Awards & Testimonials
Association of Washington Business Honors The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber With 2005 Community Service Award
The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce was honored by The Association of Washington Business (AWB) as its 2005 Community Service Award winner in the category of Projects that Mobilize People & Communities into Action. This prestigious honor was in recognition of the Chamber’s new Entrepreneurial Business Development Center, which represents a partnership between federal, state and local organizations along with local industry experts, area banks that specialize in SBA and small business loans, and a cadre of trained volunteers.
 Pictured from left: Gary Petershagen, Chamber Chairman, Tiffany McVeety, Director of NW Women’s Business Center, Caldie Rogers, President / CEO, Teri Gobin, Tulalip Employment Rights Office Manager, Stan Jones, Sr., Tulalip Tribes Chairman
The Chamber was one of only 19 companies and organizations across the state to be recognized as this year’s winners of AWB’s 2005 Community Service Awards presented in Spokane on May 24.
“These companies and organizations realize the importance of being good neighbors in their communities,” stated AWB President Don Brunell. “All made significant contributions in community beautification, education, helping people in need, developing projects to mobilize people into action, volunteerism, and working with youth. All of them have invested substantial time, money and other resources to improve their corner of the state. ”
“Both the city of Marysville and The Tulalip Tribes had targeted the need for such a center for a number of years to enhance their economic development efforts, but tight budgets restricted the ability of either entity to move the concept forward. Inspired by their vision and as a strong partner in both entities’ economic development efforts, the Chamber committed its resources and talent to turning their visions into today’s united reality - doing in the end what we do best, - capitalizing on opportunity and building innovative partnerships that move our communities forward.” explains Caldie Rogers, President / CEO, The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce
Working together in a cooperative and collaborative manner through coordinated efforts of governments, agencies, industry leaders, volunteers and staff, The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber has pulled together a multitude of resources to use in an integrated fashion enabling them to access previously untapped community wealth in both talent and capital.
On hand to help accept the award with Rogers was The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce Chairman Gary Petershagen, as well as few of the Center’s key partners, including The Tulalip Tribes Chairman Stan Jones, Tulalip Employment Rights Office Manager Teri Gobin, Director of the Northwest Women’s Business Center, Tiffany McVeety, and past Chamber Chairman of the Board, Janet Duffy of RMI, Inc.
“This unique partnership is another first in Indian Country; with Marysville/Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, NW Women’s Business Center and Tulalip Nation Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) coming together to begin this program with enthusiasm and excitement. The Tribe has wanted to develop a full fledged Entrepreneur Center and we now have the right partners to make another one of our dreams become a reality. This will benefit the whole community and receiving the Washington State Business award is such an honor. When you have the right partners things will fall in place and come together in a good way.” Teri Gobin
"The Northwest Washington Women's Business Center (NWWBC) is thankful for the opportunity to partner with the Chamber and the Tulalip Tribe to offer entrepreneurs access to capital and business counseling through the new Entrepreneurial Development Center. It was even more exciting for the Chamber to be recognized as a leader in community building by the AWB. The NWWBC is proud to have been "motivated into action" by Caldie Rogers and the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center to serve local entrepreneurs!" Tiffany McVeety, Director, NWWBC
As a third time award winner in this category, the Chamber also received special recognition for its “Continuous Commitment to the Community”. Previous awards were extended in 2001 for the Chamber’s history making North County Summit series, bringing eight northern communities together to work on behalf of economic and community development in North Snohomish County, and in 2003 for the creation of its high-tech regional facility featuring a premier Visitor Information Center, serving communities throughout the north as well as thousands of visitors annually.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors couldn’t be prouder!
“Three time award winner! Why don't they just retire the award or rename it after our Chamber? Congratulations, Caldie.” Al Aldrich, Chamber Board Member, Snohomish County PUD
“Great Job! I’m proud to be a part of the winning Team!” Brad Jones, Chamber Board Member, Verizon
“Congratulations to the Board, the members, the volunteers and most especially to Caldie for her tireless work and inspired leadership! A deserved honor.” Steve Hansen, Chamber Legal Counsel, Hansen, McConnell & Pellegrini, PLLC
The Entrepreneurial Center offers free business counseling classes and seminars, and provides access to small business loans for potential and established small businesses throughout northern Snohomish County, including the Tulalip Indian Reservation.
The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce is an independent, non-profit, action agency committed to supporting and advancing the needs of the greater Marysville Tulaliparea business communities. | 
