On Saturday, March 8, 2025, nearly 500 members of the Salem community joined together in celebration of servant leadership at the Salem Convention Center for the 74th Annual First Citizen Awards Banquet!
This year’s awards banquet recognized and honored four deserving individuals for their work in our community. Click here to view our Facebook Photo Gallery (photos by Zak Stone Photography).
2025 Honorees:
- Gregg Peterson – Salem First Citizen
- Derek Gilbert – Distinguished Service Award
- Ronnie Brooks – Distinguished Service Award
- Andrew Holbert – Outstanding Young Professional
The incredible evening also included heartwarming videos of the Chamber, friends, and family surprising each recipient with the news of their recognition and a special tribute video to 2025 First Citizen Gregg Peterson.
The Salem Chamber thanks the First Citizen Awards Banquet Nomination and Event Committees; the Manny Martinez Jazz Quartet for providing the evening’s live music; Matthew Miller for performing the National Anthem; Salem Mayor Julie Hoy for performing “God Bless America”; Tiffany Bulgin for delivering the invocation; the Salem Convention Center for providing the venue and meal; our volunteer Salem Chamber Ambassadors; and the event’s emcee, Barry Nelson of Capital Financial Planners (and a 2024 Distinguished Service Award recipient).
Finally, a huge thanks goes to all of our 2025 First Citizen Awards Banquet Sponsors, including Presenting Sponsors Mountain West Center for Community Excellence and Pioneer Trust Bank.