First Citizens are announced
By Terry Murry on Friday, January 27th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Pendleton Chamber of Commerce honored its first citizens at a banquet tonight (Friday) at the Pendleton Convention Center. Woman of the Year is Margaret Gianotti and Man of the year is Tim Hawkins.
The Volunteer of the Year is Matt Terjeson. The Pendleton Air Museum was given the Tourism Excellence Award. Employee of the Year is Corissa Schuening of Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon. The Boss of the Year Award went to Erika Patton, also of Round-Up & Happy Canyon. Trendsitions Employment Services LLC was named Business of the Year.
Margaret Gianotti was described as a problem solver, a uniter of people, an idea person and a hands-on person as well by those who nominated her. She was lauded for giving her time, expertise and finances to help people for 30 years or more.
Among the groups who benefit from Gianotti are the Pendleton Center for the Arts, College Community Theatre, the Betty Feves Art Gallery, PEO, Altrusa of Pendleton, the Oregon East Symphony, Peace Lutheran Church, Festival of Trees, and Lions of Oregon. Working for Blue Mountain Community College, she has raised money for scholarships, day care grants, a food pantry, gas vouchers, and in many instances contributed her own funds to those causes.
Tim Hawkins has been a life-long resident of Pendleton and raised his four children here, coaching each of them in sports and teaching them that a successful person makes his own way in life, helps others along the way, and works hard to make his community better according to the speech announcing him.
He served as chairman of the board of St. Anthony Hospital, was president of the board for both Pendleton Grain Growers and Happy Canyon. In addition, he was president of the Round-Up Association during its centennial year, contributing mightily to its renovation for its 100th birthday. Hawkins was lauded for transitioning the armory to the Pendleton Convention Center, and working to build the new CHI St. Anthony Hospital.
