Looking Back at the 2026 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon

Thank you to the attendees who celebrated with the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce at the 2026 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, March 25 at the Three Rivers Convention Center. 

The Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon is a celebration of the accomplishments of the Regional Chamber and its members. Click on the awards below to learn about the winners and why they were selected.

Thanks to Breshears Professional Photography for the wonderful photos and Spotted Fox Digital Marketing for the exceptional videos!

Business of the Year - Ice Harbor Brewing Company

Left to right: Jamie Shimeck, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL); Mike Hall, Ice Harbor Brewing Company; Torey Azure, Tri-City Regional Chamber

Nominees for the Business of the Year Award were evaluated on financial success, community involvement, innovation, and more. Unlike the New Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year awards, this award has no qualifiers for when the business opened or how many employees they have.

Ice Harbor Brewing Company is more than a brewery — it’s a cornerstone of the Tri-Cities’ identity. As one of the region’s original craft breweries, Ice Harbor has continually adapted and grown while staying deeply committed to local jobs, hospitality, and community connection.
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Their presence strengthens the vibrancy of our waterfront and downtown, and their story exemplifies what it means to build a lasting business in the Tri-Cities.

Small Business of the Year - Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Left to right: Ava Wainhouse, Non-Stop Local News; Kristina Lord, Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business; Torey Azure, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Small Business of the Year Award is intended for a business with fewer than 50 employees. Nominees were evaluated on financial success, future planning, community involvement, and more.
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For more than 25 years, the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business has been the trusted voice of our regional business community — informing decision-makers, connecting advertisers to customers, and championing local economic growth. Through print, digital, and community engagement, they’ve consistently evolved to serve this region while remaining profitably rooted right here in the Tri-Cities.

New Business of the Year - Grumpy Monkey Cookie Co.

Left to right: Christine Rose-VanWormer, Visiting Angels Assisted Living Services; Kassie Norris, Grumpy Monkey Cookie Co.; Trish Herron, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce

​The New Business of the Year Award is intended for a business less than three years old that has achieved success while positively impacting the community. Nominees were evaluated on business growth, long-term sustainability, community involvement, innovation, and more.
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Grumpy Monkey Cookie Co. has carved out a truly unique space in the Tri-Cities dessert market, offering thick, gourmet cookies with half the sugar of traditional recipes. What started as a passion has grown into a beloved local brand — one that embraces innovation, engages the community, and proudly represents what small business can achieve in the Tri-Cities.

Non-Profit of the Year - Columbia Ability Alliance

Left to right: Emily Volland, Kadlec; Michael Novakovich, Columbia Ability Alliance; Trish Herron, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce
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​The Non-Profit of the Year Award recognizes an organization that achieved success the prior year while positively impacting the community.
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Columbia Ability Alliance has transformed how our region approaches inclusive employment. In the past year alone, they more than doubled the number of clients they serve, launched innovative programs connecting youth and adults with disabilities to meaningful careers, and partnered with dozens of local employers to build a more inclusive Tri-Cities workforce.

Spirit of Tri-Cities Award - Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation

Left to right: Torey Azure, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce; Lacey Perry, Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation
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​The Spirit of Tri-Cities Award is intended for a business or organization that has demonstrated exemplary leadership and community engagement to positively impact the quality of life in the region. Nominations were submitted to the Chamber’s Awards and Recognition Committee, who narrowed the field to three finalists. From there, the finalists were sent to the Regional Chamber’s Stakeholder-level members to select the ultimate winner.
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The Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation exists so that no one in our community has to face cancer alone. From innovative treatment methods to compassionate patient services, their impact touches thousands of lives each year. The award recipient was selected because, like the Stakeholder level members, they represent the spirit of Tri-Cities.

