COVINGTON, Wash. (March 31, 2026) — The Covington Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements of local businesses, organizations and community leaders at the Night-at-the-Museum themed 2025 Covington Chamber Business Excellence Awards on March 25. The annual event brought together members and guests for an inspiring evening, recognizing those who are making a meaningful impact across the Covington business community.
 
This year’s awards highlighted excellence in leadership, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, economic impact and community service. With dozens of nominations, the awards reflect the strength, collaboration and innovation that define the Covington business community.
 
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award celebrates a new Covington Chamber member who immediately jumped in with enthusiasm and purpose. Their leadership, involvement, and passion for making a difference truly reflect the spirit of a rising star.

Winner: British Swim School – Renton-Covington
Finalist: Happy Lemon Covington
Other Nominees:

• Elk Run Farm
• Ensemble Ballet Theatre
• Firehouse Subs
• KD Water Systems
• Jenn Sparks at Multi-Service Center
• PNW Cheesecake Company
• South East Asian Mart
• Stottle Winery
• TLC Krafty Designs
• Trapper’s Sushi Co.

 
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
This award recognizes a standout Covington area business that exemplifies innovation, leadership and engagement. With a strong entrepreneurial mindset and active chamber involvement, the recipient makes a lasting impact on the local business community.

Winner: Stephanie Hunziker, Hunziker Real Estate
Finalist: Diana Patterson, The Patterson Team
Other Nominees:

• Dahlia Nails
• Erica Miller, EDM Consulting
• Ensemble Ballet Theatre
• Firehouse Subs
• Elif Mokran, British Swim School
• Susie Parr, Our Hive Juicery & Happy Lemon
• Keylona Temeyosa, New Craft Different Day
• Trapper O’Keefe, Trapper’s Sushi Co.
• TLC Krafty Designs
• Jean Wall State Farm
• Stottle Winery

 
Chamber Volunteer of the Year
This award honors an individual whose time, energy, and leadership help strengthen the Covington Chamber. This volunteer consistently steps up to support members, build connections and advance the chamber’s mission.

Winner: Daman Khatra
Finalist: Dr. Wade Barringer, Kent School District
Other Nominees:

• Brad Belcher, Bicycle Rescue for Youth
• Rich Cieslikowski, Auto-Chlor
• Myung Hong
• Cari Korpi
• Bryan LaBelle, Edward Jones
• Rod Meyers, Covington Community Church
• Bridget O’Connor, Red Canoe Credit Union

 
Covington Economic Impact Award
The Covington Economic Impact Award honors significant contributions to economic growth in the greater Covington area. Through innovation and collaboration, the recipient strengthens the local economy and improves the business climate.

Winner: Regan Bolli, City Manager, City of Covington
Finalist: Josh Lyons, Pinnacle Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine
Other Nominees:

• Covington Library
• Rich Cieslikowski, Auto-Chlor
• Edward Jones members (Scott Beusch, Greg Greynerovich, Stephanie Hawes, Bryan LaBelle, Dave Wilson, Saggau Wealth Management)
• Red Canoe Credit Union
• Justin VanLandschoot

 
Business Excellence Award
The Business Excellence award honors a member business that exemplifies workplace excellence through a strong, people-centered culture. By valuing employees, supporting professional growth, and fostering engagement, this business sets a high standard for leadership, performance and community impact.

Winner: City of Covington, Washington
Finalist: Weatherly Inn of Lake Meridian
Other Nominees:

• British Swim School
• Green River College & Green River College Foundation
• Bryan LaBelle, Edward Jones
• Lifestyle Medicine
• Malone’s Landscape
• Red Canoe Credit Union
• Ristrettos
• TLC Krafty Designs
• Jean Wall State Farm
• Valley Medical

 
Nonprofit Excellence Award
The Nonprofit Excellence Award honors a nonprofit whose dedication and service strengthen the greater Covington community. Through impactful programs, outreach, and charitable efforts, this organization improves lives and inspires positive change.

Winner: The Storehouse
Finalist: Vine Maple Place
Nominees:

• Children’s Therapy Center
• Eileen & Callie’s Place
• Elk Run Farm
• Multi-Service Center
• See Ya Later Foundation

 
Jeff Wagner Community Champion Award
Named for Jeff Wagner, a founding member of the Covington Chamber and passionate supporter of the Covington community, this award was created to celebrate a servant leader whose heart for service and commitment to community have left a lasting impact. The recipient leads with integrity, listens with intention, and inspires others through action and example.

