Distinguished Service Award
Rich Honored:
As a long-time resident of the area, Rich has often stated that a successful community is one that has a sense of family among its citizens and support for its local businesses. In order to promote this giving attitude and spirit of community, Rich’s commitment to the Salem Chamber of Commerce to assist in growing the community is a high priority to him. He leads by example, showing others his passion for seeing growth and success in the Salem area and personally demonstrates ways in which to serve others.
The dedication Rich shows to being an active corporate citizen is well-known within the community as he continually serves where there is a need. As a member of both local (Salem and Keizer) and the national chambers, SEDCOR board member and the SEDCOR Construction Alliance, Rich volunteers his time to further the growth of our community and find ways to attract new businesses and financial resources to the area. As the current board president for the Chemeketa Community College Foundation he knows the importance of education and strives to help others reach their academic goals. Most recently, joining the Liberty House board has allowed Rich to lend his business expertise to expand and increase the benefits to the children that can be assisted through this child abuse assessment center. By serving, he demonstrates excellent leadership and promotes a spirit of community.
In honor of all that he does to help make Salem a great place to work, live and play, the Salem Chamber of Commerce selected Rich Duncan as one of three recipients of a Distinguished Service Award for 2014. Two members of his staff, who nominated Rich personally, were able to arrange a surprise in which his VP Operations, Nate Cooke, was able to announce the receipt of this award. Surprising him at a “lunch meeting” at the Gilgamesh in Salem, the Chamber arrived bearing gifts! Several members of his staff were able to attend the awards banquet and help celebrate this personal honor and support a boss who continually encourages and appreciates his staff. Although Rich was unavailable to accept the award personally (previous travel plans conflicted with the date of the banquet), Nate Cooke was able to accept on his behalf and the tech wizards at Allied Video Productions were able to “patch” in Rich to give an acceptance speech.
The First Citizen Banquet, in its 64th year, was held on Friday, March 7th, 2014.
