The Castlegar business community came out in full force on Saturday to celebrate their accomplishments at the Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce annual business awards dinner.
More than 200 people attended the ticketed event, which also served as a fundraiser for the chamber.
In his last official duty as mayor, Kirk Duff opened the event and introduced Mayor-elect Maria McFaddin. The pair jointly presented the Lifetime Achievement award, which is sponsored by the City of Castlegar.
That award went to Kalesnikoff Lumber.
The award is reserved for companies with at least 25 years in business, excellent customer relations and a history of contributions to the community both economically and socially.
Kalesnikoff has been a family-owned lumber company since it first launched in 1939.
“This business has grown a legacy of trust and integrity,” said Duff.
“They steward relationships and resources by valuing people first and never compromising on integrity.”
Kalesnikoff’s expansion in the area of glued-laminated timber and mass timber products has had a major impact locally as they become a premier provider of the products across the province and beyond. They employ over 250 people.
The company is also known for its Kalesnikoff Cares program and continual community donations of money, time and products.
The company is currently led by Ken Kalesnikoff (CEO and president), and fourth-generation managers Chris Kalesnikoff (COO) and Krystle Seed (CFO).
Seed accepted the award on behalf of the family.
Seed says she and her brother Chris intend to continue on with the family’s guiding principals including: “Take care of the land and the land will take care of you, take care of the community and your community will take care of you and take care of your people and your people will take care of you.”
“We really try to live that everyday.”
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Award recipients
Business Person of the Year: Harold Chernoff, Trowelex
Business Excellence: Tailout Brewing
Customer Service Excellence: Blue Barn Pet
The Green Award: Moonrise Boutique
Professional Service: Sun Life Financial
Contractor of the Year: PNT Contracting
Tourism Development: Castlegar Sculpturewalk
Young Entrepreneur Award: Solomon Burk, Train with Solly
Community Social Award: Castlegar Hospice Society
Home Based Business Award: Into the Wild Off Leash Adventures
Restaurant Award: Tacos El Gringo
Manager of the Year: Sally Diep, Humble Bean Coffee
Innovator of the Year Award: The Roasted Chickpea
The Board of Directors Choice Award: Grateful Table
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kalesnikoff Lumber
READ MORE: Castlegar Habitat For Humanity homes to be finished by March
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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