Recipient: Debby Hartsock
 
Debby has been actively serving the Covington community in a variety of roles for nearly two decades, including serving on the Covington City Council and volunteering for and supporting The Storehouse, Covington Chamber, Covington Rotary, and the Kent Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital. She leads with both strength and heart, stepping in where needed, guiding others forward, and lifting up those around her. Above all, she embodies grace, integrity, and a deep commitment to service.
 
Honorary Lifetime Membership and Key to the Chamber
 
Recipient: Jeff Wagner
 
The evening concluded with special recognition honoring Jeff Wagner. Board chair Rod Meyers presented Jeff with an honorary lifetime membership and the Key to the Chamber in appreciation of his extraordinary service as one of the Covington Chamber’s founders and longtime chamber leader.
 
“We want to extend our thanks and congratulations to our 2025 award winners, finalists and nominees for their outstanding service to the community,” said Meyers. “They represent the best of us while setting a high standard for others to follow. We are proud to call them members and to help them grow and thrive.”
 
The Covington Chamber wants to thank the event sponsors who made the evening possible: presenting sponsor and host Weatherly Inn; dessert sponsor Ube Overload; photography sponsor Pooja Anoop Photography; awards sponsor C and B Awards; gift basket sponsor Apple Blossom Gift Baskets; and floral sponsor Iris & Peony.
 
The Covington Chamber congratulates all nominees, finalists and award recipients for their outstanding contributions and continued commitment to excellence.

​About the Covington Chamber of Commerce
Since 1992, the Covington Chamber of Commerce has supported businesses and organizations in the greater Covington area through advocacy, connections and community. They provide a strong support network, access to resources, and educational opportunities to help Covington area businesses and organizations grow and thrive.

Photos courtesy of Pooja Anoop Photography with a few candid photos by Dana Neuts.

The Covington Chamber Business Excellence Awards, proudly presented by The Weatherly Inn, invites you to an unforgettable evening — “A Night at the Museum.”
​
​Step into a world where history meets achievement as we honor our outstanding Covington Chamber business winners and finalists. This elegant and exciting evening will shine a spotlight on the innovators, leaders, and community champions who make our business community extraordinary.

Savor the Experience
Enjoy delicious appetizers and desserts from around the world as you stroll through fun museum-style exhibits.

Celebrate & Win
Take part in exciting raffle prizes. Proceeds from the raffle tickets benefit the Good Work Fund.

Honor Excellence
Applaud the remarkable businesses whose passion and dedication continue to shape and strengthen our community.

This is more than an awards ceremony — it’s a celebration of excellence, culture, and connection. Dress to impress and prepare for an evening filled with flavor, fun, and inspiration.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you at this spectacular Night at the Museum!

Register here: $50 per person includes heavy appetizers, dessert, 2 drink tickets, awards program, museum exhibits, and event photos. Raffle tickets are sold separately. 

Note: We are limiting the event to the first 40 RSVPs, so reserve your space today!

Thank you to Dr. Stacey Morrison and Tess Christmas from Green River College for sharing grant-funded workforce development opportunities available to businesses in the Green River College service area. At Tuesday's webinar, we learned that Green River College's Corporate Training & Continuing Education Program serves helps companies pay for training in four ways:

1. State grants and no-interest loan programs
2. Contract training designed specifically for your business
3. Open-enrollment courses for individual employees
4. Keeping costs low due to state funding

For the 2025-26 school year, the state board funding pool was $7 million, and it is expected to be in the same range again for the 2026-27 school year.

Find out if a training program is right for you:

• View the recorded webinar here (Passcode: R5.aEA.C), and/or
• Download the webinar presentation, and/or
• Contact Green River College at corporate.training@greenriver.edu or CE@greenriver.edu. 

The grant window opens March 1, 2026 for 30 days, so learn more today!

Is your business in need of low or no-cost training? Since 1983, the Job Skills Program, funded through the Washington Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) has enhanced economic and workforce development through short-term training designed to bolster critical industry clusters (manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and food production). 

Each year, companies are granted up to $600,000 in funds for a one-year grant with the opportunity to reapply for a second year of training.

Green River College has experience writing, developing, and administering these grants, and they want to help you decide if this is a good fit for your organization.

If one or more of the following applies to your company, you qualify if:

• You work in a relevant industry cluster.
• You are actively training new hires, retraining employees, or working to upgrade current employees.
• You are struggling to find skilled labor and hoping to hire and train within the next year.
• You are experiencing a transition as a company that large-scale training can address (new location, upscaling, new ERP system or technology, etc.)

Learn more about the grant program by attending a no-cost webinar on Tues., Feb. 24 from noon to 1 p.m., hosted by the Covington Chamber in collaboration with Green River College's Continuing Education Program.

​Register here.

