First Legacy Awards Event a Huge Success

Considering that small businesses employ the majority of working Oregonians and generate almost every new job, an evening of recognition and notoriety was long overdue.

But who knew an event celebrating entrepreneurs — past, present and future — would be such a draw, bringing together small-business owners, legislators, young entrepreneurs, a Congressman and NFIB staff for a magical evening. All left asking for an annual repeat performance, after the resounding success of the first.

The celebration occurred on October 17, when the National Federation of Independent Business’ Oregon chapter held its inaugural Legacy Awards event at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner.  “Once Jim Bernau, founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards, heard our vision of an evening in celebration of entrepreneurs – past, present and future — he was all in, and the magic began to happen.” said NFIB State Director, Jan Meekcoms.  

Bernau hosted the evening and arranged for Congressman Greg Walden to be the keynote speaker.  Stacy Jenkins, NFIB member support manager, attended to every detail, resulting in a very memorable evening for  the sold-out crowd.

The evening’s ceremony began with U.S. Rep. Greg Walden presenting the 2014 Small Business Champion Award to Jim Bernau, founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards.

“In the 1980’s Jim Bernau was NFIB/Oregon’s very first, full-time state director who established a small-business presence in the State Capitol,” said Meekcoms. “His advocacy work included pioneering  Oregon’s  fledgling wine industry  into the major economic force it is today.   He’s never wavered in his commitment to small business on a variety of issues and continues to give generously of not only his time, effort and wisdom, but he also shares this stunning location and world class wines of Willamette Valley Vineyards.”  

His commitment to free enterprise was extended even further when he initiated two Young Entrepreneur Foundation scholarships to be awarded to high school seniors who work in their own successful business endeavor while still in school.

Bernau’s NFIB award, however, is not his first this year.  In February, he was given Salem’s First Citizen Award for his civic involvement. 

Since its founding in 1943, NFIB has been a member-driven, member-directed association, as witnessed by the length of small businesses which have been with it for many years. 

Steve Ferree, NFIB/Oregon’s leadership council chairman and owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing in Gladstone, presented five small-business owners with NFIB/Oregon’s first Legacy Awards:

Meekcoms presented Sen. Larry George of Sherwood with NFIB’s Guardian of Small Business – Outstanding Legislator award for 2013-2014. 

In 2013 Senator George worked with a bi-partisan group to successfully craft and pass the first small business tax reduction legislation in decades.  Small business owners will reap the rewards of his work for generations.

“If this wasn’t reason enough,” said Meekcoms, “during the 2013-2014 legislative sessions, he scored 100 percent for his voting record in support of legislation meaningful to small businesses. He was the only legislator of the 90 lawmakers in Oregon’s Legislature to do so. He truly exemplifies what it means to receive NFIB’s Guardian of Small Business award.”

NFIB would not have the clout it has with the Legislature and in Congress were it not for its field sales representatives building the membership base.  Jim Matteson is one such FSR with a fantastic record in bringing more small-business owners into the NFIB family. He was presented with NFIB Oregon’s first Clout Builder award.

Also honored were three winners of NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation scholarship awards: Alexandra Crippen (2012), Andrew Miles (2013) and Selena Gregory (2014).  They received their scholarship award for their successful business that they individually owned and operated during their senior year in high school. To learn more about the scholarship awards and to donate, click here.

The NFIB family was deeply saddened to have lost Leadership Council member, Dave Easton, who died unexpectedly while vacationing in Europe this year.

A long-time member of NFIB and an active small-business advocate, Easton was owner of Forest Grove Ace Hardware. In 2006, he was named NFIB’s Small-Business Champion of the Year. In a news release announcing his award, former NFIB/Oregon State Director J.L. Wilson said, “Dave Easton is the model NFIB member. He volunteers his time in order to help other small-business owners and he donates generously to causes beneficial to Main Street, mom-and-pop firms. He also helps our sales force recruit new members. But what really makes him an asset for Oregon small businesses is his expert testimony on their behalf before legislative committees considering bills vital to their survival.”

A Young Entrepreneur Foundation scholarship in Dave Easton’s name was presented to his wife, Mary, and his family by the NFIB/Oregon Leadership Council. A second scholarship in Easton’s name was funded by Jim Bernau of Willamette Valley Vineyards.