February 20, 2024
Reception 5pm
​ Program 6pm
Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College

Awards Presentations

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Outstanding Contribution to the Community
Presented by Laura Lewis Marchino, Region 9

Empowerment Legacy Award
Presented by Jenn Bartlett, Big Brothers, Big Sisters
& Christina Rinderle, Durango Land & Homes

Citizen of the Year Award
Presented by Josh Neff, Common Spirit/Mercy Hospital

Public Service Impact Award
Presented by Ellen Roberts

Morley Ballantine Women’s Leadership Award
Presented by Patti Zink, Mountain Bike Specialist & Waterfall Ranch
Sponsored by Morehart Murphy Regional Auto Center

Non-Profit of the Year
Presented by Briggen Wrinkle, SW CO Community Foundation
Finalists:
Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Hillcrest Golf Club
Manna Durango Soup Kitchen
Stillwater Music
The Liberty School

Bill Mashaw Volunteer of the Year Award
Presented by Lynn Urban, United Way of SW Colorado

Barbara Conrad Leadership La Plata Award
Presented by Natumbu Obleton, Cisco

Spirit of Durango Award
Presented by Tom Loch & Justin Kautter, Diplomats
Finalists:
Ascent Digital 
Maria’s Bookshop
Movement Rx
Tailwind Nutrition

Diplomat of the Year
Presented by Tom Loch, Land Title Guarantee Company

Young Professional of the Year Award
Presented by Joseph Kuzma, Manna Durango Soup Kitchen

Ed Morlan Entrepreneur of the Year
Presented by Jeff Dupont, Durango Chamber of Commerce

Small Business of the Year
Presented by Chris Lopez, CHFA
Finalists:
Four Leaves Winery
Star Liquors
Whole Health Family Medicine

Business of the Year
Presented by Eric Guttormson, 1st Southwest Bank
Finalists:
Bank of Colorado
ClearNetworx
Durango Hot Springs
M&R Service

Award Information

Information about the Awards:

​Business of the Year
The Business of the Year award recognizes dynamic companies that share a commitment to excellence, business growth and the community.  They have a proven record of financial performance, strategies, and growth.  They demonstrate achievement in service, and innovation in management.  Recent recipients include Kroegers Ace Hardware, 1st SouthWest Bank, Peak Food & Beverage, and Durango Dermatology.

Small Business of the Year
The Small Business of the Year award is presented to companies that have been in business for a minimum of three years and have less than 15 full-time employees.  These businesses demonstrate innovation, perseverance, and outstanding accomplishments in management while creating a successful and growing business.  Past recipients include Southwest Eye Consultants, Honeyville & Honey House Distillery, Durango Harley Davidson, and Pet Haus.

Entrepreneur of the Year
The Entrepreneur of Year award is given to someone who creates a new business and is seen as a source of new ideas, goods, or services.  Entrepreneurs take risks of creating a startup, demonstrate vision, leadership, and ingenuity. Past recipients include Carol Clark, Erin Neer with MuniRevs, Jeff & Jennifer Vierling with Tailwind Nutrition, and Jessika Buell with Lucky Services/Marketing Concepts Squared.

Non-Profit of the Year
The Nonprofit of the Year award honors outstanding achievement in the nonprofit sector, meets an unfilled need for the betterment of the community, and serves with distinction.  Past recipients include the Business Improvement District, Region 9 Economic Development, Trails 2000, and the Community Foundation.

Citizen of the Year
The Citizen of the Year is awarded to individuals who have made a noteworthy contribution to our community that is above and beyond their profession or regular responsibilities.   Someone who exemplifies putting the community first and making Durango a better place.  Recent recipients include Karen Zink, Bob Wolff, Ellen Roberts, and Joanne Spina.

Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer of Year honors an individual who exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism, and community leadership that is above and beyond their normal profession and responsibilities. Past recipients are Vaughn Morris, Dave Woodruff , Lisa Barrett, and Jeff Givens.