Business Champion of the Year - Rep. Stephanie Barnard, 8th Legislative District

Left to right: Kyson Rose, ICCU; Rep. Stephanie Barnard, 8th Legislative District; Torey Azure, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce
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Introduced in 2026, the Business Champion Award is presented annually to an elected official who has gone above and beyond in fostering a strong business climate in the region. The recipient is selected by the Regional Chamber’s Local Government Affairs Committee.
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Rep. Stephanie Barnard has been a tireless champion for the businesses and workers of the Tri-Cities. Through the MATCHED Act, she has helped rural communities unlock critical federal investment. She has sponsored clean energy tax incentives to attract employers and create quality jobs in our region. Beyond legislation, she has shown up, listening to local business leaders and turning those conversations into real legislative action.

Board Members of the Year - 1st Trish Herron, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; 2nd Jennifer Cunnington, Q Home Loans; 3rd Tyler Best, Abadan

Left to right: Tyler Best, Abadan; Jennifer Cunnington, Q Home Loans; Trish Herron, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 
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​In 2025, the Chamber introduced the Board Member of the Year recognition, tracking board engagement through a points system on the Zelos app. Board members earned points for attending meetings, participating in events, and jumping in to support Chamber initiatives. Today, we recognized the top three board members who rose to the top of the leaderboard.
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Third place went to Tyler Best of Abadan, and second place went to Jennifer Cunnington of Q Home Loans. First place — and the 2025 Board Member of the Year — went to Trish Herron of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, who also served as the Chamber’s 2025 Board Chair.

Chamber S.T.A.R. Award - Brian Moreno, Steward Leadership

The Chamber S.T.A.R. Award is presented to a volunteer who goes above and beyond for the Chamber. S.T.A.R. is an acronym for service, time, attitude, and reliability.
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Brian Moreno has been a dedicated leader for the Regional Chamber, serving six years on the Chamber Board and on the Executive Committee before stepping forward to take on a critical new role as Chair of the Foundation Board.

​When the time came to build the Foundation, Brian immediately said yes, bringing with him deep experience and strong relationships in the education and workforce space. His leadership and commitment have been instrumental in getting the Foundation off the ground and setting a clear path forward for its success.

Community Impact Award - Ben Franklin Transit

Left to right: Lori Mattson, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce; Brian Lubanski, Ben Franklin Transit; Dan Gaulke, Yakima Federal Savings & Loan

The Community Impact Award is presented to the non-profit organization or government entity that provided the Chamber with the most financial support over the previous year.
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Ben Franklin Transit stepped up in a big way in 2025 by upgrading to the Stakeholder level of investment. In addition, they supported several of the Chamber’s signature events, including the Annual Meeting, the Washington Workplace Summit, and Women in Business. Their partnership and commitment to community engagement make a meaningful impact across the Tri-Cities.

Corporate Impact Award - Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C)

Left to right: Jermaine Jacobs, Charles Schwab; Phil Breidenbach, H2C; Lori Mattson, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce
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The Corporate Impact Award is presented to the for-profit organization that provided the Chamber with the most financial support over the previous year.
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H2C is a new Hanford contractor whose partnership with the Chamber began in February 2025 when they joined at the Stakeholder level — the highest level of investment — and committed significant resources to strengthening our region. Their $50,000 investment in workforce and education initiatives, along with their sponsorship of the Washington Workplace Summit, demonstrates a powerful commitment to the future of our community.

Tom Powers Ambassador of the Year Award - Chad Yost, HAPO Community Credit Union

Left to right: Roxanne Shuck, Marsh McLennan Agency; Chad Yost, HAPO Community Credit Union; Lori Mattson, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce

​The Tom Powers Ambassador of the Year Award is named after Tom Powers — the catalyst for forming the Regional Chamber’s Ambassador Club. Tom passed away in 2016, and this award is presented in his memory. It is given to the Regional Chamber Ambassador who best embodies what it means to show up consistently, enthusiastically, and with genuine passion for the community.
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Chad Yost attended nearly every ribbon cutting, groundbreaking, Business After Hours, and Chamber luncheon hosted in 2025. He volunteers his time, welcomes newcomers, and brings an energy to every room he walks into that makes everyone feel like they belong. HAPO Community Credit Union should be incredibly proud to have him representing their organization.