January
2005• The monthly newsletter for UWT faculty and staff
Lifetime
Achievement Award
William
W. Philip
Retired, Columbia Banking System
Five years ago, editorial writers at The News Tribune called Bill
Philip "as close as anyone to being 'Mr. Tacoma.'" The
designation came as he was being honored by local Boy Scouts for
his active generosity, a recognition matched another year by Boys
and Girls Clubs of Pierce County and by UWT last year, when he
was honored with UWT's first Community Founders Award.
A
graduate of Stadium High School, Philip returned to Tacoma after
attending college and banking educational programs to join Puget
Sound National Bank. He became president and CEO of PSNB in 1974.
He
continued profitably directing the bank until its purchase by
nationwide Key Bank in 1993, then retired for less than a year
before joining what is today's Tacoma-based Columbia Bank, a highly
successful, publicly-traded community bank. Philip retired as
CEO at the end of 1999 and left Columbia's board in early 2001.
But
he has not left the front ranks of community-building efforts
yet, continuing service on high-level advisory panels to the University
of Washington and UWT.
Philip's
legendary business leadership and success will be recognized with
the Lifetime Achievement award on Wednesday, Jan. 26, in ceremonies
at the Washington State History Museum.
Nominees
for Business Leader of the Year
Jeffrey
E. Brown
President, Architects BCRA
Under
the direction of Jeff Brown over the past 15 years, Architects
BCRA has grown from a two-person partnership operating out of
Brown's home into the largest architectural firm in the South
Sound. With more than 80 employees today, the firm has more than
doubled in size and has achieved an 80 percent increase in revenues
over the last five years.
"Architects
BCRA is the company we are today because of Jeff Brown's vision.
Jeff embodies the values and the characteristics needed to make
BCRA a success" says Rory Connally, Architects BCRA principal.
Boo
Nam Han
Owner, Boo Han Market
After
immigrating to the South Sound in 1973 with his wife and two sons,
Boo Ham Nan opened the first Korean food market off South Tacoma
Way. It has grown significantly over the years since and has been
joined by four additional Asian food supermarkets in Lakewood,
Federal Way, Lynnwood and Portland. His wholesale business in
Lakewood distributes Asian food items to retailers and wholesalers
in many states.
Han
also owns and manages a number of commercial buildings in Pierce
and Snohomish counties. Korean media in Washington, California
and South Korea have recognized him as a "godfather of Korean
community" in Tacoma.
Roger
Hansen
President & CEO, HHJ Construction, Fife
For
30 years as president and CEO of Fife's HHJ Construction and Hansen,
Hansen & Johnson Architects, Roger Hansen has followed his
lifelong love of construction. He earned a bachelor's degree in
architecture from Washington State University before creating
the firm, which offers both professional architectural and general
contracting services.
The
firm has since grown in scope and impact and Hansen has made substantial
contributions to the community.
Mike
Hargreaves
President, Stadium Thriftway
Mike Hargreaves and his wife own Stadium Thriftway, an independent
retail grocery store located in North Tacoma. Hargreaves became
manager of the store in 1986 and purchased it in 1991.
The
grocery industry is a highly competitive and price-sensitive business,
but Stadium Thriftway has been able to maintain its market share
by catering to a niche market and providing quality
service and competitive pricing. The store serves its core customers
by providing delivery service and packaging products for its customers'
needs.
Nancy
LeMay
CEO, Harold LeMay Enterprises
Nancy
married Harold LeMay in 1963 thinking he was an average businessman.
She quickly discovered that her husband was an adventurous entrepreneur.
Her
husband's lifetime creation — Harold LeMay Enterprises —
is a corporation primarily engaged in the refuse and recycling
industries in southwest Washington. After Harold's death in 2000,
his wife took over as CEO, maintaining a strength of leadership
that ensured the successful continuation of this family business.
She
adopted her husband's motto, "One way or another, the job
gets done," and has always demonstrated a hands-on approach.
Each LeMay employee is treated with equal respect, creating an
environment where everyone feels appreciated. More than 10 percent
of LeMay employees have been with the company for 20 years or
longer.
Robert
P. Magee
Chairman, American Shipping Group
Robert
Magee is recognized throughout the shipping industry for his leadership,
imagination and outstanding business judgment as CEO of the holding
company for Totem Ocean Trailer Express. He oversees administration,
marketing and operations of a company with more than 800 employees
and a budget of about $250 million. Combined operations involve
seven cargo ships and 8,500 trailers serving the U.S. mainland
and Alaska; two container vessels serving Florida and Puerto Rico;
and a technical ship management and ship crewing company that
manages and operates 27 vessels, 14 of which are part of the U.S.
Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Fleet.
