The Whitefish Bike Retreat and Black Diamond Mortgage took home business of the year honors at the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce’s annual Community Awards Gala at the O’Shaughnessy Center, and Whitefish residents Michael Goguen and Nick Polumbus were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community.
Great Whitefish Award: Goguen was honored for the many contributions and investments he has made in Whitefish over the last decade, including the founding – and funding – of Two Bear Air Rescue.
Citizen of the Year: Polumbus, the longtime director of marketing and sales for Whitefish Mountain Resort, was recognized for his “thoughtful and selfless” approach to all things – most notably community involvement and philanthropy.
Business of the Year: Black Diamond Mortgage Company and its founder – Dave Boye – were honored by the Chamber as its 2019 Business of the Year. Boye has grown Black Diamond from a one-man operation to a company employing a half-dozen licensed mortgage professionals and a handful of support staff.
Tourism Business of the Year: The Whitefish Bike Retreat is the Chamber’s 2019 Tourism Business of the Year. Owner Cricket Butler and her crew were nominated for their work in creating a new, four-season destination resort and attraction for the Whitefish area.
Ambassador of the Year: Veteran Chamber Ambassador Karen Beckley was honored as the organization’s Ambassador of the Year for 2019, in recognition of the countless hours she volunteers both as an ambassador and at Chamber-sponsored functions and events throughout the year.