Young Professional of the Year (YPOD) YPOD of the Year is selected by members of the YPOD organization.   
Barbara Conrad Leadership La Plata Award is selected by Leadership La Plata for exemplary service in that organization.
Morley Ballantine Award is a time-honored award selected by a committee.
Diplomat of the Year honors a Chamber Diplomat who served the community and the Diplomat program 
Spirit of Durango Award is selected by the Chamber Diplomats and recognizes a business that demonstrates accomplishment and community involvement, projecting a positive image of Durango.  ​

History of Award

Bill Mashaw Volunteer of the Year Award

Bill Mashaw was named one of the very first Volunteer of the Year recipients in 1990, and Citizen of the Year in 2000. He was a dedicated community leader and in 2012, the Durango Chamber of Commerce proudly renamed its Volunteer of the Year award the “Bill Mashaw Volunteer of the Year,” following his passing in 2011. Bill’s legacy includes being a founding member of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Durango, supporting affordable housing through the Community Development Corporation, and then serving with organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Fort Lewis College Foundation. His passion extended to youth programs and made a lasting impact on children in the area. Bill Mashaw exemplified a life of love, service, and commitment to the Durango community.
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Morley Ballantine Women’s Leadership Award

The Morley Ballantine Women’s Leadership Award serves to shine a spotlight on women in a variety of fields, celebrating talent, creativity, resilience, and leadership. Morley Ballantine, chairwoman and editor of the Durango Herald for more than 50 years, was a trailblazer in journalism and advocacy. She became one of the first women named Durango Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1990 and won the Athena Award in 1997 for promoting gender equity, arts, and education. Ballantine, who passed away in 2009, was the first female chair of the Colorado Press Association in 1968 and Colorado Philanthropist of the Year in 2000. She also helped establish the Women’s Resource Center in Durango and the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2002, she joined the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame posthumously in 2014. 

Barbara Conrad La Plata Award

Barbara Conrad was an extraordinary individual who embodied a deep commitment to community, a core value of Leadership La Plata. A member of the Leadership La Plata Class of ’91–’92, Barbara is fondly remembered as the former director of the Durango Arts Center, where the main gallery now bears her name. Her influence, however, extended far beyond the arts. To honor her legacy after her passing in 1996, Leadership La Plata established the Barbara Conrad Leadership La Plata Award. This prestigious award is presented annually to one of more than 500 LLP alumni during the Durango Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Celebration, ensuring her remarkable contributions and enduring impact on the community are never forgotten.
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Ed Morlan Entrepreneur of the Year

The late Ed Morlan dedicated his career to mentoring entrepreneurs across Southwest Colorado, making it fitting to name this prestigious award in his honor. Ed moved to Durango in 1977 with his wife, Jackie, initially planning to teach elementary school. Instead, he spent 27 years as director of the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado, helping small businesses thrive. A Vietnam veteran awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star, Ed was celebrated when Gov. John Hickenlooper proclaimed July 28, 2016, as “Ed Morlan Day” in Colorado. His impact was recognized by Sen. Michael Bennet, Congressman Scott Tipton, Colorado State Representative/Senator Ellen Roberts, and others. Among his many accolades, he received the Economic Development Council of Colorado Achievement Award in 2006 for his contributions to economic growth and business development. A Leadership La Plata alumnus and 2009 Barbara Conrad LLP Award recipient, Ed was also a Bayfield town trustee and a devoted mentor, leaving behind a legacy of successful businesses and entrepreneurs across the region.
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Past Recipients

ATHENA AWARD/Morley
Ballantine Women’s Leadership Award
1990 – Shari Chrane
1991 – Karen Zink
1992 – Laurel Waller
1993 – Sheri Rochford-Figgs
1994 – Nancy Sellers Ariano
1995 – Barbara Conrad
1996 – Julie Cooley
1997 – Morley Ballantine*
1998 – Diane Wildfang
1999 – Pauline Garner
2000 – Linda Dunaway*
2001 – Lee Taylor
2002 – Barb Acosta*
2003 – Ellen Roberts
2004 – Debra Parmenter
2005 – Karen Langhart*
(beginning of Morley Ballantine Award)
2006 – Joanne Spina
2007 – Pam Patton
2008 – BJ Boucher
2009 – Patti Zink
2010 – Sid Zink
2011 – Deb Uroda
2012 – Vicki Coe
2013 – Kerry Petranek Siggins
2014 – Beth Drum
2015 – Linda Campbell 
2016 – Stephanie Moran
2017 – Mary Jane Clark
2018 – Melissa Glick
2019 – Tiffany Lee
2020 – Karen Midkiff
2021 – Rep. Barbara McLachlan
2022 – Ann Morse
2023 – LaTitia Taylor

