Champions of Commerce 2022 Winners

The 2022 Champions of Commerce were recognized at the Champions of Commerce Gala on February 24, 2023.

Award descriptions, finalists and winners are shown below and in the video slideshow.

FUTURE FRANCHISOR: This company has created a product or service that is valuable and can be duplicated in order to better serve the demands of a larger customer base. The business appeals to investors and appears ready to expand.

WINNER: Accessibath

Finalists:
- Big John’s Junk Removal
- Electric Coffee House
- Precision Pro Wash
- Top Down Brewing Co.

COMPANY CULTURE HERO: The buzz in town is this is the place to work. Employees are valued and encouraged to actively participate in the growth and vision of the company. All employees feel appreciated and are provided with the opportunity to grow.

WINNER: F45 Training

Finalists:
- Fat Zach’s Wood Fired Pizza
- Kanon Electric, Inc.
- The Old Cannery
- Washington State Fair

MAGNIFICENT MARKETER: This business knows how to get your attention and presents its message in an impactful manner.

WINNER: Sumner Veterinary Hospital

Finalists:
- Gesa Credit Union
- Precision Pro Wash
- Round1 Bowling and Amusement
- SpotOn

EXCEPTIONAL BUSINESS ADVOCATE: This organization or individual understands the value of advocacy and supporting business-friendly policies that will remove barriers prohibitive to growing business.

WINNER: Meredith Neal

Finalists:
- Kevin B. Dull
- Kyle Hardtke
- JMJ Team
- City of Sumner
- Sumner Main Street Association

COMMUNITY BUILDER: Recognizing that we all play a role in creating a vibrant community, this organization or individual flexes their muscles for the greater good of the community.

WINNER: Ashley Krebs 

Finalists:
- All Things Fun Sports
- Mark Crosby
- Krista Linden
- Puyallup Food Bank
- Shellie Willis

NEWSWORTHY NEWCOMER: This is a newer business (opened in our community within the past two years) that has achieved quick success while generating lots of buzz.

WINNER: Fika By Farm 12

Finalists:
- Catapult Adventure Park Puyallup
- Dobbs Peterbilt
- JoJo + CoCo Boutique
- Main Street Tattoo
- Round1 Bowling and Amusement

MASTER OF INNOVATION: This business exhibits innovation via its unique approach, technology, product or service it provides to our community.

WINNER: Renew Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine

Finalists:
- Pacific Northwest Bin Blasters
- Five 12 Apparel
- Sharp Business Systems
- Top Down Brewing Co.
- WorkSource Pierce South Hill Mall

AREA ICON: Placing Puyallup and Sumner on the map, this business has achieved iconic status while helping to define our community.

WINNER: Daffodil Bowl

Finalists:
- Cockrell Hard Cider
- Knutsen Farms
- The Old Cannery
- Sunset Chevrolet
- Watson’s Greenhouse & Nursery

OUTSTANDING NON-PROFIT: Recognizing a need in the community, this organization provides a valuable service in an elevated way.

WINNER: Washington State Fair Foundation

Finalists:
- Generous Influencers
- Helping Hand House
- Knock Knock Angels
- New Beginnings Homes 
- Step By Step
- Vadis  

FAVORITE DRINKING DESTINATION: Paying homage to our hops heritage, this hangout beckons thirsty patrons with plenty of craft beer and/or cider on tap.

WINNER: Top Down Brewing Co.

Finalists:
- Bumpy’s Tavern
- Perry’s Cocktail Bar
- Purdy’s Public House and Arcade
- Rivers Edge Café
- Top Down Brewing Co.

BEST OFFICE OUT OF THE OFFICE: This place is tops for working remotely or holding a business meeting.

WINNER: CRAFT.19

Finalists:
- Anthem Coffee & Tea
- Chamber Clubhouse
- Electric Coffee House
- Fika By Farm 12

SUSTAINABILITY STEWARD: This business leads the way in protecting our valuable natural resources.

WINNERS (tie): Murrey’s Disposal and Pacific Northwest Bin Blasters

Finalists:
- Five 12 Apparel
- Folktown
- Keurig

EQUITY ADVOCATE: This award recognizes an organization’s significant strides toward integrating diversity, equity, access & inclusion (DEAI) into their culture, or an individual’s efforts to increase awareness & adoption of DEAI initiatives in the local business community.

