Distinguished Leader Awards Celebration

Leadership Thurston County (LTC) and the Thurston County Chamber Foundation are proud to host the 15th Annual Distinguished Leader Awards Celebration, Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at the Red Lion Hotel Olympia.

The event recognizes leaders who demonstrate outstanding initiative, inspire others and make a significant impact in our community and beyond. Honorees will be recognized through live and multi-media presentations.

Honoree Robert Coit is Executive Director of the Thurston County Food Bank. Robert is a tremendous leader in the food network and regularly steps forward to be the voice of families in Thurston County and across the state who struggle with hunger. Through his work at Thurston County Food Bank, Robert demonstrates excellence year after year through programs to eliminate hunger.

Honoree Tanya Jernigan, Vice President and CFO of Diamond Technology Innovations, is recognized for her work in the manufacture of diamond nozzles utilized in the high pressure waterjet cutting industry and as Executive Director of the Jernigan Foundation, serving the oppressed, and Vice President of the Tronie Foundation dedicated to the abolishment of slave trafficking.

Honoree Dan O’Neill, Owner of The Barn Nursery and Great Western Supply, inherited a 100+ years family business, meeting the needs of farms, businesses and personal shoppers through core conservation values and respect of the land and nature with a theme of recycling locally-sourced products. Dan is a strong supporter of education and lifelong learning through several educational boards and foundations, athletics and local school district involvement.