Barbara Conrad Community
Leadership La Plata Award
(presented by Leadership La Plata
in memory of Barbara Conrad)
1996 – Bill Mashaw*
1997 – Linda Geer
1998 – Char Day
1999 – David Eppich
2000 – Pam Patton
2001 – Ed Morlan*
2002 – Sidny Zink
2003 – Lon Erwin*
2004 – Nora Tracy
2005 – Dennis Lum
2006 – Marsha Porter-Norton
2007 – Indiana Reed*
2008 – Kip Koso
2009 – Wanda Ellingson
2010 – Diane Becket
2011 – Christi Zeller
2012 – John and Cissy Anderson
2013 – Kris Oyler
2014 – Laura Lewis Marchino
2015 – Stan Crapo
2016 – Tara Kiene
2017 – Jenn Bartlett
2018 – Molly Martin
2019 – Kelsea Ferrato
2020 – Karen Thompson
2021 – Janae Hunderman
2022 – Tracy Cornutt
2023 – Natambu Obleton

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
1988 – Comstock Creations
1989 – Bula/Fiji Wea
1990  – Columbia Chrome
1991 – Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
1992 – Durango Threadworks
1993 – Mercy Medical Center
1994 – Purgatory Ski Resort
1995 – Coca Cola
1996 – Bar-D Chuckwagon
1997 – North and South City Markets
1998 – La Plata Electric Assoc.
1999 – Toh-Atin
2000 – The Wells Group Real Estate Brokerage
2001 – Durango Mountain Resort &
Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
2002 – Nature’s Oasis
2003 – The Durango Herald
2004 – Strater Hotel
2005 – Steamworks Brewing Company
2006 – Lore International
2007 – First National Bank of Durango
2008 – StoneAge Inc.
2009 – Mercury Payment Systems
2010 – Ska Brewing Company
2011 – Animas Surgical Center
2012 – Alpine Bank
2013 – Ecosphere Environmental Services Inc.
2014 – Coldwell Banker Heritage 
    House Realtor
2015 – Durango Coca-Cola
2016 – Seasons of Durango
2017 – Durango Motor Company
2018 – Durango Dermatology
2019 – Peak Food & Beverage
2020 – First Southwest Bank
2021 – Kroegers Ace Hardware
2022 – Morehart Murphy Regional
    Auto Center
2023 – Durango Nursery

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
            Jean Reed
       Cy Scarborough*                           
1981 – Bob Beers *                   
1982 – Fred Kroeger*                       
1983 – Rexer Berndt*
1984 – Jackson Clark*                                  
1985 – Dr. Leo Lloyd*
1986 – Stan Allan*
1987 – John Zink*
1988 – Bill Sageser                      
1989 – Don Whalen*                   
1990 –     Morley Ballantine*                
1991 – Bill “Beatle” Abshagen                   
1992 – Ron Pettigrew*               
1993 – Frank E. “Sam” Maynes*                       
1994 – Leonel Silva
1995 – Dr. Duane Smith*
1996 – Leonard C. Burch*
1997 – Dr. Joel Jones*
1998 – Amos Cordova
1999 – Bob Dolphin*
2000 – Bill Mashaw*
2001 – Don Mapel
2002 – Fred Klatt
2003 – David Eppich
2004 – Ed Zink*
2005 – Patty Burkholder
2006 – Pat Murphy
2007 – Jerry Martinez
2008 – Dr. Richard Lawton
2009 – Sheri Rochford-Figgs
2010 – Joe Colgan
2011 – Katharine Roser
2012 – Peter Marshall
2013 – Richard Ballantine
2014 – Sidny Zink
2015 – Steve Parker
2016 – Steve Short
2017 – Linda Mannix
2018 – Joanne Spina
2019 – Ellen Roberts
2020 – Bob Wolff
2021 – Karen Zink
2022 – Gaige Sippy
2023 – Dr. Joseph Murphy