In
2003,
Magee was named Maritime Man of the Year by the Council of American
Master Mariners.
Mike
Medrzycki
Vice President of Business Development, Construction
Enterprises & Contractors
Mike
Medrzycki's natural leadership and communication skills are highly
regarded in the business community. He accomplishes his goals
through proper planning, teamwork, industry knowledge, time management
and an overall approach to building that maintains professional
relationships.
Medrzycki has served on advisory boards for Catholic Community
Services, the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame
and the Pierce County Association of Catholic Educators. He has
also been president of Tacoma Athletic Commission and has raised
thousands of dollars for various nonprofits, including Rotary
Club of Tacoma, Bellarmine Prep, Good Samaritan Hospital, Point
Defiance Zoological Society and Detlef Schrempf Foundation.
Chris
Nye
Owner, MLS4owners.com
When
Chris Nye launched MLS4owners.com in 2001, he had $1,000, a telephone,
and a computer. But using his years of experience in "traditional"
real estate sales, he resolved
to provide the same level of service to "for sale by owner"
residential customers. He created a firm that claims more than
$200 million in home sales, at 99 percent of asking prices. A
former Army Special Forces officer, he operates as a sole proprietorship,
involving friends, family, vendors, colleagues and customers in
creating and improving his services.
Brian
Byung Chan Park
Owner/President, Pal-Do World
Since
he opened Pal-Do World, a specialty grocery store on South Tacoma
Way catering to the needs of Asian Pacific Islanders in the South
Sound, Brian Park has added four stores in Washington and Oregon
with annual sales of $22 million — all in just nine years.
His
newest store in Everett occupies 10,000 square feet and includes
not only specialty groceries, but herbal acupuncture, a restaurant,
movies and more. Park also plans to open a 50,000 square-foot
superstore next fall.
Carol
Pica
Director of Sales, La Quinta Inn & Suites
At
age 23, Carol Pica was named assistant vice president of a Flagstaff,
Arizona firm. That job gave her career a sense of direction, which
she refined as director of catering and convention services at
a four-star hotel in Tempe four years later. She has been happily
employed in the hospitality industry most of the years since.
Pica
has been involved in the communities in which she has worked,
but she confides that her contributions usually take place behind
the scenes. Recently, she played a role in a project that brought
travel photographers from across the country to Pierce County.
Fred
Roberson
Owner, Roberson Building Company
Fred
Roberson, a real estate developer since 1959, has been a pillar
in the community for more than 40 years. He envisioned a lively
downtown Tacoma long before the University of Washington moved
in.
In
an effort to promote growth in Tacoma, he has purchased and refubished
various buildings in the downtown area, including the Harmon building.
Current projects include the historic Fraternity Building and
the Annex in the 1100 block of Tacoma Avenue across from the public
library.
Dave
Schmitz
Owner, City Glass and Upholstery
When David Schmitz purchased City Glass & Upholstery in 1988,
it was primarily involved with auto-glass replacement and auto
upholstery. To achieve growth, Schmitz recognized he needed to
expand to include residential and commercial glass, which is now
the primary base.
The
company has also expanded into window tinting, acrylic and glass
block windows and walls, glass railing systems, plantation shutters
and blown glass art. Sales have increased fourfold under his ownership.
Bruce
Titus
Owner, Bruce Titus Automotive Group
Born
into a powerful family of auto dealers, Bruce Titus learned the
daily operations at Titus-Will Ford Toyota from the ground up.
Titus
launched his own business in 1995 by purchasing Tacoma Nissan
and Tacoma Subaru, adding a multiline dealership at Olympia's
Capital Auto Mall five years later. The most recent addition,
Friendly Chevrolet, came in 2004.
A
highly motivated, energetic and charismatic person who thrives
on the challenges offered by the automotive industry, Titus currently
employs over 200 people throughout South Puget Sound. He is also
active in many local charitable organizations and efforts, including
the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Foundation and the Chamber
of Commerce.
Doug
Burton
General manager, Parkland Chevrolet
Nominators
called Burton a brilliant leader who has been influential in helping
young people build their business acumen. Burton is highly involved
in youth ministries and has backed several startup businesses
in the area.
Warren
Foster
Owner and president, Graphic Services
For
nearly 30 years, Warren Foster has quietly dedicated himself to
his printing and graphic design business. Foster bought his father's
typesetting business in 1978 and quickly earned a reputation for
professionalism among loyal customers and employees. He has adapted
quickly to new technology and built trust among his long-term
employees. Graphic Services currently employs six and offers high-quality
desktop publishing, printing and more to many local clients.
Foster
serves on the YMCA Metro Board of Directors and has volunteered
for Habitat for Humanity and other charitable causes.
