More than 200 local business and community members attended the 58th Annual Community Awards, hosted by the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce/CVB/Resort Association, Thursday, February 16 at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe to recognize the outstanding achievements of many local residents and businesses.

Art Chapman, president and chairman of JMA Ventures, received the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award for his dynamic leadership in the $500-million redevelopment planned for Homewood Mountain Resort on the West Shore, scheduled to begin in 2014.

Longtime North Lake Tahoe resident and business owner Dave Wilderotter, of Tahoe Dave’s (with five stores throughout the North Lake Tahoe region), was awarded the Distinguished Community Service Award for his significant economic and volunteer contributions to the area.

The Large Business of the Year went to Palisades Tahoe for its $50 million renaissance, merger with Alpine Meadows, news pass products, complimentary shuttles connecting the two ski resorts, as well as it community involvement and contributions.

Alpenglow Sports took home Small Business of the Year for hosting and sponsoring events to provide awareness of North Lake Tahoe’s backcountry skiing, as well as its significant involvement with the Tahoe City Downtown Association.

Non-Profit Achievement was presented to Project Mana, an integral part of the North Lake Tahoe community providing hunger relief for many families since 1991. The organization has also invested in the region’s youth, working collaboratively with local elementary schools to supplement health curriculum with hands-on nutritional activities,  as well as hosting “Kids Can Cook, which teaches kids about kitchen safety and nutrition.

The Regional Marketing Award was given to Northstar California for providing an exceptional snow product via their considerable investment in snowmaking; media attention of its North Face Super Pipe, designed by Olympic-gold medalist Shaun White; new terrain, The Promised Land, and mid-mountain lodge Zephyr Lodge; as well as its use of social media and photography, allowing other partners to push this snow message to consumers.

The Public Servant of the Year Award was presented jointly to Chief Michael Brown of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Chief John Pang of the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District, Chief Duane Whitelaw of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District, Chief Mark Shadowens of the Northstar Fire Department and Chief Pete Bansen of the Palisades Tahoe Fire Department. The five departments work collaboratively together with mutual aid and automatic aid agreements, as well as provide aid resources (engines) for large fires throughout California and Nevada.

The Hospitality Award was given to The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe for meticulously exceeding guest expectations, while maintaining an impeccable standard of excellence and securing Lake Tahoe’s first five-diamond hotel rating of luxury.

Keep the Sierra Green presented the Green Business Award to Mamasake and Austin’s Restaurant for recyclable, energy-efficient and sustainable programs.
The Placer County-Lake Tahoe Film Office also recognized community members, with the Film Commission Outstanding Support for Film and Media Production presented to Palisades Tahoe, Alpine Meadows and the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.

A number of volunteers were recognized and included Ed Miller of the Tahoe City Public Utility District, Chuck Greene of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Advisory Planning Council, Todd and Linda Willard of the North Tahoe Business Association, Trudy Lesem of the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, Carol Heinricy of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Larry Bienati of Sierra State Parks Foundation and Dina Marshall of Tahoe SAFE Alliance.

Outstanding employees getting top honors included Jeff Cowen of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency; Shaun Chilkotowsky of the Tahoe City Public Utility District; Pat Greenlaw of the Sierra Sun; Kevin MacMillan of the Sierra Sun and North Lake Tahoe Bonanza; Northstar California snowmaking team; Tim Rantz of Homewood Mountain Resort; Jamie Olson of the Tahoe City Downtown Association; Tom Baird of Tahoe City Marina; Martin Hernandez of Granlibakken Resort; Martha Vivas and Greg Whitlow of the Resort at Squaw Creek; Deb Stansell, Sara Coustette, Jenn Baker and Elaine VanFossen of Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows; Andrew Ariansen and Austin Wolf of The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe; as well as Dan Hauserman and Russ Baruh of Hauserman Real Estate.

The 58th Annual Community Service Awards was presented by Liberty Utilities; award sponsors Stanger Vineyards, Northstar California, US Bank, Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort, Smith & Jones, Inc, Sierra Sun, Keep the Sierra Green and the Truckee Tahoe Airport; as well as donating sponsors Create Edge Marketing-Promotions, Sierra Nevada Ad Partners – sn(a)p, Community Fund of North Lake Tahoe, The Store . . . Copies & More and Leep Entertainment.

For more information about the North Lake Tahoe Chamber and Resort Association, visit www.gotahoenorth.com