HONORING OUR OUTSTANDING MEMBERS
Each year, a Chamber Hall of Fame inductee is selected by the Chamber’s Board of Directors. During the Boise Metro Chamber's Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards luncheon, they are recognized as a community leader for their sustained, positive contributions to the betterment of the Chamber and a vibrant economy by supporting our mission to advocate for economic well-being, regional development, and quality of life in the Boise Metro area. Their accomplishments are highlighted through a video during the awards, which features photos as well as interviews with their close colleagues who share personal insights and congratulations.
Chamber Hall of Fame winners are honored on a plaque with their name, photo, and year of induction. The plaque joins other of past winners on the Chamber Hall of Fame wall located in the Boise Metro Chamber's Downtown Boise office. Additionally, inductees receive an elegant award to showcase at their place of business, notification to the press, and a feature in our monthly Metro Connection newsletter and website.
Chamber Hall of Fame winners are honored on a plaque with their name, photo, and year of induction. The plaque joins other of past winners on the Chamber Hall of Fame wall located in the Boise Metro Chamber's Downtown Boise office. Additionally, inductees receive an elegant award to showcase at their place of business, notification to the press, and a feature in our monthly Metro Connection newsletter and website.
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2026 SMALL BUSINESS & CHAMBER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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RECOGNIZING YOUR FAVORITE, LOCAL, SMALL BUSINESSES!
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The Boise Metro Chamber’s annual Small Business & Chamber Excellence Awards honor the people, organizations, and companies that drive the Treasure Valley’s economic vitality and community strength. Formerly known as the Small Business of the Year and Chamber Excellence Awards, this signature event celebrates excellence across industries while highlighting the power of local business to shape our region’s future.
Did you know that 99.2% of Idaho businesses are small businesses?* These businesses are the backbone of our economy, and the Chamber feels strongly that they deserve recognition for their meaningful investments in our community. Small businesses foster innovation, create jobs, represent Idaho on a national stage, strengthen neighborhood connections, and promote a vibrant “shop local” culture that benefits everyone. |
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Each year, the Chamber invites the community to nominate their favorite local small businesses and leaders—those who go above and beyond to serve customers, support employees, and make a lasting impact. Finalists and award recipients are celebrated at the Small Business & Chamber Excellence Awards, where their stories of perseverance, creativity, and leadership take center stage.
More than an awards ceremony, this event reflects the Chamber’s mission to convene, connect, and champion business. By elevating success stories, the Chamber helps inspire future growth, encourage collaboration, and recognize the individuals and organizations setting the standard for excellence in our region.
The Small Business & Chamber Excellence Awards are a moment to pause, celebrate collective achievements, and reinforce the importance of a strong, diverse, and resilient local business community. Scroll down to learn more about the award categories and how you can take part in honoring Boise’s best.
*Data from the 2025 Idaho Small Business Profile, published by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy.
More than an awards ceremony, this event reflects the Chamber’s mission to convene, connect, and champion business. By elevating success stories, the Chamber helps inspire future growth, encourage collaboration, and recognize the individuals and organizations setting the standard for excellence in our region.
The Small Business & Chamber Excellence Awards are a moment to pause, celebrate collective achievements, and reinforce the importance of a strong, diverse, and resilient local business community. Scroll down to learn more about the award categories and how you can take part in honoring Boise’s best.
*Data from the 2025 Idaho Small Business Profile, published by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy.
SMALL BUSINESS & CHAMBER EXCELLENCE AWARD CATEGORIES
CATEGORIES FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS & CHAMBER EXCELLENCE AWARDS CATEGORIES
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Chamber Hall of Fame and Government Advocate of the Year Awards: (2 Awards)
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PAST AWARD WINNERS
SMALL BUSINESS, CHAMBER EXCELLENCE, HALL OF FAME & GOVERNMENT ADVOCATE WINNERS
2025 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSSCOTT MADISON - 2025 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee
Scott Madison, Retired Executive Vice President, Business Development and Gas Supply for the MDU Utilities Group (Intermountain Gas Company, Cascade Natural Gas Corporation, Montana Dakota Utility Company) was named as the 2025 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee on June 16, 2025. “Scott’s commitment to the Boise Metro Chamber spans many years. During his tenure with Intermountain Gas Company, he prioritized the company’s involvement in the Chamber, serving as board chair and making significant contributions to the business community,” said Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber. TOM MORTELL - 2025 Government Advocate of the Year |
2024 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSODETTE BOLANO - 2024 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee
Odette Bolano is the Boise Metro Chamber's 12th recipient of the Hall of Fame Award. She demonstrats exceptional leadership, particularly evident during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We honor her commitment and contributions to the Chamber as well as her participation in various civic boards, and many deserving accolades. GERALD HUNTER - 2024 Government Advocate of the Year |
2023 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSKENT ORAM - 2023 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee
Kent Oram, was the 2023 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee. “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 Bill Connors. “He joins an elite group of people who have made our organization and our state more resilient than ever.” GERALD HUNTER - 2024 Government Advocate of the Year |
2022 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
CHARLENE MAHER - 2022 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee
Charlene Maher was the 2022 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee. “Inducting a member of our community into the Chamber Hall of Fame is the highest honor we can bestow as an organization," said Bill Conner, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber. “We recognized our inaugural honoree back in 2013. This year, Charlene Maher will take her place on our Wall of Fame as the 10th recipient. I believe the entire Treasure Valley community will agree with me when I say that there is no one more deserving of this honor.” |
