2023 Small Business & Chamber Excellence Awards honors seven organizations and two individuals6/5/2023 - Wayne Hammon named 2023 Government Advocate of the Year - Kent Oram inducted into the Boise Metro Chamber Hall of Fame  The Boise Metro Chamber, the only five-star accredited Chamber in Idaho, held its annual Small Business of the Year and Chamber Excellence Awards Luncheon on Monday, June 5th, at Boise Centre West. Seven organizations and two individuals received prestigious awards. This was the largest event of its kind in the Boise Metro Chamber's 146 year history! Three finalists in each of seven categories received recognition at the year's luncheon. Five industry excellence award categories include: financial services, food and agriculture, healthcare, nonprofit, and travel. Two additional awards were given: Small Business of the Year and Medium-Sized Business of the Year. Finalists for each category included:
In addition to the awards to these outstanding organizations, the Boise Metro Chamber names a “Government Advocate of the Year” and a “Hall of Fame Award Recipient” each year. Wayne Hammon, CEO of Idaho Associated General Contractors was selected as the 2023 Government Advocate of the Year. Hammon has been a trusted adviser to elected officials and senior executives at various levels of government on a wide range of substantive policy issues. “Wayne has been an institution in Idaho politics for years,” said Bill Connors, Boise Metro Chamber President and CEO. “As a member of the Chamber's Board of Advisors, he has been a go-to on transportation issues for the Chamber, political leaders, and the construction industry. His support of our transportation expansion efforts makes him a natural for this award.” "I've been in government and around government for almost 30 years, and "advocate" is the nicest thing anyone's ever called me," said Hammon, as he accepted the award. He called upon attendees to "push back" against anyone who wants to take away our great quality of life and to "make Idaho the shining star it needs to be." The Boise Metro Chamber previously honored Kelley Packer, of the Association of Idaho Cities, in 2022 with the Government Advocate of the Year Award, and Bruce Newcomb, former Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives, in 2021. The 2023 Hall of Fame Award recipient, Kent Oram, served as the CEO of Idaho Central Credit Union, from 2007 through his retirement in 2022. “Kent has not only been a supportive member of the Boise Metro Chamber Board of Directors, but he built his institution into one of the largest in Idaho and one of the most philanthropic enterprises in the state,” said Connors. “He joins an elite group of people who have made our organization and our state more resilient than ever.” Oram introduced himself as a "former CEO and current farmer of hay, goats, sheep, cows, horses and grandkids." As he accepted the award, Oram said, "It's our job as leaders of the community to give back everything we can give and still stay in business so that we can give back some more tomorrow." In 2022, the Boise Metro Chamber inducted Charlene Maher, former President and CEO of Blue Cross of Idaho, into its Hall of Fame. Dr. Bert Glandon, former President of the College of Western Idaho, received the same honor in 2021. In addition, the Idaho Small Business Administration announced its 2022 District Office Lenders of the Year:
Congratulations to all finalists and award winners! Please enjoy this video honoring 2023 Hall of Fame Award recipient, Kent Oram: Award winner acceptance videos:
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