Jim Frank of Greenstone Homes receives citizen of year award during annual Gem of the Valley Gala

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce honored local businesses, business owners and educators at its annual Gem of the Valley Gala on Friday.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the 2018 Harry E. Nelson Citizen of the Year Award to longtime local developer Jim Frank of Greenstone Homes. Greenstone is perhaps best known for the River District development in Liberty Lake and Kendall Yards in Spokane.

The winner of the award, which is given to someone who “serves as a leader in strengthening the functional and aesthetic values of our community,” is selected by the previous winners. The award was presented by Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson, who received the award last year. Peterson said Frank combined hard work and a good education to become president and CEO of Greenstone Homes.

Frank, who is currently in New Zealand, prepared a video expressing his gratitude for the award.

“I’m honored by it,” he said.

He thanked the people who had helped him during his career.

“Every business owner really has to create value, but we also create value for the community,” he said.

Frank said he has retired from leading Greenstone and has passed the reins to his son, Joe Frank. He encouraged other business owners to continue their work in the community.

“Let’s get out there and do it,” he said. “Let’s get out there and make Spokane and Spokane Valley a better place to live, a better place to work, a better place to raise our families.”

Joe Frank accepted the award on behalf of his father.

“He doesn’t like to be in the spotlight,” he said of his father. “He likes to be in the background, making our community better. This was his life, creating communities that empower people to live a different lifestyle.”

Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard attended the gala along with several other Spokane Valley City Council members. He said he was pleased that Frank was given the Citizen of the Year award.

“Mr. Frank, for 30 or 40 years, has been providing housing out here,” he said.

Each of the four Spokane Valley School Districts selected an Educator of the Year to honor. Those selected were Victoria Pau, a language arts resource room teacher at North Pines Middle School; Brenda Gaver, a Spanish and student activities teacher at East Valley High School; Heather Wright, a science and math teacher at Centennial Middle School, and Cis Hyndman, library director at the Freeman School District.

The Chamber also bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award presented posthumously to former Republican state representative Lynn Schindler, who died last month at age 74.

Peterson, who presented the award to one of Schindler’s daughters, said Schindler was a wonderful person, a wonderful friend and “a good servant to this community, especially the 4th District.”

Schindler’s daughter said the family is grateful for the support they have received from the community since her mother’s death.

“My mom would (have been) so humbled to get this award,” she said.

Other award recipients during the evening were Wanda Buddrius, Chamber Volunteer of the Year; Ted Schmidt, Chamber Ambassador of the Year; HUB Sports Center, Nonprofit of the Year; Mary Anne Ruddis, Heart of the Community Award; Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Small Business of the Year; Sportsman’s Warehouse, Medium Business of the Year; Numerica Credit Union, Large Business of the Year; and Andrea and Josh Wallgren, Entrepreneur of the Year.

Those nominated for awards and named runner-up were: Elevations and the Wishing Star Foundation, Nonprofit of the Year; Andrea Wallgren and Linda Thompson, Heart of the Community; Adorkable Flowers and Gifts and Secure Pacific Corp., Small Business of the Year; Specialty Group LLC and Spokane Gymnastics, Medium Business of the Year; Dishman Dodge and Katerra, Large Business of the Year; and Christine Avery of SNAP Fitness and Morgan Johnson of MOJO Cyclery, Entrepreneur of the Year.