WINNER: JMarie Johnson-Kola

Finalists:
- Dr. Josephine Harris
- Pierce College
- Karissa Thompson
- Shellie Willis

CHAMPION OF RESILIENCE: This award recognizes an organization that continues to innovate, push forward and demonstrate resilience in the face of a significant challenge or crisis.

WINNER: Sumner’s North Main Street Businesses
On October 28, 2022 at 2:30am, 30 fire units worked together to battle a fire burning in the heart of Downtown Sumner. One building was destroyed, and neighboring businesses were forced to close, some permanently. Affected businesses include: Ashley’s Room Consignment; The Attic; Buttered Biscuit; Five12 Apparel; Heritage Quest Library; High Road Institute; JoJo + Coco Boutique; Main Street Tattoo; Northwest Java Group; Stuck Junction Saloon; Valley Social Wine Bar; Whispering Hills Market.

Finalists:
- British Bites
- CayCare
- Spooner Farms
- Sumner Veterinary Hospital

CHAMBER CHAMPION OF COMMERCE: This organization or individual is an all-around Chamber Champion of Commerce, supporting the Chamber and embodying the pioneering spirit of our community.

WINNER: Robert Kaelin

Finalists:
- CayCare
- Farm 12
- Fiesta Taqueria 
- WorkForce Central

PUBLIC OFFICIAL PARTNER: We are fortunate in our community to have such great support from our public officials. We have two honorees this year that we wish to show our gratitude to for their support in 2022.

HONOREES:
Mayor Dean Johnson, City of Puyallup
Chief Scott Engle, Puyallup Police Department

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR: This award recognizes that you take pride as an Ambassador to the Chamber and you display extraordinary commitment to volunteering whenever, and however and are dedicated to helping membership retainment, recruitment and promotion.

WINNER: Scott Armstrong

Finalists:
- John Bankson
- John Bick
- Grace Cambra
- Tracy Misener

JOHN PORTER MEMORIAL AWARD: This award recognizes exceptional leadership of a cause, program or project, which makes a significant impact on the community and reflects the spirit of community pride and progress.

WINNER: Shawn Manley

Finalists:
- Kyle Hardtke
- Dr. Michele Johnson
- Robert Kaelin 
- Dave Radcliffe
- Bryan Reynolds

Organizations listed in bold were in attendance at our Champions of Commerce event on February 24, 2023.

Korum Ford: 67 years
MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital: 51 years
Knutson Farms: 50 years
Washington State Fair: 50 years
City of Puyallup: 50 years
Puyallup Rotary: 50 years
Absher Construction: 50 years
Puget Sound Energy: 50 years
Hammermaster Law: 50 years
Heritage Bank: 50 years
Bill Korum's Puyallup Nissan: 48 years
City of Sumner: 47 years
Murrey’s Disposal: 44 years
Ormiston Orthodontics: 44 years
Troutlodge: 43 years
Stock Management: 39 years
Sunset Chevrolet: 39 years
Sound Family Medicine: 37 years
Western Storage: 36 years
Puyallup Historical Society: 36 years
South Hill Mall: 35 years
Nicholson’s Sumner Pharmacy: 34 years
Puyallup Valley Physical Therapy: 34 years
Powers Funeral Home: 34 years
Mel Korum YMCA: 34 years
Pierce College: 33 years
Puyallup School District: 32 years
Puyallup Main Street Association: 32 years
Diagnostic Imaging: 32 years
Tacoma Rainiers: 31 years
Ross Deckman Architect: 31 years
Best Western Hotel: 30 years
Summit Water and Supply Co: 30 years
Port of Tacoma: 29 years
Pierce Transit: 29 years
Columbia Bank: 28 years
Cascade Christian Schools: 28 years
Office Depot: 28 years
Harborstone Credit Union: 28 years
Timberland Bank: 27 years
World Trade Center Tacoma: 27 years
Gene’s Towing: 27 years
Cascade Regional Blood Services: 26 years
Abbey Carpet & Floor: 26 years
Master Builders Association: 26 years
Pierce County Library: 26 years