The Bend Chamber of Commerce named the former CEO of Bend Research, Rod Ray, as its citizen of the year Thursday at its annual Star Awards for Greatness and Excellence.

Ray, who has a doctorate in chemical engineering, was CEO of Bend Research in September 2013 when he announced the company’s pending sale to Capsugel, a New Jersey-based firm with a global footprint, for an undisclosed sum, according to The Bulletin archives. Capsugel invested $25 million into Bend Research’s new production facility before Capsugel itself was bought by a Swiss firm, Lonza Group, in 2017 for $5.5 billion.

Nine other awards were handed out during the event at Riverhouse on the Deschutes. The chamber received more than 40 nominations for the awards. Chamber members were eligible for the awards, except citizen of the year, which was open to the community at large, according to Stephanie Shaver, chamber executive director.

A panel of seven judges made up of past winners, business owners and community dignitaries judged the entries, except for the People’s Choice Award.

The winners are:

• Citizen of the Year: Rod Ray

• Large Business of the Year: G5

• Small Business of the Year: Aperion Management Group

• Small Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Latino Community Association

• Large Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Family Access Network

• Startup of the Year: Oregrown

• Young Professional of the Year: Carrie McPherson Douglass

• Equity Award: Moementum Inc.

• People’s Choice Award: IBEX Global

Editor’s note: This report has been changed from the original to reflect

the year in which Lonza Group acquired Capsugel. The Bulletin regrets the error.