The Mission of The Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce is to promote Othello by enhancing Othello’s local economy, chamber members and tourism.

Business of the Month

Othello Golf Course offers recreation and dinning like nowhere else in town. Your family friendly environment serves up a tasty meal and a beautiful view. Even on your “off season” the restaurant stays opening offering daily specials and a menu that can please anyone.

As Othello grows we struggle to meet the needs of “Quality of life” for some folks. Othello Golf Course offers outdoor recreation and we are so grateful for that, as a result you help people stay here happily, which is great for economic stability in the area.

You throw parties for holidays that keep people coming out to have a great time. You provide jobs for people in our community. You cater many local events. You provided a great place for families to live around. Although times haven’t always been green you kept you customers at heart and proved to them you would do the right thing and make improvements to keep them coming around.

During the summer you offer golf clinics for children, that keeps our youth activate and learning a sport they can grow to love for the rest of their lives. You offer discount golf packages for those come frequently. You host the Annual Othello Community Hospital Golf Tournament and many others.

Thank you for your continued contributions to not only the Chamber of Commerce but to the community around us. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

2014 Annual Banquet Awards

ProGene Research, LLCBusiness of the year

It is because of the humanitarian perspective to plant research that ProGene was selected for this 2015 award. This family owned and operated business began in 1995 after years of working in the business with Roger Seeds Co.. Owners Kris and Gene Braunwart create a bridge between research and marketing varieties of pea seeds. Gene established the nationally recognized brand of EverLeaf Oats. This couple has raised 3 children whom have all become educated and established adults. In addition to finding success in their professional and personal lives they have also contributed to many charitable organizations. Chis helped start the Friends of the Library Organization and they both serve as co-chair of the Sandhill-Crane Festival.

Diana BraultCitizen of the year

Over the years Diana has helped in many different things in and around Othello. She has volunteered for The Old Hotel, Christmas cantata, Choral Society, Food Bank, Bell Ringers, Community Schools classes, chili cook off, PTA, senior exercise program and the school pizza fundraiser. She is a familiar site in many places around town. Her quiet background of volunteering is a wonderful quality and it has made these programs more successful than they would have been without her.

Dave RheaumeCivil Servant of the year

Dave has been a police officer, school resource officer, detective, interim police chief and now assistant chief. When he stepped up to fill in as police chief he took the job and not only maintained quality, but elevated the experience of the department and the officers morale. As resource officer he helped students learn about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and gangs. His friendly approach fostered a safe environment for students to approach him with fears and concerns. He donates to Relay for life, diabetes research, and People Against Illegal Drugs and has organized 13 of the last 14 Shop With a Cop events. He was raised in this community and continues on contributing to Othello and its citizens.

Melissa MartinezTeacher of the year K-5

Nominated by several co-workers and friends it is clear that Melissa goes above and beyond he job title. She is found at school over the weekend and late at night, always trying to add more value to what she offers her students and colleagues. She is seen as an example to her peers and provides leadership for fellow professionals. She is involved in Relay for Life, the OEA board, and the Hiawatha PTO. She also holds an after school club for 2nd-5th grade students. The Service club teaches how to give back and there is no better person to teach that skill than Melissa.

Theena RobertsTeacher of the year 6-12

This “rockstar” teacher splits her time between Othello High School and Desert Oasis High School. Her ability to plan and organize her lesson plans has driven her success in testing results and student performance. Through forming relationships and truly caring about students she has created an amazing learning environment. She has the lowest discipline record of any teacher at Desert Oasis High School. In addition to that she has the most successful algebra I and II data from the SBAC interim assessment of any teacher at both of her schools. Based on the Desert Oasis NWEA MAP test the juniors have shown two-years growth in just 4 months.

Past Honorees

Business of the year:

2012 Columbia Colstor
2011 Sterling Bank
2010 TLC Meats
2009 AnyTime Fitness
2008 Othello Independent
2007 Othello Community Hospital
2006 Reichert’s Showhouse
2005 Ace Hardware
2004 McCain Foods USA, Inc. of Othello
2003 Coventry House Assisted Living Center
2002 Lep-Re-Kon Mart
2001 Columbia Basin Health Association
2000 Evergreen Implement

Citizen of the year:

2012 Kenneth Caylor
2011 Shannon McKay and Bill Morris
2010 Dan Dever and Bill Bethmann
2009 Roy & Sandi Dodge
2008 Bill Briggs*
2007 Merritt Johnson
2006 Dave & Ann Sperl
2005 Brad Boersma
2004 Dick Erickson
2003 Lester Clemons*
2002 Terry Thompson and Kevin Byington
2001 Everett Cole
2000 Dr. Richard Bunch
1999 Roger Thieme
1998 Conrad & April Caron
1997 Tommie Tindell
1996 Rev. Robert Luhn
1995 Pete (P.J.) Taggares*
1994 Othello’s EMT’s — Othello Ambulance Crew
1993 Faelela Mitchell
1992 Robert “Bob” Reichert
1991 Lynette Caruthers
1990 R. Dan Leary
1989 Erhart C. Meyer
1988 Jack Laursen and Richard Johnson
1987 Homer Mullen*
1986 Donna Ruttan
1985 Margaret Conner
1984 Joyce Brain
1983 Rev. Glen Hutchison
1982 Ruby Leary*
1981 Niel Wright
1980 June Lampe*
1979 Frank Ochoa and Hugh Sloan
1978 Joyce Rickman
1977 Catherine Para*
1976 Lewis Johnson
1975 Adams County West District Fair Board
1974 C. C. Andrews*
1973 Julian Bustamante
1972 Al Fox
1971 Dick Keeney
1970 Gladys Para
1969 Fred Bliss
1968 Evelen Unbewust
1967 Ida Malone*
* deceased

Civil Servant of the year:

2011 Officer Matt Rooney – OPD
2010 Detective Dale Wagner
2009 Sheriff Doug Barger
2008 Jessica Fuhrman

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Past Honorees:
2007 John Pierre
2006 Robert Hampton
2005 David Rehaume
2004 Jason Corcoran

Fire Fighter of the Year Past Honorees:
2007 Erika Heist
2006 Gary Byers
2005 Tom Salisbury

Note: Starting with the 2008 Banquet, the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year & Fire Fighter of the Year awards were consolidated into the Civil Servant of the Year award. This new award can be for any Fire Fighter, Law Enforcement Officer, Emergency Medical Technician, etc. Professional or Volunteer.

Teacher of the year:

K-6
2011 Jerad Farley
2010 Mark Quigley
2009 Judy Allen
2008 Heather Quigley
2007 Lisa Davis
2004 Linda Bowers
2003 Debbie Bowers
2002 Dee Dee Harvill
1998 Ann Sperl

7-12
2011 Samuel Rocha
2010 Carol Getz
2009 Don Bullis
2008 Kristi Spohr
2007 Thomas Christensen
2004 Laurie Stickel
2003 Mark Meyer
2002 Glenn Beus
1998 Merrill Collett
All
2001 Clint Sams
2000 Roxi Mohondro
1999 Barbra Taylor
1997 Linda Crosier
1996 Arline Whitney
1995 Sharon Plunkett
1994 Wayne Shutte
1993 Fred Bosch
1992 Jack Tosten
1991 Antonio (Tony) Rodriguez
1990 Trish Graber
1989 Helen Hysjulien

Note: Some years, one teacher from all grade levels was honored; other years, one from each category was honored