2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSDR. BERT GLANDON - 2021 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee
Dr. Bert Glandon, College of Western Idaho, was the 2021 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee. “President Glandon is a national icon in higher education, and College of Western Idaho became a national success story under Bert’s leadership. The Boise Metro Chamber was a vocal champion for the creation of CWI, and Bert and his team delivered for the entire valley with amazing results. His passion for student success, career and technical education, and his service to the valley’s growing business needs, certainly makes Dr. Glandon a worthy inductee to our hall of fame, our Chamber’s highest individual honor,” said Bill Connors, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber. |
2020 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSRAY STARK - 2020 Chamber Hall of Fame
Ray Stark, was the 2020 Chamber Hall of Fame award recipient. “For thirty years Ray Stark has been the heart and soul of the Boise Metro Chamber,” said Bill Connors, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. “His institutional knowledge of all things Idaho is unsurpassed in this state. I’m grateful to have had the honor of working alongside one of the most decent and beloved figures in Boise’s history. His tenure had made us all successful, and I hope the entire community can come show their appreciate to one of the most humble, yet successful ‘community advocates’ in the nation.” |
2019 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSCANDI ALLPHIN - 2019 Chamber Hall of Fame
Candy Allphin, former US Bank VP, was the 2019 Chamber Hall of Fame award recipient. She is a retired Senior Vice President of U.S. Bank. She spent 38 years in the banking industry in leadership roles. She was a member of the Western Idaho Regional Leadership Team and Management Committee. She also served for many years as a member of the local U.S. Bancorp Foundation team. Her volunteer leadership roles in the community are extensive as past chair of many organizations, including the Boise Metro Chamber, the Idaho Banker’s Association, the Boise State Foundation, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the Junior League of Boise, the Idaho Botanical Garden, and the Boise State Alumni Association. |
2018 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
DAVE TERRELL - 2018 Chamber Hall of Fame Dave Terrell was the 2018 Chamber Hall of fame award recipient. Dave Terrell is the former Regional President at Washington Trust Bank. With over 30 years in the banking industry, including 18 years with Washington Trust, his responsibilities include bank development and representation in the marketplace. David is an active community member participating in various civic, community and non-profit organizations. |
2017 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSDR. ROBERT KUSTRA - 2017 Chamber Hall of Fame
Dr. Robert Kustra, President of Boise State University, was the 2017 Chamber Hall of Fame award recipient. “No one has done more to shatter old images of Boise than Bob Kustra,” said Bill Connors, President & CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. “That Boise State University has risen to international prominence in academics, athletics, research and innovation from its past role as a small junior college is just one of Bob’s remarkable makeover projects. For the Chamber, Bob’s commitment to integrating the business community and our urban landscape into the university’s DNA is equally impressive. Dr. Kustra’s dream of making Boise State a major metropolitan research university of distinction has come to fruition and has transformed a sleepy, western capitol city into a rising urban star of the American West.” |
2016 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSDENNIS JOHNSON - 2016 Chamber Hall of Fame
Dennis Johnson was the 2016 Chamber Hall of Fame award recipient. “When people talk about ‘pillars of our community’, Dennis Johnson’s name will always be in that discussion,” said Bill Connors, President & CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Dennis has grown a successful Idaho company into a national leader in their industry. He has made significant investments in the Boise Valley, helping to make us one of the most enviable communities in America. In addition to these tremendous community-building efforts, Dennis and Kathy Johnson are two of the most gracious and generous people I have ever met.” |
2015 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSSKIP OPPENHEIMER - 2015 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee
Skip Oppenheimer, chairman and CEO of Oppenheimer Companies, Inc., president of Oppenheimer Development Corporation and chairman of several affiliated corporations, was the 2015 Chamber Hall of Fame award recipient. “Business leaders like Skip are examples to us all. He not only runs a great Idaho company, but he assumes critical positions of volunteer leadership to promote Boise’s regional excellence in education, health care, ethics, and smart development. In other words, Skip is the kind of business leader that every city needs," said Bill Connors, the president and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce that year. |
2014 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDSNANCY VANNORSDEL - 2014 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee
Nancy Vannorsdel, retired president & CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber, was the 2014 Chamber Hall of Fame award recipient. During her tenure, the Chamber successfully lobbied for many important business issues, raised $5 million to rebuild the Economic Development Division and, along with her team, defined a process of public-private collaboration and partnership which continues to serve the growth and attractiveness of the Treasure Valley for citizens and industry alike. |
2013 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
DOUG ARMSTRONG - 2013 Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee
In 2013, Doug Armstrong, KTVB President and General Manager, was the first Chamber Hall of Fame award recipient in 2013. "Doug Armstrong is a leader among leaders. He has spent many years working quietly, behind the scenes on behalf of many community organizations, and so we are excited to shine the spotlight on his significant contributions to the Chamber and to our community as a whole," said Bill Connors. |
JORDANNE MACHIELA
Events Manager |
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESS & CHAMBER EXCELLENCE AWARDS?Contact Jordanne Machiela to learn more about the Boise Metro Chamber's Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards. Click the sponsorship link to learn how to support this event and get your businesses seen by Chamber members!
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