SPIRIT OF DURANGO AWARD
1989 – North & South City Markets
1990 – Coca-Cola
1991 – Kroeger’s True Value Hardware
1992 – Bula/Fiji Wear
1993 – McDonald’s
1994 – KIQX
1995 – Albertson’s
1996 – Red Snapper Restaurant
1997 – Amoco Production Company
1998 – Steamworks Brewing Company
1999 – Norwest Bank
2000 – Four Corners River Sports
2001 – Not given this year
2002 – Firefighters of La Plata County
    and Nationwide
2003 – Southwestern Beverage
2004 – Advanced Eyecare
2005 – Tri State Care Flight
2006 – Carvers Brewing Co.
2007 – Morehart Chevrolet
2008 – Kiwanis Club of Durango
​     and Animas Media (tie)
2009 – Durango Sports Club
2010 – Durango Doughworks
2011 – Leland House/Rochester Hotel
2012 – Lost Dog Bar and Lounge
2013 – Ska Brewing
2014 – Vectra Bank
2015 – Honeyville
2016 – Four Leaves Winery
2017 – El Moro Spirits and Tavern
2018 – Star Liquor
2019 – Durango Electrical Service
2020 – Ore House Restaurant
2021 – Dietz Market
2022 – Pathfinder Chiropractic
2023 – Happy Pappy’s Pizza-N-Wings

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR
2006 – United Way of SWCO
2007 – SW Institute For Education and
    Conservation (Adult Ed Center
    & SW Conservation Corp.)
2008 – Community Connections
2009 – SUCAP
2010 – Women’s Resource Center
2011 – Manna Soup Kitchen
2012 – Durango Arts Center
2013 – LPC Boys and Girls Club
2014 – Alternative Horizons
2015 – La Plata Youth Services
2016 – Durango Adult Education Center
2017 – The Garden Project of SW Colorado
2018 – The Community Foundation
    Serving SW Colorado
2019 – Durango Trails 2000
2020 – Region 9 Economic Development
    District
2021 – Business Improvement District
2022 – HomesFund
2023 – Economic Development Alliance

​SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
1993 – Olde Tymers
1994 – Four Corners River Sports
1995 – Dietz Market
1996 – Thru the Lens
1997 – Griego’s
1998 – Honeyville
1999 – Durango Quick Lube
2000 – FredrickZinkElliott, P.C.
2001 – Ska Brewing Company
2002 – Bank of the San Juans
2003 – Maria’s Bookshop
 2004 – Steaming Bean Coffee Company
2005 – Hogan’s Store
2006 – Siesta Motel
2007 – Mountain Bike Specialists
2008 – Professional Computer Solutions
2009 – Backcountry Experience
2010 – Sunnyside Meats
2011 – Russell Planning & Engineering
2012 – Durango Party Rental
2013 – Basin Printing & Imaging
2014 – Tafoya Barrett and Associates
2015 – The Payroll Department
2016 – Evenings Porch Assisting Living
2017 – Four Corners Broadcasting
2018 – Pet Haus
2019 – Durango Harley Davidson
2020 – Honeyville & Honey House Distillery
2021 – Southwest Eye Consultants
2022 – Adela Flora
2023 – Desert Sun Coffee Roasters

