He employs four and will soon open a new, expanded shop on Wallace Rd. NW in the old batting cages location.

New Business of the Year was Rural / Metro Ambulance. While still new to Salem, Rural / Metro has sponsored and supported over 40 community events and organizations, including Striking Out Meth in Marion County, Liberty House, the Real Heroes Breakfast, Boy Scouts, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the MedAssist program, the NW Family and Baby Festival, and the PGE Festival of Lights Holiday Parade.