Lee

Bend High School counselor Gary Whitley received the citizen of the year award from the Bend Chamber of Commerce during the annual SAGE awards dinner Friday night.

About 300 people attended the event at the Sunriver Resort to celebrate citizens and local businesses. Known as the Star Awards for Greatness and Excellence, the event is now in its 26th year.

“This year we pulled out all the stops for Bend’s only Academy Awards for business,” said Robin Rogers, senior vice president of programs and events for the Bend Chamber. “We had everything from new video production and live entertainment by the Central Oregon Aerial Arts Performance Troupe, Aura, to the unveiling of our first-ever lifetime achievement award winner.”

Whitley has served in the Bend School District for more than 30 years and given guidance to thousands of students.

“He goes the extra mile, making phone calls to a college on behalf of a student, investigating the best possible solution to a troubled student’s issue, or making certain a student gets into the class they need to graduate,” a nomination letter for Whitley stated. “Whitley’s spirit is infectious and his contributions go far beyond Bend Senior High School; he makes a tremendous impact on our community each and every day.”

Roger Lee, executive director of Economic Development for Central Oregon, or EDCO, received the lifetime achievement award. Lee has been the executive director of organization for the past 15 years.

He has also served as facilitator of Opportunity Knocks groups and participated in OSU-Cascades’ Campus Expansion Advisory Committee.

Lee has been on boards and committees for the Partnership to End Poverty, Abilitree, the Central Oregon Air Service Taskforce and the governor’s Regional Solutions Advisory Board.

“At the root of Roger’s professional and private success are his integrity, work ethic, selfless personality and willingness to collaborate with organizations across the region,” said EDCO Operations Manager Erin Chalet, who nominated Lee. “He is the first to deflect compliments towards his staff and colleagues, but those that know him would agree that without his unwavering dedication, insight and passion for economic development, Central Oregon would not be what it is today.”

The Bend Chamber received more than 50 nominees for 10 awards. Nominations were open to Bend Chamber members. Citizen of the year was open to both members and the community at large. All nominees, with the exception of the people’s choice award and board of directors award of distinction and community excellence, were judged by an individual panel of judges of past winners, business owners, Bend Chamber board members and community dignitaries.

“Every one of our nominees is deserving,” Rogers said. “It’s these members, citizens and businesses that help our community prosper and thrive.”

— Reporter: 541-617-7820, tshorack@bendbulletin.com