​ED MORLAN
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
2004 – Todd Youngblood / Computhority
2005 – Spaaah Shop/Christine Helm
2006 – Durango Soda Co.
    B. Zuber & D. Aggeler
2007 – Durango Joe’s Coffee House 
    Joe Lloyd
2008 – Open Sky Wilderness
    Aaron Fernandes
2009 – Thrive: A Creating Wellness Center
    Trapper Niccum
2010 – Durango Magazine – Julie Schlutz
2011 – Fastsigns of Durango – 
    Laurie Sigilitto
2012 – not given this year
2013 – Rent-A-Man – Eric Sirois
    and Joe Storc
2014 – Mountain View TLC
    Kevin Dehlinger, Kiki Searfus, 
    Judith Vanderryn and Lisa Smith
2015 – Daudi Barnes / Advanced
    Mobile Propulsion Test
2016 – Mark Thompson, Phoenix Recycling
2017 – Tracie Holcomb, CrossFit Catacombs
2018 – Jessika Buell, Marketing
    Concepts Squared
2019 – Jeff and Jennifer Vierling,
    Tailwind Nutrition               
2020 – Erin Neer, MuniRevs
2021 – Carol Clark, Union Social House
2022 – Ben Sorensen, Ascent Digital
2023 – Elizabeth Philbrook, EsoTerra
    Ciderworks

BILL MASHAW VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
1990 – Shari Chrane/Bill Mashaw*
1991 – Jim Christen
1992 – Ann Butler
1993 – Florence Minor
1994 – Harold Green*
1995 – Barbara Acosta*
1996 – Pete Gomez
1997 – Patty Burkholder
1998 – John Marvel
1999 – Bruce Anderson*
2000 – Pat Russell
2001 – Debra Parmenter
2002 – Julie McCallister
2003 – Victoria Romero-Coe
2004 – John Anderson
2005 – Jim Foster
2006 – La Plata County Search and Rescue
2007 – Liz Carey
2008 – Peter Marshall and Nancy Wharton
2009 – Bob Aber
2010 – Tom Grams
2011 – Pat & Calvin Story
2012 – Chuck and Cheryl Carson
2013 – Terry Swan
2014 – Ron Corkish
2015 – Renea Young
2016 – Laura McKinney
2017 – Pat Barrett
2018 – Jeff Givens
2019 – Lisa Barrett
2020 – Dave Woodruff
2021 – Vaughn Morris
2022 – Joe Kusar
2023 – Fred Riedinger

​DIPLOMAT OF THE YEAR
1989 – Jane Zimmerman
1990 – Patti McCarthy
1991 – Jim Christen
1992 – Linda Geer
1993 – Don Whalen*
1994 – Mary El Emrich & John Kolb
1995 – Becky Moore
1996 – Mark Schelper
1997 – Joy Zwisler
1998 – Bobbie Carll
1999 – Brian Zwisler
2000 – Dianne Andrews
2001 – Darryl Hunt
2002  – Debi Lorenz
2003 – Julie Pickering
2004 – Mary Jo Paxton
2005 – Angelia Cook
2006 – Virginia Wright
2007 – Breta Dodd
2008 – Kathy Myrick
2009 – Nancy Ottman
2010 – Steve Pease
2011 – Susan Smith
2012 – Nick Spence
2013 – Bev Theberge
2014 – Marily Berger
2015 – Brad Cook
2016 – Mitch Dye
2017 – Coelene O’Kane
2018 – Matt Gomez
2019 – Ben Frihauf
2020 – Tom Loch
2021 – Nancy Ottman
2022 – Brad Cook
2023 – Nora Stafford

​YPOD OF THE YEAR
2012 – Mandi Davis
2013 – Allison Ragsdale and Matt Hoaglin
2014 – Paul Eckenrode
2015 – Jeremy Ham
2016 – Krii Black
2017 – Ryan Lowe
2018 – Taylor Criswell
2019 – Luke Prince
2020 – Liz Demko
2021 – Catie Bird
2022 – Joseph Kuzma
2023 – Rebekah Click
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​*Deceased

Awards Committee

Dana McCreary, TBK Bank • Heather Erb, Destination DRO Real Estate
Karis Morrall, Animas Surgical Hospital • Kermitt Barrett, Tosch & Assoc.
Kip Koso, Local First • Laura Lewis Marchino, Region 9 Economic Development
Lynn Urban, United Way of SWCO • Neil Dolder, Jaynes Corp. 
Sarah Brandt, The Durango Motor Company
Sarah Tober, Economic Development Alliance
Vaughn Morris, Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County
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