The city honored its most dedicated volunteers and visionary business leaders Wednesday night at Celebrate Corvallis.

Some 400 people gathered at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center at Oregon State University for the city's 58th annual civic awards banquet, presented by the Corvallis Area Chamber of Commerce. Three dozen nominees, identified by their white corsages and boutonnieres, waited to hear their names called in nine categories.
The title of 2005 First Citizen went to Debra A. Crisman, co-owner of Newton Creek Farms, president of the local Zonta Club and a dedicated Benton County Fair volunteer. In addition to serving as vice president of the Fair Board, Crisman chairs the Benton County Fair Committee and is a Friend of the Fair as well as helping with a number of other community groups.

Echoing a note heard throughout the evening, Crisman lauded Corvallis for its culture of volunteerism while calling on citizens to do still more.

"Thanks to all the volunteers who work so hard — and recruit a few more if you can," she said after accepting her plaque. "The needs are great. The volunteers are greater."

The evening's top individual business awards went in opposite directions — one to youth, one to experience.

Entrepreneur of the Year honors went to Bryan Sims, the still-in-his 20s chief executive of Brass Media and publisher of Brass CU, a personal finance magazine aimed at the youth market and distributed through credit unions.

Rich Carone, the CEO of Korvis Automation, was named the Robert C. Ingalls Business Person of the Year. Korvis is the third startup for Carone, who also helped launch Intelledex and Accu-Fab Systems and is one of the developers of the seven-story Renaissance on the Riverfront condo tower.

An active participant in economic development initiatives who has announced his candidacy for mayor, Carone put in a plug for the Economic Vitality Partnership's "Prosperity That Fits" campaign.

"The real architects of this prosperity are going to be our local businesses, and the other architects are going to be our local citizens," he said. "I think we need to focus on supporting our local businesses."

A commitment to community causes won Valley Catering the nod as Business of the Year. Mary Bentley's catering company was a founding contributor to WAND, Women Achieving New Directions. It donates to the Celebrate Kids Breakfast, works with Linn- Benton Community College to train aspiring chefs and hosts annual theme dinners benefiting 15 community organizations.

Perhaps the evening's most visible commitment to volunteerism came from Ben Danley, who accepted the traditional Junior First Citizen's crown from last year's winner, dentist Ryan Sparks.

Danley is the president of Leadership Corvallis and sits on the boards of numerous local organizations, including the Greater Corvallis Rotary Club, Benton Furniture Share and the Benton County Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

While he didn't have a prepared acceptance speech, "I did write a couple of things," Danley told the crowd, holding up two rectangles of paper.

"This is not a speech," he said. "This is two checks."

Many in the audience, Danley noted, had the $30 tab for their admission picked up by an employer or a nominating organization, and he urged them to give to the charity of their choice.

"I hope that all of you will join me in writing checks tonight," he said, to loud applause.

"Is that not what Celebrate Corvallis is all about? Donating from the podium — right on," said Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Carlyn Roy, who shared emcee duties with KVAL-TV anchorwoman Jennifer Winters.

This year's Senior First Citizen is Jean Mater, considered by many the grande dame of the Corvallis business community. As president of the Chamber of Commerce in the 1970s, she played a key role in bringing Hewlett-Packard to town. In addition to building a distinguished career in forest engineering, Mater helped organize the Willamette Valley Research Council and was the first Corvallis woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board. She and her daughter-in-law, Catherine Mater, are partners with Carone in the Renaissance condo project.

Corvallis High student body president Lynn Hector was this year's pick for Future First Citizen. Hector serves as child care supervisor at the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, raised money to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, represents fellow students on the Corvallis School Board and plays in the school band.

Betty and Francis Johnson were honored with the Jim and Ruth Howland Special Achievement Award for their tireless dedication to accessible health care and other causes. The Johnsons helped organize Volunteer Interfaith Caregivers, Benton Habitat for Humanity and Corvallis Caring Place.

Patron of the Arts honors went to Steve Matthes, an active and versatile musician who has become an advocate for the construction of a bandshell on the riverfront. Matthes is a member of the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, director of the Corvallis Community Band and former director of various ensembles at OSU.

Mike Avery of Clear Channel Radio was honored as the chamber board chair's Volunteer of the Year.

Bennett Hall is the business editor for the Gazette-Times. He can be reached at 758-9529 or bennett.hall@lee.net.