Submitted by Olympia Downtown Alliance
The Olympia Downtown Alliance held its 22nd Annual Meeting on Monday, January 27, 2020, at The Washington Center for Performing Arts.
The packed house heard from Alliance Board Chair Josh Gobel of Thomas Architecture Studios, Alliance Executive Director, Todd Cutts and Jessica Bateman, Olympia Mayor Pro-Tem. The evening included a panel discussion around the topic of New Business Downtown moderated by Ryan DiCrescenzo, and the panelists included Liana Francisco from Seed and Bloom, Julia Ward from Moda Capelli and Sandy Hall, Dillinger’s Cheese & Provisions.
During the meeting, the Alliance also honored community members with annual awards.
The Alliance honored those who helped make the Volunteers in Paint Program (VIP) successful, bestowing Golden Paintbrush Awards. Congratulations to the Business Sponsors, BJ Paint’s new owners, Dan Randall, Brian Fuller and Greg Newbill. The VIP Volunteers of the Year went to Girl Scouts Hazel Hudson and Ruby O’Donnell.
The Alliance awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’ to Kris Tucker with Olympia Artspace Alliance. The Alliance awarded ‘Business of the Year’ to Drees (owned by Ruthann Goularte). The Alliance Awarded the Design Award to Browsers Bookshop (owned by Andrea Griffith). Finally, the Alliance awarded ‘Person of the Year’ to Matthew DeBord.
Walker John, 2018 award recipient, presented DeBord with this year’s award. John said, “We are presenting Matt with this award for his tireless work in downtown and throughout the Olympia community. He’s an Olympia kid, born and raised, who loves his City. He is a tireless advocate for downtown and has supported critical commercial investment in numerous downtown projects. He also is the co-Chair of the Downtown Improvement District Steering Committee. His work on this crucial effort has been tireless!”