UPDATE: The deadline for nominations has been extended until Wed., Feb. 18, 2026 at 5 p.m.
​
It’s time to shine a spotlight on the businesses and leaders who make our community thrive! Nominations are now open for the 2025 Covington Chamber Business Excellence Awards, celebrating the innovation, leadership, and impact of our local business community and chamber members.

Know a business, organization, or individual who deserves recognition? Don’t wait--nominations are due by 12:00 PM on February 15, 2026. Help us celebrate excellence in Covington by submitting your nomination today! Scan the QR Code above or follow this link: ​​https://form.jotform.com/260277299892171

For a complete list of active Covington Chamber members, visit our online Member Directory.

We will celebrate our winners at a special Business Excellence Awards ceremony, presented by the Weatherly Inn at Lake Meridian.

The Covington Chamber is excited to welcome Brad Rhame of Jean Wall State Farm Insurance to our Board of Directors!

Brad brings a strong background in business administration, management, sales, and leadership, along with a deep commitment to serving the Covington community. He is also an active board member of the See Ya Later Foundation, further reflecting his passion for community and giving back.

One reference describes Brad as bringing “a balanced combination of leadership, communication, and vision, with a strong ability to identify opportunities for collaboration and strengthen organizational initiatives.”
​
Please join us in welcoming Brad as he begins his two-year term on January 1, 2026. We’re grateful to have his experience and insight on the Covington Chamber board!

We are excited to welcome Bruce Barnes of Actualize Your Full Potential LLC as our newest ambassador! He loves supporting local businesses and using his expertise to help them grow. He is also a great advocate for us. Welcome to your new role, Bruce!

Bruce Barnes, known as The Logical Intuitive, helps individuals, professionals, and entrepreneurs regain clarity, purpose, and direction when life or work feels overwhelming. He is the founder of Actualize Your Full Potential LLC and the author of the upcoming self-help novel, "Mindset Reset: How to Actualize Your Full Potential."

Through his proprietary Inner Compass Mode™, Bruce integrates mindset, wellness, communication, and Human-First AI to help people trust themselves again and move forward with confidence and intention!

Alzheimer's Association
Bicycle Rescue for Youth
Birthday Dreams
​Bloodworks Northwest
Children's Therapy Center
​Communities in Schools South King County
Covington Community Church
Covington Rotary Club
Do The Right Thing
Eileen & Callie's Place
Elk Run Farm
​Emerald Theatre
​Ensemble Ballet Theatre
Greater Maple Valley Veterans Memorial Foundation
Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA)
Green River College Foundation
Kent Community Foundation
Kent Youth & Family Services
Maple Valley Farmers' Market
Multi-Service Center
Orion Industries
Real Kids Learning
Real Life Church
Seattle's Union Gospel Mission
See Ya Later Foundation
Tahogreen Eco Guardians
The Storehouse
Valley CERT & Red Cross Volunteer Community
Valley Girls & Guys
​Vine Maple Place

The South Sound Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition invites local legislators, government officials, businesses, and community organizations to attend their annual legislative breakfast. This year’s event will take place at Emerald Downs (2300 Ron Crockett Dr., Auburn, WA 98001) on Tues., Dec. 16 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
 
The breakfast will feature special guest speaker Attorney General Nick Brown and a legislative caucus panel with Senator Chris Gildon, Senator Tina Orwall, Representative Chris Stearns, and Representative Drew Stokesbary.
 
In addition, executives from each of the participating chambers of commerce – Seattle Southside, Auburn Area Connect, Kent Chamber, Puyallup-Sumner Chamber, Vashon Island Chamber, Covington Chamber, and Renton Chamber – will share the coalition’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Focus areas include public safety, attainable housing, education, transportation, small businesses, budget and taxes, and more.
 
"This is an important event that allows members of the business community throughout the South Sound to hear from statewide elected officials and local legislators about what to expect during the 2026 legislative session," said Sam Pace, the coalition's secretary, who also served as its founding president when the coalition formed 20 years ago.
 
"This annual legislative preview breakfast has proven to be a tremendously important opportunity for the business community to convey its expectations and hopes for legislative policies and restraint that will be important for the survival of businesses,” Pace added. “Working with our legislators, our goal is to continue to preserve and enhance economic vitality and quality of life in South King County, and North and East Pierce County." 
 
The breakfast is made possible by local sponsors, including platinum sponsor Comcast Business; gold sponsors Boeing and Seattle King County REALTORS; and table sponsors Renton Technical College, the City of Auburn, Renton Chamber of Commerce, and Covington Chamber of Commerce.
 
Tickets and additional information about sponsorships for the event are available at SSCCLC.org/events. Following the event, SSCCLC’s 2026 issue paper will be available for review.